>>Below is a drawing. Sorry if it bloats

your email. I'm confused by the numbers in the centers of the

structural bays. Is it reasonable that they represent the thickness of

the slab spanning two ways between the beams? Why two numbers? Is the

second number the depth of the beam? Or is the first number...always a

"5", actually an "S" as in Slab?<<

I would hope they didn't pour 15 to 22 inches of concrete in some of those bays! Looking at the pattern my guess would be the average depth of “sand(?)” needed to establish the level fill before the floor was poured.

>>Has anyone ever written a book on how to interpret the notes of long

gone draftsmen? Particulary the ones in the engineering profession?<<

Hell, it’s hard enough to understand those of engineers today!

Sign me “Only admit I are one among friends”