Table Of Content

A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying and Civil Engineering CHRISTOPHER GORSE, DAVID JOHNSTON, AND MARTIN PRITCHARD 1 3 GreatClarendonStreet,OxfordOX26DP,UnitedKingdom OxfordUniversityPressisadepartmentoftheUniversityofOxford. ItfurtherstheUniversity’sobjectiveofexcellenceinresearch,scholarship, andeducationbypublishingworldwide.Oxfordisaregisteredtrademarkof OxfordUniversityPressintheUKandincertainothercountries #OxfordUniversityPress2012 Themoralrightsoftheauthorhavebeenasserted FirstEditionpublishedin2012 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedin aretrievalsystem,ortransmitted,inanyformorbyanymeans,withoutthe priorpermissioninwritingofOxfordUniversityPress,orasexpresslypermitted bylaw,bylicenceorundertermsagreedwiththeappropriatereprographics rightsorganization.Enquiriesconcerningreproductionoutsidethescopeofthe aboveshouldbesenttotheRightsDepartment,OxfordUniversityPress,atthe addressabove Youmustnotcirculatethisworkinanyotherform andyoumustimposethissameconditiononanyacquirer BritishLibraryCataloguinginPublicationData Dataavailable LibraryofCongressCataloginginPublicationData Dataavailable ISBN978–0–19–953446–3 PrintedinGreatBritainonacid-freepaperby ClaysLtd,StIvesplc Preface This Dictionary aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date reference of construction,surveying,andcivilengineeringtermswithinonepublication.The entries address the needs of those studying on built environment courses or engagedinprofessionalpracticeaswellasprovidingmuchusefulinformationfor those with a general interest in architecture or construction. Builders, trade suppliers,andcontractorswillfindthedictionaryausefuldesktopmanualthat canbeeasilyandquicklyusedtocheckunfamiliarterminology. Due to the size and nature of the industry, it is difficult for even the most knowledgeable professionals to stay abreast of emerging issues and retain an encyclopediaofconstructiontermsatthefrontoftheirmind.Insuchcases,the book acts as a reminder, giving reassurance of meanings and confidence in communication.Builtenvironmentprofessionals,includingarchitects,building surveyors, building services engineers, construction managers, civil engineers, electrical engineers, facilities managers, mechanical engineers, and quantity surveyorsshouldfindtheDictionaryuseful.Itoffersaquickandeasyguideto terms and information that underpin the environment in which we live, both builtandnatural.Incoveringtheseterms,theauthorshavedelvedintotheareas of building physics and science, and their application to design, structures, materials,andpracticesthatinformconstructionandengineering.Issuesasso- ciated with geology, geography, climate, and the natural environment within whichbuildingsandstructuresareaccommodatedarealsocovered.Thepolicy andlegalframeworksthatprovidegovernanceandproceduretothebuiltenvi- ronmentareincluded,aswellastheissuesrelatedtotheprofessionalorganiza- tionsthatholdinfluentialpositionswithintheindustry. Theimportanceofthesustainabilityagendaandtherelatedfieldsofbuilding, engineering, and surveying mean that more people are taking an interest in constructionandneedtofamiliarizethemselvesquicklywiththelanguageand terminology used. The dictionary offers a good point of reference for those operatingwithinthefieldandthosejustinterestedinlearningmoreaboutthe builtenvironmentandengineering.Asamajorconsumeroftheworld’snatural resources,thebuiltenvironmentandtheimpactthatithasontheenvironment is high on the government agenda, with all policy makers ensuring that it is givendueconsideration.Itisexpectedthatthebook,terms,andreferenceswill continuetogrowandbeingreaterdemandasthedegreeofimportanceasso- ciatedwiththebuiltenvironmentincreases. Contents Preface vii Acknowledgements viii DictionaryofConstruction,Surveying,andCivilEngineering 1 FurtherReading 498 A abandonmentofwork Toleavesiteandrefusetocontinuework.Mustentail acompletestoppageofworkwithaclearintentionnottocontinueorcompletethe work.Thetermisoftenusedinarbitrationandadjudicationandmarksapoint wherereferencetolegalproceedingscancommence. abatementofaction Aninterruptionoflegalproceedings.Aparty,normallythe defendant,servesanapplicationofabatementgivingreasonswhyproceedingsshould notcontinue. abeyance 1.Astateofsuspension,temporarilyinactive,cessationorputtooneside foraperiodoftime.2.Whentheownershipofapropertyhasnotyetbeendecidedor theconditionofapropertywithoutanowner. abioseston Non-livingparticulatematterfoundfloatinginwatercourses. abiotic Non-livingchemicalandphysicalmatter(notbiological).Abiotic componentsarepartsoftheenvironment;water,sunlight,oxygen,temperature,soil, andclimate. ablutionfitting Alargecommunalsanitaryfittingusedtoperformritualwashing. Abneylevel Ahand-heldinstrumenttomeasureverticalangles.Seealsoclinometer ofaction. abovegrade Ahigherelevationthangroundlevel.Seealsoabovegroundlevel. abovegroundlevel(USabovegrade) 1.Theheightabovegroundlevel.2.Work undertakenonabuildingafterthebuildinghascomeoutoftheground. Abram’slaw Arulethatstatesthestrengthofconcrete(ormortar)isinverselyrelated tothewater/cement(w/c)ratio.Providedthereissufficientwatertoensurethatthe *hydrationreactionoccurs,thelowerthewater/cementratio,thehigherthestrengthof theconcrete/mortar. abrasion Thewearingawayofonematerialagainstanotherby*friction. abrasionresistance Theabilityofafinishtowithstandwear. abrasive Theuseoffriction/roughnesstoclean,grind,orpolishasurface. abruptwave Anunexpectedincreaseinflowcausedbyasuddenchangeinflow conditions. ABS(acrylonitrilebutadienestyrene) Apolymericmaterialcomposedof acrylonitrile,butadiene,andstyrenetogiveagoodbalanceofmechanicalproperties, usedcommonlyaslavatoryseats. abscissa Thehorizontalorx-coordinatewithinthe*Cartesiancoordinatesystem. abseilsurvey 2 abseilsurvey Aninspectionundertakenonatallbuilding/structurebyaqualified a personsuspendedviaarope. absolute Notdependingonanythingelse. absoluteassignment Theirrevocabletransferoftheentiredebtoralllegalrights. absolutezero Thelowestpossibletemperature.Definedaszerodegrees*Kelvin, whichisequivalentto(cid:1)273.15degreesontheCelsiusscale. absorbent Theabilitytoabsorb,i.e.tosoakupaliquid. absorption Theprocessofabsorbingaliquid. absorptionrate(absorptioncoefficientofwater) Therateofwaterabsorption, ingressbycapillaryaction,intoamaterialwhenexposedtoawatermediumoveraperiod oftime.Themethodfordeterminingthewaterabsorptionpropertyiscarriedoutin accordancewithBSEN772–11.Afterdryingtoconstantmass,afaceofthemasonry materialisimmersedinwaterforaspecificperiodoftime,bothshort-andlong-termand theincreaseinmassisusuallydetermined.Thewaterabsorptionofthefaceoftheunit exposedismeasured,afterdryingtoconstantmass.Theminimumimmersiontimeis usuallyonehour,asspecifiedinBSEN771–4.Thecoefficientofwaterabsorptionis normallystatedat10,30,and90minutesformasonrymaterials(bricksandblocks). absorptionrefrigerator Arefrigeratorthatoperatesusingtheabsorptioncycle ratherthanthevapourcompressioncycle.Insuchsystems,aheatsource,usuallywaste heat,isabsorbedandusedtoevaporatetherefrigerantratherthanusingacompressorto compresstherefrigerant.Quietinoperationandcapableofbeingdrivenbysolarenergy. absorptiveform Seepermanentformwork. absorptivity(absorptivepower) Apropertyofamaterialthatdeterminesthe amountofincidentheat,light,orsoundenergythatisabsorbedbythematerial. ABT SeeAssociationofBuildingTechnicians. abut Toadjoin;benextto;touch. abutment 1.Asolidstructure,usuallyapierorwall,whichprovidessupporttoan arch,bridge,orvault.Itenablestheloadsfromthestructuretobetransmittedtothe *foundations.2.Thepointwherearoofslopeintersectsawallthatextendsabovetheroof slope.3.Theintersectionbetweentwobuildingelements.4.Indamconstruction,the sidesofthevalleyagainstwhichthedamisconstructed. abutmentflashing A*flashingatan*abutment,usuallymadefromlead, althoughcopperandmortarhavebeenused. abutmentpiece(US) A*sillor*soleplate. abutmentwall Thewallthatextendsbeyondan*abutment. ACAFormofBuildingAgreement TheAssociationofConsultantArchitects constructioncontract. ACAS(Advisory,Conciliation,andArbitrationService) Anindependentpublicly fundedorganizationfoundedin1975thatactstopreventandresolveemployment disputes.Italsoprovidesprofessionaladviceandtraining. 3 accessorybox acceleratedweathering(artificialageing) Normallyacyclicprocessthat a simulatesadverseclimaticconditions(suchastemperature,ultravioletradiation,and moisture),whichisusedtoassessthedurabilityofmaterials. acceleration Ameasureoftherateatwhich*velocityischanging,i.e.achangein speedovertime. accelerationofwork Agreementtocompletetheworkinashortertime.Within generallaw,thearchitect,contractadministrator,orclienthasnopowertoinstructthe contractortocompletetheworkinashorterperiodoftimethantheexpressed completiondate,unlessthereisaprovision(term)withinthecontractthatallowsfor theaccelerationofworks. accelerator Anadmixturethatenhancesearlystrength(hardening)butthelong-term strengthremainsunaffected.Regularlyusedincoldweatherwhenurgentrepairwork isneeded.Calciumchlorideisthemostcommonaccelerator,however,itreduces corrosionprotection. accelerometer Aninstrumentformeasuringacceleration. acceptance Anagreement,basedonanoffer,whichformsacontract.Anofferand acceptanceareusedincontractlawtodeterminewhetheracontractexists.Fora contracttoexist,thereneedstobeanoffer,acceptanceofthatoffer,andconsideration (thethingofvalueatthecentreofthecontract).Acceptancecanbemadeorally, inwriting,orbyconduct.Acceptancemustbeunqualified. acceptedprogramme Thescheduleofworksthathasbeenagreed,underthe contractterms,tobeusedtoscheduleactivitiesandresources.The*Engineeringand ConstructionContract,previouslytheNewEngineeringContract,makesreferenceto theacceptedprogramme. acceptedrisk Risksacceptedbytheclientoremployerwhichcaninfluencetheworks butarebeyondthecontractor’scontrolorscopeofworks.TermusedinGC(General Contract)/WorksContract. access 1.Themethodofgainingentrytoabuilding,aroom,asite,orservices.2.The rightorpermissiontousesomething(accesstodocuments). accesschamber Seeinspectionchamber. accesscover(accesseye,inspectioncover) Theremovablecoveronan*inspection chamber. accessfloor(raisedfloor) Afloorthatissuspendedabovethestructuralfloor. Usuallyconsistsofremovablepanelssupportedonametalgridthatisraisedoffthefloor byadjustablepedestalsorbattens.Thespacebetweenthetwofloorscanbeusedtoroute variousservicessuchasdata,telephone,power,lighting,heatingandcoolingpipes,and ventilation. accesshole Anopening,usuallylargeenoughforaperson,thatenablesaccesstobe gainedtoanarea,aninstallation,orservices. accessories 1.Componentsnotincludedaspartoftheoriginalproduct.Oftenusedto enhanceormodifytheperformanceoftheoriginalproduct.2.Componentsthatareused toconnectvariousbuildingelementsorservicestogether. accessorybox(accessoryenclosure) Aboxthatisusedtostoreaccessories. AccesstoNeighbouringLandAct1992 4 AccesstoNeighbouringLandAct1992 Actdesignedtoaddressproblemsthat a arisewhenentrytoaneighbour’slandisrequiredtocarryoutwork.TheActappliesto basicpreservationworksonlyandwouldincludemaintenanceandrepairofbuildings andpropertythatcannotbereasonablyundertakenwithintheboundaryoftheproperty. Applicationismadetothecourts.Thecourtscanonlyawardaccessifitdoesnotinterfere withtheenjoymentofanowner’sland,norshoulditcausehardship. accesstoworks Thecontractualrighttohaveaccesstotheplacewheretheworkisto beundertaken.Theemployerhastogivethecontractoraccesstothesiteotherwiseit wouldbeimpossibleforhim/hertocarryoutthework.Itisnotabreachofcontract whereaccessispreventedbythirdpartiesoverwhomtheemployerhasnocontrol. accident Anidentifiableandspecificeventthatwasnotanticipatedandwas unexpected.Generally,thefactthatsomethingwasanaccidentisnotanadequate defencetoanactionbroughtintort. accidentalerror Amistakehappeningbychancethatwouldinfluenceaccuracy;for instance,takinganincorrectreadingwithoutrealizingthemistake. acclivity Anupwardslopeorincline. accommodationworks Activitiesthatareundertakenorrequiredtomaintain structures,equipment,orlandthatisthepropertyorunderthecontrolofastatutory undertaker;suchworkmayinclude:bridges,fences,andgatestoprotectrailways, substations,etc.Wherethereisastatutoryobligationtoprotectsuchworksitmustbe undertaken. accordandsatisfaction Thepurchaseofareleasefroman*obligation.In*contract lawanobligationarisingunderthecontractmaybepurchasedbymeansof consideration,withouthavingtoundertaketheobligation.Theaccordistheagreement andthesatisfactionrepresentstheconsiderationtakenintoaccounttodischargethe obligationandmakestheagreementvalid. accordiondoor Adoorcomprisinganumberofsectionsthatfoldtogetherlikethe bellowsofanaccordionwhenopened. accreditation Acertificationprocessbywhichanorganizationisawardedastandard ofcompetencyandcredibility. accruedrights Therightsanddutiesofthepartiesfollowingacontractor’s determinationofemploymentunderthecontract(remediesofeitherparty). Suchrightsalsogivepowerstocontractadministratorstoissueinstructions,inrelation toworkalreadycompleted,e.g.fordefectivework. accumulation Theincreaseofsomethingovertime. acequia Anirrigationcanal/ditchusedinSpainandtheAmericanSouthwest. acetone Aflammableliquidfromthefamilyofketones. acetylene Ahydrocarbonsubstancefromthealkynesfamily. acid AliquidwithapHvalueoflessthan7.0. acidic Achemicalcompoundwhosepropertiesaretypicalofan*acid. acknowledgementofservice Theformalstep,bywayofaletter,ofresponding toaclaim.Theletterwouldstatethatadefendantintendstodisputepartorallofthe 5 activeearthpressure claim,statetheparticularsoftheclaim,andrecordwhetherthecourt’sjurisdictionis a accepted.TheprocedureisgovernedbytheCivilProcedureRules. acousticboard Aboardusedonwalls,floors,andceilingsthatisdesignedto improve*soundabsorptionor*soundinsulation. acousticclip Aclipthatisattachedtothefloorjoiststoprovidesupportforan acousticfloor.Usedtoreduce*impactsoundtransmissiononfloatingtimberfloors. acousticconstruction Anytypeofconstructionthatimprovesthe*acousticsof theconstruction.Forinstance,reduces*soundtransmission,improves*sound insulation,orincreases*soundabsorption. acousticfinish(acousticfinishing) Afinishthatreducessoundenergyby absorption. acousticfloor Afloorthatisdesignedtoreducesoundtransmission. acousticlining Aliningmaterialthatisdesignedtoabsorbnoiseandreduce*sound transmission.Usedonpipesandductwork. acousticplaster Plasterthathashighsoundabsorptionproperties. acoustics 1.Abranchofphysicsthatrelatestothestudyof*soundgeneration,sound transmission,absorption,andreflection.2.Inconstruction,theeffectthatsoundhason aroomorspace. acoustictile Atilemanufacturedfrom*acousticboardthatisusuallyusedonceilings toimprove*soundabsorptionor*soundinsulation. acre Anareaoflandequalto4840squareyards(0.405hectares). acrylatedrubberpaints Specialtypeofpaintsthataresuitableforinternaland externalapplicationsexposedtochemicalattack,orwetandhumidconditions.Maybe appliedtometalormasonrybyeitherbrushingorspraying. acrylic Acompoundderivedfromacrylicacid. acrylicpaints Atypeofpaintinanacrylicpolymeremulsionrenownedforitsquick dryingproperties. acrylicresin Seepolymethylmethacrylate. acrylicsealants Atypeof*sealantderivedfromacrylicacid. acrylicsheet Apolymermaterialderivedfromacrylicacid,usuallytransparent. acrylonitrilebutadienestyrene SeeABS. action 1.Thephysicaloperationofsomething.2.Acivillegalproceedingbroughtby onepartyagainstanother. activeearthpressure(p ) Thehorizontalpressurethatisexertedonaretaining a wallbythemassofsoilitretains.Activepressuredevelopswhenthewallmovesaway fromtheretainedmassandthesoilexpandssufficientlytomobilizeitsshearstrength. Theminimumhorizontalstress(p)occurswhenthefailurestrengthofthesoilisfully a mobilized,representedbytheminorprincipalstress,andiscalculatedbymultiplyingthe *coefficientofactiveearthpressure(K)bytheverticalstressatthepointof a consideration. activefireprotection 6 a Active Earth Pressure Passive Earth Pressure Structure moves away from soil Structure pushes into soil Active Active Earth Rweatlalining PrEeasrstuhr e Passive PresPsaure Pa Earth Pressure P p activefireprotection Afireprotectionsystemthatuseselectricaland/or mechanicalequipmenttodetectorsuppressfires,suchas*firedetectors,*alarms, *sprinklers,or*spraysystems.Theyrequireregularmaintenancetoensurethattheyare fullyoperational. activeleaf Themostfrequentlyusedopeningleafonadoubledoor.Whenclosed,itis heldinpositionbylatchingtothe*inactiveleaf. activesolarheating Aheatingsystemthatutilizeselectricaland/ormechanical equipment,suchassolarcollectors,pumps,andfanstocollectsolarenergyfromthesun toheatwater. activity Anitemofworkortaskthatisneededtocompleteaproject.Usedin*Critical PathMethodscheduling.Anactivityarrowisusedtorepresentanactivitygraphically. Thetimethatisexpectedtobetakentocompleteanactivityisknownastheactivity duration.Anactivityscheduleisalistofalloftheactivitiesthatarerequiredtobe carriedouttocompleteaproject. ActofGod Alegaltermmeaninganoccurrencecausedbynaturalforceswhere foresightandprudencecouldnotreasonablyanticipateitandguardagainstit.Theterm isnotgenerallyusedinconstructioncontracts,*forcemajeureisthetermusuallyusedto coversuchoccurrences. ActofParliament Astatutethatsetsoutthelaw,thelegalwillofParliamentin writtenform.TheActsprovidethebroadprinciples,withthedetailofthelawcoveredby regulationsintheformofastatutoryinstrument. actuator Amechanicaldevicethatisusedtoconvertelectrical,hydraulic,or pneumaticenergyintomechanicalenergy.Usedinflowcontrolvalves,meters,motors, pumps,switches,andrelays. acuteangle Ananglethatisgreaterthanzerodegreesbutlessthan90(cid:3).Inanacute angletriangleallthreeanglesareacute. adaptor Adevicethatenablesthecharacteristicsofonecomponenttobematchedto anothercomponent.Usedforjoining*pipework,*ductwork,andelectricalcables. addendumbills Billsofquantitiesproducedtoalterormodifypartsoftheoriginal bills.Problemsoftenoccurwhereadditionaldocumentsareusedtomodifytheoriginal billsastheaddendumwillrefertotheoriginaldocument,buttheoriginaldocumentdoes notmakereferencetotheaddendum.Ifnotcross-referencedproperlysuchdocuments canbeproblematic.Addendumsmaybeusedtoreducethelowesttendersothatitis withintheclient’sbudgetortocaterforminoralterations.