Lesson 2.1 Building Design and Construction - Key Terms
Key Term Definition Felt A tar-impregnated paper used for water protection under roofing and siding materials. Floor Joists Horizontal structural members used to carry the floor and ceiling loads. Header A horizontal structural member used to support other structural members over openings such as doors and windows. House Wrap Engineered materials designed to keep out liquid water and prevent air infiltration while allowing water vapor to escape from inside the home. Insulation Material used to restrict the flow of heat, cold, or sound from one surface to another. Sheathing A covering placed over exterior studs or rafters that serve as a base below the exterior finish materials. siding Material, such as boards or shingles, used for surfacing the outside walls of a frame building. Sill A horizontal wood member placed at the bottom of walls and openings in walls. Solar Orientation Consideration of the solar orientation of a building based on the relative position of the sun in order to purposely increase or decrease the amount of light or heat transferred to the building. Source Reduction Reducing waste by changing patterns of production and consumption. Stud The vertical framing member in frame wall construction. Subfloor The structural floor joined to the joists that support the finish flooring. Sustainability Meeting the needs of society in ways that can continue indefinitely into the future without damaging or depleting natural resources. Top Plate A horizontal structural member located on top of the studs used to hold the wall together. Truss An assembly of structural members joined to form a rigid framework, usually connected to form triangles. Lesson 2.2 Cost and Efficiency Analysis - Key Terms
Term Definition Compression Strength The maximum compressive stress a material can withstand without failure. Concrete A solid, hard material produced by combining Portland cement, aggregates, sand, water and sometimes additional mixtures. Design Temperature Differential The difference between the indoor temperature in winter and the outdoor design temperature in winter. The design temperature differential or design range is used in calculating the space heating requirements of a dwelling unit under the engineering-based methodology. Fascia The finish board covering the edges of rafters and eaves. footing The lowest, widest part of the foundation that distributes the load over a broad area of the soil. Foundation The lower part of a building, which transfers structural loads from the building to the soil. Heat Loss The energy needed to warm outside air leaking into a building through cracks around doors, windows, and other areas. Radiant Heat Energy radiated or transmitted as rays or waves, in the form of particles. Rafter Member of a roof structural frame that supports the sheathing and other roof loads. Rebar Steel bar used to reinforce concrete. R-Value The numerical value used to indicate the resistance to the flow of heat. Sole Plate The plate placed at the bottom of a wall. Square (Quantity of Shingles) In roofing, 100 square feet of roofing material. Tensile Strength The maximum stress a material subjected to a stretching load can withstand without tearing. Thermal Conduction The process of heat transfer through a solid by transmitting kinetic energy from one molecule to the next. Thermal Convection Heat transmission by the circulation of a liquid or a heated gas or air. Transmission Load Heat loss/gain resulting from the conduction of heat through the building envelope. U-Factor A measure of the heat transmission through a building part (as a wall or window) or a given thickness of a material (as insulation) with lower numbers indicating better insulating properties. |
Lesson 1.1 Civil Engineering and Architecture - Key Terms
Term Definition Aesthetics The quality of an object that deals with art, beauty, and taste. Arch A curved structure for spanning an opening, designed to support a vertical load primarily by axial compression. Architect An individual trained in the art and science of designing and constructing buildings. Balance The pleasing or harmonious arrangement or proportion of parts or elements in a design or composition. Bearing Walls Solid walls that provide support for each other and for the roof of a structure. Civil Engineer An engineer trained in the design and construction of public works, such as bridges or dams, and other large facilities. Color The aspect of the appearance of objects and light sources that may be described in terms of hue, lightness, and saturation for objects and hue, brightness, and saturation for light sources. Contrast A visual principle associated with change made in size, shape, color, or tone of graphic elements. Design Principles The rules that describe how designers might put together various design elements to create an aesthetic finished product. Dome An arrangement of several arches whose bases form a circle and whose tops meet in the center. Element of Design A basic visual component or building block of designed objects. Emphasis Stress or prominence given to an element of a composition by means of contrast, anomaly, or counterpoint. Façade The exterior face of a building. Form The shape and structure of something as distinguished from its substance or material. Keystone A wedge-shaped stone placed in the crown of an arch. Line The edge or contour of a shape. Lintel A beam supporting the weight above a door or window opening. Movement The effect or illusion of motion conveyed by the relationship of structural elements in a design or composition. Pattern An artistic or decorative design, especially one having a characteristic arrangement and considered as a unit. Post-and-Lintel Construction Wall construction utilizing a framework of vertical posts and horizontal beams to carry floor and roof loads. Repetition A principle where some graphic elements are repeated throughout the entire design. Rhythm Movement characterized by a patterned repetition or alteration of formal elements or motifs in the same or a modified form. Shape The two-dimensional contour that characterizes an object or area. space The dimensions of height, depth, and width within which all things exist and move. Texture The feel, appearance, or consistency of a surface, substance, or fabric. Unity The state or quality of being combined into one, as the ordering of elements in an artistic work that constitutes a harmonious whole or promotes a singleness of effect. Value The relative lightness or darkness of a color. Vernacular Architecture Culturally and climatically relevant architecture using locally available materials and traditional building techniques. Voussoir any of the wedge-shaped units in a masonry arch or vault, having side cuts converging at one of the arch centers. |
Lesson 2.3 Residential Design - Key Terms
Term Definition Berm A horizontal ledge cut between the foot and top of an embankment to stabilize the slope by intercepting sliding earth. Building Code Legal requirements designed to protect the public by providing guidelines for structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical areas of a structure. Building Envelope The portion of a building that encloses the treated environment, including the walls, ceiling or roof, and floor. Circuit The various conductors, connections, and devices found along the path of electric flow from the source through the components and back to the source. Circuit Breaker An electric safety switch that automatically opens a circuit when excessive amperage occurs. Cleanout A fitting with a removable plug that is placed in plumbing drainage pipe lines to allow access for cleaning out the pipe. Coniferous Cone-bearing trees with year-round leaves that are long, thin, and needle-like. Construction Type Five broad categories of construction found in the International Building Code that are based on the fire-resistive capabilities of the materials used. Deciduous Broad-leafed trees that seasonally shed their leaves. Distribution Panel A box in which the wires from the meter are connected to individual circuit breakers, which are connected to separate circuits for distribution to various locations throughout the building. Drain Any pipe that carries wastewater or water-borne wastes in a building drainage system. Drainage Removal of groundwater or surface water, or of water from structures, by gravity or pumping. Drainage Fixture Unit A measure of the probable discharge into the drainage system by various types of plumbing fixtures. Drainage System Piping within a building that conveys sewage, rainwater, or other liquid wastes to a point of disposal. Ducts Pipes, typically made of sheet metal, used to conduct hot or cold air in the HVAC system. Easement A limited right to make use of a property owned by another. Egress Exits or a way out. Electric Meter An instrument used to measure electric power. Elevation View Drawing view that shows an orthographic projection of a building and indicates vertical dimensions, materials, architectural design, and construction details not apparent on the floor plan. Exit Discharge That portion of the means-of-egress system between the termination of the exit and a public way. Floor Plan A sectional view that shows a floor from a point four feet above the finished floor level. Grading The moving of soil to affect the elevation of land at a construction site. Ground An electrical connection to the earth. Hot Water Water at a temperature greater than or equal to 110 º F (43º C). Individual Sewage Disposal System A system for disposal of domestic sewage by means of a septic tank cesspool mechanical treatment to serve a single establishment or building. Ingress Entrances or a means to enter. Invert Elevation The elevation of the bottom of the inside of the pipe wall. Lavatory A fixture that is designed for washing hands and face, usually found in a bathroom. Main The principal pipe artery to which branches are connected. Nonpotable Water Water not safe for drinking, personal, or culinary utilization. Outlet An electrical connection used to plug in devices. A duplex outlet, with two outlets, is the typical wall plug. Potable Water Water free from impurities present in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful physiological effects and conforming to the regulations of the public health authority having jurisdiction. Plumbing Fixture A device that is connected to the water distribution system and demands a supply of water; discharges wastewater, liquid-borne waste material, or sewage to the drainage system; or requires both a water supply connection and a discharge to the drainage system. Pressure Head The pressure of water at a given point in a pipe arising from the pressure in it. Prevailing Winds Direction from which the wind most frequently blows in a given area of the country. Rainfall Intensity The rate of precipitation, expressed in inches per hour. Also known as precipitation intensity or storm intensity. Return Period Average length of time between occurrences of a storm of a given magnitude or greater. Also known as recurrence interval. Riser A water supply pipe that extends vertically one story or more to carry water to fixtures. Sanitary Sewer A sewer that conveys sewage but excludes storm, surface, and ground water. Section View A drawing view created from a cutting plane passed through an object or building to show internal structure or components. Setback Minimum distance that the zoning ordinance requires must be maintained between a structure and property lines or between two structures. Sewage Any liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter in suspension or solution, including liquids containing chemicals in solution. Sewer A pipe, normally underground, that carries wastewater and refuse. Soil Pipe A pipe that conveys sewage containing fecal matter to the building drain or building sewer. Stack Any vertical line of soil, waste, vent, or inside conductor piping that extends through at least one story. Static Head Pressure of a fluid due to the head of fluid above some reference point. Storm Duration Length of time that rain falls during a single storm. Switch Leg The electrical conductor from a switch to the electrical device being controlled. Time of Concentration The time for storm water runoff to travel from the hydraulically most remote point in a drainage sub-basin to the point of investigation. Trap A fitting or device that provides a liquid seal to prevent the emission of sewer gases without materially affecting the flow of sewage or wastewater through the trap. Universal Design A user-friendly approach to design in the living environment where people of any culture, age, size, weight, race, gender, and ability can experience an environment that promotes their health, safety, and welfare today and in the future. Valve A fitting that is used to control the flow of fluid or gas. Variance A legal request by a property owner to allow a modification from a standard or a requirement in the zoning code. Vent Pipe A vertical pipe installed to provide circulation of air to and from any part of the drainage system. Water Closet A water-flushing plumbing fixture, such as a toilet, that is designed to receive and discharge human excrement. Water Distributing Pipe A pipe that carries water from the service to the point of use. Water Heater Any heating appliance or equipment that heats potable water and supplies such water to the potable hot water distribution system. Water Meter A device used to measure the amount of water that goes through the water service. Water Service The pipe from the water main or other supply to the water-distributing pipes. Watt A unit of measure of power. Lesson 3.3 Services and Utilities - Key Terms
Term Definition Air Handling Unit (AHU) A device used to condition and circulate air as part of a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. Circuit The various conductors, connections, and devices found along the path of electric flow from the source through the components and back to the source. Circuit Breaker An electric safety switch that automatically opens a circuit when excessive amperage occurs. Cleanout A fitting with a removable plug that is placed in plumbing drainage pipe lines to allow access for cleaning out the pipe. Distribution Panel A box in which the wires from the meter are connected to individual circuit breakers, which are connected to separate circuits for distribution to various locations throughout the building. Drain Any pipe that carries wastewater or water-borne wastes in a building drainage system. Drainage Fixture Unit A measure of the probable discharge into the drainage system by various types of plumbing fixtures. drainage System Piping within a building that conveys sewage, rainwater, or other liquid wastes to a point of disposal. Ducts Pipes, typically made of sheet metal, used to conduct hot or cold air in the HVAC system. Electric Meter An instrument used to measure electric power. Fenestration All areas (including the frames) in the building envelope that let in light. Ground An electrical connection to the earth. Heat Pump A unit designed to produce forced air or hot water for heating and cooling. Hot Water Water at a temperature greater than or equal to 110 º F (43º C). Individual Sewage Disposal System A system for disposal of domestic sewage by means of a septic tank cesspool mechanical treatment to serve a single establishment or building. Lavatory A fixture that is designed for washing hands and face, usually found in a bathroom. Main The principal pip artery to which branches are connected. Nonpotable Water Water not safe for drinking, personal, or culinary utilization. Outlet An electrical connection used to plug in devices. A duplex outlet, with two outlets, is the typical wall plug. Plumbing Fixture A device that is connected to the water distribution system and demands a supply of water; discharges wastewater, liquid-borne waste material, or sewage to the drainage system; or requires both a water supply connection and a discharge to the drainage system. Potable Water Water free from impurities present in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful physiological effects and conforming to the regulations of the public health authority having jurisdiction. Riser A water supply pipe that extends vertically one story or more to carry water to fixtures. Sanitary Sewer A sewer that conveys sewage but excludes storm, surface, and ground water. Sewage Any liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter in suspension or solution, including liquids containing chemicals in solution. Sewer A pipe, normally underground, that carries wastewater and refuse. Soil Pipe A pipe that conveys sewage containing fecal matter to the building drain or building sewer. Stack Any vertical line of soil, waste, vent, or inside conductor piping that extends through at least one story. Storm Sewer A sewer that conveys storm water or other drainage but not sanitary sewage. Switch Leg The electrical conductor from a switch to the electrical device being controlled. Trap A fitting or device that provides a liquid seal to prevent the emission of sewer gases without materially affecting the flow of sewage or wastewater through the trap. Valve A fitting that is used to control the flow of fluid or gas. Vent Pipe A vertical pipe installed to provide circulation of air to and from any part of the drainage system. Water Closet A water-flushing plumbing fixture, such as a toilet, that is designed to receive and discharge human excrement. Water Distributing Pipe A pipe that carries water from the service to the point of use. Water Heater Any heating appliance or equipment that heats potable water and supplies such water to the potable hot water distribution system. water Meter A device used to measure the amount of water that goes through the water service. Water Service The pipe from the water main or other supply to the water-distributing pipes. Watt A unit of measure of power. Lesson 3.4 Site Considerations - Key Terms
Term Definition Angle of Repose The maximum angle of a stable slope of a granular material determined by friction, cohesion, and the shapes of the soil particles. Backsight The reading on a rod held at a point of known or assumed elevation. Bench Mark (BM) a relatively permanent object, natural or artificial, bearing a marked point whose elevation above or below the adopted datum is known or assumed. Closure Error The difference between a measured or calculated elevation and the true or established elevation. Coarse Grained Soil Soil in which 50 percent or more, by weight, of the soil is retained on the Number 200 sieve. In other words, 50 percent or more of the sample is composed of sand and/or gravel. Construction Survey A land survey that provides points and elevations for building civil engineering projects. Often called engineering survey. Control Survey Survey that establishes a network of horizontal and vertical monuments that serve as a reference framework for other surveys. Datum Any surface to which elevations are referred (for example, mean sea level). Design Storm A selected storm event, described in terms of the probability of occurring once within a given number of years, for which drainage or flood control improvements are designed and built. Detention Pond (Dry Pond) A pond that collects storm water, temporarily stores, and then slowly releases the water into the municipal storm water system. Differential Leveling The process of determining the difference in height between a plane of sight and a point. Duration the period of time over which rain is measured. For example in the case of annual rainfall measurements, the duration is one year. Egress Exit or a way out. Elevation The vertical distance from a datum to a point or object. Field Notes A complete record of all measurements made during the survey with sketches and narration, where necessary, to clarify the notes. Fine Grained Soil Soil in which more than 50 percent, by weight, of the soil passes the Number 200 sieve. In other words, more than 50 percent of the soil is composed of silt and/or clay. Finish Grade The final elevation of the ground surface after excavating or filling. Foresight The reading on a rod held at a point whose elevation is to be determined. Geodetic Survey Surveys to determine relative positions of widely spaced points which require consideration of the size and shape of the Earth. Grading The process of changing the topography of a property for a purpose. Height of Instrument the vertical distance from the datum to the line of sight of the instrument. Impervious Incapable of being penetrated. Ingress Entrance or means to enter. Initial Point The starting point for a survey. Land Surveying The science of determining relative positions of points on or near the Earth’s surface. Liquid Limit The minimum moisture content, expressed as a percentage of the oven dry soil weight, at which the soil will begin to flow when subjected to a small shearing force. The liquid limit is determined using a standard liquid limit device. Low Impact Development A storm water management approach that uses green space, native landscaping, and techniques that mimic a site’s pre-development water cycle. Plane Survey Surveys for which the curvature of the Earth is ignored and measurements are treated as if taken on a plane surface. Plastic Limit The minimum moisture content at which the soil can be rolled into a thread one-eighth of an inch in diameter without crumbling and is determined by trial and error. Plasticity Index The difference between the liquid limit and the plastic limit. Poorly Graded A soil that does not contain a good representation of all particle sizes. A poorly graded soil may contain a narrow range of particle sizes (uniformly graded) or may not contain one or more ranges of particle sizes (gap graded). Property Survey A land survey that establishes property corners, boundaries, and areas of land parcels. Also called land surveys, cadastral surveys, and boundary surveys. Rainfall Intensity The ratio of the total amount of rain (rainfall depth) falling during a given period to the duration of the period. Retention Pond (Wet Pond) A permanent on-site pond used to manage storm water in which pollutants are allowed to settle out or be removed by biological activity. Return Period The length of time, on average, over which an event (or an event of greater magnitude) is expected to occur not more than one time. For example, a Category 3 hurricane may have a return period of 100 years, which means that a Category 3 hurricane (or stronger) is expected to occur no more than one time, on average, within one hundred years. Rod Intercept The difference between the rod readings at the stadia wires. Runoff Coefficient A number that indicates the portion of rainwater that will be discharged by a particular surface. Stadia Two horizontal cross wires that are equidistant from the center crosshair in the sight. Storm Water Wetlands A permanent shallow pool of diverted rainwater that incorporates wetland plants. Pollutants are removed through settling and biological activity. Topographic Survey A land survey used to prepare maps showing location of natural and man-made features and elevations of points on the ground. Well Graded A soil that displays a good representation of all particle sizes. For instance, well-graded sand will contain a fairly even distribution of coarse, medium, and fine sand. |
Lesson 1.2 Careers in Civil Engineering and Architecture - Key Terms
Term Definition ABET The recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. AIA The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional society representing the field of architecture and others working in the architecture field. ASCE The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is the professional engineering society representing the field of civil engineering and others working in the civil engineering field. Building Code Legal requirements designed to protect the public by providing guidelines for structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical areas of a structure. Charrette An intensive workshop in which various stakeholders and experts are brought together to address a particular design issue. Construction Documents Drawings, plans, specifications, etc. associated with a construction project. Municipality A city, town, etc. having its own incorporated government for local affairs. NAAB The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture in the United States. NCARB The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards is made up of members from the architectural registration boards of the 50 states. Its primary function is to maintain records for state boards, architects, and interns. Stakeholder One who is involved in or affected by a course of action. Zoning Ordinance Law that specifies how and for what purpose each parcel of private real estate may be used. Also called zoning code. Lesson 3.1 Commercial Building Systems - Key Terms
Term Definition Ballast A heavy material installed over a roof membrane to prevent wind uplift and shield the membrane from sunlight. Beam A structural member, usually horizontal, that carries a load that is applied transverse to its length. Brownfield Real property of which the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Building Code Legal requirements designed to protect the public by providing guidelines for structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical areas of a structure. Built-up Roof (BUR) A roof membrane laminated from layers of asphalt-saturated felt or other fabric, bonded together with bitumen or pitch. Cast-in-Place Concrete Concrete that is poured in its final location. Column An upright structural member acting primarily in compression. Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) A block of hardened concrete, with or without hollow cores, designed to be laid in the same manner as brick and stone. Construction Type Five broad categories of construction found in the International Building Code that are based on the fire-resistive capabilities of the materials used. Curtain Wall An exterior building wall that is supported entirely by the frame of the building, rather than being self-supporting or load bearing. Decking A material used to span across beams or joists to create a floor or roof surface. Egress Exits or a way out. Elevated Floor A floor that is above the level of the ground. EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) A synthetic rubber material used in roofing membranes. Exit That portion of the means-of-egress system between the exit access and the exit discharge or the public way. Exit Access That portion of the means-of-egress system that leads from any occupied portion in a building or structure to an exit. Exit Discharge That portion of the means-of-egress system between the termination of the exit and a public way. Fenestration All areas (including the frames) in the building envelope that let in light, including windows, plastic panels, clerestories, skylights, glass doors that are more than one-half glass, and glass block walls. A skylight is a fenestration surface having a slope of less than 60 degrees from the horizontal plane. Other fenestration, even if mounted on the roof of a building, is considered vertical fenestration. Hybrid Something that is the product of mixing two or more different things. Ingress Entrances or a means to enter. Light Gauge Steel Thin sheet metal folded into a stiff shape and used as a structural member. Load Forces or other actions that result from the weight of building materials, occupants and their possessions, and environmental effects. Load Bearing Wall A structural wall that carries loads other than its own weight. Low-Slope Roof A roof that is pitched at an angle so near to horizontal that it must be made waterproof with a continuous membrane rather than shingles; commonly and inaccurately referred to as a flat roof. Masonry Brickwork, concrete block work, and stonework. Municipality A city, town, etc. having its own incorporated government for local affairs. Non-Load Bearing Wall A wall that does not carry vertical load other than its own weight. Occupancy Group A specification that indicates by whom or how the structure will be used. Occupant Load The number of persons for which the means of egress of a building or portion thereof is designed. (IBC) Open Web Steel Joist Open web, parallel chord, load-carrying members suitable for the direct support of floors and roof decks in buildings. Pitched Roof A sloping roof. Ponding The collecting of water, as on a roof, into large puddles or a pond. Precast Concrete Concrete cast and cured in a position other than its final position in the structure. Reinforced Concrete Concrete into which steel reinforcing bars have been embedded to impart tensile strength to the construction. Shore A prop for preventing sinking or sagging (noun). To support by a shore (transitive verb). Single-Ply Membrane A sheet of plastic, synthetic rubber, or modified bitumen used as a roofing sheet for a low-slope roof. Slab-on-Grade A concrete surface lying upon, and supported directly by, the ground beneath. Span The distance between supports for a beam, girder, truss, or other horizontal structural member; to carry a load between supports. Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Polyurethane foam sprayed in place on a low-slope roof then covered with a protective coating. Stability A condition of a frame or structure in which a slight disturbance in the loads or geometry of the structure does not produce large displacements or failure. Strength The capacity of a structure to resist the effects of loads. Structural Efficiency Ratio of the maximum design load to the weight of the structure. Tilt-up Construction A method of constructing concrete walls in which panels are cast and cured flat on a floor slab then tilted up into their final position. Underlayment A panel laid over a subfloor or subsurface to create a smooth, stiff surface for the application of a finish. Welded Wire Fabric (WWF) A grid of steel wires or bars welded together at all points of intersection to form an open mat. The fabric is designated by the size of the grid (spacing of the wires) in inches followed by numbers indicating the gauge of the wire in each direction. Lesson 3.2 Structures - Key Terms Allowable Strength Nominal strength divided by the safety factor. ASD Allowable Strength Design. A method of designing structural elements such that the allowable strength is greater than or equal to the strength necessary to support the required load combinations. Axial Force A force that acts along the longitudinal axis of a structural member. Axial tension causes elongation of the member. Axial compression causes shortening of the member. Beam A structural member, usually horizontal, that carries a load that is applied transverse to its length. Beam Analysis The use of physical laws and mathematics to compute internal forces, stresses, and deformations. Caisson A long cylindrical reinforced concrete foundation element formed by drilling into firm soil and pouring concrete into the hole. Column An upright structural member acting primarily in compression. Continuous Beam A single beam that is supported by more than two supports such that it has at least two distinct spans. Dead Load The weight of the building or building components. Deep Foundation A foundation that transfers building loads into the earth well below the building structure. Deflection The distance a beam or structure deforms under loading, typically due to bending in a beam. Deformation A change in the shape of a structure or structural member caused by a load or force acting on the structure. Design Load The applied load determined by the required load combinations. Equilibrium The state of a body such that the sum of all the external forces acting on the body equals zero and the sum of all external moments acting on the body equals zero. Fixed Support A support condition in which translation of a structural member is restricted in two perpendicular directions and rotation is restricted. A fixed support provides two perpendicular reaction forces and a reaction moment when the member is loaded. Footing The lowest, widest part of the foundation that distributes the load over a broad area of the soil. Force An agent that causes stress in an object. Foundation The lower part of a building, which transfers structural loads from the building to the soil. Free-body Diagram A diagram used to isolate a body from its environment, showing all external constraints and forces acting upon it and all geometric measurements necessary to model the body. Girder A horizontal beam that supports other beams; a very large beam, especially one that is built up from other sections. Grade Beam A reinforced concrete beam that transmits the load from a bearing wall into a spaced foundation such as pile caps or caissons. Internal Force A force that is internal to structural elements and is needed to determine the material stress and strain. Kip A unit of weight equal to 1000 pounds. Lateral Load A force acting generally in a horizontal direction, such as wind, earthquake, and soil pressure against a structure. Live Load The weight of movable objects such as people, furnishings, machines, vehicles, and goods in or on a building. Load Forces or other actions that result from the weight of building materials, occupants and their possessions, and environmental effects. Load Path A continuous system of structural elements that transfer an applied load to the supporting soil. Mat (Raft) Foundation A single concrete footing that is essentially equal in area to the area of ground covered by the supported structure. Moment about a point P The tendency of a force to rotate an object about point P. It is equal to the product of the magnitude of the force acting on the object and the perpendicular distance from the point P to the force. Moment Arm The perpendicular distance from a reference point to the line of action of the force. Moment Diagram A plot of the internal moment in a beam versus position along the axis of the beam. Nominal Strength The load carrying capacity of a structural member. Occupancy Category A category used to determine structural requirements based on occupancy of the building. Pile A long slender piece of material driven or drilled into the ground to act as an element of a foundation. Pin Support A support condition in which translation of a structural member is restricted in two directions but rotation is not restricted. A pin support provides two perpendicular reaction forces when the member is loaded. Roller (Rocker) Support A support condition in which translation of a structural member is restricted in only one direction and rotation is not restricted. A roller support provides one reaction force when the member is loaded. Safety Factor A factor intended to compensate for uncertainties in design and analysis by reducing the theoretical strength of a member for use in design. Seismic Load A load on a structure caused by movement of the Earth relative to the structure during an earthquake. Serviceability The ability of a structure to maintain its appearance, durability, comfort for occupants, proper function of equipment, and ease of maintenance. Shallow Foundation A foundation that transfers building loads into the Earth at the base of a column or bearing wall. Shear Diagram A plot of the shear force in a beam versus the position along the axis of the beam. Shear Force The internal force, usually in a beam, which acts in the plane of the cross-section of the beam. Simple Beam A beam that is supported on one end by a pin support and supported on the other end by a roller support. Span The distance between supports for a beam, girder, truss, or other horizontal structural member; to carry a load between supports. Spread Footing A wide shallow footing usually constructed of reinforced concrete. Stability A condition of a frame or structure in which a slight disturbance in the loads or geometry of the structure does not produce large displacements or failure. Statically Determinate Beam A beam which is supported such that the number of unknown reaction forces is equal to the number of equilibrium equations. Statically Indeterminate Beam A beam which is supported such that the number of unknown reaction forces is greater than the number of equilibrium equations. Strain Deformation under stress. Stress Force per unit area. Structural Engineer An engineer that is licensed to design the structural systems for a building. Tributary Area The area of floor or roof representing the surface area from which an applied uniform load is assumed to transfer to a supporting structural member. Tributary Width The width of floor or roof along the length of a beam, measured perpendicular to the beam, representing the portion of surface from which an applied uniform load is assumed to transfer to that beam. Truss An assembly of structural members joined to form a rigid framework, usually connected to form triangles.. Weight The force exerted upon a body due to gravitational attraction to a planet. Wind Load Pressure from the wind that can cause lateral loads as well as uplift on the roof or downward pressure. Yield Stress The stress at which a material begins to deform plastically. |