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300 Most Important Civil Engineering Terms with Definitions


Welcome to our guide on Civil Engineering Terms with Definitions.Discover key civil engineering terms with definitions. Understand technical terms used in construction, materials and design for better project knowledge. It's a quick reference to help you understand the language of civil engineering and gain more knowledge about the field.

Civil Engineering Terms Definations
Abutment Abutment is a supporting structure that is built at the ends of a bridge span or dam to support superstructure.
Acoustic Engineering A branch of engineering that deals with the sound and vibration is called Acoustical engineering. Application of acoustics, the science of sound and vibration in technology is includes in Acoustic engineering.
Aggregate Aggregate is a naturally or mechanical produced raw material like sand, gravels, crush stone etc. In engineeringaggregates are used for various purposes like preparation of concrete, plastering, asphalt concrete and filtration purposes.
Architectural Drawings Architectural drawing is a graphical representation of the design of buildings, roads, and infrastructure. These drawings show the alignment, location, and size of various design components and also provide detailed information about the project.
Area Area is the extent of a surface or a two-dimensional plane, measured in square units (e.g., square meters or square feet). Volume is calculated by multiplying two dimensions (i.e. length and width)
Asphalt Concrete (Asphaltic Concrete) Asphalt concrete is a material commonly used for preparation of wearing or surface layer of road. It consist of aggregates such as crushed stone, gravel, and sand bound together using bitumen, a viscous petroleum-based binder that enhances cohesion, waterproofing, and flexibility within the pavement structure.
Backfill Back fill is any material that is used to refill the excavated area for roads, building and other purposes.
Balustrade Balustrade is a railing supported by balusters, normally used on staircases or balconies.
Base Course Base course of road is the layer of material placed on a subbase layer and directly beneath the surface pavement (Rigid or Flexible). The primary function of the base course is to provide structural support and load distribution for the pavement layers above it.
Batching Plant Batching or batch plant is a concrete making machine that combines the different ingredients like cement, sand, crush stone and water for preparation of concrete. Batching plant produced high quality concrete by properly mixing and getting accurate material mechanically.
Beam Beam is a horizontally placed structural member to support the load of structure and transfers it to columns or walls. Beam may be formed with concrete, timber, steel or any other suitable materials.
Bearing Capacity Bearing capacity is a term used in civil or geotechnical engineering for theload bearing ability of the soil. Load bearing capacity may be differ for different type of soil or earth depending on the type of soil, shear strength and its density.
Bed Joint Bed joint in masonry is the horizontal layer of mortar on which bricks, blocks or stones are laid. It is base and top for each layer of masonry to bind them together. Bed joint distribute the weight of the structure above. A proper bed joint ensures the stability and strength of the wall.
Berm Berm is a raised barrier or shoulder that is built along the side of the road, often made of compacted soil, gravel, stone or crushed rocks. It serves two key purposes, it prevents storm water runoff from flowing into sensitive areas and helps redirect water to a controlled drainage outlet. Berms are commonly used in road construction and landscaping to manage water flow and improve safety.
Binder Course A layer between the surface course and base course, providing additional strength and durability is called binder course. In road construction is a coarse aggregate bound with bitumen between the foundation and wearing course of an asphalt pavement.
Binding Wire Binding wire is a thin flexible wire commonly used in construction to tie and secure reinforcement bars together before concrete pouring. It ensures that the steel stay in place during construction process, maintaining the structural integrity of the building. Binding wire is typically made of mild steel and is easy to work with due to its flexibility.
Bitumen Bitumen is black color thick material obtained from crude oil, commonly used in road construction and water proofing purposes. In road construction bitumen is used as binder that holds aggregates (like gravel and sand) together to create asphalt pavement. Bitumen is valuable material due to its water-resistant, durable and flexible properties.
Bleeding Bleeding is the process of water segregation form concrete. It happens when water rises to the surface of freshly poured concrete because solid parts of the concrete mix can’t hold all the water as they settle. This can cause a weak surface, cracks or reduced durability of structure.
Bollard A bollard is a short, sturdy post used to control traffic or protect structures from vehicle impacts. It used in parking lots, sidewalks or around buildings to create barriers without restricting pedestrian access.
Bridge Deck A bridge deck is the surface of a bridge that supports traffic, whether it's vehicles or pedestrians. It can be made of materials like concrete, steel, wood or open grating. Deck is covered with asphalt or another type of pavement to make vehicle crossing smoother. Deck may be part of the bridge’s structure or supported by beams or girders beneath it.
Broom Finish Broom finish concrete is a textured surface created by dragging a broom over freshly poured concrete. This technique forms small ridges that improve traction, making the surface slip resistant. This technique is used for sidewalks, driveways and other areas where safety is a concern.
Building Footprint Building footprint is the total area of land that is covered by main building structure. Open spaces like terraces, open parking areas, open lawns, and courtyards are not included in building footprint. Building Footprint is measured in sft (square feet) or sqm (square meters).
Bull Float Bull float is an essential tool that is used to smooth and level the surface of freshly placed concrete. This is normally used for large area concrete slab construction.
Bull Nose Bull nose is a tool having rounded edge applied to concrete steps, corners or other surfaces for safety and aesthetics. Commonly used in masonry, tiles and countertops. Bullnose trim creates smooth, curved edges, improving durability and providing a polished finished look.
Butt Fusion Joint Butt fusion joint is a type of welding joint used in thermoplastic piping systems, where two pipe ends are heated and fused together by pressure, creating a seamless, strong connection.
Cage A framework or assembly of interconnected rebar used for complex structures like columns.
Camber Camber is slight upward curve or slope on a road surface that is designed to help drainage of rainwater efficiently. This prevents water stay on road, reduces the risk of vehicles sliding and protect road surface pavement from damage. Camber increase age of the road and enhance safety of vehicles.
Cambered Beam Camber beam is normally made of wood or steel and slightly curved or bent upward at the center. Due to this central upward design beam's strength is increased and is often used in structures like platforms or church roofs, where long, strong beams are needed to support large spans.
Cantilever Retaining Wall Cantilever retaining wall is an L shape or inverted T shape retaining wall. Vertical section of this wall is called stem and horizontal part is called base slab. The wall gains its strength from the base slab and which uses the weight of the retained soil to help hold back the earth effectively.
Cantilever Any structure is called cantilever if it will be free from one side and hold its weight by its other fixed side. Cantilever structures are made of reinforced cement concrete (RCC), timer or steel.
Casement Window A window with hinges on one side that opens like a door.
Cavity Wall A wall consisting of two parallel layers separated by an air space, providing insulation.
Chair Support device used to elevate rebar above the ground, ensuring proper concrete cover.
Chase A groove or recess formed in a wall or other surface to accommodate pipes, conduits, or other services.
Chimney Breast A mass of masonry surrounding a chimney, providing support and protection.
Cladding The external covering or finish of a building, such as siding or brickwork.
Cleat A small piece of rebar bent at a right angle and used to tie together different layers of reinforcement.
Clinker Clinker is a partially fused byproduct produced in the cement kiln during the production of Portland cement. It is ground with gypsum to produce cement powder.
Closer A cut brick used to end a course or to fill a small gap.
Cofferdam A temporary structure built to enclose an area for construction underwater, such as bridge piers.
Cohesionless Soil Soil composed mainly of sand or gravel without significant clay content.
Cold Mix Asphalt Asphalt mixture prepared and placed at ambient temperatures.
Collar Beam A horizontal structural member tying together two opposite roof rafters.
Column A vertical structural member that supports loads from above.
Compaction The process of reducing the volume of soil by removing air and water.
Composite Material A combination of two or more materials with distinct properties to create a new material.
Concealed Beam A beam that is embedded within the slab depth is called concealed beam. This type of beam is not visible on the ceiling or floor. It is used for aesthetic purposes or when additional support is required without changing the architectural design.
Concrete Admixture Additional materials added to concrete to modify its properties, such as accelerators, retarders, or plasticizers.
Concrete Cover The distance from the surface of the concrete to the outer face of the rebar.
Concrete Mix Design The process of proportioning the ingredients (cement, aggregates, water, and admixtures) to achieve the desired properties of concrete.
Concrete Spacer Small, durable devices used to maintain the correct distance between the reinforcement and the formwork are called concrete spacers, concrete spacers ensured that the reinforcement is properly embedded in the concrete and protected from corrosion.
Concrete A composite material made of cement, water, and aggregates, used in construction.
Coping The top course or covering of a wall, often sloped to shed water.
Covered Area Covered Area is the area of a building that is covered by the roof, walls and pillars. Open spaces like terraces, open parking areas, open lawns, and courtyards are not included in covered area. Covered area is measured in sft (square feet) or sqm (square meters) for all floors of the building and values for each floor are added together to calculate the total covered area of the house or building
Crank The bending of the end of a bar to ensure proper anchoring within the concrete.
Crenellation Alternating high and low sections along the top of a wall, often used for defensive purposes.
Crown The top surface
Culvert A structure, typically a pipe, used to allow water to pass beneath the road.
Curb Stone Curb stone is a precast concrete or stone element used to form the edge of a pavement, road, or walkway. It provides a clear boundary and helps contain the road surface and guide water runoff.
Curing Compound A liquid applied to the surface of concrete to retain moisture during the curing process.
Curing The process of maintaining adequate moisture, temperature, and time for concrete to achieve its desired properties.
Curtain Wall An exterior wall that does not support structural loads but serves as a barrier against the weather.
Cut and Fill Earthmoving process involving cutting material from high areas and filling low areas.
Dado Dado is the lower part of a wall, which is often decorated or paneled for aesthetic and protective purposes. It typically extends from the floor to a height of about 1 to 1.5 meters.
Damp Proof Course (DPC) DPC is a layer of waterproof material placed on the walls of buildings at plinth level to prevent moisture from rising through the structure. DPC includes a layer of concrete coated by hot bitumen and covered by polyethylene sheet.
Damp Proofing The application of materials or techniques to prevent moisture from penetrating into a building.
Dead Load Permanent, static weight of a structure, including its own weight and any immovable elements such as walls, floors, and roofs is called dead load. It does not change over time.
Deep Foundation Deep Foundation is the type of foundation that transfers building loads to deeper layers of soil or rock when the surface soil is too weak. Pile foundations and caissons are the examples of deep foundation.
Density The mass of a material per unit volume is called density of this material commonly expressed in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) or pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³).
Development Length The length of rebar needed beyond a critical section to ensure proper anchorage in concrete.
Diaphragm A horizontal or inclined structural element that transmits lateral loads to vertical resisting elements.
Dormer A window that projects vertically from a sloping roof.
Dovetail Joint A type of joint that resembles the shape of a dove's tail, often used in woodworking.
Dowel Bar Reinforcing bar used to join two concrete elements.
Dowel A short piece of rebar extending from an existing structure to provide a connection for new concrete.
Ductility The ability of a material to deform under stress without breaking.
Earth Pressure The pressure exerted by soil against a retaining structure.
Earthquake Resistant Design Designing structures to minimize damage during seismic events.
Easement The legal right to use another person's land for a specific purpose.
Edger A tool used to round the edges of a concrete surface for a finished look.
Efflorescence A white, powdery deposit of salts that appears on the surface of concrete, brick, or stone due to the movement of water carrying soluble salts to the surface, where it evaporates and leaves the salts behind.
Egress The means of exiting a building, including doors, windows, and emergency exits.
Elastomeric Bearing Pad A flexible bearing used to accommodate movements in bridges and structures.
Embankment A raised section of the road created by compacting and layering soil or other suitable materials.
Enamel Paint Enamel paint is the type of paint that forms a hard, glossy surface when it dries, offering high durability and resistance to environmental wear. It is used for coating surfaces that require a tough, protective layer, like metal or wood.
Erosion Control Techniques and measures to prevent soil erosion.
Expansion Joint A joint designed to allow for the expansion and contraction of concrete due to temperature changes.
Facade Engineering The design and construction of a building's exterior, including walls and windows.
Facade The exterior face of a building, including walls, windows, and doors.
Fascia The board or band running along the lower edge of a roof, covering the rafters.
Fenestration The design and arrangement of windows and doors in a building.
Ferrous Materials or metals that contain iron. These materials are typically magnetic and prone to rusting, such as steel and cast iron.
Fiber Glass Fiberglass is a strong, lightweight material that is made of tiny glass fibers. This is often used for insulation that is help to keep buildings energy efficient by trapping heat or cool air inside. Fiberglass is commonly used in window and door frames too, offering durability with little maintenance.
Fillet A curved transition between two surfaces meeting at an angle, often used in welding.
Finish Schedule A document specifying the materials and finishes for various surfaces within a building.
Finishing The process of creating a smooth and final surface on cured concrete.
Fire Resistance Rating The time a material or assembly can withstand fire exposure.
Fireproofing Materials or coatings applied to structural elements to protect them from fire.
Flashing Waterproof material installed to prevent water penetration in areas vulnerable to leaks.
Floor Joist Horizontal framing members that support the floors of a building.
Footing The base of a foundation that distributes the load to the soil.
Form Release Agent Substance applied to formwork to prevent concrete from sticking to it.
Form Ties Devices used to hold formwork together during the concrete pouring process.
Formwork Temporary molds or structures used to shape and support concrete until it sets.
Foundation The substructure that supports a building or structure.
Framing The assembly of structural elements that form the framework of a building.
Frog A depression on the top of a brick, often used for bonding with mortar.
Gabion A wire cage filled with rocks or other materials, used for erosion control or as a retaining wall.
Gauges Gauge is a standard measurement unit that is used to determine the thickness or diameter of wires and metal sheets.
Geogrid A synthetic material used to reinforce soil in road construction.
Geopolymer Concrete A type of concrete that uses aluminosilicate materials instead of Portland cement.
Geotechnical Engineering Branch of civil engineering that deals with soil and rock mechanics.
Geotextile A permeable fabric used to improve the stability and performance of road structures.
Girder A large horizontal beam that supports other beams or joists.
Glass Wool Glass wool is a fibrous material made from glass that is turned into a texture resembling wool. It is widely used material for insulation purpose in buildings to reduce heat and sound transmission.
Grade The slope or incline of a road, typically expressed as a percentage.
Gravity The natural force that attracts objects toward the center of the Earth is called gravity. In engineering, gravity plays a significant role in load-bearing calculations and the behavior of structures.
Green Area Ratio (GRA) Green Area Ratio is the ratio of green space to the constructed area. This zoning regulation sets standards for landscaping and site design to help reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality, and keep urban area’s temperature much cooler.
Grout A mixture of cement, water, and sand used to fill gaps or reinforce structures.
Guardrail A protective barrier along the edge of the road.
Tack Coat A thin application of asphalt emulsion to help bond layers of pavement.
Gypsum Board Also known as drywall or plasterboard, a common building material for interior walls and ceilings.
Haunch The section of a beam close to a support, typically deeper than the rest.
Header The end of a brick that is visible in the face of a wall.
Hip Roof A roof with slopes on all four sides, meeting at a common ridge.
Honeycombing Voids or gaps left in the concrete due to incomplete consolidation.
Hook Length The length of a bent or curved portion of a rebar used for anchoring.
Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Asphalt concrete mixture produced at high temperatures and commonly used in road construction.
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) Systems that control the temperature and air quality within a building.
Hydraulic Structures Structures designed to control or harness water resources, such as dams and channels.
Hydrostatic Pressure Pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium due to the force of gravity.
I-beam A type of steel beam shaped like the letter "I" used in construction.
In-situ Construction or testing performed on-site rather than in a controlled environment.
Jacking Lifting a structure using hydraulic jacks.
Jamb The vertical sides of a window or door opening.
Joint A point where two or more structural elements meet.
Jointing Creating grooves or joints in concrete to control cracking.
Juggling of Steel Juggling of steel is refers to the movement, handling, or misplacement of steel reinforcement on-site, often due to attempts to conceal mistakes or errors in placement. This can lead to improper alignment or arrangement of the reinforcement, ultimately compromising the structural integrity of the reinforced concrete structure.
Kick off Meeting A project kick off meeting is very important 1st meeting of project team i.e. client, contractor, and consultants. In this meeting, major points are discussed before the start of project like project team mobilization, working timelines, and other TORs. Main aim of the kick off meeting is to streamline the future project workings.
Kick Plate A protective metal or wood plate at the base of a door to prevent damage.
Kicker A short diagonal brace used in scaffolding.
K-value (Thermal Conductivity) The measure of a material's ability to conduct heat.
Lap Length The length of overlap between two adjacent lengths of rebar to ensure continuity and strength.
Lift Slab Construction A method where concrete slabs are poured on the ground and lifted into position.
Lintel Beam A horizontal beam that supports the load over an opening, such as a door or window.
Lintel A horizontal structural element above an opening (door or window) to support loads.
Live Load Temporary, variable loads imposed on a structure, such as people, furniture, equipment, and vehicles is called live load. These loads change in magnitude and position.
Load-Bearing Wall A wall that supports vertical loads from above, such as the weight of the floors and roof.
Louver A slatted opening to allow ventilation while excluding rain and direct sunshine.
Masonry Construction using bricks, concrete blocks, or other materials bound together with mortar.
Mass Concrete Concrete structures with dimensions large enough to require special construction techniques.
Median The central area between opposing lanes of traffic.
Modular Construction Construction using pre-assembled and pre-fabricated building components.
Modulus of Elasticity The ratio of stress to strain in a material.
Mullion Transom System A structural system in which vertical and horizontal elements support the load.
Mullion A vertical or horizontal member that separates and supports adjacent window or door units.
Nodal Point A point in a structure where members meet and forces are transferred.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Techniques to evaluate materials and structures without causing damage.
Non-Ferrous Metals and alloys that do not contain significant amounts of iron, such as aluminum, copper, brass, and bronze. They are often resistant to corrosion and non-magnetic.
Open Space Ratio (OSR) The term "Open Space Ratio" is used in land zoning. OSR is the ratio between the total plot size and total covered area of construction. For example a 20,000 square feet plot with an Open Space Ratio of 20% would have 4,000 square feet of open space.
Open Web Steel Joist Lightweight steel truss used to support loads.
Overhang A part of a structure that extends beyond its main support.
Overlay The application of a new layer of pavement over an existing road surface.
Parapet A low wall along the edge of a roof, balcony, or terrace.
Parquet Flooring A type of wood flooring made of geometric patterns formed by small wood pieces.
Partition Wall An interior wall that divides spaces within a building but does not support structural loads.
Pavement Design The process of selecting appropriate materials and thickness for road and pavement construction.
Pavement Markings Painted lines and symbols on road surfaces for traffic control.
Pavement Structure The layers of materials (subgrade, subbase, base course, and surface course) that form the road surface.
Permeability The ability of a soil or rock to transmit water.
Perpend The vertical joint between two bricks in a wall.
Pile Cap A thick concrete mat that distributes the load from a group of piles to the underlying soil.
Pile Foundation A deep foundation system using vertical columns to transfer loads to the soil.
Placing Drawing A detailed drawing showing the location and arrangement of reinforcement in a structure.
Plinth Level Finished floor level of the ground floor of a building, above which the superstructure is constructed is called plinth level. It serves to raise the building above the surrounding ground level to prevent water ingress.
Plinth Protection Plinth protection is a layer of concrete or paving laid around the external perimeter of a building at the plinth level to protect the foundation and walls from water and soil erosion.
Pneumatic Caisson A watertight structure used in the construction of bridge piers or other underwater structures.
Pothole A depression or hole in the road surface, often caused by wear, weathering, or poor construction.
Precast Concrete Concrete elements cast in a controlled environment before being transported to the construction site.
Prestressed Concrete Concrete in which internal stresses are introduced to improve strength.
Pumpcrete Concrete pump used to transport and place concrete at a construction site.
Quality Control (QC) Processes to ensure that construction meets specified standards.
Quoins Cornerstones or angle stones used in masonry to reinforce the corners of buildings.
Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) Concrete that is pre-mixed at a batching plant and delivered to the construction site.
Rebar (Reinforcement Bar) Steel bars used to reinforce concrete, improving its tensile strength.
Rebar Cutter/Bender Tools used to cut and shape rebar to the required dimensions.
Rebar Schedule A document specifying the details of the type, size, and placement of reinforcement in a structure.
Rebar Reinforcing bars made of steel used to strengthen concrete.
Reinforced Concrete Concrete that contains embedded steel reinforcement to enhance its tensile strength.
Reinforced Earth A technique where soil is reinforced with strips or grids of materials like geotextiles or steel.
Retaining Wall A structure designed to resist the lateral pressure of soil.
Ridge The highest point of a pitched roof where two roof slopes meet.
Road Base The layer of material directly beneath the surface course, providing additional support.
Road Gradient Horizontal slope of road is called road gradient. It affects vehicle performance, fuel consumption, and safety on hilly areas.
Road Widening Increasing the width of an existing road.
Rockfall Protection Measures taken to prevent rocks from falling onto roads or structures.
Roof Truss A structural framework designed to support the roof and distribute its load to the building's walls.
Rowlock A brick laid on its face with the short end exposed.
Rumble Strips Raised or grooved patterns on the road surface to alert drivers.
Sail Course A course of bricks where the bricks are laid at an angle to the face of the wall.
Sash Window A window with one or more movable panels or "sashes."
Segregation Separation of the Cement, Sand and aggregate form concrete due to improper handling or excessive vibration is called Segregation of concrete.
Seismic Load Seismic load is the forces and stresses that a structure bears during an earthquake. Buildings in seismic zones are designed to withstand these dynamic loads.
Setting Time The time it takes for concrete to stiffen and harden after mixing.
Shallow Foundational Shallow foundation is the type of foundation that transfers building loads to the earth very near the surface upto 3 m depth, typically used when the surface soil is strong enough to support the structure. Strip footing, pad footing, and raft foundation are the examples of shallow foundations.
Shear Force A force that acts parallel to the surface of a material.
Shear Wall A vertical structural element that resists lateral forces, such as wind or seismic loads.
Shoring Temporary support structures used to prevent collapse during construction.
Shotcrete Shotcrete also called Sprayed Concretethat is conveyed through a hose and pneumatically projected at high velocity onto a surface. It is used for lining tunnels, slope stabilization, and repair works.
Shoulder Grading Shaping and compacting the road shoulder to provide proper drainage and stability.
Shoulder The portion of the road adjacent to the traveled way, designed to provide additional support and drainage.
Sill Level Sill level is the bottom of a window opening, where the window frame is installed. It is typically a horizontal ledge that provides a transition between the window and the wall.
Sill Plate The bottom horizontal member of a wood-framed wall that rests on the foundation.
Sill The horizontal piece at the base of a window or door.
Skirting Skirting is a strip of material, often same as flooring material, fixed at the base of a wall to protect the wall and floor from water seepage and also protect the joint of floor and wall by covering any gaps between the wall and floor.
Skylight A transparent or translucent window installed in a roof to allow natural light.
Slab A horizontal, flat, or slightly inclined surface forming a floor, roof, or platform within a building.
Slope Stability The ability of a slope to resist failure.
Sluice Valve A valve used to control the flow of water through a pipe or channel, typically used in water distribution and sewage systems is called sluice valve.
Slump Test A test to measure the consistency or workability of fresh concrete.
Slurry Wall A type of barrier wall constructed to contain groundwater flow.
Soffit The underside of an architectural element, such as a roof overhang.
Soil Stabilization Techniques used to improve the stability and load-bearing capacity of soil.
Soldier A brick laid vertically with its narrow end facing out.
Spandrel The triangular space between the outer curve of an arch and the rectangle enclosing it.
Splice The junction where two lengths of rebar are joined together to maintain continuity.
Staircase A structure that provides access between different levels within a building.
Stirrup Length The vertical length of a stirrup in a reinforced concrete element.
Stirrup U-shaped or bent rebar used to provide lateral support to vertical rebar in columns or beams.
Strain The deformation or displacement of a material in response to an applied stress. It is a dimensionless quantity representing the ratio of change in dimension to the original dimension.
Stress The internal force per unit area within materials that arises from externally applied forces, deformation, or temperature changes. It is expressed in units of force per area, such as pascals (Pa).
Stress Analysis The study of the distribution of forces within a structure.
Stretcher The long, narrow face of a brick visible in the length of a wall.
Structural Drawings Structural drawings are detailed technical drawings that show the design and specifications of a building's structural components, such as beams, columns, foundations, and reinforcement.
Structural Frame The skeleton or framework of a building, consisting of columns, beams, and other load-bearing elements.
Strut-and-Tie Model A structural analysis model used to design complex reinforced concrete elements.
Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) SBR is a synthetic rubber compound used as an additive in cement and concrete to improve their flexibility, waterproofing, and bonding properties. It enhances durability and crack resistance.
Subbase The layer of material placed on the subgrade to improve its properties and provide a stable base for the road.
Subdrain A drainage system installed beneath the road to remove excess water.
Subgrade The natural soil or prepared surface on which a road is built.
Super Elevation Super elevation is the difference of level between both sides of road provided to surface at curves to counteract the centrifugal force and reduce the tendency of vehicles to overturn and skid sideways. It helps in ensuring safe vehicle transportation on curved roads.
Superstructure The part of the building above the foundation, including walls, floors, and roofs.
Surface Course The top layer of the road pavement, providing the wearing surface for vehicles.
Tack Welding Temporary welding to hold rebar in place before concrete is poured.
Tempered Glass Tempered glass is a safety glass that has been processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its strength compared to normal glass. This type of glass when broken, it shatters into small granular pieces instead of sharp shards.
Tensile Strength The maximum stress a material can withstand without breaking when stretched.
Thrust Block A concrete block placed against a pipeline to resist thrust forces.
Tie Beam A horizontal beam that connects and supports two or more columns.
Toe Wall A small sporting wall constructed at the base of a slope or embankment to prevent erosion or sliding of the soil and to provide additional stability to structures above it.
Torsion The twisting of a structural element under the influence of a torque.
Traffic Calming Design features incorporated into roads to slow down or reduce traffic speed.
Traffic Engineering Design and management of traffic systems.
Trombe Wall A passive solar building design in which a wall absorbs solar heat during the day and releases it at night.
Trowel A flat metal tool used to smooth and finish the surface of concrete.
Truss A framework of beams, bars, or rods that supports a structure.
Turbidity Current A fast-moving current of sediment-laden water flowing down a slope.
Tying Wire Wire used to secure and tie rebar at intersections and joints.
Undercutting Excavating material from below the natural ground level.
Underpinning Strengthening and stabilizing the foundation of an existing building.
Valley The internal angle formed by the intersection of two roof slopes.
Veneer A thin layer of material applied to the surface for decorative purposes.
Vertical DPC (Damp Proof Course) A vertical layer or coating of waterproof material applied to prevent the passage of moisture through walls is called vertical DPC, typically applied where two walls intersect or where there is a change in wall levels.
Vibration Isolation Techniques to reduce the transmission of vibrations in structures.
Vibrator A tool used to consolidate and eliminate air pockets in freshly poured concrete.
Volume Volume is the amount of three-dimensional space occupied by an object, measured in cubic units (e.g., cubic meters or cubic feet). Volume is calculated by multiplying three dimensions of object (i.e. length, width and depth or height).
Waste Management The planning and implementation of strategies for the collection and disposal of waste.
Water Emulsion Paint Water emulsion paint is water based paint where pigment particles are suspended in a binder dissolved in water. It is easy to apply, environmentally friendly, and dries quickly. Commonly used for interior and exterior wall finishes.
Water Table The level at which the ground is saturated with water.
Waterproofing The process of making a structure resistant to the ingress of water.
Wearing Course The top layer of the road pavement designed to resist wear and provide a smooth driving surface.
Weather Shield A specialized exterior paint or coating designed to protect buildings from harsh weather conditions is called weather shield. This protects the building from rain, wind, and sunlight. It provides durability and long-lasting protection.
Welding The process of joining materials by melting and fusing them.
Wind Load The force exerted by the wind on a structure or building.
X-bracing Diagonal bracing in the shape of the letter "X" to provide lateral stability.
Yield Point The stress at which a material begins to deform plastically.
Zero Lot Line A type of development where structures are built up to the property line.
Zoning The process of dividing land into zones to control the use and development of properties.