4 Flashcards
gutter
A trough at the edge of a roof used to carry off rainwater.
lintel
A structural member placed over an opening and supporting construction above.
astragal
A vertical element attached to one of a pair of doors or windows to cover the joint between the meeting stiles in order to exclude weather, light, and noise.
surfaced lumber
Lumber that has been surfaced by a planing machine. If all four sides are surfaced (S4S), the net dimensions of the piece are about 1/2” less than the nominal dimensions. Also called dressed lumber.
isolation joint
A joint that separates a slab on grade from columns or walls, so that each can move independently.
lightweight concrete
Low density concrete, usually made with lightweight aggregate.
ashlar
A building stone that has been shaped and smoothed into a rectangle form for use in masonry construction.
groundwater level
The level below which the subsoil is completely saturated with water. Also called the water table.
drip
A groove under an overhanging edge of a cornice, molding, or other building element, which is designed to discharge rainwater away from the structure.
wrought iron
Almost pure iron with a very low carbon content. It is soft but strong, ductile, easily worked, and relatively resistant to corrosion.
combustible
Capable of burning.
elevator interlock
A safety device provided on each door at an elevator landing that prevents movement of the elevator unless the door is locked. It also prevents a lobby door from opening when the elevator is elsewhere.
insulating glass
Two sheets of glass with an air space between, to insulate against the passage of heat or sound. Also called double glazing.
wood
The hard fibrous substance lying beneath the pith and bark of trees.
glazing
The work of installing glass in a frame.
valley
The interior trough formed by the intersection of two sloping roof surfaces.
sealant
Material used to prevent the passage of liquid across a joint or opening.
high-carbon steel
Steel having a carbon content over 0.5%. In general, increased carbon content increases strength and hardness, but decreases ductility.
grading
Removing and/or adding earth in order to bring the ground surface to a specified elevation or profile. Also called earthwork.
bulletproof glass
Glass which has 4 or more layers of glass laminated to 3 or more layers of plastic, used where strong impacts may occur.
asphalt saturated felt
A roofing material applied in several layers to create a built-up composition roof.
built-up roofing
Roofing made up of plies of saturated roofing felts alternated with layers of pitch or hot asphalt cement and surfaced with gravel or a cap sheet.
weep hole
A small hole near the bottom of a retaining wall, usually backfilled with gravel, to allow water to drain to the outside of the wall and thus avoid hydrostatic pressure against the wall.
plunger
The driving device of a hydraulic elevator, which is powered by liquid under pressure within a cylinder. Also referred to as a ram.
hydraulic elevator
An elevator operated by fluid pressure from below, which raises or lowers the elevator car.
sill
The lower horizontal member, extending between jambs, which forms the bottom of a window or other frame.
cut and fill
Earth that is removed (cut) and earth that is added (fill) in grading.
baluster
A vertical support for a handrail.
malleability
The ease with which a metal can be shaped by hammering or by machine.
bullnose
A rounded exposed edge, such as a tile or wood trim piece.
cold joint
A joint formed when a concrete surface hardens before the next batch of concrete is placed against it.
hoistway
A vertical shaft that accommodates one or more elevators, conveyors, or dumbwaiters.
construction joint
The joint between two successive concrete pours. Construction joints are usually located where the shear is minimum, such as at a midspan of beams.
green
Lumber that has not been seasoned and whose moisture content is close to that of the living tree.
hardness
A metal’s resistance to abrasion and penetration.
softwood
The wood of various coniferous (cone-bearing) evergreen trees, such as cedars, pines, and firs.
earthwork
Removing and/or adding earth in order to bring the ground surface to a specified elevation or profile. Also called grading.
soil
A natural material, formed of decomposed and disintegrated parent rock, that can support plant life.
excavation
The digging or removal of earth.
grade
The designation of the quality of a manufactured piece of wood.
reinforcing steel
Round steel bars with surface deformations that are placed in the forms prior to casting of concrete, and that primarily resist tension.
galvanic action
The deteriorating reaction between dissimilar metals that are in contact in the presence of moisture. Also called electrolysis.
weather stripping
Stripping applied to exterior doors or windows to make them weathertight.
grade SW (severe weather)
The grade of brick used where high resistance to freezing and thawing is required.
cylinder test
A test to determine the compressive strength of concrete by subjecting a standard cylinder of hardened concrete to compression in a testing machine.
cavity wall
A wall built of two or more wythes of masonry units with a continuous air space within the wall. The wythes must be tied together with noncorrosive metal ties.
dry pipe sprinkler
A sprinkler system whose pipes are normally pressurized with only air, thus being invulnerable to freezing temperatures. Upon actuation, the air is vented and supply pressure forces water through the system.
solid core door
A door that has a core of solid wood or other solid material.
overhead door
A door that slides upward, rolls up, folds up in panels, or rides up and pivots inward.
