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Building Construction > Chapter 3 > Flashcards

Chapter 3 Flashcards

1
Q

Force

A

In physics: Any interaction that may change the motion of an object. Simple measure of weight, usually expressed in pounds (kilograms).

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2
Q

Load

A

Any effect that a structure must be designed to resist, including the forces of gravity, wind, earthquakes, or soil pressure.

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3
Q

Stress

A

Factors that work against the strength of any piece of apparatus, equipment, or structural support. Measurement of force intensity is calculated as a force divided by area.

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4
Q

Equilibrium

A

Condition of balance that exists when a structural system is capable of supporting the applied load.

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5
Q

Bending Moment

A

A reaction within a structural component that opposes a vertical load. When the bending moment is exceeded, the component will fail. Bending stress can be calculated from the bending moment.

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6
Q

Gravity (G)

A

Force acting to draw an object toward the earth’s center; force is equal to the object’s weight.

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7
Q

Wind

A

Horizontal movement of air relative to the surface of earth.

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8
Q

Tension

A

Vertical or horizontal force that pulls material apart; for example, the force exerted on the bottom chord of a truss.

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9
Q

Tensile Stress

A

Stress in a structural member that tends to stretch the member or pull it apart; often used to denote the greatest amount of force a component can withstand without failure.

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10
Q

Compression

A

Vertical and/or horizontal forces that push the mass of a material together; for example, the force exerted on the top chord of a truss.

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11
Q

Shear Stress

A

Stress resulting when two forces act on a body in opposite directions in parallel adjacent planes.

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12
Q

Cross-Section

A

Theoretical slice of a 3-dimensional structural component to enable area and stress calculations.

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13
Q

Axial Load

A

Load applied to the center of the cross-section of a member and perpendicular to that cross-section. It can be either tensile or compressive, and creates uniform stresses across the cross-section of the material.

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14
Q

Eccentric Load

A

Load perpendicular to the cross-section of the structural member, but which does not pass through the center of the cross-section. An eccentric load creates stresses that vary across the cross-section and may be both tensile and compressive.

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15
Q

Torsional Load

A

Load applied off-center from the cross-section of the structural component and at an angle to or in the same plane as the cross-section; produces a twisting effect that creates shear stresses in a material.

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16
Q

Failure Point

A

Point at which material ceases to perform satisfactorily; depending on the application, this can involve breaking, permanent deformation, excessive deflection, or vibration.

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17
Q

Factor of Safety

A

Ratio of the failure point of a material to the maximum design stress; indicates the strength of a structure beyond the expected or actual loads.

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18
Q

Dead Load

A

Weight of the structure, structural members, building components, and any other features permanently attached to the building that are constant and immobile.

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19
Q

Live Load

A

(1) Items within a building that are movable but are not included as a permanent part of the structure. (2) Force placed upon a structure by the addition of people, objects, or weather.

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20
Q

Static Load

A

Load that is steady, motionless, constant, or applied gradually.

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21
Q

Dynamic Load

A

Loads that involve motion, including impact from wind, falling objects, and vibration. Also known as Shock Landing.

Wind
Moving vehicles
Earthquakes
Vibration 
Falling objects 
Emergency or maintenance work
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22
Q

Concentrated Load

A

Load that is applied at one point over a small area.

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23
Q

Dewatering

A

Process of removing water from a building.

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24
Q

Kinetic Energy

A

Energy processed by a moving object because of its motion.

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25
Negative Pressure
Air pressure less than that of the surrounding atmosphere; a partial vacuum.
26
Seismic Forces
Forces produced by earthquakes travel in waves. These are the most complex forces that can be exerted on a building.
27
Fault
Area of discontinuity in the earth's crust associated with movement by tectonic plates.
28
Seismic Effect
Movement of a shock wave through the ground or structure after a large detonation; may cause additional damage surrounding structures.
29
Seismic Load
Application of forces caused by earthquakes.
30
Lateral Load
Load that exerts a horizontal force against a structure. Calculated as a live load; includes seismic activity and soil pressure against vertical restraints such as retaining walls and foundations.
31
Horizontal Motion
Side-to-side, swaying motion.
32
Resonance
Movements of relatively large amplitude resulting from a small force applied at the natural frequency of a structure.
33
Expansion Joints
Structural accommodation that allows building sections to move independently of each other; often installed in concrete. Modern expansion joints may be fire-rated.
34
Damping Mechanism
Structural element designed to control vibration from resonance.
35
Base Isolation
A system of structural elements that create a joint between a building and its base to minimize seismic force effects on the main structure. The type of system may be customized to the type of seismic forces expected in an area.
36
Elastomer
Generic term for rubber-like materials including natural rubber, butyl rubber, neoprene, and silicone rubber used in facepiece seals, low-pressure hoses, and similar SCBA components.
37
Structural Stiffness
The use or addition of structural supports to improve the ability of a structure to withstand forces imposed by loads. Often indicates supplemental reinforcement to accommodate specific types of loads, such as earthquake forces. Also known as Stiffening.
38
Beam
Structural component loaded perpendicular to its length. Primarily resists bending stress characterized by compression in the top portion and tension in the bottom portion.
39
Joists
Horizontal structural members used to support a ceiling or floor. Drywall materials are nailed or screwed to the ceiling joists, and the subfloor is nailed or screwed to the floor joists.
40
Cantilever
Projecting beam or slab supported at one end.
41
Bending Stress
Compressive and tensile stresses in a beam. When the stresses are not held in equilibrium, the beam will bend and ultimately fail. Bending stresses are calculated from the Bending Moment (the amount of stress at which a structural member bends from its original alignment).
42
Flange
Single or paired external ridges or rims on a beam that do most of the work of supporting a load.
43
Web
(1) Wide vertical part of a beam between thick ridges (flanges) at the top and bottom of the beam. (2) Secondary member of a truss contained between the chords. Also known as Diagonals.
44
Column
Vertical member designed to support an axial load and compressive stresses.
45
Arch
Curved structural member using compressive internal stresses. Arches develop inclined reactions at their supports.
46
Cables
Flexible structural members designed to withstand tension stresses. Commonly used to support roofs, brace tents, and restrain pneumatic structures.
47
Truss
Structural member used to support a roof or floor with triangles or combinations of triangles to provide maximum load-bearing capacity with a minimum amount of material. Connections are likely to fail in intense heat.
48
Chord
Top or bottom longitudinal member of a truss; main members of trusses, as distinguished from diagonals.
49
Bowstring Truss
Lightweight truss design noted by the bow shape, or curve, of the top chord.
50
Bar Joist
Open web truss constructed entirely of steel, with steel bars used as the web members.
51
Gusset Plates
Metal or wooden plates used to connect and strengthen the joints of two or more separate components (such as metal or wooden truss components or roof or floor components) into a load-bearing unit.
52
Space Frames
Aluminum skeleton upon which an aluminum plastic, or composite skin attached. The internal structure provides structural support, while the skin provides styling and protection from the elements.
53
Load-Bearing Wall
Wall that supports itself, the weight of the roof, and/or other internal structural framing components, such as the floor beams and trusses above it; used for structural support. Also known as Bearing Wall.
54
Concrete Block
Large rectangular brick used in construction; the most common type is the hollow concrete block. Also known as Concrete Masonry Units (CMU).
55
Bearing Wall Structures
Common type of structure that uses the walls of a building to support spanning elements such as beams, trusses, and pre-cast concrete slabs.
56
Frame
Internal system of structural supports within a building.
57
Stud
Vertical structural member within a wall in frame buildings; most are made of wood, but some are made of light-gauge metal.
58
Post and Beam Construction
Construction style using vertical elements to support horizontal elements. Associated with heavy beams and columns; historically constructed of wood.
59
Transverse Load
Structural load that exerts a force perpendicular to structural members.
60
Rigid Frame
Load bearing system constructed with a skeletal frame and reinforcement between a column and beam.
61
Capital
Broad top surface of a column or pilaster, designed to spread the load held by a column.
62
Drop Panel
Type of concrete floor construction in which the portion of the floor above each column is dropped below the bottom level of the rest of the slab, increasing the floor thickness at the column.
63
Slab and Beam Frame
Construction technique using concrete slabs supported by concrete beams.
64
Surface Systems
System of construction in which the building consists primarily of an enclosing surface, and in which the stresses resulting from the applied loads occur within the bearing wall structures.
65
Membrane Structure
(1) Structure with an enclosing surface of a thin stretched flexible material. (2) Weather-resistant, flexible or semiflexible covering consisting of layers of materials over a supporting framework.
66
Shell Structure
Rigid, three-dimensional structure with an outer "skin" thickness that is small compared to other dimensions.
67
The force of gravity is
The most common load imposed a structure via the weight of the structures components, contents, and any occupancy activity
68
Failure due to stress may include visible indicators, such as
Cracking, crumbling, bending, and breaking
69
Direct pressure
Straight line winds apply force to a surface. Primary consideration in designing buildings to withstand wind forces
70
Drag
Wind flowing around the object may catch (drag) along a building’s surface.
71
Negative pressure
Wind may produce a suction effect on the downwind side of building resulting in outward pressure
72
Rocking
Wind may cause the building to sway in a back and forth motion
73
Vibration
Wind passing over a surface such as a roof, may shake the surface
74
Clean off
Wind may dislodge or move objects from a building’s surface.
75
The overall effects of the seismic load against a structure depends on
The acceleration of the ground beneath the building more then the total movement.
76
Lateral loads that create horizontal motion are
The most significant force generated by an earthquake.
77
Active soil pressure
The pressure exerted by the soil against the foundation
78
Passives soil pressure
The force of the foundation against the soil

Building Construction (14 decks)

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