Construction Materials Flashcards
metal-clad cable (MC)
An assembly of one or more conductors, with or without fiber-optic members, that is enclosed in an armor of interlocking metal sheath, or smooth or corrugated metal sheath.
range
A course of any thickness that extends across the face of a wall, but not all courses need to be the same thickness.
soft copper tube
Drawn copper tube that is heated to a specific temperature and cooled at a predetermined rate to impart the desired hardness and strength properties.
parallel strand lumber (PSL)
An engineered wood product manufactured from wood strands or flakes and waterproof adhesives that is cured under intense heat and pressure.
patterned glass
Glass that has one side finished with a fine grid or an unpolished surface so that the glass is translucent.
terrazzo
A mixture of cement and water with colored stone, marble chips, or other decorative aggregate embedded in the surface.
cathedral glass
A type of art glass available in a wide range of colors and with many surface treatments. Also called stained glass.
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe and fittings
Plastic pipe and fittings used for sanitary drainage and vent piping, aboveground and underground stormwater drainage, water mains, and water service lines.
hard copper tube
Copper tube that is manufactured by pulling copper through a die or series of dies to achieve a desired diameter.
insulating concrete form (ICF)
A type of concrete-forming system that consists of a layer of concrete sandwiched between expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam forms on each side.
terminal device
A device that transfers heat or coolness from the water in a piping system to the air in a living space.
corner CMU
A concrete masonry unit used at square corners.
rigid nonmetallic conduit (RNMC)
Conduit made of materials other than metal.
extreme fiber stress
The resistance to the shortening and lengthening of wood fibers when a wood member is placed in a position where it may bend under a load.
stained glass
A type of art glass available in a wide range of colors and with many surface treatments.
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) pipe and fittings
Black plastic pipe and fittings used for sanitary drainage and vent piping, and aboveground and underground stormwater drainage.
photovoltaics
Solar energy technology that uses crystalline silicon wafers that are sensitive to sunlight to directly convert solar radiation into electricity.
double-corner CMU
A concrete masonry unit used to make columns, piers, and pilasters.
horizontal shear
The resistance of wood fibers sliding past one another lengthwise when a wood member is placed in position where it may bend under a load.
glass block
A hollow opaque or transparent block made of glass and used in non-load-bearing walls and partitions.
furnace
A self-contained heating unit that includes a blower, burner, and heat exchanger or electric heating elements, and controls.
box
A metallic or nonmetallic electrical enclosure for electrical equipment, devices, and pulling or terminating conductors.
receptacle
A contact device installed at an outlet for the connection of equipment to an electrical system.
partition CMU
A concrete masonry unit used as a masonry backing or to form partitions.
rubble
Rough, irregular stone that is used as fill or to provide a rustic appearance.
cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubing
Flexible thermosetting plastic used for water service piping and water distribution piping.
switch
A device with a current and voltage rating that is used to open or close an electrical circuit.
boiler
A pressurized vessel that safely and efficiently transfers heat to water.
chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) pipe and fittings
high-pressure boiler
A boiler that has a maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) above 15 pounds per square inch (psi).
rebar
Steel reinforcing bar with deformations on the surface to allow the bar to interlock with concrete.
welded wire reinforcement (WWR)
Heavy-gauge wire joined in a grid and used to reinforce and increase the tensile strength of concrete.
firestopping
The process of installing engineered materials or devices as a barrier in an architectural structure to prevent the passage of flames, liquids, or gases through the structure.
fireproofing
The process of applying a fire-resistant coating to building components such as steel columns, beams, and decks.
drawn copper tube
Copper tube that is manufactured by pulling copper through a die or series of dies to achieve a desired diameter. Also called hard copper tube.
aggregate
Hard granular material, such as sand and gravel, that is mixed with cement and water to provide structure and strength in concrete.
stretcher CMU
A concrete masonry unit used for running walls.
hydronic heating system
A heating system that uses water to convey heat from the source to the point of use.
wood I-joist
A load-bearing structural member that consists of an OSB or plywood web between two pieces of dimensional lumber, forming an I.
laminated glass
Specialty glass produced by placing a clear sheet of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) between two sheets of glass and subjecting the composite to intense heat and pressure.
compressor
A mechanical device that compresses refrigerant.
annealed copper tube
Drawn copper tube that is heated to a specific temperature and cooled at a predetermined rate to impart the desired hardness and strength properties. Also called soft copper tube.
radiator
A type of terminal device used in a hydronic heating system.
cement
A mixture of shells, limestone, clay silica, marble, shale, sand, and other materials that are ground, blended, fused, and crushed to a powder.
brick
An individual rectangular unit made from clay or a clay mixture that is hardened by drying in a kiln.
damper
A movable plate that controls and balances air flow in a forced-air system.
open web steel joist
A structural steel member constructed with steel angles and bars that are used as chords with steel angles or bars extending between the chords at an angle.
oriented strand board (OSB)
A wood panel in which wood strands are mechanically oriented in particular directions and bonded with resin under heat and pressure.
condenser
A heat exchanger that removes heat from high-pressure refrigerant vapor.
lighting fixture
A complete lighting unit including the components that distribute light, position and protect the lamps, and provide connection to the power supply.
jamb CMU
A concrete masonry unit used with an extended ear to receive a window or door jamb.
fixture
A receptacle or device that is temporarily or permanently connected to a water distribution system, demands a supply of potable water, and discharges waste directly or indirectly into a sanitary drainage system.
cable
A flexible assembly of two or more conductors with a protective outer sheathing.
nominal size
he dimensions of a piece of lumber before it is dried and surfaced.
lintel
A horizontal structural member installed above a door or window that is used to distribute the weight from the structure above to either side of the door or window opening.
Greenfield
A raceway of metal strips that are formed into a circular cross-sectional raceway.
structural facing tile
A clay masonry unit with one face colored and glazed that is used for load-bearing applications.
ashlar
Stone cut to precise dimensions according to the prints.
potable water
Water that is free from impurities that could cause disease or harmful physiological effects.
armored cable (AC)
An assembly that contains one or more conductors wrapped in a flexible metallic covering.
squared stone
Rough stone made approximately square either at a quarry or at a job site.
cable assembly
A flexible assembly of two or more conductors with a protective outer sheathing. Also called cable.
insulating glass
Window glass made of two pieces of sheet glass that are separated by a sealed air space.
circuit breaker
An overcurrent protection device with a mechanism that automatically opens a circuit when an overload condition or short circuit occurs.
flexible metal conduit (FMC)
A raceway of metal strips that are formed into a circular cross-sectional raceway. Also called Greenfield.
raceway
An enclosed channel for conductors.
structural insulated panel (SIP)
A structural member consisting of a thick layer of rigid foam insulation pressed between two OSB or plywood panels.
steel angle
A structural steel member with an L-shaped cross section with equal- or unequal-width legs.
solid top CMU
A concrete masonry unit used to finish the top of a wall and provide a flat bearing surface for wood framing members or brick or stone masonry.
wide-flange beam
A structural steel member with parallel flanges that are joined with a perpendicular web.
admixture
A substance other than water, aggregate, or cement that is added to concrete to modify its properties.
grille
A device that covers an opening of return ductwork.
bond
An arrangement of masonry in a pattern to provide a desired architectural effect and/or additional structure.
sheet glass
Glass manufactured by drawing it vertically or horizontally and slowly annealing (cooling) it to produce a high-gloss surface.
tempered glass
Glass produced by heating a sheet of glass during the manufacturing process to near its softening point and then quickly cooling the glass under carefully controlled conditions.
low-emittance (low-E) coating
A metal or metallic oxide coating that reduces the passage of heat and ultraviolet rays through windows.
vapor barrier
A thin, moisture-resistant material placed over the ground or in walls to retard the passage of moisture into a building.
register
A device that covers the opening of air supply ductwork.
air conditioner
A component in a forced-air air conditioning system that cools the air.
terra cotta
A masonry building material produced by firing molded units of clay in a kiln.
electrical metallic tubing (EMT)
A lightweight tubular steel raceway without threads on the ends. Also called thin wall or steel tube conduit.
superplasticizer
An admixture that significantly reduces the amount of water required in a concrete mixture and increases the workability of the concrete.
service-entrance cable
A single- or multiconductor assembly, with or without an overall jacket.
steel tube conduit
A lightweight tubular steel raceway without threads on the ends.
expansion valve
A device that reduces the pressure on liquid refrigerant by allowing the refrigerant to expand.
R-value
A value that represents the ability of a material to resist heat flow.
brick veneer
A brick facing applied to the exterior wall surface of a frame structure or other type of structure.
housewrap
A translucent spun-plastic sheet material that is tightly wrapped around a building to prevent water and air penetration into the building while allowing moisture vapor and gases from a building interior to move outward.
nonmetallic-sheathed cable
An assembly of two or more insulated conductors with an outer sheathing of moisture-resistant, flame-retardant, nonmetallic material.
gypsum lath
A gypsum product composed of an air-entrained gypsum core pressed between two sheets of absorbent paper.
panelboard
A wall-mounted distribution cabinet containing overcurrent and short-circuit protection devices.
evaporator
A heat exchanger that absorbs heat from the surrounding air and adds the heat to low-pressure refrigerant liquid.
modulus of elasticity
The relationship of unit stress to unit elongation.
nonmodular brick
A brick in which the actual dimensions are used to express the size.
steel reinforcement
Steel wire, bars, or strands embedded in concrete to provide additional tensile strength to concrete structural members.
wire glass
Glass embedded with wire mesh to provide additional security.
lintel CMU
A concrete masonry unit installed over openings to make bond beams.
accelerator
An admixture that shortens the setting time and increases early strength of concrete.
ductwork
The distribution system for forced-air systems.
concrete
A mixture of cement, fine and coarse aggregate, and water.
modular brick
A brick in which the nominal dimensions are based on a 4 unit.
gypsum
A soft mineral used as the core for gypsum board and gypsum lath and may also be used as an ingredient in plaster or spray-on insulation.
thin wall conduit
A lightweight tubular steel raceway without threads on the ends.
exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS)
An exterior finish system consisting of insulation board, reinforcing mesh, a base coat of acrylic copolymers, and a finish of acrylic resins.
performance-rated panel
A structural plywood panel that conforms to performance-based standards for dimensional stability, bond durability, and structural integrity.
glued laminated timber (glulam)
An engineered wood product comprising layers of wood members (lams) that are joined together with adhesives to form larger members.
geothermal heating system
A heating system that uses a water, refrigerant, or anti-freeze-solution-filled piping loop that is installed below the surface of the ground to draw latent heat into living areas.
concrete masonry unit (CMU)
A precast hollow or solid masonry unit composed of portland cement and fine aggregate and formed into modular or nonmodular dimensions.
float glass
Glass manufactured by floating liquid glass on a surface of liquid tin and slowly annealing it to produce a transparent, flat glass
luminaire
A complete lighting unit including the components that distribute light, position and protect the lamps, and provide connection to the power supply. Also called lighting fixture.
plywood
A panel product made of plies (wood layers) that are glued and pressed together under intense heat and pressure.
conductor
A wire that is used to control the flow of electrons in an electrical circuit.
fuse
An overcurrent protection device with a fusible link that melts and opens a circuit when an overload condition or short circuit occurs.
retarder
An admixture that delays the setting and hardening of concrete.
rigid metal conduit (RMC)
Heavy conduit made of metal.
metal sash CMU
A concrete masonry unit used to receive a metal window unit.
clay facing tile
A masonry unit made of clay and fired (baked) in a kiln.
insulation
Any material used as a barrier to inhibit thermal or sound transmission.
low-pressure boiler
A boiler that has a maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of 15 pounds per square inch.
header CMU
A concrete masonry unit with a portion of its shell removed to receive header courses of brick or stone to secure the wall together.
air-entraining admixture
An admixture that provides greater resistance to freezing and high early strength properties.
