Key Terms Flashcards
Combines the function of a beam and a column
Arch
A load that passes through the centroid of a section under construction and is perpendicular to the plane of the section
Axial Load
Lightweight steel truss joist
Bar Joist
A structural member which transmits forces perpendicular to such forces to the reaction points
Beam
Diagonal member that supports what would otherwise be a cantilever
Bracket
Consists of an exterior wythe of brick directly mortared or parged to an inner wythe of concrete masonry unit (CMU)
Brick and Block Composite Wall
The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at the pressure of one atmosphere and temperature of sixty degrees
BTU
Made steel plates and angles riveted together, as distinguished from one rolled from one piece of steel
Build-up girder
Mass of masonry built against a wall to strengthen it. Necessary when a vault or an arch places a heavy load or thrust on one part of a wall
Buttress
Measured in British thermal units, the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
Caloric value
A beam supported at one end only, rigidly held in place at that end
Cantilever Beam
Supported by a cantilever
Cantilevered
Built of two wythes (a single vertical thickness masonry) separated by a space for rain drainage or insulation
Cavity or Hollow wall
The center point at which a body would be stable, or balance, under the influence of gravity.
Centroid
An outside member of a truss, as opposed to the inner “webbed members”
Chord
A structural member which transmits a compressive force along a straight path in the direction of the member.
Column
Built up of different parts, pieces or material
Composite
A wall composed of two or more masonry materials that react that react together under load
Composite Wall
Direct pushing force, in line with the axis member; the opposite of tension
Compression
A load acting on a very small area of the structure’s surface; the exact opposite of a distributed load.
Concentrated Load
A beam supported at three or more points. Structurally advantageous because if the span between two supports is overloaded, the rest of the beam assists carrying the load
Continuous beam
No external braces involved; bracing is done within the core of the structure.
Core construction
Any wall at right angles to any other wall; the walls should brace one another.
Cross wall
The weight of a building; dead load consists of weight of all materials of construction incorporated into a building, including but not limited to walls, floor, roofs, ceiling, stairways, built in partitions, finishes, cladding, and other similarly incorporated architectural and structural items, as well as fixed slice equipment, including the weight of cranes
Dead load
The deformation or displacement of a structural member a result of loads acting on it
Deflects
Wall bounding a tenant space
Devising wall
Braces set at an angle which connects columns and are often concealed within walls
Diagonal brace
Designed to stiffen a building against wind and other lateral loads such as earthquakes
Diaphragm floor
A force which is perpendicular to the plane of the section but does not pass through the center of the section
Eccentric load
The potential fuel available for a fire in a building
Fire load
The ability of a material to avoid ignition, combustion, and the thermal effects of fire
Fire resistance
Wall with a fire resistive rating and structural stability that separates buildings or subdivides a building to prevent the spread of fire
Fire wall
The end of a joist is cut at an angle to permit the joist to fall out of a wall without damaging the load-bearing wall
Fire-cut
Beam supported at two points and rigidly heal in position at both points. This rigidity may cause collapse of a wall if the beam collapses and the rigid connection does not yield properly
Fixed beam
Made by sandwiching a piece of steel between two wooden beams
Flitch plate girder
The lower division of a building that serves to transmit and anchor the loads from the superstructure directly to its earth or rock, usually below the ground
Foundation
Connecting plate made of lightweight metal I used in trusses
Gang nail
A beam that supports other beams
Girder
Depends on the weight of the building to hold it in place
Gravity connection
Consists of all structural elements and the connections that support and transfer the loads
Gravity resistance system
A series of closely spaced beams designed to carry a particularly heavy load
Grillage
Connecting plate made of lightweight metal used in trusses
Gusset plate
A masonry unit that overlaps two or more adjoining wythes of masonry to tie the together
Header
Indicates how fast the potential heat in a fuel is released
Heat release rate - (HRR)
When describing wall construction, a wall which acts as one unit (good bonding exists between bricks blocks and mortar)
Homogeneous
The effect of a moving load upon a stationary structure
Impact load
A beam
Joist
An arrangement of braces between columns that resembles the letter “k”
K-bracing
Metric equation approximately equivalent to one BTU
Kilojoule
A measurement energy release rate of fire
Kilowatts (KW)
1000pounds of force
KIP
A force that acts on a structure from a horizontal direction, such as wind or seismic forces
Lateral impact load
A wood board typically attached to a walls studs which are used to wood joists
Ledger board
A collection of lightweight structural components joined in a triangular unit that can be used to support either floors or roof.
Light weight truss
The horizontal beam that forms the upper structural member of an opening for a window or door and supports part of the structure above it
Lintel
The weight of the building contents
Live load
Force or other action that result from the weight of all building materials, occupants and their possessions, environmental effects, differential movement, and restrained dimensional changes
Load
Any wall which carries a load in addition to its own weight
Load-bearing wall
A very large structure
Megastructure
Measurement energy release rate of a fire
Megawatts (MW)
All successive poured concrete castings are joined together so that a structure seems to be like one piece of stone
Monolithic concrete
When any change is to be made in the foundation of an existing wall, the wall must be supported. Often holes are cut through the wall, and so called needle beams are inserted and supported on both sides. They pick up the load of the walls
Needle beam
The line along which the length of the beam does not change
Neutral axis
A wall supporting no load other than its own weight
Non-load bearing wall
Projects beyond its support, but not far enough to be a cantilever
Overhanging beam
Non-load-bearing enclosing wall on framed buildings
Panel wall (curtain wall)
A non-load-bearing wall that subdivides spaces within any story of the building
Partition wall
A load bearing wall that is common to two structures
Party wall
A short column of masonry, usually rectangular in horizontal cross-section, used to support other structural members
Pier
A masonry column built on the inside surface of the wall
Pilaster
Structural elements are connected by simple connectors such as bolts, rivets, or welded joints
Pinned
Connections that redirect overloads to other sections of the building
Plastic design
Heavy riveting of girders to columns from the top to the bottom of the frame
Portal bracing
A concrete member that is cast and cured in place other than its final position in the structure
Precast
This is a vertical cantilever when being erected and is braced by tormentors or temporary bracing poles.
Precast concrete tilt slab wall
A designation of the heat release rate (HRR); refers to the rate at which a fuel will burn
Q
Diagonal bracing columns
Rakers
The response in structures to the imposed loads, which are generally developed at the supports
Reaction
In concrete masonry construction, steel reinforcement that is embedded in such a manner that the two materials act together in resisting forces
Reinforced concrete
A load that is applied intermittently
Repeated load
Structural frame in which all columns and beams are rigidly concreted. There are no hinged joints, and the angular relationships between beam and column members is maintained under load
Rigid-framed
A wall composed of an inner and outer wythe of coursed masonry. The space between is filled with random masonry sometimes mixed with mortar. Such walls are unstable to a lateral thrust
Rubble masonry wall
Represents the ratio of the strength of the material just before failure to the safe working stress
Safety factor
Water soluble mixture; when water is applied the mortar can be washed away from the wall.
Sand-lime mortar
Floor girders are set on brackets attached to columns. A wood cleat or steel dog-iron similar to a big staple is used to provide minimal stability. in heavy-timber construction
Self releasing floor
Another term for dead load
Self-weight
A curving wall
Serpentine wall
Walls that counteract the effects of lateral loads such as wind and earthquakes
Shear wall
Supported at two points near it ends. In simple beam construction, the load is delivered to the two reactions points and the rest of the structure renders no assistance in an overload
Simple beam
An open web design used for support of floors and roofs
Steel joist
Girders that tie wall columns together in a framed building structure renders no assistance in an overload
Spandrel girder
The capacity of a member or framework to resist imposed loads without excessive deflection
Stiffness
The actual percent of elongation (deformation) when a material is stressed
Strain
Force per unit area which produces a deformation
Stress
A masonry unit laid horizontally with its length in the direction of the face of the wall
Stretchers
Include beams, columns, arches, and walls
Structural elements
consists of all members in a structure that are tied together to carry the imposed loads to the substructure, hence to the ground
Structural frame
A bracing column
Strut
A simple beam, with one or both ends suspended on a tension member such as a chain, cable or rod.
Suspended beam
hanging load supported from above.
Suspended load
a pulling or stretching force in line with the axis of the body; the opposite of compression, which is pushing, crushing stress
Tension
A rod in tension; used to hold parts of a structure together
Tie rod
A force tending to twist a structural member
Torsion
A beam which typically carries a load around a large opening or over an area in order to avoid intervening columns
Transfer beam
Shows how a load is spread from the point of application to the ground
Transmitted
Externally braced structure
Tube construction
The highest load that a member or structure can sustain before failure occurs
Ultimate strength
A load which is applied evenly over an area
Uniformly distributed load
A wall made up of a single vertical thickness of masonry designed to improve the exterior appearance of a building
Veneer wall
A rectangular truss with very rigid corner bracing
Vierendeel truss
Wedge-shaped block whose converging sides radiate from center forming an element of an arch or vaulted ceiling
Voussoir
Transmits to the ground the compressive forces applied along the top or received at any point on the wall.
Wall
A mixture other than water, aggregate, and cement used as an ingredient in concrete or mortar
Admixture
Any of a variety of materials, such as sand and gravel, added to a cement mixture to make concrete
Aggregate
A lightweight metal that is both malleable and nonmagnetic. This material has very good conductivity. This noncombustible material that has a low melting point and little mass per unit of area, so it disintegrates rapidly in fire
Aluminum
A set of regulations passed in 1990 that includes, among other things, regulations requiring areas of refuge for disabled people in multistory buildings
American Disabilities Act (ADA)
An individual who is engaged in the design of buildings and who often supervises construction
Architect
An area of a building separated from other spaces by fire-rated smoke barriers in which a tenable environment is maintained for the period of time that such areas may need to be occupied at the time of a fire
Area of refuge
A solid or hollow masonry unit of clay mixed with sand, which is molded into a small rectangular shape while in a plastic shape
Brick
Regulates the actual design and construction of new buildings, providing for minimum levels of health and safety. Regulates the level and amount of fire protection in a new structure
Building code
A shaft of concrete placed under a building column or wall extending down to bedrock
Caisson
An engineer who specializes in the design of parking lots, drainage areas, and roadways
Civil engineer
Used in construction of cables that are sometimes used to brace failing buildings or as tendons in tensioned concrete. It fails at 800 degree Fahrenheit.
Cold-drawn steel
Built up of different parts, pieces and materials, intended to act as one unit.
Composite material
Precast hollow or solid structural block. Sometimes referred to as cinder block
Concrete masonry unit (CMU)
Occupational health and safety regulations (enforced by state and/or federal authorities such as OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) that apply to construction sites. These include provisions to prevent falls (through the use of safety barriers) and protection from being hit or crushed.
Construction safety regulations
grooved ridged material, often metal
Corrugation
Internal bracing that transfers the lateral earth pressures between opposing walls through compressive struts
Crosslot bracing
Concrete that is hardened to full strength
Cured
Pump that removes water from the ground or excavations that hinders construction from an area of the site
Dewatering pump
Subcontractor hired by the contractor to oversee all electrical installation.
Electrical contractor
Specializes in the design of lighting, power telecommunications, and emergency power of a structure
Electrical engineer
Temporary shoring, formwork, beams, or lateral bracing to support the work in the process of construction
Falsework (formwork)
Subcontractor hired by the contractor to oversee all fire and security alarm installation
Fire alarm/security contactor
Regulates the activities that take place in existing buildings including the maintenance of existing fire protection features such as automatic sprinklers and fire doors, hazardous processes such as spray finishing, the storing of hazardous materials and general fire safety precautions
Fire code
A fire-rated assembly that subdivides a building to prevent the spread of fire such as between dwelling units in a multiple dwelling
Fire partition
Specializes in the design of fire protection systems including sprinkler and standpipe systems, and fire alarm systems of a structure
Fire protection engineer
Subcontractor hired by the contractor to spray a layer of cementitious material onto steel for fire-resistant purposes
Fireproofing contractor
Used to strengthen the roof of a structure over large areas
Folded plate
Thick concrete pads, usually heavily reinforced, that transfer the loads of piers or columns to the ground
Footing
The lower division of a building that serves to transmit and anchor the loads from the superstructure directly to its earth or rock, usually below ground level
Foundation
A system of rough timber structural woodwork that is joined together in order to support or enclose, such partitions, flooring, and roofing
Framing
The prime contractor who oversees and is responsible for the overall work on the site
General contractor
A natural mineral used in the manufacture of drywall and plaster
Gypsum
The rules of the insurance company in regard to coverage. These regulations require more fire protection for structures than local building and fire codes require.
Insurance regulations
The exposed material on a wall, ceiling, or floor
Interior finish
A collection o lightweight wood structural components joined in a triangular configuration that can be used to support floors or roofs
Lightweight wood truss
The property of a metal that allows it to be shaped by bending, hammering, or extruding without cracking or rupturing
Malleable
Describes the type of masonry used on a given structure. Examples include bricks or concrete block
Masonry unity
a person trained in a branch of engineering related to mechanical equipment. Usually designs the HVAC systems and plumbing of the building
Mechanical engineer
Made layers of strands of wood cut from logs, with fairly constant width to length ratio
Oriented strand board (OSB)
One of a series of large timbers or steel sections driven into soft ground down to bedrock to provide a solid foundation for the superstructure of a building.
Pile
A synthetic material that can be heated and shaped
Plastic
Subcontractors hired by the contractor to oversee the installation of plumbing within a building
Plumbing contractors
Plumbing codes apply to the installation of domestic water systems, sanitary systems, and the like. Mechanical codes apply to systems like air handling systems and smoke control systems. Electrical codes apply to the installation of electrical systems
Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical codes
Wood panels manufactured with grain of alternate plies at right angles to develop the approximate equal strength in either direction
Plywood
Most common type of cement in use today. The powder, when mixed with water, will become a hydrated solid over time
Portland cement mortar
Extensive structural failure initiated by local structural damage, or chain reaction of failures following damage to a small portion of a structure
Progressive collapse
Natural stones such as granite, marble, limestone, and sandstone. Can be used in the construction of walls and foundations
Quarried stone
Braced sheeting used in soil walls to protect against collapse
Raker
Steel bar placed in concrete to increase its overall strength
Reinforcement bar
Water soluble mixture; when water is applied the mortar can be washed away from the wall.
Sand-lime mortar
Stabilization of outer walls, overhangs, floors, and walls to resist destruction by an earthquake.
Seismic protection
A foundation wall in an excavation that is heavily reinforced with steel and temporarily filled with a liquid slurry mixture that is subsequently displaced by concrete
Slurry wall
A small fragment or chip dislodged from the face of a stone or masonry unit
Spall
A subcontractor hired by a contractor to oversee the installation and design of sprinkler systems within a building.
Sprinkler contractor
Used in large buildings to design the structural frame
Structural engineer
Steel rolled in a variety of shapes and fabricated for use as load-bearing structural members or elements
Structural steel
Specialist who undertakes part of a main building contract from a contractor
Subcontractor
The foundation and footings
Substructure
Any structure above the substructure
Superstructure
Units composed of two or more glass panes in a hermetically sealed frame
Thermal pane window
Construction material that softens when heated and rehardens when cooled
Thermoplastic
Plastic that chars and burns, but does not flow
Thermoset
Braced sheeting used in soil walls to protect against collapse
Tieback
A large, rigid gypsum sheet that is fastened to the frame of a building and provides the surface finish
Wall board
A subcontractor hired by a contractor to oversee the surface finishes of walls that are fastened to the frame of the building
Wallboard contractor
Composite lightweight wood material used in an “I” cross section
Wooden I-joist
A commercially pure iron of fibrous nature; used for water pipes,, rivets, and other ornamental forged work
Wrought iron
Dictate land usage in specific cities (are written by the cities themselves). Spell out what types of buildings can be built in specific locations and their permitted uses.
Zoning regulations
The use of high air velocity to stop smoke movement
Air flow
Standpipe system attached to a water supply capable of supplying the system demand at all times, requires no action other than opening a hose valve to provide water at hose connections
Automatic-wet standpipe system
Burning of heated gaseous products of combustion when oxygen supply is introduced into an environment whose oxygen supply has been depleted due to fire, often occurs with explosive force.
Backdraft
Low-density fiberboard made of wood fibers or sugar cane residue
Begasse
Fiberglass or rock-wool insulation with various thickness. May or may not have paper covering
Batt insulation
Used to protect materials that can be damaged by water. Uses carbon dioxide to suppress the fire
Carbon dioxide system
Gaseous fire extinguishing agent that does not leave a residue when it dissipates
Clean agent system
