Search Results for A A&E Architect-engineer abatement The encapsulation or removal of building materials containing asbestos to prevent the release of and exposure to asbestos fibers. ABS plastic pipe Acrylontrile-butadiene-styrene plastic pipe, which is resistant to heat, impact, and chemicals. abut To join or touch at one edge or end without overlapping. AC Air-conditioning, alternating current (on drawings), armored cable (on drawings), asbestos cement. acceleration The speeding up of the setting or hardening process of concrete by using an additive in the mix. The process of acceleration allows forms to be stripped sooner or floors finished earlier. ACI American Concrete Institute acoustical ceiling A ceiling system constructed of sound-control materials. The system may include lighting fixtures and air diffusers. acoustics The science of sound transmission, absorption, generation, and reflection. act of God An unforeseeable, inevitable event caused by natural forces over which an insurance policyholder has little or no control. Examples are windstorms, floods, earthquakes, and lightning strikes. active earth pressure The horizontal component of pressure exerted on a wall by earth. addendum A document describing an addition, change, correction, or modification to contract documents. An addendum is issued by the design professional during the bidding period or prior to the award of contract, and is the primary method of informing bidders during the bidding process. Addenda become part of the contract documents. adjuster A representative of the insurance company who negotiates with all parties involved in a loss in order to settle the claim equitably. An adjuster deals with the policyholder, repair contractor(s), witnesses, and police (if necessary), and acts as a middleman between these parties and the insurance company. admixture An ingredient other than cement, aggregate, or water that is added to a concrete or mortar mix to affect the physical or chemical characteristics of the concrete or mortar. The most common admixtures affect plasticity, air entrainment, and curing time. aggregate Granular material such as sand, gravel, crushed stone, slag, and cinders. Aggregate is used in construction for the manufacturing of concrete, mortar, grout, asphaltic concrete, and roofing shingles. It is also used in leaching fields, drainage systems, roof ballast, landscaping, and as a base course for pavement and grade slabs. Aggregate is classified by size and gradation. aggregate, course Aggregate that is larger than 1/8" and is retained on the No. 8 sieve. aggregate, fine Aggregate smaller that 1/8". Fine aggregate passes through the No. 8 sieve. aggregate, roof (1) The aggregate used for tar-and-gravel application. (2) The ballast used for membrane-type roofing. aggregate, well-graded An aggregate that incorporates sizes from the maximum to the minimum specified so as to fill most of the voids. This type of aggregate is used for asphaltic concrete mixes and for base courses. agreement A promise to perform, made between signatories to a document. AIA American Institute of Architects air curtain (air wall) A narrow stream of air directed across an opening to deter the transfer of hot or cold air, contaminants, and insects from one side to the other. Air curtains are commonly used on grocery store refrigerator cases, mall storefronts, and loading platforms. air makeup unit A system for introducing fresh, conditioned air into an enclosure from which air is being exhausted. air pocket A void filled with air, such as in a water piping system or in a concrete form when placing concrete. air-conditioning system An air treatment system designed to control the temperature, humidity, and cleanliness of air and to provide for its distribution throughout the structure. air-handling unit The traditional method of heating, cooling, and ventilating a building by which single-or variable-speed fans push air over hot or cold coils, then through dampers and ducts and into one or more rooms. AISC American Institute of Steel Construction AISI American Iron and Steel Institute alligatoring Rough cracking of a painted surface, usually caused by applying another coat before the first is dry, or by exposing a painted surface to extreme heat. allowable A stated requirement of the contract documents whereby a specified sum of money is incorporated, or allowed into the contract sum in order to sustain the cost of the stipulated material, assembly, piece of equipment, or other part of a construction contract. allowable bearing value (allowable soil pressure) The bearing capacity of a soil, in pounds per square foot (psf), determined by its characteristics, such as shear, compressibility, water content, and cohesion. The higher the allowable bearing value of a soil, the smaller the footing required to support a structural member. allowable load The ultimate load divided by a safety factor. allowable stress The maximum stress allowed by code for members of a structure, depending upon the material and the anticipated use of the structure. alternate A specified item of construction that is set apart by a separate sum. An alternate may or may not be incorporated into the contract sum at the discretion and approval of the owner at the time of contract award. ambient temperature The temperature of the environment surrounding an object. American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Publisher of the American National Standards, a reference book outlining the approved standards and specifications for all facets of building construction. American wire gauge (American standard wire gauge, Brown and Sharpe gauge The standard in the U.S. for specifying and manufacturing wire and sheet metal sizes, particularly electrical wire and metal flashing. ampacity A designation of the current-carrying capacity of an electrical wire, expressed in amperes. anchor (anchorage) A device to prevent movement when in tension, such as a tieback for sheet piling. anchor bolt (foundation bolt, hold-down bolt) A threaded bolt, usually embedded in a foundation, for securing a sill, framework, or machinery. angle iron (angle bar, angle section) An L-shape steel structural member classified by the thickness of the stock and the length of the legs. Sometimes referred to simply as angle. anodize The process of creating electrolytically a hard, noncorrosive film of aluminum oxide on the surface of a metal. This film can be either clear or colored. ANSI American National Standards Institute approved equal Material, equipment, or method of construction that has been approved by the owner or the ownerís representative as an acceptable alternative to that specified in the contract documents. arbitration The process by which parties agree to submit their disputes to the determination of a third, impartial party (referred to as the arbitrator), rather than pursuing their claims before a judge and jury in a court of law. Parties often agree in advance to binding arbitration of disputes, either as a clause in the contract or at the occurrence of a dispute. This method of avoiding litigation can save both time and money. architect A professionally qualified and licensed person who prepares plans and specifications for a building or structure. Architectural services include such duties as project analysis, development of the project design, and the preparation of construction documents (including drawings, specifications, bidding requirements, and general administration of the construction contract). architectís approval Permission granted by the architect, acting as the ownerís representative, for actions and decisions involving materials, equipment, installation, change orders, substitution of materials, or payment for completed work. architectural concrete Structural or nonstructural concrete that will be permanently exposed to view and therefore requires special attention to uniformity of materials, forming, placing, and finishing. This type of concrete is frequently cast in a mold and has a pattern on the surface. area drain A catch basin or other device designed to collect surface water. areaway An open area located below grade and adjacent to a building to provide light, air, or access to a basement or a crawlspace. armored cable (metal-clad cable) An electrical conduit or flexible steel cable wrapped around insulated wires. as-built drawings Record drawings made during construction. As-built drawings record the locations, sizes, and nature of concealed items such as structural elements, accessories, equipment, devices, plumbing lines, valves, mechanical equipment, and the like. These records (with dimensions) form a permanent record for future reference. asbestos (asbestos fiber) A flexible, noncombustible, inorganic fiber used primarily in construction as a fireproofing and insulating material. Because airborne asbestos fibers have been demonstrated to constitute a health hazard, the use of asbestos for new construction is heavily regulated and generally banned for all practical purposes. asbestos removal A special trade that has developed since the health hazards of airborne asbestos have been revealed. Applies principally to ceiling tile, fireproofing, and pipe insulation. asbestos roof shingle Roofing shingle containing asbestos fibers. asbestos-cement board (asbestos-cement wallboard, asbestos sheeting wallboard, asbestos sheeting) A dense, rigid board made from asbestos fibers bonded together with Portland cement and used in building construction where fire or heat protection is required. The material is manufactured in flat and corrugated sections. asbestos-cement pipe A strong, light, non-corrosive pipe made from asbestos fibers and Portland cement and used in construction for water pipe drainage and air ducts. asbestosis Chronic inflammation of the lungs caused by inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers. ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers ashlar Any squared building stone. The term usually refers to thin stone used as facing. If the horizontal courses are level, it is called coursed ashlar, if they are broken, it is called random ashlar. ashlar veneer A nonstructural wall facing composed of ashlar masonry. ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers aspect The orientation of a building with respect to the points of a compass. aspect ratio In any configuration, the ratio of the long dimension to the short dimension. asphalt base course A bottom paving course consisting of coarse aggregate and asphalt. asphalt curb An extruded or hand-formed berm made from asphaltic concrete. asphalt emulsion Liquid asphalt in which water has been suspended. When water evaporates, the asphalt hardens. Asphalt is used in paving as a tack coat to bind one course to another. asphalt overlay One or more courses of asphalt concrete placed over existing pavement. The process of overlaying usually includes cleaning, application of a tack coat, followed by a leveling course. asphalt pavement Any pavement made from one or more layers of asphaltic concrete. asphalt pavement sealer A material applied to asphalt pavement after compaction to protect it from deterioration caused by exposure to weather or petroleum products. asphalt shingles (composition shingles, strip slates) Roofing felt saturated with asphalt, coated on the weather side with a harder asphalt and aggregate particles, and cut into shingles for application to a sloped roof. asphaltic concrete (asphalt paving, bituminous concrete, blacktop) A mixture of liquid asphalt and graded aggregate used as a paving material for roadways and parking lots. It is usually spread and compacted in layers over a prepared base while still hot. asphaltic mastic (mastic asphalt) A viscous asphaltic material used as an adhesive, a waterproofing material, and a joint sealant. attic ventilator An electric fan, frequently thermostatically controlled, to push hot air out of an attic. AWG American wire gauge awning window A window that is hinged at the top. Search Again