a secondary raised floor system that bears on a primary floor, used to create a chase for routing electrical and computer wiring, ventilation ducts, etc.
acclimatization
to make or become used to new climates or new conditions
astragal
provides a solid edge for the operating door to seal onto in a double door application
back framing
the secondary non-structural framing done after the structural framing is completed; includes such items as valances, drop ceilings, chases and boxing for utilities, attic access, backing, etc.
balustrade
railing consisting of a series of balusters connected at the top by a rail
batter boards
boards at each corner of an excavation to identify location of grid lines for the alignment of footings and foundation walls and columns
beam
a main horizontal structural member constructed of wood, steel or concrete used to support secondary loads
boatswain’s chair (bosun’s chair)
a seat composed of a plank suspended in a horizontal position from ropes to allow an individual to work on the exteriors of buildings, ships etc. while seated at a considerable height
caisson
water tight box or enclosure used for construction work below grade or water level
cladding
the covering of one material with another
column
a vertical structural member that supports the weight of other members
cornice
the entire finished assembly where the walls of a structure meet the roof; sometimes called the eaves
curing
a process of maintaining adequate moisture content during hydration for quality concrete
demountable wall
a wall or partition system designed to be removed from a mounting, setting or place of support
dunnage
wood strips or crating between materials that provides air circulation and lifting space; waste material
embedded steel
steel components that are an integral part of concrete structures; this includes reinforcing steel, anchor bolts, angle iron and miscellaneous hardware
falsework
the structural supports and the necessary bracing required for the support of temporary loads during construction
flooring
material used in the construction of floors where the surface material is known as finish flooring, while the base material is called sub-flooring
fly ash
an additive used in concrete mixtures
footing
supporting element at the base or bottom of a foundation wall, pier or column used to distribute weight
formwork
temporary structures constructed to the shape of the finished structural member, to support freshly poured concrete
foundation
the lower part that rests on and extends into the ground, providing support for the structure above it
geometric stairs
stair systems that include: elliptical, curved or spiral stairs
grout
a cementitious or epoxy-based mixture, installed in a plastic state, to fill structural (column base plates) and non-structural voids (tile joints)
header
a joist or rafter that is perpendicular to the trimmer joists or rafters, used to support and frame openings
hoarding
temporary structure or fencing around a construction site for safety, weather or to maintain heat
hydration
a chemical reaction of cement and water causing concrete or mortar to harden
insulated concrete forms (ICF)
a modular system for forming concrete walls made of insulating foam material (block, panel, plank systems) where the forms typically remain in place as part of the finished structure
insulating
the installation of various materials used to resist heat, sound and cold transmission through walls, floors, ceilings and foundations
jack (trimmer) stud
a framing member that supports the lintel (header) and is used to provide added strength and stiffness around framed openings
joist
one of a series of horizontal members used to support a floor, ceiling or roof
jurisdictional requirement
requirements such as building codes and regulations, including those related to occupational health and safety, legislated through the federal, provincial/territorial or municipal levels of government
lintel
wood, stone or steel member placed across the top of a rough door or window opening; it supports the weight from above
load bearing wall
a wall that supports primary vertical loads
maintenance
activities required for the proper functioning of power tools such as inspecting, oiling, tensioning of chains or belts, adjusting, dusting air filters, etc.
pier
a foundation which distributes the weight of a column
piles
structural members that are placed into soil to provide foundation support of buildings or other structures
ponding (wet curing)
a method of curing a concrete slab by flooding its surface with water
powder -actuated tool
device that drives fasteners by means of an explosive charge
pre-fabricated
building or modular components built in different locations and installed on-site by carpenters
pre-cast
concrete components cast in different locations and installed on-site by carpenters
rafter
one of a series of structural members of a roof designed to support roof loads
rain screen
cavity in an exterior wall constructed to prevent wind, rain, moisture from penetrating the exterior wall to prevent mildew, premature rotting, etc.; rain screens effectively "drain the rain"
rise
vertical measurement on stairs, ramps and roofs
run
horizontal measurement on stairs, ramps and roofs
shoring
v. describes the process of supporting a structure or excavation in order to prevent collapse so that construction can continue;
n. refers to the material used in the process to support a structure or excavation; during excavation, shoring systems provide safety for workers in a trench and speeds up excavation
siding
boards and panels used as an exterior wall covering
SIPs
structural insulated panel systems; insulating material sandwiched between two layers of oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood, prefabricated in a factory
site layout
location of primary building components on the building site via construction drawing interpretation in relation to grid property lines
soffit
the underside of an architectural feature such as a beam, arch, ceiling, stairwell, vault or cornice
square
having two sides that are at right angels (90 degrees to each other)
stud
one of a series of vertical structural members used as support in walls and partitions
subfloor
boards or sheet material laid perpendicular on joists under a finished floor
temperature bars
steel rods placed horizontally in concrete slabs to prevent cracks due to temperature changes or drying; placed parallel to the reinforcing rods. The steel rods are placed at right angles to the main reinforcing bars
temporary structure
any structure erected during construction that is removed upon completion of the project
tile
thin building material made of cement, plastic or other resilient material used as a finish for walls, floors, ceilings or roofs
trimmer
see jack stud
yokes
ties or clamping devices installed around column forms or over the top of wall or footing forms to keep them from spreading because of pressure imposed by concrete placement