Architectural and Engineering Glossary

C

Cross Tongue

A tongue of wood (either cross grained or plywood) used to join two timbers in a tenoned frame to provide additional strength.

Cross Valve

A valve fitted on a transverse pipe between two parallel pipes in order to provide flow between them.

Cross Vault

A vault formed by the intersection at right angles of two barrel vaults.

Cross Welt,transverse Seam

In flexiblemetal roofing,a seam between sheets;usually parallel to the gutter or to the ridge.

Cross Window

A window in which the combination of a single mullion and a transom presents the appearance of a cross.

Cross Wire Weld

A weld made between crossed wires or bars.

Cross-connection

1.A connection between two otherwise separate piping systems,one containing potable water and the other water which may be contaminated.2.In a fire-protection system,a piping connection from a siamese connection to a standpipe or to a sprinkler system.

Cross-furring,brandering,counterlathing

Strips,flat bands,or fillets which are applied on the undersides of joists to which lath (for plastering) is nailed;usually attached perpendicular to the main framing members.

Cross-garnet Hinge

A hinge shaped like the letter T;the longer part is fastened to the door leaf and the shorter to the frame.

Cross-sill

A sill,1 oriented in a direction perpendicular to the length of the structure.

Cross-wall Construction

See box frame.

Crossband,crossbanding,cross Core

1.In plywood,a veneer sheet whose grain is at right angles to the face veneer.2.Any decorative band whose grain is perpendicular to the principal surface.(See illustration p. 280.)
 

Crosscut

Cut at right angles to the grain.

Crosscut Saw

A saw adapted by its filing and setting to cut across the grain of wood rather than with the grain.

Crossette

1.A decorative embellishment,such as a molding around one corner of a door,window,or fireplace opening,that somewhat resembles a squared-off ear;especially popular during the latter half of the 18th century;also called a dog’s ear.2.A small projecting part of a voussoir (arch stone),which hangs upon an adjacent stone.
 

Crossflow Filtration

A water filtration process in which a semipermeable membrane is used to separate waterborne contaminants from the water.The bulk solution flows over and parallel to the filter surface,and under pressure,a portion of the water is forced through the membrane filter.

Crosshairs

Crossed wires or etched lines on a reticule in the focal plane of the telescope of a surveying instrument.

Crosslap Joint

A joint connecting two wood members which cross each other;half the thickness of each is cut away so that the thickness at the joint is the same as that of each member.

Crosspiece

Any piece of timber or beam crossing from wall to wall or running from one part to another.

Crossrail

In a panel door,any horizontal member other than those at the top and bottom of the door.

Crosstalk

Undesired signals in one electrical circuit as a result of electrical coupling with another circuit.
 

Crosswalk

An area across a street or road esp.designated for pedestrians by special markings or paving materials.

Crotch

The point where a tree branch joins the trunk.

Crotchet

Obsolete term for crocket.

Curb Edger

See curb tool.

Curb Form

A specially shaped form for concrete,used in conjunction with a curb tool to give the desired shape and finish to a concrete curb.

Curb Plate

1.The wall plate of a circular or elliptical domical roof, or of a skylight.2.The plate which receives the upper rafters of a curb roof.

Curb Rafter

One of the upper rafters of a curb roof.

Curb Ramp

A short ramp cut through a curb.

Curb Roll

1.Same as curb joint.2.A wood roll covered with lead at the intersection of the two sloped surfaces of a curb roof.

Curb Roof

A pitched roof that slopes away from the ridge in two successive planes;known as a gambrel roof in the US and as a mansard roof in Britain.

Curb Tool,curb Edger

A tool used to give the desired finish and shape to the exposed surfaces of a concrete curb.

Curbing Machine

A machine that extrudes a continuous strip of asphalt or concrete through a shaped template as it moves forward.

Curbstone

A stone forming a curb or part of a curb.

Curf

Same as kerf.

Curia

The council house in a Roman municipality. 

Curing

Maintaining the humidity and temperature of freshly placed concrete during some definite period following placing,casting,or finishing to assure satisfactory hydration of the cementitious materials and proper hardening of the concrete.
 

Curing Agent

A catalyst;a hardener.

Curing Blanket

A built-up covering of sacks,matting,burlap,wet earth,sawdust,straw,or other suitable material placed over freshly finished concrete;such covering is moistened to supply water in the early hydration process,and tends to maintain a uniform temperature.

Curing Compound

A liquid which is sprayed (or otherwise applied) to newly placed concrete which retards the loss of water during curing.

Curing Cycle

1.See autoclaving cycle.2.See steam curing cycle.

Curing Membrane

A sheet or layer of impervious material laid or sprayed over freshly poured concrete to restrict evaporation of mixing water so that the hydration process can be sustained.Also see membrane curing.

Curing Temperature

The temperature to which an adhesive must be subject in order to ensure that it will cure satisfactorily;usually the time to effect a satisfactory cure(i.e.,the curing time) is also specified.

Curing Time

The length of time required to effect the cure of a plastic or resin by chemical reaction.

Curl

A winding,swirling,or circling in the grain of wood,usually obtained from the crotch or fork of a tree;also see fiddleback.

Curling

The distortion of a member,originally linear or planar,so that it is curved in shape,e.g.,the warping of a slab as a result of temperature differences.

Current

The flow of electricity in a circuit; the unit of measurement is the ampere.

Current Carrying Capacity

The maximum current which an electric device is rated to carry without excessive overheating and consequent premature breakdown or combustion;also see ampacity.

Curstable

A course of stones with moldings cut on them.May be a stringcourse of part of a cornice.

Curtail

A short,spiral,scroll-like termination of any architectural member,as at the end of a stair rail.