Architectural and Engineering Glossary

G

Gradinata

The steps in a Classical amphitheater.

Gradine

1.A step.2.A raised shelf above and at the back of an altar.

Grading

1.The action of excavating or filling,or a combination thereof. 2.See particle-size distribution.

Grading Rules

Specifications by which lumber,plywood,etc.are grouped according to quality.

Grading Timber

The sorting of timber,logs,or lumber according to the number and type of defects.

Graft

To join a scion,shoot,or bud to the stock of another similar plant.

Granary

A storehouse for grain,usually after it has been threshed,or for the storage of corn after it has been husked.

Grandmaster Key

A key that operates locks in several groups,each of which has its own master key.

Grange

1.A farm.2.A farmhouse and its outbuildings.

Graniteware

A one coat porcelain enameled article having a mottled pattern which is produced by the controlled corrosion of the metal base prior to firing.

Granular Soil

Soil comprised of sediments or other unconsolidated accumulations of particles (such as gravel,sand,or silt) having no clay content;crumbles easily when dry.

Granulated Cork

Small particles of cork used as loose-fill thermal insulation,to make cork tile,etc.

Grapevine Joint

See scribed joint.

Grapevine Ornament

A running ornament usually consisting of a grapevine with bunches of grapes and grape leaves.

Graphics

The art of drawing,esp.of drawing according to mathematical rules,as in perspective,projection,etc.associated with architectural and engineering plans.

Graphite Paint

A painting compound consisting of powdered graphite and oil;used to coat metallic structures to inhibit corrosion.

Graphite, Plumbago

One of the forms under which carbon occurs in nature;electrically conductive;in powdered form,used as a lubricant.

Grapple

A clamshell,2 which has three or more jaws;especially suitable for handling rocks such as rip rap.

Grappler

A pointed spike that is driven into masonry to provide an eye for support of the brackets of a scaffold.

Grass Cloth,China Grass Cloth

A loosely woven fabric of vegetable fibers;used for wall covering.

Grass House

Any primitive house built of natural materials such as grass,reeds,or fronds;usually having a round or rectangular shape and a thatched roof;examples include palma hut and a Hawaiian hale.

Grass Table

Same as ground table.

Grassed Waterway

A grass-surfaced channel for water,usually used to carry away surface runoff and reduce surface erosion.

Grate

A surface with suitable openings to support a fuel bed,such as coal,and permit passage of air through the burning fuel.Designed to permit removal of unburned residue,and may be horizontal or inclined,stationary or movable.

Grave Trap

On a theater stage,an oblong trap,2 often located toward the front of the stage along its center line.

Gravel

A coarse granular aggregate,larger than sand;formed either naturally or by crushing rock;will pass a 76.1-mm (3-in.)sieve and be retained on a 4.76-mm (No. 4) sieve.

Gravel Board,gravel Plank

A board attached near the lower edge of a wood fencing so that the fencing does not touch the ground;prevents the lower end of the fencing from rotting.

Gravel Plank

See gravel board.

Gravel Roofing

See built-up roofing.

Gravel Stop,gravel Strip,slag Strip

A flange,usually of a metal strip,used to prevent gravel or loose surfacing from washing off a roof;may also provide a finished edge for built-up roofing.

Graveling-in

The spreading of gravel on top of a flood coat,2 in built-up roofing.

Gravitational Water

Same as free water.

Gravity Convection

The transfer of heat resulting from differences in density of air or water (because of differences in temperature),that thereby causes the flow of air or water.

Gravity Drainage System

See building gravity drainage system.

Gravity Feed

Said of a chute that transports waste materials,soiled linen,etc,from one level of a building to another by the force of gravity.

Gravity Flow

The flow of water drawn through a conduit under the force of gravity.

Gravity Hinge

A hinge that closes automatically as a result of the weight of a door to which it is attached.

Gravity Main

See building gravity drainage system.

Gravity Supply,gravity Water System

A water system in which the source of water is at a higher elevation than the place where the water  is to be used.(See illustration p. 472.)

Gravity Wall

A massive concrete wall that resists overturning by virtue of its own weight.

Gray Cast-iron Pipe

See cast-iron pipe.

Gray Scale

A series of achromatic samples in discrete steps in lightness from white to black. 

Gray Water

Waste water which may be a combination of liquid and water carried wastes,with the exception of human wastes.
 

Grazing Light

Light that is reflected from a source placed close to a surface,usually to emphasize the texture of the surface.

Gre

See grees.

Grease Extractor

Equipment which traps droplets of grease and greasy vapors from the exhaust air of cooking equipment.

Grease Interceptor

See grease trap.

Grease Trap,grease Interceptor

A device for removing grease from waste water by allowing the retained liquid to cool and the grease to solidify;then the grease is separated by flotation;it rises to the top of the trap,where it is held.

Great Chamber

A chamber within the great room of a manor house.

Great House

The main or central residence of an estate or plantation.