Architectural and Engineering Glossary

R

Rayon

Continuous filament yarn composed of regenerated cellulose;similar in chemical structure to natural cellulose fiber but contains shorter polymer units;usually made by the viscose process. 

Rayonnant Style

The middle phase of French Gothic architecture in the 13th and 14th cent.,characterized by radiating lines of tracery. 

RBM

Abbr.for reinforced brick masonry.RC, R/C Abbr.for reinforced concrete.

RC Asphalt

Same as rapid-curing asphalt.

RC Curves (room Criterion Curves)

A series of curves of octave band sound spectra;used to provide a single-number rating of the noisiness of an indoor space.A measured octave-band spectrum is compared with this set of curves to determine the RC level of the space in which the measurements were made.

RCD

Abbr.for “residual current device.” 

RCP

Abbr.for “reinforced concrete pipe.” 1⁄4  

RD

On drawings,abbr.for quarter round. 

Reach

The section of a sewer between structures. 

Reach-in Refrigerator

A prefabricated reach in compartment for cooling food and/or beverages.
 

Reaction Pile

Same as anchor pile.

Reaction Wood

Wood which results from abnormal growth.

Reactive Aggregate

Aggregate containing substances capable of reacting chemically with the products of solution or hydration of the portland cement in concrete or mortar under ordinary conditions of exposure;in some cases causes harmful expansion,cracking,or staining.

Reactive Concrete Aggregate

See reactive aggregate.

Reader’s Desk

The middle desk in a three decker pulpit.

Readily Accessible

Providing direct access (e.g.,to piping,wiring, air-conditioning controls,etc.)without requiring the removal or movement of a panel or similar obstruction.

Ready Condition

Said of a wet alarm valve in a fire sprinkler system in which the piping is filled with water from a water supply of stable pressure;in this condition,there is no water flow from any outlet of the system downstream from the alarm valve sealing assembly.

Ready-cut House

Same as prefabricated house.

Ready-mixed

See mill-mixed.

Ready-mixed Concrete

Concrete for delivery to a site in an unhardened state for immediate use.

Ready-mixed Glue

See mixed glue.

Real Estate

Property in the form of land and all its appurtenances,such as buildings erected on it.

Real Property

Land,everything growing on it,and all improvements made to it.It usually includes rights to everything beneath the surface,and at least some rights to the airspace above it.

Reamer

A tapered bit having sharp,spiral,fluted cutting edges along the shaft;used to enlarge an opening,to cut the burrs from the inside of pipe,etc.

Reaming Iron

A reamer for use in enlarging rivet holes.

Rear Arch

1.An inner arch of an opening which is smaller in size than the external arch of the opening and may be different in shape.2. See arrière-voussure.

Rear Girt

A girt that runs horizontally along the rear wall of a house;see illustration under timber framed house.

Rear Vault

1.A small vault,1 over the space between the tracery or glass of a window and the inner face of the wall.2.An arrière-voussure.

Rear Yard

The yard across the full width of a plot,extending from the rear line of a building to the rear property line.

Reason Piece

Same as raising piece.

Reasonable Care And Skill

See due care.

Rebar

A steel bar having ribs or slightly projecting patterns on its surface to provide a greater bond with concrete when used in reinforced concrete.

Rebate

See rabbet.

Rebound

Wet shotcrete which bounces off a surface against which it is projected.

Rec.room

Abbr.for “recreation room.”

Receipt Of Bids

The formal action taken by an owner in receiving sealed bids that have been invited or advertised in accordance with the owner’s intention to award a contract.

Receptacle

A device which is installed in an outlet box to receive a plug for the supply of electric current to an appliance or portable equipment.

Receptacle Outlet

An electrical outlet where one or more receptacles are installed.

Receptacle Plug

A device,usually connected to an electric cord,which is inserted in a receptacle to establish an electric connection with the electrical supply.

Reception Wall

Same as retention wall.

Receptor

1.A channel-shaped,telescoping member which adapts the frame of a window to the size of the window opening;an adapter. 2.The shallow base pan for a shower.

Receptorium

A kind of parlor which usually adjoined an ancient Roman basilica.

Recess

1.Any shallow depression in a surface.2.A shallow depression in a floor;a sinkage.
 

Recess Bed

See wall bed.

Recessed Pointing

In masonry,a joint  inwhich the mortar is pressed back,about 1⁄4  in.(6 mm) from the wall face,to protect the mortar from peeling.
 

Recessed Arch

An arch with a shorter radius set within another of the same shape.

Recessed Bead

See quirk bead,2.

Recessed Column

A round column set into a recessed space that serves as a niche;primarily in a church.

Recessed Dormer

A dormer,part or all of which is set below the main roof surface;also called an inset dormer.

Recessed Fitting

Same as drainage fitting.