Architectural and Engineering Glossary
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A solid masonry unit that has not been fired in a kiln at a high temperature.
A door not in a frame,as a batten door.
Plaster containing no gypsum;usually composed of lime,sand,and water.
A hard,dense ceramic tile for floors or walls;of homogeneous composition throughout,deriving its color and texture from the materials of which the body is made and from the method of manufacture.
A microphone whose response is predominantly from a single direction.
1.A US national building code,prepared and issued by the International Conference of Building Code Officials,5360 South Workman Mill Road,Whittier,CA 90601-2294.Also see BOCA National Building Code.2.Any model code,similar to 1,of a country other than the US.
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An outline of building trades and products,separated into 16 divisions (illustrated under contract documents),that are arranged by trade and construction sequence.
A set of standards concerning accessibility for the disabled,which are available at no charge from:US Access Board,1331 F Street NW, Suite 1000,Washington,DC 20004-1111.Also see Americans with Disabilities Act.
A particle size distribution of aggregate in which all pan fractions are present without a preponderance of any one size or group of sizes.
A load,1 uniformly distributed over all or a portion of a structure.
The sinking into the ground of various parts of a building at the same rate.
Coordination of specification sections,filing of technical data and product literature,and construction cost accounting, organized in 16 divisions based on an interrelationship of place,trade,function,or material.
A coefficient related to the size distribution of a granular material,such as sand;obtained by dividing one size of grain (60% of the grains are smaller than this size,by weight) by a second size (10% of the grains are smaller than this size,by weight).
An electric power system which provides continuity of power,to the apparatus or appliances being served,without discernible interruption upon failure of the normal power supply.
A pipe fitting,1 used to connect the ends of two pipes,neither of which can be turned; consists of three pieces,the two end pieces (having inner threads),which are tightened around the pipe ends to be joined,and a center piece,which draws the two end pieces together as it is rotated,effecting a seal.Also see flange union.
See union elbow.
A fitting for interconnecting the ends of two rainwater gutters.
A pipe elbow,1 having a union type coupling on one end,so that the coupling end may be connected to the end of a pipe with out turning the pipe.
A union elbow or a union tee.
A pipe joint made with a union.
A pipe tee having a union type coupling on one end.
Same as dual vent.
A sound absorptive element which is designed for application on a wall or ceiling as a single unit;usually part of a spaced array of similar units.
Same as room air conditioner.
Same as modular construction.
See room air conditioner.
A preassembled lock.
See masonry unit.
An amount stated in a contract as the price per unit of measurement for materials or services as described in the contract documents.
The value obtained by dividing the total stress by the cross sectional area that is stressed.
One or more transformers which are mechanically or electrically connected to (and coordinated in design with) one or more switchgear or motor control assemblies,or combinations thereof.
A curtain wall,1 composed entirely of prefabricated units attached to the building structure.
See dual vent.
An operable air inlet damper which furnishes outdoor air to an interior space;may be provided with a filter and heating and/or cooling coils.
1.The quantity of water per unit volume of freshly mixed concrete.2.The quantity of water on which the water cement ratio is based,not including water absorbed by the aggregate.
An opening of relatively small area (one of a number which are distributed about a roof according to the occupancy requirements),usually having a lightweight metal frame and housing,with hinged dampers which may be operated manually or which open automatically in the event of fire.
Equipment consisting of one or more factory fabricated assemblies designed to perform the functions of air moving,air cleaning,cooling,and dehumidification;the assemblies usually include a fan,evaporator or cooling coil,and a compressor and condenser in combination;a heating unit also may be included.
The sum of the length and width (expressed in inches) of a rectangular piece of glass.
See American National Standards Institute.
Descriptive of a door lock,a door closer,or the like,which can be used on either a right hand swing door or a left hand swing door.
A motor capable of operating either on alternating current or on direct current.
A control mechanism for an electric motor driven compressor;controls the pressure head of the compressor;permits the motor to be started at low starting torque by removing theload during this initial period of operation.
Of a slab,a corner having no adequate provisions for transfer of load,so that the corner must carry over 80% of the load.
Steel frame construction in which the framing members are not fireproofed.
See plain concrete.
A member that is permitted to rotate freely at its points of support.
Same as green lumber.
Descriptive of a plaster,slaked lime,cement,or other mortar which contains particles that may expand.
A knot that is softer than the surrounding wood.
Hydrated lime,plaster,or mortar which contains unhydrated particles thatmay expand and cause popping or pitting.