Architectural and Engineering Glossary
W
A circular structure containing a horse-driven threshing machine for wheat;often attached to a barn..
Same as winder.
A piece of stone,natural or artificial,used to sharpen cutting tools.
A double-intersection Pratt truss;has diagonal tension members and vertical compression members.
A large crane which can revolve 360.
A large dome or vault that reflects sounds (esp.high frequencies) along a large concave surface so that even whispers may be heard some distance away.
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A pure calcite limestone cement,similar in properties to ordinary cement,but ground finer and of higher grade.
A gauged lime-putty,troweled,plaster finish coat.
See spruce.
See Philippine mahogany.
Basic lead carbonate,used as a white opaque pigment in exterior house paints;also used in ceramics and putty;available either as a dry powder or as a mixture of turpentine and linseed oil in paste form.
A high-quality putty containing at least 10% white lead mixed with calcium carbonate and linseed oil.
1.Same as high-calcium lime2.Same as pure lime.
See avodire.
Noise having a flat spectrum over the frequency range of interest;the acoustic power per unit frequency is substantially independent of frequency.
A hard,heavy,durable wood,gray to reddish brown in color;esp.used for flooring,paneling,and trim.
A soft,light wood;works easily;does not split when nailed;does not swell or warp appreciably;widely used in building construction
A portland cement,produced from raw materials low in iron,which hydrates to a white paste;used to yield a concrete of considerable whiteness.
A type of decay in wood caused by a fungus that leaves a white residue.
White corrosion products (such as zinc oxide) on zinc coated articles.
Petroleum ether,distilled from crude oil;used as a solvent,esp.in varnishes.
See water spotting.
See butternut.
A reproduction of a construction drawing in which black lines appear on a white background.Compare with blueprint.
An impermanent coating applied with a brush on walls to give them a white appearance;usually a mixture of hydrated lime and water;once typically consisted of a mixture of ground-up chalk (whiting),lime,flour,glue,and water,sometimes with addition of tallow or soap.
Same as tulipwood.
The pitch of a gable roof whose vertical rise is equal to the span.
A squared timber;a balk.
A brick wall,the thicknessof which is equal to the length of one brick.
On drawings,abbr. for warehouse.
1.On drawings,abbr. for wrought iron.2.On drawings,abbr.for “water inlet.”
A small door or gate,esp.one forming part of a larger one.
The action of absorption by means of capillary action.
Same as wikiup.
A tolerance greater than standard tolerance.
A structural beam of rolled steel or concrete having a shape whose cross section resembles the letter H;has wider flanges than an I-beam.
Descriptive of wood having wide annual rings,due to rapid growth;in softwood,usually weaker than narrow ringed wood.
A rectangular hinge with extra wide leaves for clearance.
A flat roof deck or raised observation platform sometimes having a view of the sea,situated on the roof of a house and enclosed by a balustrade or railing;the horizontal roof surface is usually formed by truncating the top of a hipped roof;also called a captain’s walk.
A corrugated fastener.
See range-in.
An Indian dwelling in the American Northeast,found in a variety of shapes;commonly,a domed structure having a framework of saplings set into the ground,bent over,and bound together.This framework was covered with a watertight surface of overlapping matting or animal skins.A hole at the top of the wigwam provided an escape for smoke from the firepit below;an opening at the side served as an entrance.Compare with tipi.
A relatively small,temporary,round dwelling of the Apache Indians of the American Southwest;could be reassembled relatively easily and quickly;had a lightweight framework formed by saplings lashed together at their tops so as to form either a domed structure or a conical structure.Additional poles were placed along the sides of the framework to provide added structural strength;the framework was covered with a matting.
The word willis used in connection with acts and actions required of the owner or of the architect/engineer;it is used by the owner or purchaser as a self-imposed requirement;denotes the information the owner will supply,documents the owner will review,and approvals the owner will issue all at the proper time.
A graphical method of determining the deflections of a framed structure under load.
A velvet cut pile carpet,woven with loops on a Jacquard loom,usually having excellent wearing qualities.
A machine for pulling or lifting heavy weights.It has a rotating drum around which a pulling line or rope is turned;a hoist.
British term for twist.2.A once-used synonym for warped or wined.
A collar beam.
A plenum from which air for combustion is supplied to a stoker,gas burner,or oil burner.
