APPENDIX I
GLOSSARY
A
ABUTMENT—Masonry, timber, or timber and earth
structures supporting the end of a bridge or an arch.
ACOUSTICAL TILE—Any tile composed of
materials that absorb sound waves.
ALLIGATORING—A defect in a painted surface,
resulting from the application of a hard finish coat
over a soft primer. The checked pattern is caused by
the slipping of the new coat over the old coat. The
old coat can be seen through the cracks.
ANCHOR BOLTS—Bolts used to fasten columns,
girders, soleplates, or other members to concrete or
masonry.
ANCHORS—Devices giving stability to one part of a
structure by securing it to another part, such as
toggle bolts holding structural wood members to a
masonry block wall.
AS-BUILT DRAWINGS—Drawings made during or
after construction, illustrating how various
elements of the project were actually installed.
ASPHALT SHINGLE—A type of composition
shingle made of felt and saturated with asphalt or
tar pitch.
ASTRAGAL—A closure between the two leaves of a
double-swing or double-slide door to close the
joint. This can also be a piece of molding.
B
BEARING PILE—A pile carrying a superimposed
vertical load.
BERM—An artificial ridge of earth.
BINDER—Hot melted pitch (or asphalt) applied
between the layers of a built-up roof to bind the
layers of felt together.
BIRD’S-MOUTH—A notch cut in the lower edge of
a rafter, to fit over the top wall plate. Formed by a
level line and a plumb cut.
BREAKWATER—A barrier constructed to shield the
interior waters of a harbor from wave forces.
BRIDGING-Crossed or solid supports installed
between joists (floor or ceiling) to help evenly
distribute the load and brace the joists against side
sway.
BULKHEAD—A retaining wall, generally vertical.
C
CAISSON—A watertight box structure surrounding
work below water.
CANTILEVER—A projecting beam supported only at
one end.
CASING—The trim around doors and windows.
CHASE—A vertical recess in a wall for pipes.
COFFERDAM—A watertight enclosure.
COMPOSITE PILES—Piles formed of one material
in the lower section and another in the upper.
CONCRETE PILES—Piles made of concrete, either
cast in place or precast.
CORNICE—The area under the eaves where the roof
and sidewalls meet.
CREOSOTE—A coal tar distillate used for preserving
wood.
CRIPPLE—Any frame member shorter than a regular
member.
CROWN—The outside curve of a twisted, bowed, or
cupped board.
D
DOLPHIN—A group of piles in water driven close
(clustered) together and tied so that the group is
capable of withstanding large lateral forces from
vessels and other floating objects.
DRESSING—Trimming or planing; usually applied to
lumber.
DRY ROT—Fungus growth making wood soft or
brittle.
DRYWALL—A system of interior wall finish
sheets of gypsum board and taped joints.
using
AI-1
