Civil Engineering Dictionary

Backfilling:- That Portion of the material retained by the wall which has been placed behind It after
construction to fill in the space between the wall and the natural ground.

Bhurji:- A small brick pillar having surface with Mortar etc.

Ball value:- there is a ball inside the valve. It operated by turning a handle 900 For opening and closing
the flow.

Ballies:- Thin Round wooden poles usually bark.

Baluster:- This is The vertical member which is fixed between string and handrail to give support to
the handrail.

Ballast:- brick, stone or gravel or irregular Unscreened Sizes which may contain smaller material and
also sand.

Bar:- the term is applied to simple steel section both round or square.

Bar Chair:- an individual supporting device used to support or hold reinforcing bars in proper position
to prevent displacement before or during concrete.

Bar Spacing:- The Distance between parallel reinforcing bars, measured center to center of the bars
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Base Couse:- that part Of the Construction resting Upon the sub grade, and through which the load is
transmitted to the sub- grade or the supporting soil. A base course is the layer immediately under
surfaces.

Batching plant: - a Mechanical equipment designed to measure the proportions of the various to form
a mixture e.g., as in mixing of concrete.

Bat:- This is a piece of brick, usually considered in relation to the length of a brick and accordingly
known as half bat, three- quarter bat, beveled bat or quarter bat.

Batten- A piece of sawn timber, the dimension of which do not exceed 5cm either in breadth or in
thickness.

Beam:- A Structural member generally long in proportion to its width and thickness used for
supporting load primarily by its internal resistance of banding.

Bleeding:- the formation of thin layer of water on the exposed surface of freshly placed concrete after
compaction.

Bottle trap:- it is Used below washbasin and sink to give additional protection from entry of foul gases.
By opening it time to time, solid material collected in it can be cleaned.

Bottom rail:- lowest horizontal member of the shutter.

Box Culvert:- it serves as means for a cross drainage and provides supporting slab for a roadway.

Bulldozer:- it is a tractor on the front of which is mounted a curved strong adjustable steel blade
which is employed for spreading and levelling by pushing loose excavated material. A tree dozer is
used for felling trees and a stumper dozer is used for uprooting stumrps.
Building Sewage system:- a Line of pipes including all Fittings such as manholes, trapes, gullies and
floor Traps used for the sewage disposal of building, or a number of building with in the same
permises.

Brick cutting Gauge:- for Proper cutting of brick bats a brick cutting gauge can be used. This gauge is
prepared from a Piece of wood with proper stops fixed for measurement of half, three quarter and
quarter bricks.

Brickbat coda:- one if the many methods of water proofing and thermal insulation of roof in which
mainly broken bricks and mortar are used.
 Civil Engineering Dictionary

“c”

Capillary Action:- change in linear Dimension per unit length or change in volume per unit degree of
temperature change.

Carpet area:-Indicates the useful area of the building and is equal to floor area-circulatory area-
toilets- air-conditioning room etc.

Cast in place:- Concrete placed & Finished in its final location.

Cavity wall:- it Consist of two separate skins with an air space of at least 50mm between them.
Thickness of these skins may not be less then 100 mm, these skins are tied by metal ties. Used to
prevent dampness & sound insulator

Note- horizontal 900mm and maximum vertical spacing is 450mm.

Cement:- a commercial product which when mixed with water or in combination sand, stone or similar
material has the property of combining with water slowly to form a hard solid mass.

Centering:- A temporary horizontal props which are used for casting purpose.

Centre of Gravity:- A point where the resultant of wright of body acts. It is the point about balances
when supported.

Chair:- A rigid device used to support or hold reinforcing bars in proper position to prevent
displacement before & During Concreting.

Chajja:- overhanging above the windows, doors etc. cast along with lintels for protection from rain,
sun etc.

Cladding:- a material (wood, stone, tubes) used for external treatment of building.

Coefficient of thermal Expansion:- change in linear dimension per unit length or change in volume
per unit volume per degree of temperature change.

Coefficient of thermal expansion of concrete is 12*10-6 /0 c

Coefficient of thermal expansion of steel is 11*10-6 /0 c

Cohesion: - the molecular attraction which holds the body of the material.

Coarse aggregate:- Refers to those aggregate whose size are more then 4.75mm.

Compaction:- The process by which the volume of freshly placed mortar or concrete is reduced to the
minimum particle space, usually by vibrator, temping etc.

Construction joint:- it is provided where there is a break in casting of concrete. Construction joint are
made between parts cast at different times.

Contraflexure:- at that point where bending moment Is zero. That point is called contra flexure.

Coping:- The capping or covering placed upon the exposed top of a wall in slope usually of stone or
concrete to throw off and prevent the rain water soaking into wall.

Corrosion inhibitors:- the chemical, when added to the concrete in a small proportion, checks or
retard the process of corrosion of embedded steel reinforcement.
Coupling:- a device for joining two pieces of pipe, roads etc.

Curing:- keeping the concrete damp after it has placed in the position to complete the reaction of
cement & water.

Curing Compound:- a liquid that can be applied as a coating to the surface of newly placed concrete
to retard the loss of water.
 Civil engineering Dictionary

“d”

Dado:-

Damp:- a State of matter containing moisture.

Damp-Proof Course:- (damp course, dpc) Purpose of Dpc is to prevent ground moisture rising up the
wall and causing dampness on ground floor walls.

Damper:- A device for damping spring oscillations after abrupt removal or application of a load.

Note:- statue of unity in Gujarat, india a 4000 ton turned mass damper located at the chest level of
sardar patel statue.

Development Length:-

1. The minimum length of reinforcing bar or reinforcing rod which is required to anchor it in
concrete.
2. The length of embedded reinforcement required to develop the design strength at a critical
section.

Design Service Life:- is the assumed period for which a structure or part of it is to be ued for its
intended purpose which anticipated maintenance but without major repair being necessary.

 The design service life is defined by : the level of reliability for not passing the limit state during
this period.

Drip:- part of projecting sill etc. which has a protection beyond other parts for throwing of rain water.

Drying Shrinkage:- it is defined as the contracting of a hardened concrete mixture due to the loss of
capillary water. This shrinkage causes an increase in tensile stress, which may lead to cracking, internal
warping, and external deflection, before the concrete is subjected to any kind of loading.

Dwg:- Dwg abbr. for “drawing”.

Dwarf wall:- is a low wall that is often used as a garden wall. It can be applied to any wall that is less
than 1 metre tall.

Dwarf Door a Door whose height is somewhat less than normal.

A low internal wall that does not extend all the way up to the ceiling. Of the wall is a partition wall, it
is know as a dwarf partition.

Dress:- dressed dimension (neat size) , the size Of stone, masonry, or timber once it has been cut or
shaped to the desired dimensions.

Daily Report:- daily progress report.

 Civil engineering Dictionary

“e”

Early Strength:- Strength of concrete developed soon after placement usually the first 72 hours.

Evas Board:- A Wooden Board fixed to the Feet of the common rafter at the eaves.

Ecentric load:- the load offset from the centre line of the supporting member. (Centre line se ht ke jo
load lgta hai . Jayda try yeh home jo construction krte hai)

Edger:- A Finishing tool used on the edges of fresh concrete to provide a rounded edge.(edge ko roal
krne liye )

Efflorescence:- Water used in the construction work may soluble salt are brought to the surface and
they appear in the form of a whitest crystalline substance which affect the adhesion of paint with wall
surface.

Elasticity:-It is the property of solid material to return to its original size and shape on removal of the
force, has not exceeded a certain limit called elastic limit or yield point.

Elbow:-A pipe fitting for providing a sharp change of direction in a pipe line.(kisi bhi liquied ko direction
dena)

Embankment:- an Earth work In Filling raised above the natural ground by the deposition of material
to support construction at a higher level.(jo bhi km kar rahe ho ush case mein jo be apka structure
apka hoga wo mein ground level se uppar hoga.)

Emulsion:- an Emulsion is a mixture of two or more liquids that are Normally immiscible owing to
liquid-liquied phase separation .(do or do se Jayda material ko milna )

Engineering Brick:- This heavy duty bricks used in heavy engineering works have high durability e and
compressive strength and low water absorption.

English Bond:- the Bond in which Alternate courses consists of stretchers and headers.

Epicenter:- the point on the earth’s surface where the effects of a sudden movement (Earthquake)
are felt most strongly.

Epoxy Adhesive:- Epoxies are created by polymerizing a mixture of two starting compounds, the resin
and the hardener.

Erosion:- Erosion is the geological process in which earthen materials are worn away and transported
by natural forces such as wind or water.

Evaporation:- Evaporation is the process by which water changes from a liquid to gas or vapour.

Expansion joints:- It is an assembly designed to hold parts together while safely absorbing
temperature-induced expansion and contraction of building materials, and vibration, or to allow
movement due to ground settlement or seismic activity.(jb hamari building ke length 45 m se Jayda
hoti hai to ushme hm joint dete hai)
 Civil Engineering Dictionary

“F”

Facade:- A façade(front) is generally one Exterior side of a building , usually the front in architecture ,
the facade of a building often the most important aspect of design.

Faucet:- A Fixture attached to the end of a pipe having a spout and valve to permit the drawing off
and control of flow or liquid.

Fibre reinforcement Concrete(FRC):- it is made from hydraulic cements with or without aggregates of
various sizes and incorporating in the main discrete fibre reinforcements. Fibre suitable for reinforcing
concrete are produced from steel, glass, ceramics and organic polymers.

Fine aggregate:- aggregate is the granular material used to produce concrete or mortar and when the
particles of the granular material are so fine that they pass through a 4.75mm sieve, it is called fine
aggregate.

Final Setting time:- the Time required for a freshly mixed cement paste, mortar, or concrete to achieve
final set.

Finishing:- Levelling, smoothing, compacting, and otherwise treating surface of fresh or recently
placed concrete or mortar to produce desired appearance and service.

Finishing machine:- A Powder- operated machine used to give the desired surface textured to a
concrete to slab.

Flemish Bond- in this bond, in every course, header and stretchers are place alternatively.

Flexible Pavement:- It can be defined as a pavement layer comprising if a mixture of aggregates and
bitumen, heated and mixed properly and then laid and compacted on a bed of granular layer.

Floor Trap:- A floor trap is made of cast iron and it is provided at the points of entry of waste water in
the house.

Float glass:- Float glass owes its unique name to the process by which it is manufactured where in the
melton glass is introduced into a bath of molten tin, causing the glass to float freely.

Formwork:- formwork is the term used for the process of creating a temporary mould into which
concrete is poured and fromed.

Form oil:- Shuttering oil or formwork oil is high –quality mineral oil that is applied to inner surface of
formwork before concreting. Shuttering oil is also known as form or mould release agent.

Foundation:- That portion of the structure which is below the ground surface.

Framed structure:- Building Structure supported on columns & beams and wall acting as filler
materials only.
 Civil Engineering Dictionary “G”

Galvanizing:- is the process of applying a protective zinc coating to steel or iron, to Prevent it from
rusting

Garage:- A Porting of building at ground floor or outhouse used for parking/Storage of a wheeled
vehicle.

Notel:- the minimum size of garage for residential use is 3.5x5 m for easy car parking & min height
should be 2.2m

Gasket:- it is a Flexible seal, used to make a watertight joint between to flat surfaces.

Gate Valve:- It is also called wheel valve. It is used to control flow of water.

Girth:- circumference of round timber.

Going:- the Horizontal distance between the faces of two consecutive riser.

Note:- hence the minimum value for going is 220mm

Grease trap:- these traps are provides in thein the system of sewerage exclude the harmful materials
like fats, oil, greasy matter released from hotels, restaurants etc.

Green Building:- it is a structure that is designed , built, renovated, operated or reused in an ecological
& resource efficient manner. These buildings are environmental friendly & energy efficient.

Note:- sohrabji godrej green Business centre, Hyderabad is the first energy efficient building in india.

 Reduction of natural resource consumption

 Reduction of operating costs
 Health, comfort and safety for all residents
 Energy optimization and reduction of energy consumption
 Increased productivity of the occupants
 Batter indoor air quality (IAQ has a tremendous impact on human health)

Grid:- a rectangular/ square network of lines used in planning or setting out structure.

Grouting;- The process by which a binder in liquid form (cement, tar, bitumen etc.) is made to
penetrate into joints or crack in concrete work.

Grubbing: - Uprooting & removing the Stumps & roots of small trees & plants etc. from the site of the
work.

Gully Trap:- A Gully trap is provided outside before connecting to external sewerage line. It also
collects waste water from the Kitchen sink, wash basins, baths and waste area.

Gutter:- An Open drain constructed along the sides of a carriage way to carry away the water. And
other type is placed along edegs of sloped roof for transfer water to underground or RWHS.
 Civil Engineering Dictionary “h”

Habitable Room:- A space in a building for living, sleeping, eating or cooking is considered a habitable
space. Bathrooms, Toilet rooms, Closes are sets, storage or utility spaces and similar area not
considered Habitable rooms.

Hairline cracking:- Hair Cracking, plastic shrinkage cracks very fine cracks, in a random pattern , which
usually do not completely penetrate a point fil, an exposed layer for concrete etc.

Handrail:- A handrail is a rail is designed to be grasped by the hand so as to provide stability or Support.
Handrails are typically supported by posts or mounted directly to walls

Hard Plaster: - Plasters that are resistant to knocks and scuffs, such as rendering, squash court plaster,
and renovation plaster (hard finish)

Harshness :- A concrete mix with a low percentage of fine aggregate.

 A harsh mix lacks plasticity and the ingredients may tend to separate
 Harshness can be caused by an excess or deficiency of mixing water (high- or low-slump
mixes)
 Harshness may also be caused by an excess of rough, angular, flat, or elongated aggregate
particles.

High Rise:- (high rise building) Buildings that are greater than eight storeys are often said to be high
rise buildings.

High-strength Concrete:-

 Concrete with strengths in excess of 40 kN/mm2 .

 Concretes with additives such as microsilica, superplasticisers, and other strengthening
materials can be produced that have strengths in excess of 100 kN/mm

Hydration:- A process which refers to reaction of cement with water.

 When cement, water, aggregate, and additives are mixed together, a significant heat increase
occurs. This is due to the exothermic process in the reaction between cement and water
(called hydration).

Hydro demolition:- (also known as hydro demolition, hydroblasting, hydro blasting, hydromilling,
waterblasting, and waterjetting) a demolition technique used to remove concrete and other materials
using high pressure or ultra high-pressure water jet.

1. Compared to conventional demolition tool:-

 Hydro demolition is an effective method to cut down concrete without affecting the
substructure and other parts.
 Does not involve vibrations, unlike other techniques.
 It is safe and reduces the risk of workplace injuries.
2. Applications of Hydrodemolition
 Bridge and parking deck repair
 Decommissioning
 Decontamination
 Construction joint cleaning
 Road maintenance
  Tunnel rehabilitation

Honeycomb:- If we prevent it in structures we can save time and money.

Causes of Honeycomb in Concrete :- Understanding the cause behind the formation of honeycomb in
a structural element is the first step towards its prevention.

 Low concrete workability, i.e., improper w/c ratio

 Over-vibration of concrete
 Inadequate concrete compaction
 Addition of extra water to concrete mixture to increase workability
 Pouring concrete from excessive heights
 Formwork lacks proper rigidity and water tightness; hence grouts leak out of poured concrete
 High aggregate content and oversized aggregates
 Congestion of steel bars
 Small concrete cover over steel bars
 Placement of concrete that has lost workability How to Prevent Honeycomb in Concrete
Structure For Understanding the cause behind the formation of honeycomb in a structural
element is the first step towards its prevention.
 Pour concrete from a suitable height, which should not exceed 1.5 m.
 Perform sufficient concrete compaction and prevent over compaction, which causes concrete
segregation and, ultimately,
 Make sure to provide adequate concrete cover to facilitate concrete compaction.
 Make sure that the concrete around steel bars and other embedded objects is compacted
adequately.
 Honeycomb is very likely to occur in the corners of concrete structural members. Therefore,
compaction in the corners of structural members should be performed sufficiently.
 use of rigid and waterproofing formwork

Hollow Concrete Block H 8 H For IS 2185 (1) 2005 :-

Hollow(open and closed cavity)

Grade-A
 load-bearing units
 minimum block density of 1500 kg/m3
 minimum average compressive strengths of 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, 7.0, 8, 5, 10.0, 12.5 and 15.0N/mm2
at 28 days. Solid Concrete Block
Grade B
 Also in load-bearing units
 density between 1100kg/m3 and 1500kg/m3
 minimum average compressive strengths of of 3.5 and 5.0N/mm2 at 28 days.
Grade C:
 Are used as load-bearing units
 Density not less than 1800kg/m3 .
 Minimum average compressive strength of 4.0 and 5.0N/mm2 .
Length : 400, 500 or 600 mm
Height : 200 or 100 mm
Width : 50,75, 100, 150,200, 2500r300 mm
Hogging Vs Sagging:-

Hazard:-An area, object, or situation that presents a risk to those who work in the proximity of the
situation or object.

Hard Landscape:- The finishing of external areas in brick, block or clay paving, concrete, bitumen,
tarmac, stone or chippings, or anything that creates a firm surface suitable for walking on or driving
vehicles over.

Height Regulation for Rooms:- For As per the National Building Code of India,

 The height of all rooms for human habitation shall not be less than 2.75 m measured from the
surface of the floor to the lowest point of the ceiling (bottom of the slab).
 Air-conditioned rooms, a height of not less than 2.4 m
 bathrooms 2.1m
 store rooms 2.2
Civil Engineering Dictionary “i”

Imhoff Tank:- it is a deep two storied tank invented by karl imhoff in Germany as an improvement
over septic tank. An Imhoff tank is similar to septic tank except that the sedimentation & sludge
digestion go on in different chambers. The Upper compartment is known as Sedimentation chamber
and the lower one sludge digestion chamber.

Impact load:- An Imposed load whose effect is Increased due to its sudden Application.

The Need for the impact test is to evaluate the toughness of aggregates which is nothing but the ability
of aggregates to resist the sudden loading or impact loading.

Inclined-Axis Mixer:- A truck with a revolving drum that rotates about an axis inclined to the bed of
the truck chassis.

Initial setting time of cement:-

Initial setting time of cement – The period elapsing b/w the time when water is first added to neat
cement to form a paste and the time when that paste ceases to be fluid & plastic to a specified degree
under the specified conditions of test.

In Situ:- For Literally “In place” referring to a material or components that are cast in their permanent
positions in a building or structure.

Inspection chamber:-Inspection chambers are access points to underground pipework which allow
maintenance and the removal of blockages. When installing any type of underground drainage there’s
a very high chance that you’ll need to install an inspection chamber .Inspection chambers and
manholes are similar in use except that manholes allow physical entrance and inspection chambers
are for cameras and equipment only.
Integral Waterproofing Admixture :- Integral waterproofing solutions all work by blocking water from
being able to get into concrete, which is usually a water-loving material that sucks up moisture. Not
all integral waterproofing solutions are the same – waterproofing admixtures vary in terms of
performance, health and safety, service, and warranty.

Intercepting sewer or interceptor:- For A large sewer that receives flow from a number of sewers and
conducts the wastewater to a treatment plant. Also called intercepting sewer.

Integral porch:-A porch whose floor is set within the main structure of a house, rather than being
attached to the house, as in a projection porch.

Intrados:- The lower or inner curve of an arch.

Isolated ceiling:- A type of false ceiling that is suspended from the special hangers or clips that are
designed to limits the amount of sound transmission.

Used to improve sound insulation between floors.

Inverted:-To reverse in position, order, direction, or relationship. to turn or change to the opposite or
contrary, as in nature, bearing, or effect: to invert a process.

Isthmus:-A narrow strip of land, surrounded by water, that connects two larger areas of land.

Island:- Any area of land smaller than a continent and entirely surrounded by water.

Isolation Joint:- An isolation joint is a separation of an existing concrete slab from a new concrete slab
or wall.

Internal Dormer:- A dormer is a roofed structure, often containing a window, that projects vertically
beyond the plane of a pitched roof A dormer window (also called dormer) is a form of roof window.

Intercom:- A device that allows communication between different parts of a building.

Civil Engineering Dictionary “j”

Jack:- Jack in construction is used to normally is describe a vertical lifting of a material, structural unit
or a horizontal Surface, such as a concrete slab.

Jambs:- These are the vertical sides of an opening for doors and windows to receive the frames of
doors & window.

Jeera:-Stone Aggregate of size 10 mm -12mm or less.

Jet Spray:- Butterfly jet is a metallic strip with a small hole (nozzle) casted at the center. This butterfly
jet rests on the WC base at back. The nozzle or the small hole in center is like an outlet that provides
a water jet for cleansing the body after toilet use. Seat jet/ Butterfly jet is combined with a connection
pipe and a valve.

Joggle: - When we provide lapping in the reinforcement bars, we bend either of the two bars to align
them with each other. These bent-up bars are called joggled.

Joint:- Joints in concrete construction are construction, expansion, contraction and isolation joints.
These joints are placed in concrete slabs and pavements at regular intervals to prevent development
of cracks in concrete.
Joist:- Any of the small timbers or metal beams ranged parallel from wall to wall in a structure to
support a floor or ceiling.

Jacketing:- Column Jacketing is the process whereby a section of an existing structural member is
restored to original dimensions or increased in size by encasement using suitable materials.

Civil Engineering Dictionary “k”

Kelly (Kelly Bar):- Kelly (Kelly bar) A hollow bar above a drilling rig used to drive the drilling stem.

Kerb:-Raised concrete edging between a road and the Pavement.

To prevent vehicles from leaving the carriageway. Sometimes it Provides separation Between Two
Adjacent lanes.

The Height of road Kerb the pavement edge varies from 100mm to 200mm per requirement.

Protection of pedestrians

 Protection of Pedestrians from Higher speed vehicles.

 Guiding of Traffic Along the Edge
 Control/Regulation Of Drainage

Design Precautions:-

 Prevention of Overturning Of Vehicles on faster Roads

 Prevention of Jaywalking On Thoroughfare Roads
 Prevention of parking on Footpaths

Mountable kerbs:-

This type of kerbs are provided such that they encourage the traffic to remain in the through traffic
lanes and also allow the driver to enter the shoulder area with little difficulty. 10 cm above the
pavement edge with a slope which allows the vehicle to climb easily.

Barrier Type Kerb:-

It is provided in built up areas adjacent to footpaths with considerable pedestrian traffic. Lower traffic
volume, higher pedestrian volume.

Semi barrier type:-

When the pedestrian traffic is high, these kerbs are provided. Their height is 15 cm above the
pavement edge This type of kerb prevents encroachment of parking vehicles, but at acute emergency
it is possible to drive over this kerb with some difficulty.

Submerged kerb:-

They are used in rural roads. The kerbs are provided at pavement edges between the pavement edge
and shoulders. They provide lateral confinement and stability to the payment

Civil Engineering Dictionary “L”

Lacquer:- It provides shine & smoothness to a Surface Which Can be Easily cleaned. It Greatly Improves
the Durability Of the underlying Finish.
Laminated Wood:- n assembled product made up of layers and adhesive in which the grains of the
adjacent layers are parallel.

Landing:- The horizontal platform between two flights of a stairs called as landing. A landing facilitates
change of direction & provides an opportunity for taking rest during the use of a stair. The landing
width shall be a minimum of twice staircase width plus 15 centimetres in dog legged.

Lay-by:- The local widening of a carriage way to enable vehicles to draw off the road for temporary
parking or stoppage without obstruction to traffic flow.

Lean concrete:- Lean concrete is a mix where the amount of cement is lower than the amount of liquid
present in the strata. The higher the Aggregate/cement ratio, the leaner the concrete.

Ledge Or trend:- Ledges are short horizontal projections (10 to 30cm) from walls normally on the
exterior faces of walls. These are sometimes just architectural features and sometimes provided with
a drip-course below to break the flow of rainwater along the wall surfaces. These are also provided at
window sill level to check rainwater entering in to the window frames. Ledges also help maintenance
personnel to access various locations on the outer faces of walls when needed.

Lightweight Concrete:- Ordinary concrete can be made light by adding foaming agent like resin soap.
Casting structural steel to protect its against fire and corrosion or as a covering for architectural
purposes. Heat insulation on roofs. Insulating water pipes. Construction of partition walls and panel
walls in frame structures.

Civil Engineering Dictionary “m”

Macadam:- Road surface Made Of Binder and crushed or broken stones Of regular size Below 75mm.

Magnitude Of earthquake:- Indicates the sizes Of the earthquake or in other words it is a measure of
the total Energy Released by an Earthquake And it is measured in richer scale.

Main Bean:- A beam which bars Directly on to a column or wall not on the other beam.

Malleability:- Property of being permanently expanded or flattened into Sheets without fracture
When Rolled or hammered.

Mamti:- A Structure with a covering roof over a staircase and its landing built to enclose only the stairs
for the purpose of providing from the weather.

Masonry:- An Assemblage Of masonry units(Bricks, stones, concrete bricks etc.) bonded together with
mortar.

Masonary Unit:- Individual units made Of bricks concrete etc. which are bonded together with the
help of mortar to form a masonry element such as well, column, pier etc.

Mezzanine floor:- An Intermediate floor between two Floors above ground level with area of
mezzanine restricted to 1/3 rd of the area of the lower floor and with a minimum height of 2.3m above
the Floor Level.

Mild Steel:- It is a low carbon steel and has a carbon content of 0.25%. it is quite ductile and can be
manipulated in different forms.

Civil Engineering Dictionary “n”

Needle Vibrators:- Needle vibratos are Most commonly used vibrator for concrete.
Nahani Trap:- it can be used in place of floor trap to collect used water from washbasin, bath, sink etc.

Neat cement grouting:- Grout consisting of Portland Cement And Water.

Negative Moment:- A Condition of Flexure in which top Fibers of a horizontal placed member fibres
of vertically placed member are subjected to tensile stress.

Nipple:- A Tubular Pipe Fitting Usually threaded on both end & Less than 300mm long Used For
Connecting Pipes Or Fittings.

Nominal Maximum Size:- Kelly(Kelly bar) A hollow Bar above a drilling Rig Used to drive the drilling
stem.

No Slump Concrete:- concrete with a slum of 6mm or less see also zero- slum

Nosing:-The Projection part Of the tread beyond the face of Riser is know as a nosing

Civil Engineering Dictionary “o”

Offset:- A short Distance measured perpendicularly from a main survey line. Also called Offset line.

Oil Bond Distemper:- Oil Bound Distemper Is water based paint mixture which is easy to apply. The
paint is suitable for various Interior surfaces, it is widely used in walls.

1. Easy to apply and provides range of color shades.

2. Offers smooth or matte finish and also economical.
3. It dries quickly on application and durable.
4. Have no Harmful Chemicals

Instruction for new walls

 The area of application should be cleaned.

 All uneven surface should be corrected by filling the putty mixed with white Lead.
 The surface should be sanded down with fine grade sand paper for smoothness.
 If the surface is wet cement primer is applied instead of distemper primer

Disadvantages

 Oil bound distemper are not washable

 It steadily emerges out from the wall for moisture.
 It doesn’t contain any anti-fungal property.
 It doen’t give reach finish to the wall. Instruction for new walls.
 The area of application should be cleaned.
 All uneven surface should be corrected by filling the putty mixed with white Lead.
 The surface should be sanded down with fine grade sand paper for smoothness.
 If the surface is wet cement primer is applied instead of distemper 0primer

One pipe system:- in this system a single a single soil waste pipe conveys both soil and waste directly
to the building drains.

Open Area:- Plot area- ground coverage of building.

Optimum Moisture Content (OMC): - Moisture Content at which the Compaction Of Soil gives the
maximum Dry Density.
 Civil Engineering Dictionary “p”

Parapet:- A Low wall Or Railing built Along the edge of a roof or floor.

Parapet walls And handrails provided on the edges, terrace balcony or verandah shall not be less than
1.05 m in height from the finished floor level.

Patching:- The repair to a portion of a structure member to restore it to its original state. In road, due
to cracking, potholes, rutting, sag & humps patching need to be done. Crack sealing, remove & replace
etc are done to overcome.

Paving:- An outdoor floor surface made up of flat stones, concrete, bricks etc in a pattern for
movement.

Peeling:- the plaster from some portion of the surface comes & a patch is formed. It is mainly due to
bond failure between successive coats of plaster.

Perforated bricks:- A brick or block in which holes passing through it exceed 25% of its volume. It is
used in the construction of brick panels for lightweight structures and multi-storeyed framed
structures. The perforations may be circular, square, rectangular or any other regular shape in cross-
section. These holes, filled with mortar provide a "keyway," locking one brick to the next.

Pergola:- A pergola is an outdoor garden feature forming a shaded walkway, passageway, or sitting
area of vertical posts or pillars that usually support cross-beams and a sturdy open lattice, often upon
which woody vines are trained.

Permanent Hardness:- Permanent hardness of water is due to chlorides & sulphates of calcium &
magnesium. It can’t be removed by boiling. Other methods such as, ion exchange process in which
ions of calcium & magnesium are replaced by sodium & potassium ions. An acceptable level range for
water hardness is going to be 100- 300 PPM

Piers:- he function of a pier is to transmit the load from the bridge to the underneath sub-soil.
Abutments support the ends of the bridge and transfer the loads from the superstructure into the
ground.

Pillar:- A pillar is a vertical support member and may be constructed as a single piece of timber,
concrete or steel, or built up out of bricks, blocks and so on. ... However, whereas a pillar does not
necessarily have a load-bearing function, a column is a vertical structural member that is intended to
transfer a compressive load.

Plain Concrete:

lain concrete, also known as plain cement concrete or PCC, is most commonly used for paving and
flooring. Made from a mix of cement, aggregate, and water. plain concrete is used for constructing
pavements, footpaths and buildings in areas that do not require high tensile strength.

Civil Engineering Dictionary “Q”

Queen Closer:- This Is Obtained By Cutting the brick longitudinal in two equal parts. A Queen closer is
generally placed near the quoin harder to obtain the necessary lap.
Quick Lime:-Also Known as White Lime, fat Lime or Unslaked lime Is obtained by burning
comparatively pure Limestone. By burning Limestone, co2 is driven off as a gas leaving calcium oxide
or quick lime in the form of lumps.

Quick setting cement:- Cement whose setting time is less While Ultimate hardening time is same.
Initial setting time of this cement is 5 min while final setting time is 30min.

Quoins:- The External corners or angles of a wall surface are called quoins and the stones or bricks the
quoins are known as quoin bricks.

Quoin Brick:- A brick forming a corner in brickwork, it has one end and one side exposed to view.

Quoin Header:- the first header at the end or corner of the wall.

Quoin stretcher:- The First stretcher at the end or corner of the wall.

Civil Engineering Dictionary “R”

Radian(Rad):- A Unit Of angular Measurement. One radian is the angle that is made by an arc on the
circumference of a circle equal to its radius.

RMC:- Ready –Mix Concrete is concrete that is manufactured in a batch, according to a set engineered
mix design.

Ready-Mix concrete is normally delivered in two ways.

First is the barrel truck truck or in-transit mixers.

This type of truck delivers concrete in a plastic state to the site.

Reinforced Concrete:- is a composite material in which concrete relatively low tensile strength and
ductility are compensated for by the inclusion of reinforcement having higher tensile strength or
ductility.

Reinforced masonry:- Reinforced Masonry in which Concrete’s relatively low tensile and ductility are
compensated for by the reinforcement having higher tensile strength or ductility.

Rebound hammer test:- Non-destructive testing method of concrete which provide a convenient and
rapid indication of the compressive strength of the concrete.

Restoration:-Building restoration is a Process in the construction industry where a building of Historic

value is restored to the appearance of its original quality.

Retrofitting of Building:- Retrofitting of Building is the process of modifying something after it has
been manufactured. Retrofitting of building involves changing its structural system after its
construction and occupation.

Methods of Retrofitting of Building:

1. Adding New Shear Wall

2. Adding Steel Bracing
3. Wall Thickening Technique
4. Base Isolation Technique
5. Mass Reduction Technique
6. Jacketing Method
7. Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP)
 8. Epoxy Injection Method
9. External Plate Bonding

Right of way:-

Row:-

Right of way (ROW) or land width is the width of land acquired for the road, along its alignment. It
should be adequate to accommodate all the cross-sectional elements of the highway and may
reasonably provide for future development.

Runoff:-

the excess liquid flows across the surface of the land and into nearby creeks, streams, or ponds.

Riser:-

The riser is the vertical surface of the stair. The tread on the other hand is the horizontal surface of
the stair and the part of the stair you step on.

Nosing is the portion of the tread that overhangs the front of the riser.

IS 1644 (1988): Code of practice for fire safety of buildings (general): Exit requirements and personal
hazard

Riser 150 mm -170 mm

Tread 250 mm -300 mm

Ring Road:-

A Circumferential road build around an urban area to enable free flow of traffic.

Civil Engineering Dictionary “S”

Scaffolding:- A Temporary structure for gaining access to higher levels of the permanent structure
during construction.

Segregation:- the separating out of particles of different sizes in a concrete mix . The heavier
aggregates settles at the bottom. The strength of the concrete is adversely affected by segregation of
particles.

Seismic Zones:- the country is divided into five seismic zones in the ascending order of magnitude.

Setting time of cement:- The time required for specimen of concrete , mortar or cement paste ,
prepared and tested under standardized conditions to attain a specified degree of rigidity.

Short and slender:- A Compressive member may be considered as short when the slenderness ration
is less then 12

Effective length/least column dimension>12 (short column)

Effective length/least column dimension<12(long column)

Shuttering:- when formwork is done on the vertical faces of the structure like wall, beam sides,
columns, etc.
Sieve analysis:-the determination of the particle size of a granular material by means of a series of
standard sieves.

Sill:- The Bottom Of door or a window opening . Still is so dressed that it prevents the entry of water
to the interior of building.

Skirting:-A Finishing member along perimeter of a wall or other vertical surface where it meets the
floor.

Slump cone:-

A mould in the form of the lateral surface of the frustum of a cone with a base dia of 200mm, top dia
100 mm and a height 300mm , used to determine the workability of freshly mixed concrete.

Soffit:-

he lower horizontal surface of anything the under face of an arch where its thickness is seen , the
under face of lintel in a door opening.

Stiffness:- s the ability of a material to resist deformation . It is a measure of the modulus of elasticity,
the higher the modulus the stiffer the material.

Civil Engineering Dictionary “S”

Temping:- The Operation of compacting freshly placed blows with a temping device.

Technical Sanction:- Technical Sanction means an order of a competent authority sanctioning a

properly detailed estimate of the cost of a work of construction or repair proposed to be carried out
in the Public Works Departments.

Tendon:- Steel Rods or cables used in pre-stressing concrete units

Time of haul:- in production of ready-mixed concrete , the period from first contact between mixing
water and cement until completion of discharge of the freshly mixed concrete.

Toothing:- in tooting each alternate courses overhangs the one below by distance equal to the lap. It
is the method of leaving the end of a wall which is to be extended at a later date.

Torsion:-when a bar is firmly secured at one end and a force is applied to the other end so that bar
tends to twist, the stresses developed in the bar are tortional stresses, the force does not bend the
bar it twist it. Also know as torque.