Appendix I Glossary

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