My name is Charles Hebert and I study to become a civil engineer's technician at Sherbrooke's college. Have been in this program for two years now, and I have one more year to do. My glossary will be for trainees who are starting to work in civil constructions. It will contain 20 words to help them understand some of the technical terms used in the construction of streets, bridges or buildings. I found the term's definitions on google and the images on wikimedia.
aqueduct
noun
An artificial channel for conveying water, typically in the form of a bridge across a valley or other gap.
Example: The ancient aqueduct carried fresh water from the mountains to the city.
fr: aqueduc
beam
noun
A long, sturdy piece of squared timber or metal spanning an opening or part of a building, usually to support the roof or floor above.
Example: There are very fine oak beams in the oldest part of the house
fr: poutre
bedrock
noun
Solid rock underlying loose deposits such as soil or alluvium.
Example: Rock fragments can disconnect from the underlying bedrock
fr: roche mère
cantilever
noun
A long projecting beam or girder fixed at only one end, used in bridge construction.
Example: In cantilever bridges, the cantilevers are usually built as pairs, with each cantilever used to support one end of a central section.
fr: porte-à-faux
column
noun
An upright pillar, typically cylindrical and made of stone or concrete, supporting an entablature, arch, or other structure or standing alone as a monument.
Example: The reinforced concrete column supports the beam and transfers the load to the foundation.
fr: colonne
compaction
noun
The exertion of force on something so that it becomes more dense.
Example: Loss in forest vegetation and removal of crops lowered soil structural stability and caused compaction and poor drainage.
fr: compaction
concrete
noun
a heavy, rough building material made from a mixture of broken stone or gravel, sand, cement, and water
Example: Buildings are constructed primarily from glass and concrete
fr: béton
dam
noun
A barrier constructed to hold back water and raise its level, forming a reservoir used to generate electricity or as a water supply.
Example: Roman engineers built dams with advanced techniques and materials, such as hydraulic mortar and Roman concrete, which allowed for larger structures.
fr: barrage
dead load
noun
Dead loads are structural loads of a constant magnitude over time.
Example: The engineer calculated the dead load of the building, including the weight of the walls, floors, and roof.
fr: charge morte
excavation
noun
The process of removing soil, rock, or other materials from the ground to create space for construction.
Example: The workers began the excavation to prepare the site for the building’s foundation.
fr: excavation
footing
noun
The basis on which something is established or operates.
Example: The concrete footing was poured to support the weight of the building’s columns.
fr: fondation
formwork
noun
Wood in planks or strips used as a temporary structure to contain setting concrete, to support the sides of trenches, or similar.
Example: The carpenters installed the formwork to shape the concrete slab before it was poured.
fr: coffrage
geotechnical report
noun
Geotechnical investigations are performed to obtain information on the physical properties of soil
Example: A geotechnical analysis report is crucial for designing foundations that can safely support a structure, whether for residential, commercial, or industrial buildings.
fr: rapport géotechnique
live load
noun
Live load represents the variable, transient loads imposed by occupancy
Example: The bridge was designed to safely support both its dead load and the live load from traffic and pedestrians.
fr: charge vive
load-bearing wall
noun
A load-bearing wall is any wall of a building that is part of its structure and fulfills the function of providing support for it and other constituent.
Example: Before removing the wall, the engineer confirmed that it was not a load-bearing wall.
fr: mur porteur
rebar
noun
A steel reinforcing rod in concrete.
Example: The workers placed the rebar inside the formwork before pouring the concrete.
fr: barres d'armature
retaining wall
noun
A wall that holds back earth or water.
Example: The retaining wall was built to prevent the soil from sliding down the slope.
fr: mur de soutènement
surveying
noun
Examine and record the area and features to construct a map, plan, or description.
Example: The team completed the surveying before construction began to ensure the building was positioned correctly on the site.
fr: arpentage
truss
noun
A framework, typically consisting of rafters, posts, and struts, supporting a roof, bridge, or other structure.
Example: Trusses are typically composed of triangles because of the structural stability of that shape and design.
fr: ferme de toit
wastewater
noun
Water that has been used in the home, in a business, or as part of an industrial process.
Example: Industrial wastewater may be treated at facilities designed for industrial processes or, in some cases, at municipal sewage treatment plants.
