Civil Engineering Glossary 15 Civil engineering is the field of engineering that focuses on designing, building, and maintaining infrastructure such as roads, bridges, buildings, and water systems. terms
This glossary was created to explain important terms used in civil engineering. I made it to improve my understanding of technical vocabulary and to have a clear reference for my studies and future work in the field. Beam noun A horizontal structural element that supports loads. Example: The steel beam supports the roof. en: poutre
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Column noun A vertical structural member designed to support compressive loads. Example: The concrete column transfers loads to the foundation. en: colonne
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Compaction noun The process of increasing soil density by reducing air gaps. Example: Proper compaction prevents soil settlement. en: Compaction
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Concrete Noun A composite material made of cement, water, sand, and aggregates that hardens over time and is used in construction. Example: The bridge was built using reinforced concrete for extra strength. en: Béton
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Drainage noun Drainage Example: Proper drainage prevents water accumulation around the foundation. en: The system or process of removing excess water from an area.
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Excavation noun The process of removing soil or rock from a construction site. Example: Excavation began before laying the foundation. en: Excavation
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Foundation noun The lowest part of a structure that transfers the load to the ground. Example: A strong foundation prevents the building from settling. en: Fondation
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Load noun A force or weight applied to a structure. Example: Engineers must calculate the live load of occupants. en: charge
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Pavement noun A durable surface layer constructed for roads, sidewalks, or driveways. Example: The pavement was reinforced to support heavy traffic. en: pavage/ revêtement chaussée
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Reinforcement noun Steel bars or mesh placed inside concrete to increase its strength. Example: Reinforcement improves the tensile strength of concrete. en: Armature
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Retaining Wall noun A structure built to hold back soil or rock. Example: The retaining wall prevents erosion on the slope. en: Mur de soutènement
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Scaffolding noun A temporary structure used to support workers and materials during construction or repair. Example: Workers used scaffolding to install the exterior windows. en: Échafaudage
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Shear noun A force that causes two parts of a material to slide past each other in opposite directions. Example: The beam must be designed to resist shear forces. en: Cisaillement
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Slab noun A flat, horizontal concrete surface used for floors or roofs. Example: The floor slab was poured yesterday. en: dalle
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Tensile Strength noun The maximum amount of tensile (pulling) stress a material can withstand before breaking. Example: Steel has high tensile strength, which makes it ideal for reinforcement. en: Résistance à la traction
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