Glossary terms

breathing

(structure) material which allows the slow passage of air and/or water vapor

bugle head

specialized screw with a bugle-shaped head; used for attaching drywall or wood to metal framing

builder

someone who contracts for and supervises the construction of a building

carbon steel

steel hardened with Carbon; as opposed to mild steel (ordinary structural steel)

catchment

having to do with collecting water; basin or reservoir used for collecting or draining water

cavity

space between wall studs, floor joists, or roof rafters in a framed structure

ceiling tray

corrugated galvanized sheet metal screwed to joists to support concrete floor slab

cell

a small compartment in a larger structure

center

center of gravity; geometric point at the center of an object's mass

ceramcorite

white ceramic-like waterproof cement finish coat that cures at room temperature; developed by Ceramtek LLC & am-cor inc.

chromium

hard white rustproof metal used in stainless steel and other alloys

coefficient

coefficient of expansion; compares rate of size change with temperature change

cold rolled steel

forming process in which metal is rolled or drawn through dies, usually at room temperature; produces tighter tolerances, increased properties, improved finish and straightness

composite

structure in which concrete or cement encases a steel shape or member

compression

pushing stress or force

concrete

a composite building material made from the combination of aggregate and cement binder; e.g.: cement, sand, gravel, water

condense

formation of water from water vapor due to lowering of ambient temperature

coolth tube

under slab air duct to cool incoming air in order to temper interior space

coping

masonry, ceramic, or metal strip formed to cover the top of a parapet

corrugated

sheet metal formed with regular parallel ripples for strength