Glossary terms

fossil fuel

fuel created from deterioration of prehistoric plants. examples: oil, natural gas, coal, peat

galvanized

coated with zinc, usually to weatherproof steel, named after Luigi Galvani

grommet

rubber or plastic based ring which fits inside am-cor steel stud punch outs

groundworks

pipes and electrical power supply conduit to be cast under a floor slab

grout

mixture of cement, sand, small size aggregate and water poured into block cavities

hex head

self tapping steel to steel screw with hexagonal head for structural connections

humidity

measure of the amount of water vapor in air

hydronic

a heating or cooling system that transfers heat by circulating fluid through a closed system of pipes

hygroscopic

absorbs moisture

imbedded

alternate for embedded; encased

impermeable

membrane or skin which allows no water or water vapor to pass through itself

inertia

thermal inertia: measure of the response of a material to temperature changes within a substance

intermediate

upper floor or slab between ground floor and roof

jamb

side of a wall or partition opening: door, window

joist

horizontal member supporting a floor of a frame structure

keystone

trapezoidal stone at the center of a flat or curved arch or of a window/door lintel

lateral force

sideways force

lath

thin flat strip of wood or metal laid as a series, foundation for supporting plaster or cement

lintel

short beam over a wall opening

live load

weight the structure is designed to support: people, goods, wind, earthquake