Research-Civil Engineering Terminology

Slopes-side of a hill, incline; degree to which a surface deviates from the vertical

Surveying-measure and record the characteristics of a plot of land; technique and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them

Transit-surveyors instrument used by builders to establish points and elevations both vertically and horizontally; can be used to align stakes or to plumb walls or the angle of elevation from a horizontal plane can be measured

Sea level-average height of the sea’s surface

Grade-slope, incline; the gradient of a slope or road or other surface

Bench mark-surveyor’s mark on a permanent object of predetermined position and elevation used as a reference point

Bearing-support for a beam or part of a structure

Spot elevation-point on a map or chart whose elevation is noted

Datum-item of factual information derived from measurement or research

Azimuth-angle of the horizon; the angle between the projected vector and the reference vector on the reference plane; angle between the vertical plane containing the object and the plane of the meridian

Cut and fill-process of constructing something where the amount of material from cuts or holes closely matches the amount of fill needed to make nearby embankments, hereby minimizing the amount of construction labor

Hand holes-protect wires and provides an area for wires to transfer direction

Bituminous-containing bitumen, a type of hydrocarbon combined with nonmetallic derivatives that occur naturally or are obtained as residues after heat-refining natural substances

Concrete-construction material composed of cement, water, aggregates (sand, limestone, gravels), and chemicals

Legend/key-explanatory table for a map or chart

Setback-distance an object must be from the edge of a lot; making upper stories of a high-rise building further back than the lower ones

Topography-surface features of a region; science of mapping the surface features of a land area; the study of Earth’s surface shape and features

Interpolation-insertion of something new

Excavation-act of hollowing or digging out; act of unearthing or laying bare; dig site

Depressions-sunken geological formation; concavity in a surface produced by pressing; angular distance below the horizon;

Expansion joint-absorbs heat-induced expansion and contraction of construction materials, to absorb vibrations, or to allow movement due to ground settlement or earthquakes

Traverse-horizontal beam; protective embankment around a trench

Easement-legal right to use the land of another person for a specific, necessary purpose

Retention basin-manages storm water runoff to prevent flooding and downstream erosion and improve water quality; artificial lake

Catch basin-drain system designed to drain excess rain and ground water from paved streets; storm drains

Plot plan-engineering diagram which shows schematically the equipment layout, the position of roads, buildings, and other constructions inside an industrial plant with their distances and dimensions in between

Deed description-contains point of beginning, definite corners, lengths and directions of the property sides, names of adjoining property owners, and areas

Acre-unit of area used to measure plots of ground; equivalent to 4, 840 square yards

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