Engineering / Construction Definitions

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C

Camber – A deflection that is intentionally built into a structural element to improve appearance or to nullify the deflection of the element under the effects of loads, shrinkage and creep.

Cement Plaster – A mixture of portland or blended cement, portland cement or blended cement and hydrated lime, masonry cement or plastic cement and aggregate and other approved materials as specified in the code.

Cementitious Materials (Cement) – Materials as specified by the code that have cementing value when used in concrete either by themselves, such as portland cement, blended hydraulic cements and expansive cement, or such materials in combination with fly ash, other raw or calcined natural pozzolans, silica fume, and/or ground granulated blast-furnace slag.

Collector – A horizontal diaphragm element parallel and in line with the applied force that collects and transfers diaphragm shear forces to the vertical elements of the lateral-force-resisting system and / or distributes forces within the diaphragm.

Composite Panel – A wood structural panel comprised of wood veneer and reconstituted wood-based material and bonded with waterproof adhesive.

Concrete – Mixture of portland cement or any other hydraulic cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, and water, with or without admixtures.

Construction Documents – Written, graphic and pictorial documents prepared or assembled for describing the design, location and physical characteristics of the elements of a project necessary for obtaining a building permit.

Conventional Light-Framed Wood Construction – A type of construction whose primary structural elements are formed by a system of repetitive wood-framing members.

Cripple Wall – A framed stud wall extending from the top of the foundation to the underside of floor framing for the lowest occupied level.