Construction Terminology

An explanation of some industry terms

Select a letter from the alphabet above to view the definition for the terms we currently have in our database. You can also search the database for a particular term, or if you want submit terminology which isn't in the database at present.

Terms beginning with 'A' - 1 to 10 of 13

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Abrams Law

For a concrete mixture of workable consistency the strength of concrete can be directly determined by the ratio of water to cement.

Abrasion Resistance

The ability of a product to resist deterioration caused by surface abrasion

Absorption Coefficient

The amount of absorption a product will provide

Acoustics

Acoustics is the branch of physics which studies sound generally. Architectural acoustics is primarily the use of science in controlling sound quality within buildings.

Affordable Housing

As only 3,500 homes are expected to be completed this year under the various affordable housing schemes, therefore, the need to provide cheaper housing has never been more urgent.

Aggregate

Broken stone, slag, gravel, sand and the like which when held together by binding agents, forms a substantial part of such material as concrete, asphalt, coated macadam etc. Aggregates are described as "coarse" or "fine" according to whether they are retained on or passed by a sieve of a specified aperture size. Unfortunately, the separating sieve varies for different materials e.g. concrete 5mm, coated macadam 3.35mm, asphalt 2.36mm. The term aggregate is also used as a loose term to describe any quarried or dug material which has been processed.

aggregate blocks

Building blocks for housing made from crushed rock, sand, cement and water.

all-in ballast

A loose term given to material containing a proportion of all sizes as obtained direct from the pit, or sea river (maximum size approximately 300mm, more usually 50-75mm down.) Sometimes sold as fill; from pits will sometimes meet the grading specification for Type 2 GSB with no further treatment. A term also applied to crushed rock.

allowance

An allowance is an amount of money set aside in a construction contract for items which have not been specified explicitly in the original contract.

arris

Part of a paving flag where the two faces meet. It can be bevelled, rounded, chamfered, radiussed or splayed.


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