Structural Engineering Glossary for Building Construction

Structural Engineering Glossary for Building Construction

EVstudio’s world-class team of structural engineers provides innovative solutions for building projects. We bring unmatched expertise, precision, and value to our clients, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective designs. To help navigate structural engineering terminology, here is a glossary of 50 essential terms and acronyms:

1. Allowable Stress Design (ASD)
   Design method ensuring stresses remain below material limits under anticipated loads. (Here’s a good primer on ASD vs LRFD from Mitek)
2. Anchor Bolt
   Steel rod embedded in concrete to secure structural elements.
3. Beam
   Horizontal structural element transferring loads to vertical supports.
4. Bearing Capacity
   Maximum load a soil or foundation can support without failure.
5. Bending Moment
   Internal force causing bending in structural elements under load.
6. Brace
   Diagonal member providing lateral stability to a structure.
7. Buckling
   Failure mode where compression causes sudden deformation or instability.
8. Building Code
   Regulations governing design, construction, and safety standards.
9. Camber
   Slight upward curve in beams to counteract deflection.
10. Cantilever
    Beam or structure fixed at one end and free at the other.
11. Composite Beam
    Structural beam combining materials, like steel and concrete, for increased strength.
12. Concrete Slab
    Flat, horizontal concrete element providing floors or roofs.
13. Connection
    Joint or fastener that transfers forces between structural elements.
14. Deflection
    Displacement or bending of a structural member under load.
15. Dead Load
    Permanent load from the structure’s weight, including materials.
16. Dynamic Load
    Load that varies over time, like wind, seismic, or impact forces.
17. Elastic Limit
    Maximum stress a material can withstand before permanent deformation occurs.
18. Expansion Joint
    Gap allowing materials to expand or contract due to temperature changes.
19. Factor of Safety (FoS)
    Ratio of structural strength to expected load for added reliability.
20. Fastener
    Hardware like bolts or screws used to connect materials.
21. Footing
    Base of a foundation distributing loads to the soil.
22. Foundation
    Substructure that transfers loads from a building to the ground.
23. Girder
    Large primary beam supporting smaller beams or loads.
24. Grout
    Fluid material used to fill voids and bond structural elements.
25. Joist
    Smaller beam supporting floors or roofs, spaced regularly.
26. Kip (k)
    Unit of force equal to 1,000 pounds-force.
27. Lateral Load
    Horizontal forces acting on a structure, like wind or earthquakes.
28. Live Load
    Temporary loads, such as occupants, furniture, or snow.
29. Load Path
    Route through which loads transfer to the ground.
30. Moment Frame
    Structural system resisting lateral forces through rigid beam-column connections.
31. Pier
    Vertical support transferring loads to the foundation.
32. Pile
    Deep foundation element driven or drilled into soil to transfer loads.
33. Post-Tensioning
    Method strengthening concrete with tensioned steel cables.
34. Punching Shear
    Localized failure from concentrated loads on slabs or footings.
35. Rebar (Reinforcing Bar)
    Steel rods embedded in concrete to improve tensile strength.
36. Reinforced Concrete
    Concrete strengthened with steel rebar or mesh.
37. Retaining Wall
    Structure holding back soil to prevent erosion or collapse.
38. Ridge Beam
    Horizontal beam supporting the roof ridge.
39. Seismic Load
    Forces exerted on a structure during an earthquake.
40. Shear Force
    Internal force causing sliding failure between two sections of material.
41. Shear Wall
    Vertical element resisting lateral forces like wind or earthquakes.
42. Slenderness Ratio
    Ratio measuring a column’s tendency to buckle under load.
43. Snow Load
    Weight of accumulated snow acting on a structure.
44. Soil Bearing Pressure
    Capacity of soil to support building loads without settlement.
45. Structural Steel
    Steel shaped for structural components like beams and columns.
46. Tendon
    Steel cables used in post-tensioned or pre-stressed concrete systems.
47. Torsion
    Twisting force applied to a structural member.
48. Truss
    Framework of connected elements forming triangles for load distribution.
49. Vibration
    Oscillations in a structure due to dynamic loads or movement.
50. Wind Load
    Forces exerted by wind pressure on a building’s surfaces.

By leveraging advanced tools and in-depth knowledge, EVstudio’s structural engineering team ensures designs are safe, efficient, and built to last. Whether it’s a small residential project or a complex commercial building, we provide tailored solutions that deliver exceptional results. Reach out to EVstudio to learn how our expertise can add value to your next project.