GT 318: Building Information Modeling Midterm Exam Review

Vocabulary practice flashcards for GT 318: Building Information Modeling midterm examination covering BIM concepts, history, mensuration, structural design, materials, and architectural drawings.

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

A process for creating and managing information on a construction project throughout its whole life cycle.

BIM Efficiency Advantage

Results in 20–50% less work and faster completion compared to traditional 2D CAD.

Douglas C. Engelbart (1962)

Authored 'Augmenting Human Intellect: A Conceptual Framework', presenting an early vision of computer-assisted design, data management, and collaboration.

Building Description System (BDS)

A system developed by Charles Eastman in the 1970s featuring digital building components connected to a database.

ArchiCAD (1987)

Released by Graphisoft as the first commercial PC-based 2D/3D modeling software with metadata.

Building Information Model Terminology (1992)

Introduced by G. A. van Nederveen and F. P. Tolman in academic work.

ISO 19650

An international information-management standard established in 2019 for global standardization in BIM.

Steel tape measure

A retractable tape tool used for measuring building and object dimensions.

Meter stick

A rigid one-meter tool used for short, straight measurements.

Laser distance meter

A device that measures distance using a laser, particularly useful for room dimensions.

Linear measurement

Measures one dimension such as length, width, height, distance, thickness, or diameter using units like mm, cm, m, in, or ft.

Inch to Centimeter Conversion

$$1\,\text{in} = 2.54\,\text{cm}$$

Foot to Meter Conversion

$$1\,\text{ft} = 0.3048\,\text{m}$$

Yard to Meter Conversion

$$1\,\text{yd} = 0.9144\,\text{m}$$

Mile to Kilometer Conversion

$$1\,\text{mi} = 1.6093\,\text{km}$$

Mile to Yard Conversion

$$1\,\text{mi} = 1760\,\text{yd}$$

Perimeter

The distance around a shape, calculated using the formula $P = 2L + 2W = 2(L + W)$.

Area

The surface inside a shape, calculated using the formula $A = L \times W$ and measured in square units ($n^2$).

Volume

The space occupied by a solid, calculated using the formula $V = L \times W \times H$ and measured in cubic units ($n^3$).

Structural Design

Chooses the dimensions, types, materials, and arrangement of structural components so a structure can safely support its loads and remain stable, useful, and durable.

Foundation

A structural component that transfers building loads to the ground.

Column

A vertical structural member that carries loads down toward the foundation.

Beam

A usually horizontal structural member supporting slabs or other loads and passing loads to supports.

Slab

A floor or roof plate that distributes loads to its supporting elements.

Dead load

A permanent or relatively constant load acting on a structure, including beams, columns, walls, roofs, floors, and fixed equipment.

Live load

A temporary or movable load acting on a structure, including people, furniture, vehicles, and movable equipment.

Environmental load

A load caused by natural conditions, such as wind, rain, earthquakes, and temperature changes.

Shear force

An internal force associated with forces tending to make adjacent parts slide past each other.

Bending moment

The tendency of a structural member to bend.

Axial/normal force

Tension or compression acting along a structural member.

Torsion

The twisting effect produced in a structural member.

Stress

The internal force intensity within a material.

Deflection/deformation

Movement or change of shape of a structural member under load.

Rebar/steel bars

Reinforcement placed inside concrete to provide tensile resistance and help control cracking.

Concrete

A mixture of cement, sand, gravel, and water that hardens into a material strong in compression.

Concrete Mix Ratio

1 cement : 2 sand : 4 gravel : 0.5 water

Mortar Mix Ratio

1 cement : 4 sand : 1 water

Grout Mix Ratio

1 cement : 2 sand : 1 water

Post-and-Lintel Structure

A structural type where a horizontal lintel (beam) rests on vertical posts.

Mass Structure

A structure relying on a substantial mass and its weight for stability, commonly having thick walls and large foundations.

Tension Structure

A structure using stretched cables, fabric, or foil to obtain most of its load-carrying capacity from tension.

Arch Structure

A curved, rigid form that transfers loads mainly through compression to its supports.

Truss Structure

A structure of connected triangles that distributes loads efficiently, often using steel or timber for roofs and bridges.

Shell Structure

A thin curved surface structure that distributes loads through membrane tension and compression to cover large spaces with few internal supports.

Pre-Engineered Structure

A structure whose components are designed and manufactured in a factory, transported, and assembled on site, often using bolts.

Composite Structure

A structure combining materials that work together, such as steel and concrete, to improve overall performance.

Floor Plan

A scaled view of a building level showing the arrangement and relationships of rooms and elements, generally understood as a horizontal cut looking downward.

Elevation Drawing

A 2D orthographic view showing the building's height, levels, exterior materials, roof, doors, windows, and other external features.

Longitudinal section

A section drawing created by a lengthwise cut, usually along the longest direction or main axis of a building.

Cross / transverse section

A section drawing created by a cut across the shorter direction, usually perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Setback

The distance between a building and a property boundary or required reference line.

One-point Perspective

A perspective drawing featuring one vanishing point, often used when looking directly toward a wall or along a corridor.

Two-point Perspective

A perspective drawing featuring two vanishing points, commonly used for a building corner.

Three-point Perspective

A perspective drawing featuring three vanishing points where vertical edges also converge, useful for looking upward or downward at tall buildings.