Preparation for Construction - Key Terms (Staking-Out, Formwork, Shoring, Tools & Equipment, Site Investigation, Soil Mechanics, Excavation & Earthworking, Site Drainage, Slope Protection, Retaining Structures, Pavements)

Vocabulary flashcards covering major topics from the notes on preparation for construction, including staking-out, batter boards, formwork, shoring, tools and equipment, site investigation, soil mechanics, excavation, site drainage, slope protection, retaining structures, and pavements.

Staking-out

Driving stakes to locate the building corners and lines for excavation using monuments and batter boards.

Front setback

Required distance from the front property line as indicated by monuments/building line.

Side setback

Required distance from the side lot lines along the front building line.

Corner monuments

Markers used to define property corners and setbacks on a site.

Batter boards

Wooden boards nailed to stakes forming the horizontal reference plane for building measurements.

Strings

Cords stretched between batter boards to indicate the outline of the building wall and foundation.

Stakes A–D

Temporary stakes marking the corners of the building during staking-out.

Leveling

Establishing the reference height for measurement using line level, carpenter’s level, or transit.

Spirit level

Instrument capable of vertical and horizontal line checks.

Plumb bob

Weight attached to a string used to check vertical alignment.

Chalk line

Tool used to mark straight lines on surfaces.

Formwork

Temporary molds that shape and support concrete until it cures.

Shoring

Temporary supports designed to carry forms for beams and slabs.

Lumber forms

Wood forms used in concrete construction; partially seasoned, dressed, and oiled to prevent sticking.

Plywood forms

Waterproof plywood forms (Grade A, at least ½ inch thick) used for smooth surfaces.

Steel forms

Metal forms used for concrete construction or decking.

Fiber boards

Forms material made from fiber; used where appropriate in formwork.

Phenolic boards

Waterproof boards (phenolic resin) used in formwork for strength and durability.

Two major materials for forms/shoring

Lumber and steel.

Jointing in forms

Joints in forms (butt joints, tight joints) made true to edge to avoid leaks or gaps.

Wire ties

Ties used to hold wall forms together; spacing must ensure proper alignment.

Bolts and rods

Fasteners used to hold formwork together; typically removed or left per design.

Plywood sheathing

Plywood used to provide a smooth exterior surface on forms; waterproof Grade A.

Sill plate

Horizontal timber plate at the base of wall studs fixed to the foundation.

Spreaders

Wood spacers used to keep forms apart and maintain alignment.

Form ties

Devices to space and hold forms apart while transferring load to walers.

Snap ties

Form ties designed so their ends snap off below the concrete surface after stripping.

Walers

Horizontal members that spread loads and keep forms from spreading under pressure.

Waler rods

Rods threaded through walers to secure formwork during stripping.

Ledger blocking

Blocking pieces used to stiffen and distribute loads in formwork.

Kicker

Short piece used to align or brace forms.

Wood shoring

Timber shores used to support excavations and forms.

Metal shoring

Steel shores used for stronger or longer-span support.

Column forms

Reusable forms that define concrete columns.

Wall forms

Forms used to shape walls in concrete construction.

Plywood sheathings

Plywood panels that form the outer surface of wall or column forms.

Wood studs

Vertical members used in wood framing and forming.

Horizontal walers

Horizontal members used to space and reinforce formwork.

Bracing

Diagonal members used to stabilize formwork and prevent movement.

Fixed braces

Diagonals that are permanently attached to provide stability.

Adjustable braces

Braces that can be length-adjusted for precise alignment.

Shoring components

Ledgers, standards, braces, jacks, bases—parts of a shoring system.

Ledgers

Horizontal members in a shoring frame supporting braces.

Standards

Vertical posts in a shoring frame.

Braces

Diagonal members to stabilize shores.

Head/jacks/bases

Accessories in shoring that provide adjustable height and support.

Column/wall forms

Forms that shape and support concrete columns and walls.

Snap ties/ Form ties

Ties used to space and hold forms; ends are snapped off after stripping.

Spreaders

Horizontal supports that keep wall or forms apart.

Sill plate details

Base plate for wall studs, fixed to foundation to receive framing.

Knee brace

Diagonal brace used to stiffen forms.

Formwork surfaces

Surface finish of formwork surfaces (smooth, level) achieved with plywood, sheathing.

Concrete supporting surfaces

Supports that bear the weight of wet concrete until it cures.

Column forms/Wall forms

Specific forms for shaping vertical columns and walls in concrete.

Leveling instruments

Line level, carpenter’s level, or transit used to determine true level.

Transit

Instrument used to measure horizontal and vertical angles for layout.

Surveyor’s level

Device to determine elevations across a site.

Construction laser

Laser tool used as a baseline for measurements and alignment.

Hand tools

Tools powered by human effort (e.g., ruler, square, chalk line, hand saws).

Power tools

Tools powered by external power sources (e.g., drills, saws, nailing tools).

Heavy equipment

Large, powerful machines used for earthmoving and construction (bulldozers, cranes, excavators).

Power hammers/nailers

Pneumatic or powder-actuated tools used to break, drive nails, or fasten components.

Transport/Conveyors

Equipment moving materials on-site, especially to upper levels.

Surveying equipment

Transit, level, and construction laser used for site measurements.

Transit (surveying)

Tool for measuring horizontal and vertical angles.

Groundwork tools

Tools and equipment for foundational work, inspection, and measurement.

Pumps

Water pump and concrete pump used for drainage and moving concrete.

Concrete mixer

Machine that mixes cement, aggregates, and water to produce concrete.

Arc welding

Welding using an electric arc to join metal pieces.

Laser-powered welder

Welder that uses a laser as the heat source for welding.

Bulldozer

Tractor with a front blade used to move earth and clear ground.

Crane types

Crawler crane, truck crane, tower/ climbing crane used for lifting.

Excavator types

Backhoe, Trencher, Front-end loader—machines for digging and loading.

Pavements - flexible

Pavements formed by discrete units on a sand bed; distributes load with elasticity.

Pavements - rigid

Reinforced concrete pavements that distribute load over a broad area.

Pavement patterns

Arrangement of paving units (patterns) for aesthetics and function.

Site investigation

Gathering site data (soil, materials, groundwater) before design.

Test pits

Open pits used for shallow exploration of soil strata.