COSC 275 - WOD EXAM 1

estimating

The process of determining the anticipated cost of materials, labor, and

equipment of a proposed project.

take-off

The process in which detailed lists are compiled, based on drawings and

specifications, of all the material and equipment necessary to construct a

project. The cost estimator uses this list to calculate how much it will cost to

build the project.

quantities

Measured amounts of construction items expressed in their customary

units.

quantification

In estimating an activity to translate project scope information into resource

quantities suitable for costing. In the engineering and construction industry,

a takeoff is a specific type of quantification that is a measurement and

listing of quantities of materials from drawings.

quantity survey

A detailed analysis of material and equipment required to construct a

project.

area

A measurement of a given planar region or of the surface of a solid6

area method

A construction cost estimating system employing unit square foot costs multiplied by the adjusted gross floor area of a building.

length

The longest dimension of an object

linear measurement

A unit or system of units for measuring length: 12" = 1', 3' = 1 yard, 1 yard = 0.9144 meters, 1 mile = 5,280 feet.

dimension

A distance between two points, lines, or planes.

specifications or specs

Documents that define the qualitative requirements for products, materials, and workmanship upon which the contract for construction is based.

drawings

Graphic illustrations depicting the dimensions, design, and location of a project. Generally including plans, elevations, details, diagrams, schedules, and sections

addendum

A document describing an addition, change, correction, or modification to contract documents. An addendum is issued by the design professional during the bidding period or prior to the award of contract, and is the primary method of informing bidders of modifications to the work during the bidding process. Addenda become part of the contract documents.

amendment

A modification of the contract by a subsequent agreement. This does not change the entire existing contract but does alter the terms of the affected provisions or requirements

grade

The surface or level of the ground.

level

A term used to describe any horizontal surface that has all points at the same elevation and thus does not tilt or slope.

site

The location of a project geographically, usually defined by legal boundaries.

elevation

A vertical distance relative to a reference point.

cut and fill

An operation commonly used in road building and other rock and earthmoving operations in which the material excavated and removed from one location is used as fill material at another location.

fill

The soil or other material used to raise the grade of a site area.

foundation

The entire masonry substructure below the first floor or frame of a building, including the footing upon which the building rests.

grade beam

A horizontal end-supported (as opposed to ground-supported) load-bearing foundation member that supports an exterior wall of a superstructure.

width

the measurement or extent of something from side to side

footing

That portion of the foundation of a structure that spreads and transmits the load directly to the soil.

reinforced concrete

Concrete containing adequate reinforcement, prestressed or not prestressed, and designed on the assumption that the two materials (steel and concrete) act together in resisting forces

reinforcing bar

A steel bar, usually with manufactured deformations, used in concrete and masonry construction to provide additional strength.

footing beam

A reinforced concrete beam connecting pile caps or spread footings to distribute horizontal loads caused by eccentric loading.

bolster

In concrete, an individual or continuous support used to hold reinforcing bars in position. Usually used in slab work.

pan constructiion

A type of concrete floor or roof in which pan forms are used to create intersecting ribs and resulting in a waffle-like undersurface.

formwork

The total system of support for freshly placed concrete, including the mold or sheathing that contacts the concrete, as well as all supporting members, hardware, and necessary bracing.

PVR - Potential Vertical Rise

Potential Vertical Rise, expressed in inches (mm) is the latent or potential ability of a soil material to swell, at a given density, moisture, and loading condition, when exposed to capillary or surface water, and thereby increase the elevation of its upper surface, along with anything resting on it.

Liquid Limit

the moisture content expressed as a percentage of the weight of oven dried soil, at which soil changes from a plastic to a liquid state.

Plasticity Index

The plasticity index is a range of moisture in which a soil remains in a plastic state, while passing from a semisolid state to a liquid state.

Overburden

the soil above the layer or layers being investigated

Layer

Layer is a horizontal soil structure of uniform or nearly uniform material. When the material changes due to moisture, density, or compositioon, a new layer is considered to have been created.

Loading

Loading is the load (vertical pressure) per unit area in a lb/ft 2 (kPa) from both the structure and overburden of each layer of soil involved.

compaction tests

Tests employed to determine the density of a soil.

percolation

The movement of a fluid through a soil.

select material

Excavated pervious soil suitable for use as a foundation for a granular base course of a road, or for bedding around pipes

expansive soil

Soil that expands when water is added and shrinks when it dries out. This change in soil volume can cause shifting and cracking in structures.