Construction Glossary

A comprehensive A–Z glossary of construction terms with simple, useful definitions.

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147 Construction Terms

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Term	Definition
Abutment	A support structure, typically at the end of a bridge, that holds the bridge span and resists lateral earth pressure.
Access Road	A temporary or permanent roadway used to provide access to a construction site.
Aggregate	Granular material such as sand, gravel or crushed stone used in concrete, asphalt and other construction applications.
Allowances	An estimated amount included in a contract for work that is not fully defined at the time of tender.
Anchor Bolt	A bolt used to secure structural elements to concrete foundations.
AS-Built	Drawings that show the final constructed condition, updated from design drawings.
Backfill	Material placed in an excavation after a structure has been built.
Ballast	Weight or material used to provide stability, commonly in roofing or temporary structures.
Bearing Capacity	The maximum load that soil can support without excessive settlement.
Bevel	An angled edge on a material, often used to create a joint.
Bid	A formal offer to perform work at a specified price.
BIM	Building Information Modelling; a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a building.
Blocking	Short pieces of lumber used for support, spacing or nailing.
Bond	The adhesion between two materials, such as concrete and rebar, or mortar and masonry.
Bracing	Temporary or permanent support used to resist lateral loads and maintain stability.

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