Civil Engineering Vocabulary

A force applied or distributed over an area

A strong, vertical element in a structure

A pressing force that squeezes material together

Weight distribution throughout a structure

A device connecting two or more adjacent parts of a structure

A sunken panel in a ceiling or wall

Building materials

The distance a bridge extends between two points

Ability to resist deformation when subjected to a load

An overflow channel that allows dam operators to release lake water when it gets too high

A support that transmits a force from a roof or wall to another supporting structure

Any action that tends to maintain or alter the position of a structure

A rigid, horizontal element in a structure