Civil Engineering
The branch of engineering that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the built environment, including structures like buildings, bridges, roads, dams, and water supply systems.
Structure
A constructed entity, such as a building, bridge, or dam, that is designed to support loads and withstand various forces.
Load
The force or weight carried by a structure. Loads can be classified into different types, such as dead loads (permanent/static loads like the weight of the structure itself), live loads (temporary/dynamic loads like people, vehicles, and furniture), wind loads, seismic loads, and snow loads.
Beam
A horizontal structural element that is designed to resist bending. Beams are used to support loads and distribute them to columns or walls.
Column
A vertical structural element that primarily resists compressive loads. Columns are used to transfer the loads from beams, slabs, or roofs to the foundation.
Foundation
The lowest part of a structure that transfers its loads to the soil. Foundations can be shallow (such as footings or raft foundations) or deep (such as pile foundations).
Reinforced Concrete (RC)
Concrete that is strengthened by embedding steel reinforcement (rebar) to resist tensile forces that concrete alone cannot handle.
Pre-Stressed Concrete
Concrete in which internal stresses are introduced (using tensioned steel tendons) before it is subjected to actual loads. This enhances its ability to resist tensile stresses.
Compression
A force that tends to compress or shorten the material it is applied to. Structural elements like columns and walls are designed to resist compressive forces.
Tension
A force that stretches or elongates the material it is applied to. Beams and slabs are designed to resist tensile forces.
Shear Force
A force that causes parts of a material to slide past each other in opposite directions. Shear forces can lead to failure in beams and slabs if not properly accounted for.
Moment
The rotational force acting on a structural element, often calculated as the force multiplied by the distance from a point of rotation. Moments cause bending in beams, slabs, and other structural elements.
Slab
A horizontal, flat structural element, typically made of reinforced concrete, that forms floors or roofs in buildings. Slabs distribute loads to beams, columns, or walls.
Arch
A curved structure that efficiently transfers loads to supports or abutments, mainly used in bridges, viaducts, and masonry construction.
Truss
A framework of triangles used to support roofs, bridges, and towers. Trusses are efficient in carrying loads due to their geometric rigidity and strength.
Masonry
Construction using materials such as bricks, stones, or concrete blocks, bonded together with mortar.
Hydrology
The branch of civil engineering that deals with the study of water, including its distribution, movement, and properties, and its application to water resource management.
Geo-technical Engineering
A sub-discipline of civil engineering that focuses on the behavior of earth materials (soil, rock) and their interaction with foundations, structures, and infrastructure.
Surveying
The process of measuring distances, angles, and elevations to determine the location of points and features on the Earth's surface. It is crucial for planning, designing, and constructing civil engineering projects.
Sustainability
The practice of designing and constructing infrastructure in a manner that minimizes environmental impact, conserves resources, and promotes social and economic development for future generations.
Load-Bearing Wall
A wall that supports the weight of the structure above it, including floors and roofs, and transfers that load to the foundation.
Cantilever
A projecting beam or structural element that is fixed at one end and free at the other. Cantilevers are commonly used in bridges, balconies, and building overhangs.
Retaining Wall
A wall designed to hold back soil or rock from a slope or excavation to prevent erosion, landslides, or collapse.
Pavement
The surface layer of a road, pathway, or airstrip, typically made from asphalt or concrete, designed to support vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Seismic Design
The process of designing structures to withstand seismic forces (earthquakes) by incorporating elements such as base isolators, damping devices, and flexible joints.
