| A | B |
|---|
| Footing | Lowest member of foundation system used to spread the loads of structure across supporting soil |
| Live Load | Load from all movable objects within a structure including loads from furniture and people. External loads from snow and wind are also considered live loaded. |
| Dead Load | Weight of building materials or other immovable objects in a structure |
| Stem Wall | A concrete block or brick foundation wall constructed on top of the footer |
| Rebar | Reinforcing steel used to strengthen concrete |
| Settlement | Sinking foundations, cracked or buckled walls and uneven floors caused by unstable soil and extreme moisture with lack of proper drainage |
| Monolithic | Concrete construction created in one pour |
| Structural Reinforcement | Rebar, steel forms, keyways or any other material used to strengthen foundation systems |
| Piers | Concrete or masonry foundation pillar support used to support the floor system |
| Columns/Posts | Vertical structural support, usually round and made of steel |
| Girders | Horizontal support member at the foundation level |
| Frost Line | Depth to which soil will freeze |
| Foundation Wall | The vertical wall that extends from the top of the footing up to the first-floor level of the structure. Helps spread the load being supported |
| CMU | Concrete Blocks used in foundation walls and piers |
| Aggregates | Stone, gravel, cinder, or slag used as one of the components of concrete |
| Modular Brick | Brick that is identified by a nominal size that includes an allowance for the thickness of a standard mortar joint |
| Stretchers | A course of masonry laid horizontally with the end of the unit exposed |
| Lintels | A horizontal steel member used to provide support for masonry over an opening |
| Pilaster | A reinforcing column built into or against a masonry wall |
| Jamb Blocks | A concrete block that is shaped to go around the jamb |
| Drain Tile | A buried drainage system used to run-off storm or sewer away from the foundation. Typically made of black, plastic tubing with holes |
| Parging | A thin coat of plaster used to smooth a masonry surface |
| Polyethylene | Vapor barrier sheeting, generally 6 mil, used to block moisture |
| Forms | Wood or plastic molds used to create footings from poured concrete |
| Bearing Capacity | A design value specifying the amount of weight a square foot of soil can support |
| Unexcavated | Undisturbed earth that has not been dug out or filled |
