Part H - Glossary & Acronyms

H.1 - ACRONYMS

Acronym	Definition
AAN	American Association of Nurserymen
AASHTO	American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
AC	Asphalt Binder Content (pavement) Alternating Current (traffic)
ACBF	Air Cooled Blast Furnace slag (aggregate)
ACHP	Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
ACI	American Concrete Institute
ACIA	Asynchronous Communications Interface Adapter (traffic controller)
ACPA	American Concrete Pipe Association
ADA	Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)
ADR	Alternative Dispute Resolution
ADT	Average Daily Traffic
ADTT	Average Daily Truck Traffic
AIC	Amps Interrupting Capacity
AISC	American Institute of Steel Construction
AISI	American Iron and Steel Institute
ANFO	Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil
ANSI	American National Standards Institute
AOS	Apparent Opening Size (fabric)
APE	Area of Potential Effect
AR	Administrative Record
AREA	American Railway Engineering Association
ARS	Asphalt Roofing Shingles
ASCE	American Society of Civil Engineers
ASHE	American Society of Highway Engineers
ASME	American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASTM	American Society of Testing and Materials
ATFDB	Asphalt treated Free Draining Base
AWG	American Wire Gauge
AWPA	American Wood Preservers' Association
AWS	American Welding Society
AWWA	American Water Works Association
BA	Biological Assessment
BBR	Bending Beam Rheometer (binder test)
BCA	Benefit-Cost Analysis
BMP	Best Management Practice (erosion)
BO	Biological Option
BOF	Basic Oxygen Furnace (aggregate)
BP	Business Process (usually associated with Unifer)
BSG	Bulk Specific Gravity
BTEX	Benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene (a soil test)
C&MS	Construction and Material Specifications
CAA	Clean Air Act
CAAA	Clean Air Act Amendments
CAPWAP	Case Pile Wave Analysis Program
CAS	Construction Administration System
CBAE	Cut Back Asphalt Emulsion
CCR	Certified Construction Reviewer
CCRL	Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory
CCS	Crushed Carbonate Stone
CE	Categorical Exclusion
CECI	Contactors Erosion Control Inspector
CEQ	Council on Environmental Quality
CFR	Code of Federal Regulations
CFR	Code of Federal Regulations
CIE	Commission Internationale d'Eclairage (illumination)
CMD	Concrete Mix Designs (concrete)
CMS	Construction Management System
CPESC	Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control
CRS	Cationic Rapid Set (asphalt emulsion)
CRSI	Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute
CSE	Cement Stabilized Embankment (soil)
CSS	Cement Stabilized Subgrade (soil) Cationic Slow Set (asphalt emulsion)
CSS/CSD	Context Sensitive Solutions/Context Sensitive Design
CTFDB	Cement Treated Free Draining Base (soil)
CVN	Charpy V-notch (steel test)
CWA	Clean Water Act
CZMA	Coastal Zone Management Act
DAPA	Delaware Asphalt Paving Association
DC	Direct Current
DCA	Delaware Contractor's Association
DEIS	Draft Environmental Impact Statement
DelDOT	Delaware Department of Transportation
DLS	Data Logging System (traffic markings)
DOJ	Department of Justice
DOI	Department of Interior
DMF	Design Mix Formula (Bituminous Concrete)
DNREC	Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
DRC	Dry Rodded Condition (aggregate test)
DSR	Dynamic Shear Rheometer (binder test)
DZA	Deficient Zone Average (concrete test)
EA	Environmental Assessment
EAF	Electric Arc Furnace
EDA	Earth Disturbing Activity
EEI	Edison Electric Institute
EIA	Electronic Industries Alliance
EIS	Environmental Impact Statement
EJ	Environmental Justice
EO	Executive Order
EPA	Environmental Protection Agency
EQS	Exceptional Quality Solids (compost)
ESA	Endangered Species Act
ESAL	Equivalent Single Axle Loads
FAA	Fine Aggregate Angularity (aggregate test)
FAA	Federal Aviation Administration
FCM	Fracture Critical Member (steel test)
FEIS	Final Environmental Impact Statement
FEMA	Federal Emergency Management Agency
FHWA	Federal Highway Administration
FOIA	Freedom of Information Act
FONSI	Finding of No Significant Impact
FRA	Federal Railroad Administration
FRP	Fiber Reinforced Polymer
FSS	Federal Specifications and Standards, General Services Administration
FTA	Federal Transit Administration
GGBFS	Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag
GIS	Geographic Information Systems
GS	Granulated Slag
HDPE	High Density Polyethylene
HFRS	High Float Rapid Setting (emulsion)
HFST	High Friction Surface Treatment
HMA	Hot Mix Asphalt (Bituminous Concrete)
HMWM	High Molecular Weight Methacrylate
HOV	High Occupancy Vehicle
IA	Independent Assurance
ICEA	Insulated Cable Engineers Association
ICI	Indirect and Cumulative Impacts
IEEE	Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
IES	Illuminating Engineering Society
IIJA	Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
IMSA	International Municipal Signal Association
IPCEA	Insulated Power Cable Engineers Association
IPS	International Pipe Standard
ISSA	International Slurry Seal Association
ISTEA	Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991
ITE	Institute of Transportation Engineers
ITS	Intelligent Transportation Systems
ITSA	Intelligent Transportation Society of America
IZEU	Inorganic Zinc Epoxy Urethane
JMF	Job Mix Formula (Bituminous Concrete)
Kip	1,000 pounds
Ksi	1,000 pounds per square inch
LCCA	Life-cycle cost analysis
LED	Light Emitting Diode
LEDPA	Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative
LPA	Local Planning Area
LRTP	Long-Range Transportation Plan
LSS	Lime Stabilized Subgrade
LWCF	Land and Water Conservation Fund Act
LWT	Loaded Wheel Test (Bituminous Concrete Test)
MAP-21	Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (2012)
MBF	Thousand Board-Feet (wood)
MC	Medium Cure (asphalt emulsion)
MCB	Microchannel Bus (traffic controller)
MIS	Major Investment Study
MOA	Memorandum of Agreement
MOU	Memorandum of Understanding
MOV	Metal Oxide Varistor (traffic controller)
MPI	Magnetic Particle Inspection (steel test)
MPO	Metropolitan Planning Organization
MSDS	Material Safety Data Sheets
MSG	Maximum Specific Gravity (Bituminous Concrete)
MTD	Maximum Theoretical Density (Bituminous Concrete)
MUTCD	Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
NACE	National Association of Corrosion Engineers
NCHRP	National Cooperative Highway Research Program
NEMA	National Electrical Manufacturers Association
NEPA	National Environmental Policy Act (1970)
NGO	Non-Governmental Organization
NHI	National Highway Institute
NIST	National Institute of Standards and Technology
NMFS	National Marine Fisheries Service
NOI	Notice of Intent
NPDES	National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NPS	National Park Service
NSA	Noise Sensitive Area
NSDB	Non-stabilized Drainage Base
OGFC	Open Graded Friction Course
OH	Open Hearth (aggregate)
OHWM	Ordinary High Water Mark
OSHA	Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OZEU	Organic Zinc Epoxy Urethane
PAT	Project Average Thickness (concrete test)
PAV	Pressure Aging Vessel (binder test)
PB	Polybutylene (conduit)
PCC	Portland Cement Concrete
PCCP	Portland Cement Concrete Pavement
PCS	Petroleum Contaminated Soil
PDA	Pile Dynamic Analysis
PE	Polyethylene (conduit)
PGAB	Performance-Graded Asphalt Binder
pH	Potential of Hydrogen
PLS	Pure Live Seed
PS&E	Plans, Specifications & Estimates
PVC	Polyvinyl chloride
PWL	Percent Within Limits
QA	Quality Assurance
QC	Quality Control
QPL	Qualified Products List
RA	Regional Architecture (ITS)
RACP	Reclaimed Asphalt Concrete Pavement
RAP	Reclaimed (or Recycled) Asphalt Pavement
RC	Rapid Cure (asphalt emulsion)
REA	Rural Electrification Administration
RFI	Radio Frequency Interference (traffic controller) Request for Information
RH	Relative Humidity
RMS	Root Mean Square (traffic controller)
ROD	Record of Decision
ROW	Right-of-Way
RPCC	Recycled Portland Cement Concrete
RPM	Raised Pavement Marker (traffic)
RPO	Rural Planning Organization
RS	Rapid Set (asphalt emulsion)
RTFO	Rolling Thin-Film Oven (binder test)
RUS	Rural Utilities Service
SAE	Society of Automotive Engineers
SAFETEA-LU	Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act, A Legacy for Users (2005)
SBA	Styrene-Butadiene-Amene
SBR	Styrene-Butadiene-Rubber
SBS	Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene
SCD	Standard Construction Drawing
SE	Systems Engineering
SEMP	Systems Engineering Management Plan
Section 106	A section of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
Section 4(f)	A section of the US DOT Act of 1966
Section 404	A section of the Clean Water Act of 1972
Section 7	A section of the Endangered Species Act of 1973
SF	Standard Fabricated members (structures) Silt Fence
SHA/STA/STD/SDOT	State Highway Administration / State Transportation Agency / State Transportation Department / State Department of Transportation (terms all used interchangeably)
SHPO	State Historic Preservation Officer
SI	International System of Units (Metric)
SIP	State Implementation Plan
SMA	Stone Matrix Asphalt
SPD	Surge Protection Device (traffic controller)
SPST	Single Pole / Single Throw (traffic controller)
SS	Slow Set (asphalt emulsion)
SSD	Saturated Surface Dry (aggregate test)
SSPC	Society for Protective Coatings
STIP	Statewide Transportation Improvement Program
SWPPP	Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
TCE	Trichloroethylene
TCM	Transportation Control Measure
TDM	Transportation Demand Management
TEA-21	Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (1998)
THPO	Tribal Historic Preservation Officer
TIP	Transportation Improvement Program
TMA	Transportation Management Association
TMC	Traffic Management Center
TMP	Traffic Management Plan
TMPTA	Tri-methyolpropane Tri-acrylate (paint)
TNP	Total Neutralizing Power
TODS	Tourist-Oriented Directional Signs
TRB	Transportation Research Board
TSEC	Temporary Sediment and Erosion Control
TSM	Transportation System Management
TSR	Tensile Strength Ratio (binder test)
UF	Unique Fabricated members (structures)
UHPC	Ultra-High-Performance Concrete
UL	Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc.
USACE	United States Army Corps of Engineers (also USCOE or USACOE)
USC	United States Code
USCG	United States Coast Guard
USDOT	United States Department of Transportation
USFWS	United States Fish and Wildlife Service
VAC	Volts Alternating Current
VCA	Volume of Coarse Aggregate (aggregate test)
VECP	Value Engineering Change Proposal
VMA	Voids in the Mineral Aggregate
VME	VersaModule Eurocard (traffic controller)
WDT	Watchdog Timer
WEAP	Wave Equation Analysis (Pile)
WPS	Welding Procedure Specification (steel test)
WZRPM	Work Zone Raised Pavement Marker (traffic)

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H.2 - GLOSSARY

This glossary is intended to assist Department personnel in understanding the significance of some of the words and terms used most frequently on Projects. In most instances, the definitions or explanations are given as they are used or known in our State, rather than the technical or universal meaning. Words or phrases in the definitions shown in italics are defined elsewhere in this Part of the Manual.

Term	Definition
Absorbed water	All the water absorbed by an aggregate until it reaches the saturated-surface dry (SSD) condition, which is the point when the aggregate is internally saturated but externally dry. Absorbed water is usually expressed as the ratio of the weight of water absorbed by the aggregate sample to the dry weight of the sample: %Absorbed Water = (weight of water ÷ weight of material) × 100
Abutment	A structure, usually made of Portland cement concrete, stone, or masonry, located at each end of a bridge, designed to withstand earth pressures as well as forces exerted by the superstructure.
Accelerator	An admixture that, when added to a batch of Portland cement concrete, accelerates cement hydration, causing the concrete to develop strength more rapidly.
Acetylene torch	A device used to cut or weld metal. The torch consists of a nozzle having valves to control the flow of acetylene and oxygen gases and devices to combine the gases to produce a very hot flame.
Acidity	A chemical property of a solution having a pH less than 7.
Adhesion	The force by which one substance clings to a substance of a different nature.
Admixture	A substance, other than cement, water, or aggregate, added to a batch of fresh concrete in the mixer to alter any of the normal properties of the concrete.
Aggregate	Inert mineral material, such as sand, gravel, crushed stone, slag, or the combination thereof, with which cement or bituminous material is mixed to form a mortar, cement concrete, or bituminous concrete. Aggregates are also used to construct base courses. Aggregates are defined as coarse or fine, based on their gradations. Coarse aggregates are those whose smallest particles are predominately retained on a US Standard No 4 (4.75‑mm) sieve. Fine aggregates are those whose largest particles will pass a 3/8" (9.5 mm) sieve and predominately will pass the US Standard No 4 (4.75‑mm) sieve. Fine aggregates are commonly referred to as sand.
Aggregate voids	The space in a compacted concrete mixture not filled with aggregate, usually reported as a percentage of the bulk volume of the compacted material.
Air entrained concrete	Concrete containing a small percentage, usually 5% to 9% by volume, of minute, disconnected, uniformly distributed air bubbles that have been purposely entrained. The entrained air acts as a very elastic and stable non‑reactive fine aggregate with a high lubricating value. The use of entrained air permits an appreciable lowering of the water‑cement ratio required to produce the desired workability of the concrete. Entrained air also improves the resistance of concrete to the effects of repeated freezing and thawing. Air entrainment is obtained by the addition of an admixture to the Portland cement during manufacture (air‑entraining Portland cement) or by the addition of an admixture at the concrete mixer.
Air entraining agent	An admixture for concrete containing a chemical that causes a concrete mix to have microscopic air bubbles throughout, usually for the purpose of improving resistance to freezing and thawing. As the water within the concrete freezes and expands, the resulting pressure can be absorbed by empty air voids, thus preventing a build‑up of damaging pressure. It also improves workability of the mix due to the lubricating effect of the air bubbles.
Alignment	The ground plan of a highway as seen from above and as shown on a map or drawing, also called horizontal alignment. The profile drawing is the vertical alignment.
Alkalinity	A chemical property of a solution having a pH greater than 7.
Anchor bolts	Steel bolts set within masonry or concrete at a specified depth, with a threaded section exposed, for securing a part or portion of the structure such as a beam or column.
Anchor studs	Small steel bars or straps, usually with hooked ends, welded to the expansion joints used in a structure. After the concrete next to the joints has hardened, the anchor bars hold the joints firmly in place.
Angle	The degree of inclination between two lines or two or more surfaces that meet. The term angle is also used to describe a structural shape.
Approach slab	A section of the roadway that is built over the backfill of an abutment, and leads up to the bridge itself. It is intended to minimize the possibility of settlement of the roadway at the structure.
Arch	A structure with a curved under‑surface that supports a highway over an opening. Structurally, an arch carries vertical loads while an abutment provides resistance to horizontal loads. A typical arch, with its various components, is shown and described below. Extrados – The intersection of the curved back or upper surface of an arch with a vertical plane parallel to the centerline of the roadway. Intrados – The curve of the intersection of the soffit plane and a vertical plane parallel to the centerline of the roadway; the interior curve or surface of an arch or vault. Rise – The vertical height from the spring line to the lower face of the crown or arch. Skewback – The surface of the abutment of an arch culvert upon which the arch ring rests. Spring line – The line at the junction of the main part of an arch and its supports. Components of a Typical Arch
Arch ring	The entire curved structure of an arch between the abutments.
Arc‑welding	Joining metal parts by fusion in which heat is supplied by an electric arc between two electrodes or between one electrode and the grounded part.
Ashlar rubble masonry	Masonry composed of squared stones with finished faces laid in horizontal courses and held together by mortar.
Asphalt	A dark brown to black organic, cementitious material that is solid, semi‑solid, or liquid in consistency. Asphalt can occur in nature (native asphalt) or as a residue in the refining of petroleum (artificial asphalt).
Asphalt cement	A heavy binder used in the preparation of asphaltic mixtures. It is designated by selecting a penetration grade or degree of hardness suitable for the type of construction.
Auger	A type of drill used to obtain soil samples for soil investigation.
Axis	One of the principal straight lines drawn through the center of a geometric figure, especially the longest and shortest of such lines.
Backfill	Noun – Material used to replace an excavated area. Verb – To fill with soil, stone, or similar materials to a given grade.
Backwall	That portion of an abutment above the bridge seat that prevents the backfill from spilling onto the bridge seat. It also holds the end dam or expansion device in place.
Bar	A square or round rod. Flat steel up to 6" (150 mm) in width is also considered to be a bar.
Bar chair	A device that holds reinforcing bars the correct distance from the forms for concrete. It may also be called a slab bolster or slab spacer.
Bar schedule	A table of information on the reinforcing bars to be used in a structure. The information listed in the bar schedule includes the size, length, shape, and identification mark for each type of bar.
Base course	See Pavement Structure.
Baseline	A reference line from and to which the important measurements are made and dimensions are given.
Base plate	See Sole Plate.
Batter	The inclination from the vertical of a pile or the face of a wall.
Bay	The area between two successive trusses or transverse bents in a structure.
Beam	A horizontal member forming part of the frame of a structure. It rests on supports and is susceptible to transverse stress. Beams are defined based on how they are supported. Cantilever – A beam that has one or both ends overhanging the support for the beam; or a beam that has one end firmly fixed and the other end unsupported. Continuous – A beam that rests upon more than two supports. **(c)** Fixed – A beam that has both ends firmly secured. Simple – A beam that is supported at each end.
Beam seat	The area of the abutment or pier upon which the beam rests.
Bearing area	The part of the top surface of a mass of concrete, such as a pier, abutment, or footing, on which a bridge beam is directly supported. The bearing area is sometimes referred to as the bearing seat.
Bearing pile	A pile driven to resist horizontal and vertical forces caused by bearing. Bearing piles rest on a hard stratum, usually of rock, that underlies the soil and transfers the load to this hard stratum.
Bearing plate	A steel plate used to distribute a load over a larger area.
Bent	A vertical framework usually consisting of a beam or cap supported by columns or piles.
Binder	The material used to promote the cohesion and uniform consistency of aggregate particles to prevent the entrance of moisture, act as a cushioning agent, and, in some cases, to waterproof the entire road surface.
Binder course	A mixture of asphalt, aggregates, and mineral filler frequently used between the wearing course and the base course.
Binder soil	Material consisting primarily of fine soil particles (fine sand, silt, clay, and colloids) with good binding properties; commonly referred to as clay binder.
Bitumen	A mixture of hydrocarbons, the predominant constituent of asphalt.
Bituminous cement	A heavy binder used in the preparation of bituminous mixtures, designated by penetration range or degree of hardness suitable for the type of construction.
Bituminous concrete	A mixture of bituminous cement and well‑graded, high‑quality aggregate thoroughly compacted into a uniform, dense mass.
Bituminous material	Material containing much organic matter, mostly in the form of tertiary hydrocarbons, usually described as bitumen.
Bleeding	Formation of a film on asphalt pavement surface due to upward movement of asphalt in the mix. Flow of water from freshly placed concrete when no outside force is applied; usually occurs with non‑air‑entrained concrete.
Bond	The adhesive force between steel bars or wires and hardened concrete, developed as the concrete hardens around embedded steel. A guarantee that a contractor’s material and service suppliers and subcontractors on the project will be paid. A performance bond is a guarantee that the project will be satisfactorily completed in the event of a default or termination of a contractor.
Borrow	Soil removed from a designated location (borrow pit) for the purpose of providing fill on a given area.
Borrow (common)	Borrow not suitable for use as select borrow but suitable for less critical uses; referred to in Specifications as Borrow Type F.
Borrow (select)	Borrow graded and tested to conform to designated specifications; high‑quality granular soil used for backfilling structures, constructing roadway bases, and other significant applications.
Box culvert	A rectangular reinforced concrete drainage structure.
Brace	A diagonal member used to stiffen a framework.
Bridge	A structure, including supports, erected over a depression or obstruction (such as water, highway, or railway) with a track or passageway for carrying traffic or other moving loads, and having a length of more than 20 ft between undercopings of abutments or extreme ends of openings for multiple boxes. Structures with an opening of 20 ft² or greater are included in the Department bridge inventory.
Bridging	Braces or system of bracing used between structural members to stiffen them and distribute the load.
Bridge deck	The part of a bridge superstructure that provides direct support for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Bridge seat	The surface of an abutment or pier upon which the superstructure rests.
Built‑up member	A structural member built from standard shapes to form a single, stronger member.
Bulkhead	A temporary form, usually wooden, used to terminate a concrete pour; placed at construction joints, expansion joints, or at the Engineer’s discretion.
Butt joint	A joint with a vertical face spanning the width of the lane being paved, constructed when paving is stopped temporarily. A union of two plates, end to end, without overlapping.
Buttressed retaining wall	A reinforced concrete wall having a vertical stem and a horizontal base, with brackets connecting the stem and base located on the opposite side from where soil is present.
Calcium chloride	A crystalline compound (CaCl₂) used for controlling dust on dirt roads, soil stabilization, ice removal, other road‑conditioning purposes, as an admixture to accelerate the set of concrete, and for curing concrete.
Camber	A slight upward curve given to a plate girder, beam, truss, or superstructure during fabrication to compensate for the downward deflection that will result from load application.
Cast‑in‑place pile	A pile constructed by drilling a shaft in the earth and filling it with concrete, or by driving a hollow sheet‑metal shell with a pile hammer, withdrawing the mandrel, and filling the shell with concrete.
Cement content	The number of pounds (kilograms) of cement used in one cubic yard of concrete, usually predetermined by Specifications for the desired class of concrete. One bag of cement weighs 94 pounds.
Centering	The formwork for an arch and its supporting framework.
Chamfer	The edge or corner of a concrete structure, formed at an angle to give the structure a pleasing appearance and to prevent the edge or corner from chipping or breaking. Achieved by placing a chamfer strip into the corner of the formwork.
Chamfer strip	A small V‑shaped strip placed inside a corner of a form to produce a beveled edge on the concrete.
Channel	The bed where a stream of water flows; can also refer to a standard structural shape.
Cheekwall	A small section of concrete placed on the top of an abutment and adjacent to the wing walls, intended to conceal the bearing assembly and protect the bearings from weather.
Chord	The principal member of a truss, located either at the top or the bottom. A straight line segment joining and included between two points on a circle
Clay	A fine‑grained soil exhibiting high plasticity when remolded at its natural moisture content or after adding water, and having high strength when dried.
Clevis	A U‑shaped fastening used to connect a rod to a pin.
Clip angle	A small angle used for fastening various members together.
Cofferdam	A structure built around a foundation site to keep water out of the excavation.
Cold joint	A longitudinal joint between different mats in a hot‑mix asphalt pavement made by placing fresh asphalt against older, hardened or partially hardened asphalt.
Column	A vertical compression member that acts as a support, constructed of concrete, steel, wood, or other materials. To be considered a column, its length must exceed three times its least horizontal dimension.
Column ties	Lateral reinforcement used to hold longitudinal reinforcing bars in position in the forms while concrete is placed, and to prevent slender longitudinal bars from buckling outward and bursting the thin concrete cover. Typically form a rectangle or circle around the longitudinal bars.
Composite‑bridge construction	A unit consisting of: Longitudinal steel or prestressed concrete beams, A reinforced concrete deck, and Shear connectors tying the deck and beams together.
Concrete	A mixture of Portland cement, sand, and coarse aggregate with water. The water, sand, and cement form a paste that fills voids in the coarse aggregate and separates the particles. Workability depends on the amount and consistency of the paste.
Concrete masonry	An artificial stone made from a controlled mixture of properly graded aggregate, Portland cement, and water, with small quantities of other chemicals added for specific qualities such as texture or color.
Concrete pour	The mass or volume of concrete placed in forms.
Conduit	A tube for receiving and protecting electric wires or cables.
Construction engineering	All staking and related surveying work performed on the project by the Contractor. DelDOT establishes lines and grades for extra work, utility work, cross‑sections of borrow pits, and excavation items, and checks the Contractor’s surveying and staking.
Construction joint	A plane surface between two sections of cast‑in‑place concrete, where the second section is placed after the first has hardened. Typically formed when concrete placement must be stopped for a relatively long time.
Cope	To cut out the top or bottom flanges and web of a beam so one member will frame into another. Cope Cut on a Beam
Coping	A course of concrete or stone placed on top of a wall to shed water.
Copper flashing	Very thin sheets of copper used to protect or seal the joints or edges of a structure.
Corbel	A projection from the face of a wall that supports a load.
Cores	Cylinders of concrete cut from pavement with a hollow drill. The drill grinds away a ring of concrete all the way through, leaving the core undamaged in the center. Typically 6 in (150 mm) in diameter, used to check thickness and sometimes strength of the concrete.
Counterfort retaining wall	A reinforced concrete wall with a vertical stem and a horizontal base, with brackets on the pressure face uniting the vertical section with the heel of the base.
Cover plate	A plate used in building up flanges of a steel beam or girder to give greater strength and area or to provide protection.
Crash wall	A massive concrete wall used to protect bridge piers in case of a derailment near the structure.
Crib wall	A retaining wall composed of precast concrete headers and stretchers assembled to form a series of rectangular cellular structures along an embankment. Stretchers are the frontal, horizontal members; headers are the lateral members.
Cribbing members	Beams used to form a framework for holding earth in place.
Curing	The protection of concrete against moisture loss and extreme temperatures, enabling the chemical reaction to progress to a point where satisfactory performance in the structure is ensured.
Cut‑back asphalt	Asphalt cement rendered fluid by fluxing with a light volatile petroleum distillate. Upon exposure, the distillate evaporates, leaving asphalt cement in its original semi‑solid condition. Classified as SC (slow curing), MC (medium curing), or RC (rapid curing).
Cutwater	The pointed end of a pier located in the floodplain of a stream, usually protected against chipping by granite facing, a steel angle, or a bent plate of wrought iron. Sometimes called an icebreaker.
Cylinders (concrete)	Cylinders made from a sample of concrete placed on a project, using cylinder molds. Cured and tested in a lab to determine compressive strength. Refer to AASHTO T‑22 for more information.
Dead load	The weight of the complete structure, including roadway, sidewalks, parapets, pipes, conduits, cables, and other public utility services.
Deflection joint	An open joint in the parapet allowing for deflection of the superstructure.
Deformed bar	A steel reinforcing bar with surface projections to improve bond with concrete.
Density (soil)	The volume‑weight relationship of soil, expressed in lb/ft³. May be wet or dry density, influenced by moisture content, soil gradation and properties, and compactive effort.
Department	Abbreviation referring to the Delaware Department of Transportation.
Depressed key	An inverted key or groove in a construction joint.
Diagonals	Diagonal members used for stiffening wind bracing.
Diaphragm	Transverse structural members of concrete or steel providing lateral support to beams in a structure.
Distributor	A tank truck capable of applying liquid bituminous material uniformly with controlled pressure, volume, and temperature.
Dowel	A metal bar extending across a concrete joint to transfer load and prevent misalignment.
Drain	A pipe, trench, or ditch provided to lead water away from a structure.
Drainage castings	Cast‑iron items such as manhole frames or inlets.
Dressed sheathing	Sheathing that has been smoothed by planing.
Drift pin	A cigar‑shaped steel piece used to line up rivet holes.
Drip notch	A recess on the underside of a parapet preventing water from following the concrete into supporting beams and causing deterioration.
Driven to refusal	Condition of a pile driven until it cannot penetrate further into the ground.
Drop hammer	A pile hammer consisting of a heavy metal weight allowed to fall through the air to strike the top of a pile.
Dummy contraction joint	A joint made with an edging tool or diamond‑tipped saw to localize cracking along a line, without extending through the full depth of the concrete.
Edger	A small hand tool used to round the edges of concrete slabs before hardening.
Elevation	The vertical distance from a known datum to a point or level surface through that point. A drawing showing a vertical section of a structure.
Embankment	A structure of soil, soil aggregate, or broken rock placed between the embankment foundation and the subgrade.
Embankment foundation	The material below the original ground surface, whose physical characteristics affect the support of the embankment.
Emulsified asphalt	A solution of asphalt and water containing a small amount of emulsifying agent, which works with the water to liquefy the asphalt for construction operations.
End caps	Metal covers placed on the extreme ends of parapet railings.
Expansion bearing	The bearing device on the expansion end of the beam.
Expansion dam	A device used to control the expansion and contraction of a bridge deck, usually located over the piers.
Expansion end	The end of a span free to move in a longitudinal direction, usually designated on the plans.
Expansion joint	A joint in concrete or steel filled with a compressible material, allowing the structure to contract and expand without damage or excessive stresses.
Expansion‑joint material	Material that can be easily compressed and is placed in an expansion joint.
Fabricated structural steel	Steel members made by fastening steel shapes, such as plates and angles, together by riveting or welding.
Falsework	A framework of wood or steel used to support forms for a concrete structure, or temporary support for a steel member during bridge erection. Sometimes called shoring.
Fascia beam	A beam that exposes a face or side in its final position, usually the outside beam of a structure.
Fillet weld	A triangular weld joining two surfaces at right angles to one another.
Fines	Small soil particles that predominantly pass a US Standard No. 200 sieve; includes silt and clay.
Finishing concrete	The art of working the surface of concrete to a desired texture.
Finishing machine	A mechanical device used to finish concrete.
Fixed bearing	A device that allows a beam to rotate but prevents longitudinal movement.
Fixed end	The end of a beam secured firmly, allowing rotation only.
Flange	The projecting portion of a beam, channel, or column.
Float	A flat rectangular tool of wood, aluminum, or magnesium used for finishing concrete.
Flush expansion joint	A joint where the expansion‑joint material meets the chamfered surface of adjoining members.
Footing	The part of a structure resting directly on the ground, pedestals, or piles, designed to spread the load so as not to exceed the allowable bearing strength of the foundation bed.
Forms	Assemblies of wood or metal that hold concrete in place while it hardens.
Form ties	Metal devices that prevent concrete forms from spreading apart when concrete is placed.
Foundation	The underlying material upon which a footing rests.
Foundation pressure	The resultant pressure on a foundation from the loads applied to the structure.
Friction piles	Piles that derive their principal support from friction or shear between the pile sides and surrounding soil.
Gage line	The centerline for rivet holes.
Girder	A horizontal member, single or built‑up, acting as a main member of a structure.
Girder dog	A mechanical device used to lift and place concrete beams.
Gore	The area immediately beyond the divergence of two roadways, bounded by their edges.
Grade line	A line on a drawing showing the elevation of the completed pavement along the project length; also called the profile.
Grating	A heavy metal plate with slots or openings used to cover drainage inlets.
Gravel	Small stones and pebbles, or a mixture of small stones and sand.
Green concrete	Concrete that has set but not fully hardened.
Green lumber	Wood that still contains most of the water present when the tree was cut down.
Ground finish	A smooth finish on a concrete surface, obtained by removing a thin layer of concrete with an abrasive tool or grinding machine.
Grout	A relatively thin, liquid mixture of cement, fine sand, and water, or cement and water only.
Gunite	A type of Portland cement mortar “shot” into place by compressed air, with materials mixed with water while being forced through a nozzle.
Gusset plate	A structural plate used to tie abutting members together at a joint.
Gutter line	The profile line at the intersection of the face of curb and the roadway slope.
Haunch	An additional small section of concrete poured with the slab (monolithically) to give added strength or support to the section and adjacent members. The portion of the arch ring about midway between the skewback and the crown section. The lower quarter of a circular pipe laid in a trench.
Headwall	A small concrete structure at the inlet end of a pipe.
Heel	The back portion of the footing from the intersection of the batter line to the back edge of the footing, usually under the fill.
High water elevation	The highest elevation known to which water has risen at a specific point or structure.
Honeycomb	An area in concrete where coarse aggregate particles form a nest with insufficient mortar to fill the spaces, typically from incomplete consolidation.
Hook‑bolt dowels	Short steel bars with hooked ends joined by a threaded connection, used to fasten one concrete section to another.
Horizontal clearance	The clear distance from curb to curb of a roadway. The distance from the roadway centerline to the nearest obstacle. The clear horizontal distance between two obstacles.
Hot mix	See bituminous concrete.
Hydration	The process by which cement combines with water to form gel.
Hypotenuse	The longest side of a right triangle; its square equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
Initial set	The condition of concrete or mortar when it has hardened just enough to retain its shape without side support.
Inserts	Metal devices placed in a concrete member during casting to allow fastening of other parts later.
Intermediate	Structural members other than main members; sometimes called secondary members.
Invert elevation	The lowest interior elevation in the arc of a pipe.
Joint filler	A flexible material used to fill or seal joints while allowing movement, commonly to keep moisture out.
Keeper	A metal plate used to prevent a beam from separating from the bearing assembly, bolted or welded to the sole plate or base plate.
Key	A raised or depressed formation in a concrete joint surface providing shear strength across the joint. Typical Key
Lacing	Small flat plates or straps used to connect two channels to form a column; sometimes called lattice bars.
Laitance	A weak, soupy mortar appearing on the top surface of concrete during or immediately after consolidation, most prevalent with non‑air‑entrained concrete.
Lateral	A drainage ditch, pipe, joint, or similar structure running perpendicular to the road centerline.
Leads	Parts of a pile driver that guide the pile and hammer while driving.
Level	An instrument used in surveying to determine elevations.
Lift	A layer of soil placed as part of an embankment. A spread and compacted layer of bituminous concrete or cement concrete in a form.
Longitudinal	A line, joint, ditch, or similar structure running parallel to the road centerline.
Lute	A hand tool used to smooth the surface of bituminous pavement during construction.
Mandrel	A temporary pile insert used to place thin steel shells for constructing cast‑in‑place concrete piles.
Map cracking	Cracking in concrete forming a pattern resembling map boundaries; sometimes called alligator cracking.
Masonry plate	A steel bearing plate securely fastened to the concrete support of a bridge.
Mass concrete	Placed concrete where heat generation during hydration requires special precautions and typically defined in the Contract. Structures with all concrete within 5 ft of the nearest boundary (sections less than 10 ft thick) generally do not require such measures.
Mastic	A mixture of bituminous material and fine mineral matter, usually remaining in a plastic state indefinitely, used as an adhesive.
Mat	An assembly of lateral and longitudinal reinforcing bars tied together at intersections.
Match line	A line on a cross section parallel to the centerline, indicating an additional part of the section shown elsewhere. Both parts have matching lines that align.
Median	The portion of a divided highway separating traffic traveling in opposite directions.
Mesh	An assembly of steel wires welded together at intersections.
Metal plate pipe	Small curved metal plates bolted together to form a large pipe.
Mid span	The middle of the span or a point equidistant from both ends.
Mineral filler	Material passing a US Standard No. 200 sieve, used in bituminous concrete to fill small voids and increase pavement stability. Includes granular dust, loess, and fly ash.
Minimum vertical clearance	The least difference in elevation between the underside of the superstructure and the highest point of the roadway or streambed cross section, as defined in the Specifications.
Mixing time	The time during which all concrete materials are in the revolving drum of the mixer.
Moisture‑density relationship test	A lab method for determining soil densities at known moisture contents. See AASHTO T‑99 and T‑180.
Mortar	A mixture of fine aggregate (sand) and paste, which fills voids in the sand and separates sand grains. Always contains air, intentionally or otherwise.
Mud jacking	Raising a slab‑on‑ground, usually paving, by pumping a mud slurry under pressure through drilled holes. Slurries may also be made from cement, asphalt, or similar materials.
Native asphalt	Asphalt produced by natural evaporation or distillation processes, obtained directly from the earth.
Neoprene bearing pad	A rectangular synthetic rubber‑like plastic used as a bearing pad for prestressed or steel beams.
Neoprene sponge	A closed‑cell synthetic rubber‑like plastic used to seal the joint between the abutment and edges of a prestressed beam.
Normal	Perpendicular.
Nosing	A protective steel facing on the upstream end of a pier.
Oakum	Loose fiber or hemp rope used for caulking joints between adjacent prestressed box beams.
Oblique triangle	A triangle with acute and obtuse angles, containing no right angle.
Open joint	See deflection joint.
Organic soil	Soil with high content of organic material such as plant fragments, peat, roots, and wood.
Overburden	The top layer of material in a borrow pit that is removed before extracting the underlying acceptable borrow.
Parapet	An outside wall, usually concrete, extending above the finished surface of a bridge and running parallel to its centerline, acting as a guardrail. Also, a wall extending above a building’s roof surface.
Parapet railing	A railing placed on top of a bridge parapet.
Paste	A mixture of cement and water. The water‑cement ratio determines consistency, strength, and contribution to workability. Paste always contains air, either intentionally or otherwise.
Pavement, flexible	A pavement structure that maintains intimate contact with and distributes loads to the subgrade, relying on aggregate interlock, particle friction, and cohesion for stability.
Pavement, rigid	A pavement structure that distributes loads to the subgrade, having as one course a Portland cement concrete slab of relatively high bending resistance.
Pavement structure	The combination of subbase, base course, and surface course placed on a subgrade to support traffic load and distribute it to the roadbed. Base course – Layer(s) of specified/selected material placed on a subbase or subgrade to support a surface course. Subbase – Layer(s) of specified thickness placed on a subgrade to support a base course (or in rigid pavement, the Portland cement concrete slab). Subgrade – The top surface of a roadbed upon which the pavement structure is constructed. Subgrade treatment – Modification of roadbed material by stabilization. Surface course – Layer(s) designed to accommodate traffic load, with the top layer resisting skidding, abrasion, and climate effects; sometimes called the “wearing course”.
Paving notch	A recess left in the end of the backwall or superstructure to receive an approach slab.
Pedestal	A small concrete support on top of an abutment or pier that receives the bearing assembly. A concrete support below the footing, used when poor soil conditions exist less than 10 ft below the footing elevation.
Penetration	The vertical distance a pile moves while being driven into the ground.
pH	The concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, on a scale from 0 to 14. Distilled water is 7; less than 7 is acidic, greater than 7 is alkaline/basic.
Pier	A structure, usually concrete or stone masonry, transmitting loads from the bridge superstructure to the foundation, located between abutments.
Pier cap	A cap placed on top of columns to distribute the superimposed load.
Piles	Vertical or nearly vertical members, partly or entirely embedded in the ground, providing support where poor soil conditions exist.
Pintle	A steel pivot pin upon which the rocker assembly rotates.
Pipe bedding	Material immediately below a pipe acting as a foundation to support it; divided into Classes A, B, and C per Standard Construction Details.
Pipe hanger	A metal bracket supporting a pipe suspended from a bridge; also called a pipe support.
Pipe sleeves	Openings in a concrete section made by placing short pipe sections in the forms before pouring concrete.
Pitch	In spiraled reinforced concrete columns, the clear distance between spiral reinforcement for one revolution. The distance between rivet hole centerlines along the gage line.
Plain bars	Smooth reinforcing bars without a deformed surface.
Plain concrete	Concrete without steel reinforcement.
Plant mix	Material mixed at a central location and delivered to the project site, usually bituminous concrete, Portland cement concrete, or similar materials.
Plastic	The condition of concrete when it flows easily and can be readily placed in forms.
Plate	A flat, rectangular piece of steel.
Plumb	Vertical.
Point	To fill the outside part of a masonry joint or hole with dense mortar.
Portland cement	The most widely used type of cement in construction, named for its similarity to a stone quarried on the Isle of Portland, England. It is a type of hydraulic cement, which means it can hard under water. When hardened, Portland cement is resistant to moisture as opposed to gypsum cement. Portland cement is produced in five types, described below. Type I The usual type used for general construction, and the one that is usually provided unless otherwise specified. Type II A modification of Type I that gives off less heat during hydration and consequently has a lessened tendency for shrinkage crack in bulkier structures. Type III A formulation to provide earlier strength attainment, also called high early strength cement. It attains in seven days a strength equivalent to the strength of Type I cement in 28 days. Type IV A slow setting cement with a very low heat of hydration that is principally used for massive structures, such as dams, where the heat build-up during hydration could adversely affect the structure. Type V A high sulfate-resistant cement used for exposure to alkaline soils or sea water.
Post tensioning	Inducing stress into a beam after the concrete is properly cured, using tensioning cables.
Precast concrete	Concrete or masonry units cast in molds or forms at a location other than their final position.
Precast piles	Piles made from precast concrete, cast and cured under controlled conditions for maximum strength. Heavy and bulky, requiring proper equipment for moving and driving.
Pre‑molded expansion joint material	A compressible material shaped to form a joint of specified width.
Prestressed concrete	Concrete in which a compressive load is applied during manufacture by means of steel strands, wires, or rods in tension. The load is transferred to the concrete by bond with the steel or by special fixtures where tendons emerge.
Pressure	Force per unit area, measured in psi, ksi, or pascals.
Prime coat	The first application of material, such as waterproofing or paint protection, to a surface.
Profile	The elevations of a series of points along a continuous line, typically plotted with a horizontal scale greater than the vertical scale (often 10:1). Used for roads, drives, pipelines, drains, ditches, etc.
Pumping	In pavement, the loss of fines from the subgrade through cracks or joints under traffic action, carried by water forced through the crack when a vehicle depresses the slab on a fine‑grained, non‑draining base or foundation.
Radius	The distance from the center of a circle to any point on its circumference.
Raked construction joint	A construction joint purposely made uneven and coarse to provide greater bond between concrete sections, such as between a parapet wall and deck top.
Reinforced concrete	Concrete with embedded steel reinforcement.
Reinforcing steel	Steel bars, wires, or rods placed in concrete to bear tensile forces; often epoxy‑coated to resist corrosion. Non‑coated reinforcing steel is sometimes called black steel.
Retaining wall	A wall built to hold back earth or loose rock, preventing sliding or caving.
Retarder	An admixture that slows the setting of concrete, with little or no effect on strength gain after initial set.
Right triangle	A triangle with one 90‑degree angle.
Riprap	Material such as stones, broken concrete, or similar, used to stabilize an embankment or spillway to control erosion.
Rocker assembly	A device at bridge supports allowing movement from deflection and expansion; may also be located at intermediate points along a beam or at the free end. Typical Rocker Assembly
Rocker bearing	Movable support at one end of a bridge span that rocks on its base to accommodate changes in span length due to temperature variation.
Rollers	Steel cylinders used to provide support so the structure can move in the direction of the span.
Rubber compounds	Bituminous materials mixed with a small amount of rubber, used for filling and sealing joints and cracks.
Salamander	A device used to provide heat in cold weather.
Scaling	The peeling off of a thin layer of concrete from the finished surface of a pavement.
Score	To make a long, small depression in the face of abutments, parapets, retaining walls, or wingwalls to enhance appearance.
Screed	A long piece of wood or metal moved across the surface of newly placed concrete with a sawing motion to consolidate and smooth it.
Scuppers	Special cast‑iron drain inlets used to dispose of surface water on bridge decks.
Sealer	A bituminous material used for filling and sealing joints and cracks.
Segregation	Separation of fine material from coarser material. In bituminous concrete, refers to larger particles rolling outward during handling. In concrete, refers to coarse aggregate separating from mortar or the main mass.
Set	The hardening of grout, mortar, or concrete.
Setting up	The process by which cement in freshly mixed concrete or mortar combines with water and hardens.
Settlement	Downward movement of a structure due to its own weight, supported loads, or shrinkage of supporting soil.
Shear blocks	Small concrete blocks used to prevent lateral movement of the superstructure.
Shear connectors	Devices preventing one structural member from sliding on another; examples include studs, channels, and reinforcing steel fastening beams to bridge decks for composite action.
Shear key	A small recess or depression between different pours of concrete or between a structure (e.g., a dam) and its foundation, used to resist shear forces across a joint.
Shim	A thin, flat metal plate used to raise a bearing assembly on a bridge seat or adjust an expansion dam.
Skew	At an angle other than a right angle; neither parallel nor perpendicular.
Skin friction	Friction between the outer surface of a pile and surrounding soil, resisting vertical movement of the pile.
Sliding plate	A plate bridging an expansion joint to prevent roadway debris from accumulating on bridge seats; apron plates are usually rigidly connected to the end floor beam.
Slope paving	Concrete slabs placed in erosion‑prone locations to protect against undermining of a structure’s footing.
Slope wall	Pavement constructed on an excavation or embankment side slope to prevent soil erosion.
Slump	A measure of the fluidity or wetness of fresh concrete, determined by the vertical subsidence (in inches or millimeters) of a sample after removing a conical mold. Greater slump indicates wetter or softer concrete.
Soffit	The underside of a cornice, overhang, stairwell, or similar structure.
Soil	Sediments or other unconsolidated accumulations of solid particles from rock disintegration, possibly containing organic matter.
Sole plate	A plate at the base of a beam, partition, column, or similar structure to distribute load at the support point.
Spalling	The crumbling of concrete at a joint or surface; also refers to a fragment broken off in this way.
Span	The distance measured between supports.
Spandrel	The wall over the haunches of an arch and below the crown level, excluding the arch ring; sometimes called the spandrel wall.
Specific gravity	The ratio of the weight of the absolute volume (solid volume) of a material to the weight of an equal volume of water.
Specifications	The compilation of provisions and requirements for performing prescribed work, including [Standard Specifications], Supplemental Specifications, and Special Provisions, covering methods, quantities, and quality of finished work.
Splice	A connection of two parts of a structural member used to increase its length.
Spot‑weld	A small intermittent weld that temporarily joins two structural members during erection or fabrication.
Stabilization	Modification of soils or aggregates by incorporating materials that increase load‑bearing capacity, firmness, and resistance to weathering or displacement.
Stagger	To alternate.
Steel beam piles	Piles made of structural steel, usually formed into H sections.
Steel pipe piles	Sections of steel pipe driven into the ground and usually filled with concrete.
Stem	The vertical section of a cantilever abutment.
Stiffener	A vertical steel plate or angle used to give additional strength to a steel girder.
Stirrup	A steel bar in a reinforced concrete beam, usually bent in a “U” shape, helping resist diagonal tension stresses.
Stringer	A bridge floor member parallel to the bridge centerline.
Strip	To remove forms from concrete that has hardened.
Stub abutment	A short vertical abutment usually found at the top of an embankment.
Stud	Vertical wooden members used for reinforcing sheeting and plywood forms against distortion from the weight of concrete.
Subbase	See Pavement Structure.
Subgrade	See Pavement Structure.
Substructure	The portion of a bridge below the top of abutments or piers, consisting of a footing and an abutment or pier, and possibly piles. Supports the superstructure and transmits loads into the ground.
Surface or free moisture	Water retained by aggregates in excess of the quantity required for practical internal saturation, expressed as a ratio of the water’s weight to the weight of surface‑dry internally saturated aggregates.
Superelevation	The banking of the outside of a roadway on a horizontal curve or runout.
Superstructure	The parts of a bridge above the level of the end supports, including beams, bridge deck, and parapet wall.
Symmetrical	An identical formation of elements on opposite sides of a neutral axis or centerline; a mirror image.
Tachometer	A gauge used on an asphalt distributor to accurately measure vehicle speed.
Tack weld	See Spot Weld.
Tamper	A tool for compacting backfill in areas inaccessible to rollers.
Tell‑tales	Wooden strips or weighted wires freely suspended from concrete forms to match marked stakes below, used to determine subsidence of forms while loading.
Tendon	A wire, strand, or rod used to apply a prestressing force to prestressed concrete.
Test boring	A subsurface exploration showing the soil cross section, hole locations, and other soil information.
Thrust Block	A Thrust Block, also referred to as a Kicker, is a concrete pipe restraint that prevents the mainline from moving by transferring pipe loads (mainly due to pressure thrust) to a wider load-bearing surface. Usually, thrust blocks are provided for buried pipelines at fittings requiring branching or direction change.
Ties	Steel wire used for securing steel reinforcement at intersections or overlapping joints.
Toe	The front portion of the footing, from the intersection of the abutment’s vertical face to the front edge of the footing.
Toe wall	A concrete wall preventing scouring under the apron of a drainage structure; sometimes called a cut‑off wall.
Tooled edge	The edge of a concrete structure rounded with an edger.
Torque wrench	A calibrated wrench with a gauge indicating torque on a nut or bolt head, usually in joules.
Transit	An instrument used in surveying for horizontal control, measuring angles, lines, and other geometric features.
Transverse	A theoretical line running perpendicular to the longitudinal or centerline of a roadway.
Tremie	A pipe, open at both ends, used to drop fresh concrete vertically without segregation, typically for placing concrete in water.
Trial mix	A concrete mixture designed by the Contractor using the materials intended for the project.
Truss	An assemblage of structural members forming a rigid framework.
Turn‑of‑the‑nut method	A method of tightening high‑strength bolts to the required minimum tension when assembling steel on the project.
Ultra-High-Performance Concrete	Cementitious based composite materials with discontinuous fiber reinforcement, compressive strengths above 21.7 ksi, tensile strengths above 0.72 ksi, and enhanced durability via their discontinuous pore structure
Vertical clearance	The clear vertical distance between the pavement surface and an overhead structure.
Vibration	The act of rendering fresh concrete into a quasi‑liquid state by applying high‑frequency vibratory impulses to consolidate it in the forms.
Vibrator	A mechanical device for rapidly shaking fresh concrete to release entrapped air and excess water, allowing it to settle firmly in place in the forms.
Vitrified clay liner plates	Plates attached to the face of concrete to protect it from harmful effects of acidic water.
V‑notch	A notch formed at a construction joint by two pieces of chamfer.
Void	A small air pocket or hole in a material, usually caused by lack of consolidation.
Volume change	Expansion and contraction of a material due to wetting/drying or temperature variations.
Voussoir	Any wedge‑shaped stone piece of which an arch is composed, such as the keystone.
Walers	Horizontal members used to help hold forms in position or brace cofferdams; sometimes called wales.
Water‑cement ratio	The ratio of the weight of total water to the weight of cement in a batch of concrete. The number of gallons of water per sack of cement in a batch of concrete.
Waterproofing	The application of asphalt, epoxy, or silicon material to the unexposed side of a concrete structure to protect it from water damage.
Water table	The depth below the ground surface at which soil is nearly saturated with water; also called the groundwater table.
Web	A plate or thin portion between stiffening ribs or flanges.
Weep holes	Small drainage holes in a structure to allow trapped water to escape.
Wingwall	A part of a bridge abutment outside the main body, retaining the approach fill. U‑wing – Wings parallel or nearly parallel to the roadway centerline. Flared wing – Wings at a skewed angle to the roadway centerline.
Workability of Portland cement concrete	The ease with which a concrete mix can be mixed, handled, transported, and placed in its final position with minimal loss of homogeneity.
Working drawings	Stress sheets, shop drawings, erection plans, falsework plans, framework plans, cofferdam plans, bending diagrams for reinforcing steel, or other supplementary plans/data required for approval.
Working point	A specific point shown on bridge plans from which angles and distances are measured for construction.
Yield	The quantity of concrete, in cubic yards, produced by a given batch. The number of square yards of surface covered by a distributor load of asphalt.

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