
A-frame building Quick reference
A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying and Civil Engineering (2 ed.)
A triangular-shaped building with a steeply sloping roof that extends to ground level.

abacus Quick reference
A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying and Civil Engineering (2 ed.)
In classical architecture, the flat uppermost slab at the top of the *capital of a column.

abandonment of work Quick reference
A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying and Civil Engineering (2 ed.)

abatement of action Quick reference
A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying and Civil Engineering (2 ed.)
An interruption of legal proceedings. A party, normally the defendant, serves an application of abatement giving reasons why proceedings should not continue....

ABE fermentation Quick reference
A Dictionary of Chemical Engineering
Another name for the *Weizmann process used for the production of acetone, butanol, and ethanol using the acid-resistant bacterium ...

aberration Quick reference
A Dictionary of Electronics and Electrical Engineering (5 ed.)
A defect in the image produced by an optical or electronic lens system.

abeyance Quick reference
A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying and Civil Engineering (2 ed.)

abioseston Quick reference
A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying and Civil Engineering (2 ed.)
Non-living particulate matter found floating in watercourses.

abiotic Quick reference
A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying and Civil Engineering (2 ed.)
Non-living chemical and physical matter (not biological). Abiotic components are parts of the environment; water, sunlight, oxygen, temperature, soil, and climate....

ablation Quick reference
A Dictionary of Chemical Engineering

ablation cooling Quick reference
A Dictionary of Mechanical Engineering (2 ed.)
The cooling of a surface exposed to very high external gas temperature which causes the surface material to sublime, melt or decompose. The chemical ...

ablution fitting Quick reference
A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying and Civil Engineering (2 ed.)
A large communal sanitary fitting used to perform ritual washing.

Abney level Quick reference
A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying and Civil Engineering (2 ed.)
A hand-held instrument to measure vertical angles. See also

above grade Quick reference
A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying and Civil Engineering (2 ed.)
A higher elevation than ground level. See also

above ground level Quick reference
A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying and Civil Engineering (2 ed.)

abradant Quick reference
A Dictionary of Mechanical Engineering (2 ed.)

Abram’s law Quick reference
A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying and Civil Engineering (2 ed.)
A rule that states the strength of concrete (or mortar) is inversely related to the water/cement (w/c) ratio. Provided there is sufficient water to ensure that the ...

abrasion Quick reference
A Dictionary of Mechanical Engineering (2 ed.)

abrasion Quick reference
A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying and Civil Engineering (2 ed.)
The wearing away of one material against another by *friction.

abrasion resistance Quick reference
A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying and Civil Engineering (2 ed.)
The ability of a finish to withstand wear.