DEFINITIONS

Below are the definitions to the words which I feel are an engineer's "jargon" and not common to the majority of readers.

1. Drawings / Blueprints:  a set of drawings which show topography, underground piping, structural formation of buildings, and other engineering information.
2. Specifications:   a set of written specifications which detail processes that must be followed during construction.
3. Design Package:   a combination of completed drawings and specifications.
4. Construction Manager:   a person in charge of gauranteeing that a project runs smoothly.
5. Piers:   the tall "legs" of the bridges shown throughout the web site.
6. Footers:   large underground concrete formations which provide stabilization to a structure.
7. Stresses:   applied forces. (an example would be stretching a rubberband until it breaks. the reason the rubber band breaks is because of the stress applied to it.)
8. Abutments:   large footers which provide the main stabilization for the bridge.
9. Voids:   hollow spaces underground.
10. Chords:   the main steel part in the formation of the arch.
11. Trusses:   large pieces of steel which support the weight of everything above them.
12. Forms:   like molds. a temporary structure which holds concrete in place while it hardens.
13. Drift Pin Bolts:   bolts which only provide temporary support. they are easily inserted and easily installed. they let workers hold a piece in place while the permanent bolts are installed.
14. Paraffin:   the concrete gaurd rails often seen on highways.
15. Steel Reinforced Concrete:   concrete with large amounts of steel bar placed in it to create stronger concrete.
16. Load:   simply a synonym for weight.
17. Deicers:   anything that melts ice.
18. Caulking:   a rubbery sealant that is extremely waterproof. used around the corners of bathtubs.
19. Bent Caps:   bent pieces of steel placed on the ends of other pieces of steel.
20. Bent Leg Splices:   a piece of steel used to give extra support to other pieces of steel.
21. PSI:   stands for pounds of force per square inch of area.

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