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Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

(OP)
I am looking to do a white paper on term translations between Australia, the UK and the US and could definately do with some help coming up with terms and coming up with translations.

For Example

Australia:  Cleat                               SHS/RHS
UK:         Fin plate                           SHS/RHS
US:         single plate shear connection    HSS(Tube)

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Dont the yanks call sheeting rails 'girts' ?
(Not sure what our antipodean friends call them though - over to you csd72 !)

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

(OP)
girts also, but good one to add.

I will post a word file when I have accumulated a few.

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Aust / UK / US
wall cladding  / wall cladding / siding
truss / lattice girder / truss
ferrule / insert / ?  (as in cast-in female threaded item)

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Another US term for a single plate shear connection is a "Knife Plate" - used in wood construction a lot as well as connections to HSS column sections.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Another is the term "rat runs" used to laterally support roof truss panel points, and serve as rat, mouse, weasel and raccoon highways.  No extra live load included for that scenario.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

OZ, elastic section modulus Z, plastic section modulus S
US  reversed
Uk  don't know

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

What about the term "collector" used here in the US for a horizontal beam member that transfers long diaphragm forces to a specific brace location.

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Just within the U.S., there are dozens (if not hundreds) of construction terms that vary across regions.  Especially in the more "folksy" areas.  I would think that compiling a comprehensive list comparing terms between multiple countries would be a monumental task.

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

JAE:

"Drag Strut" is also used for the "collectors" here too.

Kinda Kinky, Huh?

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Mike....tut tut.

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

JAE and Mike,

In Australia, I haven't heard the terms "collector" or "drag strut" (except when reading this site).  I think we would just call it a chord.  But we don't use diaphragms as much as you do, because our roofs are not built the same way.  Instead of steel deck with built up roofing, we mostly use cross bracing.  The steel roof sheeting is the waterproofing, not a structural diaphragm.  In houses, the only two common roofing materials are steel and tiles (mostly concrete, some clay).  So no solid sheathing on the roof for asphalt shingles.

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Interesting:

Here, for the diaphragm edge members in tension, we call them "Chord Ties" (resist the diaphragm chord force) - as tension ties at the roof diaphragm level in tilt-up concrete structures.  These ties would run at the diaphragm level in the wall normal to the force seen by the diaphragm.  (T = wl^2/8b) where "b" is your diaphragm depth parallel to the force, "l" is the width of the diaphragm, and 'w" the applied uniform load.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

"Transfer Beam" for a beam that "transfers" the load from a column above to two other columns below.

"Pony Wall" for a wood stud wall constructed above a concrete stem wall, where the wood floor structure rests on te top of the pony wall, and not the concrete stem wall.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Transfer beam means the same in Australia, but "pony wall" and "stem wall" are terms not heard often, if at all.

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Betcha you've never heard of a "Stud Finder" either...  bigsmile  

Hint:  It's not a croc!

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Yep, we have stud finders.  I trust you mean the battery operated tool to locate studs behind the sheeting.

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Yep, but the simple ones just use magnets.  

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

"Foundation" is apparently used in the US for walls below ground level.  In Australia, the foundation is the soil or rock which supports the structure.

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Not just the walls, but all the footings (strip, spread, matt), piling, pile caps, grade beams - anything below grade that would render support to the structure.  The whole structural system is considered the "foundation" of the structure.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Further, we refer to the soil or rock you mention as the "bearing strata".

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

I'm going to bed, so I'll leave you with these US structural terms to figure out:

Raker
Waler
Cribbing
Grillage
Tieback
Soil Nail
Strongback
Thrustblock
Deadman
Caisson
Matt Footing
Augercast Pile
Pin pile
Yielding Wall
Non-yielding Wall
Counterfort Wall
Rock Gabion wall
Underpinning
Soldier Pile

Just a few "foundation" terms.  A good "base" to start from.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

i suggest to publish it all in an comprehensive dictionary :)

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Mike, I don't think there is much difference in meaning with that list on our side of the big lake.  "Pin pile" is a new one on me.

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

wythe is a term they use in the US.  We don't use it in the UK.  And if i understand its US usage the UK equivalent would be leaf.

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Wythe, good old English word.  Forgotten in the UK?  We use it in Australia, but also sometimes leaf.

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

(OP)
good ones guys, keep them coming.

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

"Pin Piles" are 2" to 4" diameter steel pile pile used mainly in residential foundations either in new or retrofit/repair situations.  They are commonly driven to refusal with a jackhaammer and have capacities in the 2 to 6 ton range per pile depending on soil conditions.  The term "pin" is used because of the small diameter.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

'Augercast Pile' presumably this is Continuous Flight Auger (CFA)  piling? (Brit)

Alternative british term for (truss) chord is boom.

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Controlled Density Fill" - a term for concrete of very low cement ratio that is used as structural fill only.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

msquared48, is this the same thing as "lean mix concrete" (Aust and Brit) or something else?

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Good question...  I'll ask one of the local concrete plants for a spec and post it here.  Maybe we can compare them if you have a desingn mix for the "Lean mix concrete".

I have a suspicion it may be the same thing though.  Just far less cement.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Actually, the useage for "lean mix concrete" I have run into here is around soldier pile so the concrete on the front face of the flange and behind the flange to the depth of the wood lagging can be easily removed.

There's another term - "Lagging" - placed between the soldier pile to hold back the soil - may be permanent or temporary.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

OK - here's another one - "Balloon Framing" - where the studs are continuous for two stories to help limit story shrinkage through the joists.  

Not as prevalent here now with the use of TJI floor joists and the like.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

CONTROLLED DENSITY FILL

CDF, or flowable fill is composed of water, portland cement, fine aggregate, and fly ash or slag cement. It is a fluid material with typical slumps of 10 inches or more, and has the consistency of a milk shake. Like most concrete, flowable fill may be mixed in central-mix concrete plants, ready-mixed concrete trucks or pugmills (small on-site mixers).

Once flowable fill is transported to the jobsite, the mixture may be placed with chutes, conveyors, buckets, or pumps, depending on the application. Flowable fill is placed continuously in most applications. For pipe bedding and backfilling, flowable fill is placed in lifts to prevent the pipes from floating. Internal vibration or compaction is not needed to consolidate mixtures. Its flowability and weight are sufficient for consolidation.  
 

 A ready mix concrete producer can aid in developing a mix design for flowable fill. However, when ordering, consider the following properties:

Strength: Applications that require removal of flowable fill at a later date usually limit the maximum compressive strength to less than 200 psi (1.4 MPa).

Setting and Early Strength: Hardening time can be as short as one hour, but can take up to eight hours depending on mix design and trench conditions (e.g moisture, temperature).

Density in Place: The in-place density of normal flowable fill typically ranges from 90 to 125 pcf (1400 to 2000 kg/m3)

Flowability: Flowability can be enhanced through the use of fly ash or air entraining admixtures.

Durability: Flowable fill is not designed to resist freezing and thawing, abrasive or erosive actions, or aggressive chemicals.
 

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

In Australia, lean mix concrete and flowable fill are two different things.  Lean mix concrete is what you use under a footing when soft material is encountered or the contractor digs out too much.  Usually 10 MPa.  Flowable fill is as described above, and we usually call it "liquifill".  In fact one company here has registered "Liquifill" as a trademark.

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Australia                  USA

Holding down bolts     Anchor bolts
(most of the time)

Variation              Change Order

White ants             Termites
(wrong may it be)

Roof battens           probably not used?
(small members
spanning over roof
trusses providing
support for steel
roofing or roof tiles)

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Hokie66:

In the US, there are two kinds of bolts at the foundation.

What we refer in residential to as "Anchor Bolts", are typically used only for shear transfer ftom the wood plate to the concrete foundation.

"Holddowns" are bolts, rods, or special straps used to transfer tension forces from wind/seismic forces at the ends of shear walls to beams, columns, other shear walls, or the foundation below.

The bolts used to anchor steel moment frames, light poles, and the like are also called "Anchor Bolts" though, for what it's worth.

FYI, the 1X4 stripping you refer to are used for shake roofs in the US.  The term that I well know escapes me for the moment - old timers disease I guess.

How about "furring strips" though for another term - used to "fur" out from a concrete wall to attach sheetrock.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Hokie66:

I finally remembered - what you refer to as roof battens, we call "Skip Sheathing" in the US.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Americans build wood structures, Australians build timber structures.  Americans use 2x4's, Aussies use 4x2's (now 100x50 undressed, 90x45 dressed).

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

Actually, we build wood structures (standard wood framing), timber frame structures (post and beam shell with no bearing walls and mortar and tenon joints, or similar), and Log homes - the old standard Log Cabin construction.

We also have plant manufactured homes, and modular homes, "mobile" homes to many.  Plant manufactured homes are transported on separate trailers to the site, while modular of "mobile" homes have their own axle assemblies where the trailer tongues and wheels are removed after placement.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

RE: Structural Engineering term translation Aust/UK/US

"Collar Ties" - in roof construction, the horizontal members attathed to the rafters at varying heights to limit horizontal spreading when a ridge beam is not used.

"Jack Rafters" - The small curved rafters used in the construction of Jack Rabbit hutches in New Mexico.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

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