CEA PLTW ALL
ABET - ANSThe recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied science,
computing, engineering, and technology.
Aesthetics - ANSThe quality of an object that deals with art, beauty, and taste.
Allowable Strength - ANSNominal strength divided by the safety factor.
AIA - ANSThe American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional society representing the
field of architecture and others working in the architecture field.
Air Handling Unit (AHU) - ANSA device used to condition and circulate air as part of a heating,
ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system.
Arch - ANSA curved structure for spanning an opening, designed to support a vertical load
primarily by axial compression.
Architect - ANSAn individual trained in the art and science of designing and constructing
buildings.
Architectural Programming - ANSResearch and decision making process that identifies the
scope of work for a design project.
Architectural Program - ANSWritten statement setting forth design objectives, constraints, and
criteria for a project, including special requirements and systems, and site requirements. The
program is usually prepared by the architect with input from the owner regarding the goals,
needs, and function of the project, design expectations, available budget, and pertinent building
code and zoning regulations.
ASCE - ANSThe American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is the professional engineering
society representing the field of civil engineering and others working in the civil engineering
field.
ASD - ANSAllowable Strength Design. A method of designing structural elements such that the
allowable strength is greater than or equal to the strength necessary to support the required
load combinations.
Axial Force - ANSA force that acts along the longitudinal axis of a structural member. Axial
tension causes elongation of the member. Axial compression causes shortening of the member.
, Balance - ANSThe pleasing or harmonious arrangement or proportion of parts or elements in a
design or composition.
Ballast - ANSA heavy material installed over a roof membrane to prevent wind uplift and shield
the membrane from sunlight.
Baseline - ANSA parallel of latitude running through an arbitrary point chosen as the starting
point for all sectionalized land within a given area.
Beam - ANSA structural member, usually horizontal, that carries a load that is applied
transverse to its length.
Beam Analysis - ANSThe use of physical laws and mathematics to compute internal forces,
stresses, and deformations.
Bearing - ANSA horizontal direction indicated by an angle from either due north or due south
toward either the east or west.
Bearing Walls - ANSSolid walls that provide support for each other and for the roof of a
structure.
Berm - ANSA horizontal ledge cut between the foot and top of an embankment to stabilize the
slope by intercepting sliding earth.
Brownfield - ANSReal property of which the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be
complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or
contaminant.
Building Code - ANSLegal requirements designed to protect the public by providing guidelines
for structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical areas of a structure.
Building Envelope - ANSThe portion of a building that encloses the treated environment,
including the walls, ceiling or roof, and floor.
Built-up Roof (BUR) - ANSA roof membrane laminated from layers of asphalt-saturated felt or
other fabric, bonded together with bitumen or pitch.
Caisson - ANSA long cylindrical reinforced concrete foundation element formed by drilling into
firm soil and pouring concrete into the hole.
Cast-in-Place Concrete - ANSConcrete that is poured in its final location.
Charrette - ANSAn intensive workshop in which various stakeholders and experts are brought
together to address a particular design issue.
ABET - ANSThe recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied science,
computing, engineering, and technology.
Aesthetics - ANSThe quality of an object that deals with art, beauty, and taste.
Allowable Strength - ANSNominal strength divided by the safety factor.
AIA - ANSThe American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional society representing the
field of architecture and others working in the architecture field.
Air Handling Unit (AHU) - ANSA device used to condition and circulate air as part of a heating,
ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system.
Arch - ANSA curved structure for spanning an opening, designed to support a vertical load
primarily by axial compression.
Architect - ANSAn individual trained in the art and science of designing and constructing
buildings.
Architectural Programming - ANSResearch and decision making process that identifies the
scope of work for a design project.
Architectural Program - ANSWritten statement setting forth design objectives, constraints, and
criteria for a project, including special requirements and systems, and site requirements. The
program is usually prepared by the architect with input from the owner regarding the goals,
needs, and function of the project, design expectations, available budget, and pertinent building
code and zoning regulations.
ASCE - ANSThe American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is the professional engineering
society representing the field of civil engineering and others working in the civil engineering
field.
ASD - ANSAllowable Strength Design. A method of designing structural elements such that the
allowable strength is greater than or equal to the strength necessary to support the required
load combinations.
Axial Force - ANSA force that acts along the longitudinal axis of a structural member. Axial
tension causes elongation of the member. Axial compression causes shortening of the member.
, Balance - ANSThe pleasing or harmonious arrangement or proportion of parts or elements in a
design or composition.
Ballast - ANSA heavy material installed over a roof membrane to prevent wind uplift and shield
the membrane from sunlight.
Baseline - ANSA parallel of latitude running through an arbitrary point chosen as the starting
point for all sectionalized land within a given area.
Beam - ANSA structural member, usually horizontal, that carries a load that is applied
transverse to its length.
Beam Analysis - ANSThe use of physical laws and mathematics to compute internal forces,
stresses, and deformations.
Bearing - ANSA horizontal direction indicated by an angle from either due north or due south
toward either the east or west.
Bearing Walls - ANSSolid walls that provide support for each other and for the roof of a
structure.
Berm - ANSA horizontal ledge cut between the foot and top of an embankment to stabilize the
slope by intercepting sliding earth.
Brownfield - ANSReal property of which the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be
complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or
contaminant.
Building Code - ANSLegal requirements designed to protect the public by providing guidelines
for structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical areas of a structure.
Building Envelope - ANSThe portion of a building that encloses the treated environment,
including the walls, ceiling or roof, and floor.
Built-up Roof (BUR) - ANSA roof membrane laminated from layers of asphalt-saturated felt or
other fabric, bonded together with bitumen or pitch.
Caisson - ANSA long cylindrical reinforced concrete foundation element formed by drilling into
firm soil and pouring concrete into the hole.
Cast-in-Place Concrete - ANSConcrete that is poured in its final location.
Charrette - ANSAn intensive workshop in which various stakeholders and experts are brought
together to address a particular design issue.
