Engineering English 2024

• Curtain wall


  Vorhangfassade
• Mullion and transom


  Pfosten und Riegel
• Cable net facade


  Seilnetzfassade
• Laminated safety glass


  Verbundsicherheitsglas VSG
• Spider fitting


  Glashalterung
• Riser


  Setzstufe
• Tread


  Trittstufe
• Banister


  Geländer
• Nosing


  Stufenüberstand
• Stairwell


  Treppenauge
• Stringer


  Wange
• The main construction materials are concrete, steel, brick, wood and glass
• Considerations when choosing construction materials

  • Weight, strength, sustainability, fire resistance, cost
• Strength-to-weight ratio


  Strength of a material divided by its density, indicates how useful the material is for a certain application
• Sustainability


  Minimal impact on the environment, both at installation and throughout the life cycle, embodied energy is an important consideration
• Fire resistance


  Duration a material can withstand fire, materials categorised by class of inflammability, steel requires fire-resistant enveloping
• Cost


  Depends on availability of materials and location, formwork a major cost for reinforced concrete, steel costs depend on volume used
• Other considerations include resistance to water and thermal conductivity, as well as colour and texture when used for finishes
• Cost


  The cost of the construction materials depends mainly on the availability of the materials chosen and the geographical location of the project site
• Cement, aggregate, steel, etc. are commodities and the market price fluctuates according to supply and demand in the same way as, say, petrol
• About half of the construction costs of reinforced concrete can be attributed to the setting up of the formwork
• Structural steel tends to be sold according to weight so total costs depend largely on the volume used
• Further aspects to consider

  • Resistance to water
  • Thermal conductivity
  • Colour
  • Texture
• Material properties


  The physical and chemical properties of materials make them suitable to perform for specific roles in a construction
• Words to complete sentences

  • durable
  • airtight
  • opaque
  • rigid
  • combustible
  • brittle
  • load-bearing
  • malleable
  • monolithic
  • sustainable
• Airtight


  A building that is well sealed and does not leak
• Load-bearing


  Structural elements that are able to support a lot of weight
• Brittle


  Glass breaks easily
• Malleable


  Before concrete sets, it is
• Opaque


  The opposite of transparent
• Monolithic


  A wall made of a single material, such as earth
• Rigid


  The opposite of flexible
• Sustainable


  If an object does not cause harm to our environment during its life-cycle, it is
• Combustible


  A material that burns easily
• Durable


  The opposite of fragile
• The use of green, eco-friendly building materials is an important strategic option in the design of sustainable building
• Whilst promoting the conservation of dwindling non-renewable resources, the most significant benefits for the building owner or occupants are improved health and comfort
• Integrating green building materials into construction projects should be good for the environment
• Benefits vary from product to product, but may concern extraction, transportation, processing, installation, reuse, recycling and disposal
• When selecting the method, equipment and materials, it is necessary to consider not only cost and quality, but also the total impact on the environment