Angle Unit
A member used as a joist substitute which is intended for use at very short spans (10 feet or less) where open web steel joists are impractical. They are usually used for short spans in skewed bays, over corridors, or for outriggers. It can be made up of two or four angles to form channel sections or box sections. Tube and channel sections are also used. See Joist Substitute.
Angle
A hot rolled shape called an Angle with symbol L which has equal legs or unequal legs.
Annular Ring Nail
A deformed shank nail with improved holding qualities specially designed for use with gypsum board.
Angle of Repose
The angle of the sloped surface of the sides of an excavation.
Annual growth rings
The layer of growth that a tree puts on in one year. The annual growth rings can be seen in the and grain of lumber.
Anodizing
Am electrolytic process that forms a permanent, protective oxide coating on aluminum.
ANSI
American National Standards Institute, a nonprofit, national technical association that publishes standards covering definitions, test methods, recommended practices and specifications of materials. Formerly American Standards Assn. (ASA) and United States of America Standards Institute (USASI).
Annealing
Heating a metal to a high temperature followed by controlled cooling to relieve internal stresses.
Anchorage
The process of fastening a joist or joist girder to a masonry, concrete, or steel support by either bolting or welding.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
Annual cost of credit over the life of a loan, including interest, service charges, points, loan fees, mortgage insurance, and other items.
Anchor
Metal securing device embedded or driven into masonry, concrete, steel or wood.
Anaerobic Bonding Agents
Bonding agents that set hard when not exposed to oxygen.
Anchor Bolt
Heavy, threaded bolt embedded in the foundation to secure sill to foundation wall or bottom plate of exterior wall to concrete floor slab.
Anchor Bolt Plan
A plan view drawing showing the diameter, location and projection of all anchor bolts for the components of the metal building system and may show column reactions (magnitude and direction). The maximum base plate dimensions may also be shown.
Anchor bolts
Bolts to secure a wooden sill plate to concrete, or masonry floor or wall.
American single roll
A quantity of wallpaper between 34 to 36 square feet. The width of the roll is usually 20.5 inches, however, it can be up to 36 inches wide. The length ranges from 4 to 7 yards. (Compare to metric single roll)
Amortization
A payment plan by which a loan is reduced through monthly payments of principal and interest.
Ampere
A basic SI unit that measures the rate of flow of electric current.
Amplification Factor
A multiplier of the value of moment or deflection in the unbraced length of an axially loaded member to reflect secondary values generated by the eccentricity of the load.
Amplitude
A measure of floor vibration. It is the magnitude or total distance traveled by each oscillation of the vibration.