Clevis An open-throated fitting for the end of a rod or shaft, having the ends drilled for a bolt or a pin.
It provides a hinging effect for flexibility in one plane.
Column A vertical weight-supporting member.
Column Pad An area of concrete in the foundation for the support of weight distributed into a column.
Common Use Refers to those interior and exterior rooms, spaces, or elements that are made avail-
able for the use of a restricted group of people (for example, occupants of a homeless shelter, the occu-
pants of an office building, or the guests of such occupants).
Component A fully functional portion of a building system, piece of equipment, or building element.
Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) A method by which engineering drawings may be developed on
a computer.
Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) A method by which a computer uses a design to guide a
machine that produces parts.
Concrete Block A rectangular concrete form with cells in them.
Condensation The process by which moisture in the air becomes water or ice on a surface (such
as a window) whose temperature is colder than the air’s temperature.
Cone A solid figure that tapers uniformly from a circular base to a point.
Construction Documents A term used to represent all drawings, specifications, addenda, and
other pertinent construction information associated with the construction of a specific project.
Construction Lines Lightly drawn lines used in the preliminary layout of a drawing.
Contingency Allowance A sum included in the project budget designated to cover unpredictable or
unforeseen items of work, or changes in the work subsequently required by the owner. See Budget, Project.
Contour Line A line that represents the change in level from a given datum point.
Contract A legally enforceable promise or agreement between two or among several person. See
also Agreement.
Convection Transfer of heat through the movement of a liquid or gas.
Cornice The projecting or overhanging structural section of a roof.
Cost Appraisal Evaluation or estimate (preferably by a qualified professional appraiser) of the mar-
ket or other value, cost, utility or other attribute of land or other facility.
Cost Estimate A preliminary statement of approximate cost, determined by one of the following
methods: 1. Area and volume method; cost per square foot or cubic foot of the building. 2. Unit cost
method; cost of one unit multiplied by the number of units in the project; for example, in a hospital, the cost
of one patient unit multiplied by the number of patient units in the project. 3. In-place unit method; cost in-
place of a unit, such as doors, cubic yards of concrete, and squares of roofing.
Coving The curving of the floor material against the wall to eliminate the open seam between floor
and wall.
Crawl Space The area under a floor that is not fully excavated; only excavated sufficiently to allow
one to crawl under it to get at the electrical or plumbing devices.
Crest The surface of the thread corresponding to the major diameter of an external thread and the
minor diameter of an internal thread.
Cross-section A slice through a portion of a building or member that depicts the various internal con-
ditions of that area.
CSI Construction Specifications Institute. Membership organization of design professionals, con-
struction professionals, product manufacturers, and building owners. Develops and promotes industry
communication standards and certification programs. http://www.csinet.org.
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