LCA Graphics and Construction Studies key terms

A drawing method that shows a three-dimensional object as separate flat views, such as front, plan and end, each looking directly at one face with no perspective distortion.

A projection convention where the object sits between the viewer and the drawing plane, so the view seen from the front is placed on the drawing below the plan.

An orthographic view of a building or object seen from the side, showing heights, levels and vertical features such as windows, doors and roof profile.

A view looking straight down on a building or object, cut horizontally at a chosen height, showing layout, wall thickness and the position of openings and fittings.

A drawing showing a building sliced by an imaginary vertical plane, revealing internal construction, floor build-ups, roof structure and the relationship between storeys.

The fixed ratio between a drawn dimension and the real dimension it represents, for example 1:50 meaning one unit on paper equals fifty units on site.

A thin line with arrowheads or oblique ticks at each end, placed between extension lines, that carries a numerical measurement showing the size of a drawn feature.

The relative thickness given to lines on a drawing so that nearer or cut elements read strongly while construction and setting-out lines stay light, guiding the eye.

A pictorial drawing in which the three main axes are set at 120 degrees to each other, giving a three-dimensional impression without vanishing points and with true lengths along the axes.

A pictorial view built around a horizon line and one or more vanishing points, so parallel lines converge and objects appear smaller with distance, matching how the eye sees.

A wall that carries the weight of floors and roof above it down to the foundations, so it cannot be removed or deeply chased without supporting the load elsewhere.

A thick, isolated concrete block spread under a column or pier to spread the structural load over a wider area of soil with adequate bearing capacity.

A continuous concrete footing running beneath a line of load-bearing wall, spreading the wall load evenly over the ground along its length.

A horizontal structural member spanning an opening such as a door or window to carry the wall load above it and transfer that load to the wall on each side.

A horizontal structural member that carries loads applied across its span and resists bending, transferring those loads to supports such as walls or columns.

The permanent, static weight of the structure itself and fixed elements such as floors, walls, roof covering and services that stay in place throughout the building's life.

The variable, temporary load imposed on a structure by occupants, furniture, stored goods or snow, which changes in position and magnitude over time.

A measure of how readily heat passes through a building element, expressed in watts per square metre per kelvin; a lower value means better thermal insulation.

A path of high heat conductivity through a building fabric, such as a steel lintel or concrete slab edge, that bypasses insulation and causes local heat loss and condensation risk.

Material with low heat conductivity, such as mineral wool or rigid foam, placed in walls, roofs and floors to slow heat transfer and reduce energy needed for heating.

Water vapour turning to liquid when it meets a surface or air below its dew point, causing damp, mould and damage, especially at cold bridges and poorly ventilated spaces.

The controlled supply and removal of air to and from a space to maintain air quality, remove moisture and odours, and control temperature, whether natural or mechanical.

The sudden falling in of the sides of an excavation, which can bury or crush workers; prevented by battering, stepping, or supporting the sides with timber or proprietary systems.

The removal of soil or rock to form a hole for foundations, services or basements, requiring planning for support, access, drainage and the location of buried services.

A written document describing the safe sequence of work, plant, controls and responsibilities for a specific task, used to plan and communicate how risks will be managed.

A structured process of identifying hazards, judging who might be harmed and how, and deciding on controls, recorded so the findings can be communicated and reviewed.

A formal written authorisation required before certain high-risk tasks, such as hot works or confined-space entry, confirming specified precautions are in place before work starts.

Clothing and equipment worn by a worker, such as helmet, boots, gloves and eye protection, to reduce exposure to hazards; the last line of defence after other controls.

Timber from broad-leaved, usually deciduous trees, such as oak or ash; generally denser and more durable than softwood, and often used for joinery and flooring.

Timber from coniferous trees such as pine or spruce; typically lighter, cheaper and faster grown than hardwood, and widely used for structural framing and carcassing.

The controlled drying of timber to reduce its moisture content, which limits shrinkage, movement, splitting and fungal attack once the timber is built in.

A mix of cement, lime, sand and water used to bed and bond masonry units and to fill joints, setting to hold the units together while allowing limited movement.

A composite of cement, fine and coarse aggregate and water that hardens by chemical reaction, strong in compression but weak in tension unless reinforced with steel.

Steel bars or mesh placed in concrete to resist tensile forces, positioned where bending causes tension and surrounded by enough concrete to bond and protect against corrosion.

Materials chosen to reduce environmental impact over their life, considering renewable or recycled sources, low embodied energy, durability, reuse potential and local availability.

A written statement agreed with the client that sets out the project's needs, users, site, budget, constraints and priorities, forming the basis for design decisions.

The study of a site's orientation, access, levels, drainage, views, services, surrounding context and planning constraints, informing how a design responds to its location.

A written document describing the required materials, products, workmanship and standards for a project, read alongside the drawings as part of the contract information.