Concrete Terminology Basics

Study Notes

Normal-weight concrete typically weighs between 140 and 160 lb/cu.ft.
Lightweight insulating concrete can weigh between 15 to 90 lb/cu.ft. and can achieve a compressive strength of 100 to 1000 psi after 28 days.
Mass concrete is used in structures like dams and relies on its own weight to provide structural strength.
Heavyweight concrete utilizes heavy aggregates like barite, magnetite, and steel punchings and is primarily used for shielding against nuclear radiation.
Refractory concrete is pre-cast into its desired shape before being integrated into a structure.
Leveling aims to bring a concrete surface to its intended grade, using enough mortar to achieve the desired finish.
Edging involves rounding off the edges of a concrete slab to prevent chipping or damage.
Screeding utilizes a straight edge to level the surface of fresh concrete using a back and forth motion.
Jointing involves inserting pre-molded elements into concrete slabs to control cracking caused by shrinkage during the curing process.
Bleeding occurs when dry materials in concrete settle to the bottom, pushing mixing water to the surface.
Troweling is performed on exposed slabs or those receiving thin finishes like resilient flooring, carpet, tiles, or paint.
Scaling refers to the breaking away of hardened concrete surfaces to a depth of 1/6 to 3/16 of an inch. This typically happens early in the slab's life.

Harbor describes a protected water area offering safe accommodation for ships, allowing for cargo transfer, refueling, and repairs.
Natural Harbors are protected from storms and waves by naturally occurring land formations.
Artificial Harbors are secured by breakwaters or are created through dredging operations.
Port encompasses a harbor, its access channels, and anchorage areas, providing a sheltered location for ships to load and unload cargo.
Fairway is a navigable channel within a harbor, offshore region, etc., designated as the typical route for vessels.
Wharf refers to a continuous structure built parallel to the coastline or along riverbanks, canals, or waterways, where vessels can dock for cargo handling, passenger embarkation/disembarkation, or rest.
Pier is any structure extending into the sea but not parallel to the coastline, including stages, stair landings, jetties, floating barges, pontoons, bridges, or connected works.
Jetty is a landing stage or small pier designed for boat docking or mooring.
Dolphin is a berth structure used for ship mooring in open seas, an isolated piled or gravity structure aiding in maneuvering or holding a ship at its berth.

Significant wave represents a hypothetical wave whose height and period correspond to the mean height and period of a wave group.
Highest wave is the tallest wave within a group of waves.
Mean wave has a height and period equal to the average height and period of all waves within a group.
Deepwater waves are waves observed in water depths greater than half their wavelength. Wave parameters are typically determined based on the significant wave at this depth.

Mean Sea Level is the average sea water level across all tidal stages over a 19-year period.
Mean Low Water represents the height of the lowest water level over a 19-year period.
Mean Lower Low Water is the average height of the lower low water levels over a 19-year period.
Storm Surge refers to an abnormal increase in sea level caused by the passage of a typhoon.