Glossary of terms

Abstract

Aeolian—Windblown deposit (a.k.a. eolian). Adhesion—Similar to cohesion except adhesion is the shear strength between soil and another material, such as a pile shaft or concrete foundation. Angle bracket—Side load bracket having a horizontal bearing plate that extends below and supports an existing foundation or other structural element. Angle of internal friction—Soil shear strength parameter that governs strength due to confining stress. Batter angle—Inclination angle from vertical at which helical piles are installed; can be given as percentage, ratio of vertical depth to horizontal run, or angle in degrees. Battered piles—Helical piles installed at an angle other than vertical; typically used for lateral stability or in areas where the pile butts are constrained together and the pile tips splay apart to avoid group effects. Bearing plate—See helix. Bedrock—Continuous rock layer that forms the Earth’s crust; may outcrop at the ground surface or be buried under a thick layer of soil, cobble, and boulders. Bentonite— High-swelling clay soil derived from chemical alteration of volcanic ash. Bracket—Manufactured steel cap or assembly that attaches to the helical pile butt and is used to transfer loads to new or existing foundation elements; examples include angle bracket, plate bracket, new construction bracket. Buttress—Section of reinforced concrete or masonry that is constructed inside of a structure and is oriented perpendicular to the primary wall system in order to resist lateral movement. Caliche—(pronounced “cal-lee-chee”) Soil with grains cemented by carbonates belowground in semiarid conditions.