Site Conditions Terminology

Question	Answer
balcony	outdoor platform projecting from house 2nd story and above
culvert	below ground passage that channels water
Deadman	buried component that secures a retaining wall; prevents rotation
deck	outdoor recreation area beside a house; attached or un-attached, usually not covered
storm water drainage	system that captures water and directs it away from house/property
Driveway	private road connecting a public road and building
grade	level of the ground outside the house
grading	act of moving soil to form desired elevation on a property; shaping the land for construction
landscape block	solid concrete block used for retaining wall
landscape wall	structure that is usually 2 foot or less that holds soil in place
patio	flat out door area adjacent to house, usually on grade
retaining wall	structure that holds soil in place, usually more than 2 feet in height
stoop	small platform that serves as a landing for exterior door
surcharge earth	earth located above the top of a retaining wall
swale	depression used to direct water
tieback	a device used to resist lateral force on a retaining wall; connects wall to deadman
walkway	private path on property intended for pedestrians
cantilever retaining walls	concrete retaining wall with wide footing

Resource summary

	Created by Andrew Adams about 5 years ago