Civil Engineering Dictionary Terms : R

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Sr.TermDefinition
1Ramp(1) A steeply sloping road or floor. (2) A connecting roadway between two intersecting highways at a highway separation (3) A short length of drain laid much more steeply than the usual gradient.
2Random SampleA sample selected without bias so that each part has an equal chance of inclusion.
3Rankine TheoryFor dry, cohesionless backfill soil behind retaining walls, the Rankine theory is used to find the vertical and the horizontal (lateral) pressure at any depth, H. The horizontal pressure depends on the coefficient of earth pressure at rest, ko, which varies from 0.4 to 0.5 for untamped sand.
4Rapid-Hardening Or Higl-Early-Strength CementA portland cement which hardens more quickly than ordinary Portland cement and is more costly because it is more finely ground.
5Ravelling Or FrettingProgressive disintegration of a pavement surface through the loss (Breaking away) of aggregate particles from a road surface.
6RavineDeep, narrow cliff or gorge in the earth surface.
7Recycling (Pavement)The re-use of existing pavement materials in a new pavement structure.
8RehabilitationThe improvement of an existing roadway surface by improving the existing surface or by removing (milling) a specified thickness of the existing pavement and placement of additional pavement layers.
9Release Agent Or P Arting Agent Or Parting CompoundA general term that includes any greases, mould oils or sealants, laid over forms or form linings either to ensure a good finish to the concrete, to prevent concrete bonding to forms or to improve the durability of the form or for both.
10Reinforced ConcreteConcrete containing more than 0.6% by volume of reinforcement consisting of steel rods or mesh. The steel takes all the tensile stresses (theoretically). In good design the reinforcement is sufficiently distributed so that the cracks are not conspicuous.
11ResistivityA measure of a substance’s resistance to the flow of electricity through it, expressed in ohm-centimeters. Used on soils to determine coating requirements for new pipe and used to determine the extent of corrosion of existing metal pipes.
12Retarder Or Retarder Of SetAn admixture which slows up the setting rate of concrete.
13Rigid PavementA pavement having sufficiently high bending resistance to distribute loads over a comparatively large area (Portland Cement Concrete Pavement).
14Right-Of-WayA general term denoting land, property of interest therein, usually in a strip, acquired for or devoted to transportation purposes.
15RidgeA long narrow elevation of land.
16RigidityResistance to twisting or shearing.
17RiprapRock used for the protection of embankments, cut slopes, etc., against agents of erosion, primarily water
18RoadbedThe roadbed is that area between the intersection of the upper surface of the roadway and the side slopes or curb lines. The roadbed rises in elevation as each increment or layer of subbase, base, surfacing or pavement is placed. Where the medians are so wide as to include areas of undisturbed land, a divided highway is considered as including two separate roadbeds.
19RoadsideA general term denoting the area adjoining the outer edge of the roadway. Extensive areas between the roadways of a divided highway may also be considered roadside.
20RoadwayThat portion of the highway included between the outside lines of sidewalks, or curbs, slopes, ditches, channels, waterways and including all the appertaining structures and other features necessary to proper drainage and protection.
21Rumble Strip, Serrated Strip Or Jiggle BarA slightly raisedor lowered strip of asphalt, plastic, etc., across the highway traffic lane or along the shoulder lane. Rumple strips are placed together at a spacing (usually one foot) to warn the driver, through an audible warning of the approaching hazard.
22Run-OffThe amount of water from rain, snow, etc., which flows from a catchment area past a given point over a certain period. It is the rainfall less infiltration and evaporation. It can be increased by springs of goundwater or reduced by loss to the ground.
23RusticationHaving the surface rough or irregular, or the joints deeply sunk or chamfered.
24RuttingFormation of longitudinal depressions by the displacement of soils or surfaces under traffic.

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