Introduction
In the dynamic world of civil engineering and construction, professionals often use abbreviations to communicate quickly and effectively. For those new to the industry or simply looking to enhance their understanding, we’ve compiled a list of 100 essential abbreviations. These range from common terms you’ll encounter daily to those that may be more specialized in usage. Read on and elevate your civil engineering and construction vocabulary.
- AASHTO: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
- ABC: Activity-Based Costing
- ACI: American Concrete Institute
- ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
- AEC: Architecture, Engineering, and Construction
- AISC: American Institute of Steel Construction
- ALTA: American Land Title Association
- ANSI: American National Standards Institute
- ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials
- ASCE: American Society of Civil Engineers
- BIM: Building Information Modeling
- BOD: Basis of Design
- BOQ: Bill of Quantities
- BOM: Bill of Materials
- BS: British Standards
- CADD: Computer-Aided Design and Drafting
- CBR: California Bearing Ratio
- CCTV: Closed Circuit Television
- CEM: Construction Engineering and Management
- CEP: Civil Engineering Professional
- CFRP: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer
- CGS: Centimeter-Gram-Second
- CIDH: Cast-In-Drilled-Hole
- CIP: Cast-in-Place
- CLSM: Controlled Low Strength Material
- CM: Construction Manager
- CMAR: Construction Manager at Risk
- CMP: Corrugated Metal Pipe
- CO: Change Order
- COGO: Coordinate Geometry
- CP: Critical Path
- CPI: Cost Performance Index
- CPM: Critical Path Method
- CPS: Cycles Per Second
- CRSI: Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute
- CS: Contract Specifications
- CSI: Construction Specifications Institute
- CSR: Compaction and Soil Ratio
- CST: Cost, Schedule, and Technical
- CTB: Cement Treated Base
- CTE: Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
- CTS: Concrete Temperature Sensor
- CUC: Comprehensive Utility Coordination
- DB: Design-Build
- DBB: Design-Bid-Build
- DC: Direct Current
- DCP: Dynamic Cone Penetrometer
- DD: Design Development
- DEM: Digital Elevation Model
- DFS: Deep Foundation System
- DGPS: Differential Global Positioning System
- DPM: Displacement Per Movement
- DRI: Designated Responsible Individual
- DSC: Dynamic Shear Rheometer
- DTM: Digital Terrain Model
- DWG: Drawing
- EA: Environmental Assessment
- EIR: Environmental Impact Report
- EPDM: Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
- EQ: Earthquake
- EWP: Engineered Wood Products
- FAR: Floor Area Ratio
- FDR: Full-Depth Reclamation
- FEM: Finite Element Method
- FHWA: Federal Highway Administration
- FIDIC: International Federation of Consulting Engineers
- FL: Finish Level
- FML: Flexible Membrane Liner
- FOS: Factor of Safety
- FPM: Feet Per Minute
- FRP: Fiber Reinforced Polymer
- FTA: Federal Transit Administration
- FTE: Full-Time Equivalent
- GDOT: Georgia Department of Transportation
- GIS: Geographic Information System
- GPR: Ground Penetrating Radar
- GRS: Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil
- HMA: Hot Mix Asphalt
- HPC: High-Performance Concrete
- IBC: International Building Code
- IDOT: Illinois Department of Transportation
- IFC: Issued for Construction
- IFO: In Favor Of
- IIC: Impact Insulation Class
- IPC: Intermediate Processing Center
- ISO: International Organization for Standardization
- ITS: Intelligent Transportation System
- JV: Joint Venture
- LCCA: Life Cycle Cost Analysis
- LIDAR: Light Detection and Ranging
- LOS: Level of Service
- LRFD: Load and Resistance Factor Design
- LRT: Light Rail Transit
- MSE: Mechanically Stabilized Earth
- NDT: Non-Destructive Testing
- NPDES: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
- O&M: Operations and Maintenance
- OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- PCC: Portland Cement Concrete
- RCC: Reinforced Cement Concrete
Conclusion
These 100 abbreviations represent only a small fraction of the terms used in civil engineering and construction, but they are a great starting point for professionals in the field. By familiarizing yourself with these abbreviations, you’ll be better equipped to understand and communicate effectively in the fast-paced and technical world of civil engineering and construction. Be sure to keep this list handy as you navigate your career in this fascinating industry.