# Glossary of civil engineering ## Links (Wikipedia order) <!-- injected from _registry/childlinks/Glossary_of_civil_engineering.json (2026-07-30T02:09:12Z) --> `AC_power` · `Abrams'_law` · `Abrasion_(mechanical)` · `Abrasive` · `Absolute_electrode_potential` · `Absolute_scale` · `Absolute_zero` · `Absorbance` · `Abstract_algebra` · `Abutment` · `Acceleration` · `Acid` · `Acid_strength` · [[Acoustical_engineering]] · `Acoustics` · `Activated_sludge` · `Activated_sludge_model` · `Active_transport` · `Actuator` · `Adenosine_triphosphate` · `Adhesion` · `Adiabatic_process` · `Aeration` · `Aerobic_digestion` · `Aerodynamics` · [[Aerospace_engineering]] · `Afocal_system` · [[Agricultural_engineering]] · `Agriculture` · `Air_barrier` · `Airplane` · `Albedo` · `Algebra` · [[Algorithm]] · `Alkane` · `Alkene` · `Alkyne` · [[Alloy]] · [[Alternating_current]] · [[Aluminium]] · `Aluminium_oxide` · `Amine` · `Amino_acid` · `Ammeter` · `Amorphous_solid` · `Ampere` · `Amphoterism` · `Amplifier` · `Amplitude` · `Anaerobic_digestion` · `André-Marie_Ampère` · `Angular_acceleration` · `Angular_velocity` · `Anode` · `Archimedes` · `Archimedes'_principle` · [[Architectural_engineering]] · [[Architecture]] · `Arrhenius_equation` · `Artificial_intelligence_engineering` · `Asset` · `Atmospheric_pressure` · `Atom` · `Audio_engineer` · `Automated_reasoning` · `Automation` · `Automation_engineering` · `Automaton` · [[Automotive_engineering]] · `Bachelor_of_Engineering` · `Bachelor_of_Science` · `Balance_sheet` · `Barometer` · `Base_(chemistry)` · `Beam_(structure)` · `Beer–Lambert_law` · `Belt_(mechanical)` · `Belt_friction` · `Bending` · `Bending_moment` · `Bernoulli's_principle` · `Bernoulli_differential_equation` · [[Beryllium]] · `Beta_particle` · [[Biochemical_engineering]] · [[Bioinformatics]] · [[Biological_engineering]] · `Biomaterial` · [[Biomechanical_engineering]] · [[Biomedical_engineering]] · `Bioresource_engineering` · `Black_body` · `Block_and_tackle` · `Boiling-point_elevation` · [[Boiling_point]] · `Boltzmann_constant` · [[Boson]] · `Boyle's_law` · `Bravais_lattice` · `Brayton_cycle` · `Brewster's_angle` · `Bridge` · `Brittleness` · [[Broadcast_engineering]] · `Brownian_motion` · `Brønsted–Lowry_acid–base_theory` · `Building` · `Building_design` · [[Building_services_engineering]] · `Bulk_modulus` · `Buoyancy` · `Calculation` · [[Calculus]] · `Capacitance` · `Capacitor` · `Capillary_action` · [[Carbon]] · `Carbon–carbon_bond` · `Carboxylic_acid` · [[Cartesian_coordinate_system]] · `Casting` · `Cellulose_insulation` · `Celsius` · `Cement` · `Center_of_mass` · `Center_of_pressure_(fluid_mechanics)` · `Centripetal_force` · [[Ceramic_engineering]] · `Chain_reaction` · `Charles's_law` · [[Chemical_element]] · [[Chemical_engineering]] · `Chemical_formula` · `Chemical_reaction` · [[Chemical_reaction_engineering]] · `Circular_motion` · [[Civil_engineering]] · `Clausius_theorem` · `Clausius–Clapeyron_relation` · `Clinical_engineering` · `Clipping_(morphology)` · [[Coastal_engineering]] · `Coefficient_of_performance` · `Coefficient_of_variation` · `Coherence_(physics)` · `Cohesion_(chemistry)` · `Common_logarithm` · `Compressive_strength` · `Computational_fluid_dynamics` · `Computer-aided_design` · `Computer-aided_engineering` · `Computer-aided_manufacturing` · [[Computer_engineering]] · `Computer_network_engineering` · `Condensed_matter_physics` · `Constantin_Carathéodory` · `Construction` · [[Construction_engineering]] · `Construction_surveying` · [[Control_engineering]] · [[Control_system]] · [[Copper]] · `Corporation` · [[Corrosion]] · [[Corrosion_engineering]] · `Covalent_bond` · `Crystal` · `Crystallization` · `Crystallography` · `Curvilinear_motion` · `DC_motor` · `Dalton's_law` · `Dam` · `Darcy–Weisbach_equation` · [[Data_engineering]] · `Data_processing` · [[Decibel]] · `Decomposition` · `Defense_Logistics_Agency` · `Deflection_(engineering)` · `Deformation_(engineering)` · `Degrees_of_freedom_(mechanics)` · `Delta_robot` · [[Density]] · `Derivative` · `Design` · `Design_engineer` · `Differential_pulley` · `Diffuse_reflection` · `Dimensionless_quantity` · `Direct_current` · `Direction_(geometry)` · `Dispersion_(optics)` · `Displacement_(fluid)` · `Doctorate` · `Doppler_effect` · `Double_bond` · `Drag_(physics)` · `Ductility` · [[Dynamics_(mechanics)]] · `Dyne` · [[Earth]] · [[Earthquake_engineering]] · [[Ecological_engineering]] · `Elastic_modulus` · `Elasticity_(physics)` · `Electric_car` · `Electric_charge` · [[Electric_current]] · `Electric_displacement_field` · `Electric_field` · `Electric_field_gradient` · `Electric_generator` · [[Electric_motor]] · `Electric_potential` · `Electric_power` · `Electrical_conductor` · `Electrical_element` · `Electrical_energy` · [[Electrical_engineering]] · `Electrical_impedance` · `Electrical_network` · `Electrical_resistance_and_conductance` · `Electrochemical_cell` · [[Electrochemical_engineering]] · `Electrochemistry` · `Electrode_potential` · `Electromagnet` · `Electromagnetic_field` · [[Electromechanics]] · `Electron_pair` · `Electronegativity` · [[Electronics]] · `Elementary_algebra` · [[Energy]] · [[Energy_engineering]] · `Engine` · `Engineer` · `Engineer's_degree` · [[Engineering]] · [[Engineering_drawing]] · `Engineering_economics` · [[Engineering_education]] · [[Engineering_ethics]] · [[Engineering_management]] · [[Engineering_mathematics]] · [[Engineering_physics]] · `Enthalpy` · [[Entropy]] · [[Environmental_engineering]] · `Equity_(finance)` · `Estimator` · `Euclidean_vector` · `Euler–Bernoulli_beam_theory` · [[Explosives_engineering]] · [[Facilities_engineering]] · `Fahrenheit` · `Farad` · `Faraday_constant` · `Fermat's_principle` · `Field_(mathematics)` · `Financial_accounting` · `Financial_statement` · `Finite_element_method` · [[Fire_protection_engineering]] · `First_law_of_thermodynamics` · `Flashlight` · `Fluid` · [[Fluid_dynamics]] · `Fluid_mechanics` · `Flywheel` · `Focus_(optics)` · [[Food_engineering]] · `Foot-pound` · [[Force]] · [[Forensic_engineering]] · `Fracture_toughness` · `Free_fall` · `Frequency_modulation` · `Friction` · `Function_(mathematics)` · `Functional_group` · `Fundamental_frequency` · `Fundamental_interaction` · `Fundamental_theorem_of_calculus` · `Gain_(electronics)` · `Galvanic_cell` · `Gas` · `Gas_laws` · `Geiger_counter` · `General_relativity` · [[Genetic_engineering]] · [[Geological_engineering]] · `Geometric_mean` · [[Geometry]] · `Geophysics` · `George_Batchelor` · [[Geotechnical_engineering]] · `Gibbs_free_energy` · `Glossary` · `Glossary_of_Arabic_toponyms` · `Glossary_of_Hebrew_toponyms` · [[Glossary_of_aerospace_engineering]] · `Glossary_of_agriculture` · `Glossary_of_archaeology` · `Glossary_of_architecture` · `Glossary_of_areas_of_mathematics` · `Glossary_of_artificial_intelligence` · `Glossary_of_astronomy` · `Glossary_of_biology` · `Glossary_of_bird_terms` · `Glossary_of_botanical_terms` · `Glossary_of_calculus` · `Glossary_of_cellular_and_molecular_biology_(0–L)` · `Glossary_of_cellular_and_molecular_biology_(M–Z)` · `Glossary_of_chemistry_terms` · `Glossary_of_clinical_research` · `Glossary_of_computer_hardware_terms` · `Glossary_of_computer_science` · `Glossary_of_developmental_biology` · `Glossary_of_ecology` · `Glossary_of_economics` · [[Glossary_of_electrical_and_electronics_engineering]] · [[Glossary_of_engineering]] · `Glossary_of_engineering:_A–L` · `Glossary_of_engineering:_M–Z` · `Glossary_of_entomology_terms` · `Glossary_of_environmental_science` · `Glossary_of_genetics_and_evolutionary_biology` · `Glossary_of_geography_terms_(A–M)` · `Glossary_of_geography_terms_(N–Z)` · `Glossary_of_geology` · `Glossary_of_ichthyology` · `Glossary_of_machine_vision` · [[Glossary_of_mechanical_engineering]] · `Glossary_of_medicine` · `Glossary_of_meteorology` · `Glossary_of_mycology` · `Glossary_of_nanotechnology` · `Glossary_of_physics` · `Glossary_of_prestressed_concrete_terms` · `Glossary_of_probability_and_statistics` · `Glossary_of_protistology` · `Glossary_of_psychiatry` · `Glossary_of_quantum_computing` · `Glossary_of_robotics` · `Glossary_of_scientific_naming` · [[Glossary_of_structural_engineering]] · `Glossary_of_virology` · `Gluon` · `Government_financial_statements` · `Graduate_Aptitude_Test_in_Engineering` · `Graduate_certificate` · `Gravitational_constant` · `Gravitational_energy` · `Gravitational_potential` · `Gravity` · `Ground_state` · `Group_(mathematics)` · [[Half-life]] · `Haptic_technology` · `Hardness` · `Harmonic_mean` · [[Health_technology]] · `Heat` · [[Heat_transfer]] · `Height_above_ground_level` · `Helena,_Montana` · `Helmholtz_free_energy` · `Henderson–Hasselbalch_equation` · `Henry's_law` · `Hertz` · [[History_of_engineering]] · `Hoist_(device)` · `Horsepower` · `Housewrap` · `Huygens–Fresnel_principle` · [[Hydraulic_engineering]] · `Hydraulics` · `Hydrocarbon` · [[Hydrogen]] · `Ideal_gas` · `Ideal_gas_law` · `Imperial_units` · `Inclined_plane` · `Inclinometer` · `Inductor` · [[Industrial_engineering]] · `Industrial_wastewater_treatment` · `Inertia` · `Information_engineering` · `Infrasound` · `Inorganic_chemistry` · [[Instrumentation_and_control_engineering]] · `Integral` · [[Integral_transform]] · [[Interdisciplinarity]] · `Interface_(matter)` · `International_Bureau_of_Weights_and_Measures` · `International_System_of_Units` · `International_Union_of_Pure_and_Applied_Chemistry` · `International_Water_Association` · `Internet_Archive` · `Interval_estimation` · `Invert_level` · [[Ion]] · `Ionization` · `Irreversible_process` · `Isotope` · `Jacob's_staff` · `James_Prescott_Joule` · `John_Dalton` · `Joule` · [[Kalman_filter]] · `Kelvin` · `Kinematics` · `Kirchhoff's_circuit_laws` · `L'Hôpital's_rule` · `LC_circuit` · `Laminar_flow` · [[Laplace_transform]] · [[Lead]] · `Lever` · `Liability_(financial_accounting)` · `Linear_actuator` · `Linear_elasticity` · `Liquid` · [[List_of_engineering_branches]] · [[Logistics_engineering]] · `Mach_number` · `Machine` · `Machine_element` · `Magnetic_field` · `Magnetism` · `Magnitude_(mathematics)` · [[Manufacturing_engineering]] · [[Marine_engineering]] · `Mass` · `Mass_balance` · `Master's_degree` · [[Materials_science]] · `Mathematical_analysis` · [[Mathematical_optimization]] · `Mathematical_physics` · `Mathematics` · `Matrix_(mathematics)` · `Maxwell's_equations` · `Mechanical,_electrical,_and_plumbing` · `Mechanical_advantage` · [[Mechanical_engineering]] · `Mechanical_filter` · `Mechanical_wave` · `Mechanics` · `Mechanism_(engineering)` · [[Mechatronics]] · `Metal` · `Metallic_bonding` · [[Metallurgy]] · `Metre` · `Metre_per_second_squared` · [[Microwave_engineering]] · `Mid-range` · `Midhinge` · [[Military_engineering]] · [[Mining_engineering]] · `Mobile_phone` · `Mobile_robot` · `Molding_(process)` · [[Molecular_engineering]] · `Molecular_physics` · `Molecule` · `Moment_of_inertia` · `Multibody_system` · `Multidisciplinary_design_optimization` · `Municipal_or_urban_engineering` · `Nanoengineering` · `Nanotechnology` · `National_Council_of_Examiners_for_Engineering_and_Surveying` · [[Naval_architecture]] · `Navier–Stokes_equations` · `Newton_(unit)` · `Newtonian_fluid` · [[Nitrogen]] · `Nonprofit_organization` · `Nth_root` · [[Nuclear_engineering]] · `Nuclear_fission` · [[Nuclear_fusion]] · `Nuclear_power` · `Number_theory` · `Ohm` · `Ohm's_law` · `Oikonyms_in_West_and_South_Asia` · [[Ontology_engineering]] · `Open-chain_compound` · [[Optical_engineering]] · `Optics` · `Organic_chemistry` · `Organic_compound` · `Outline_of_computer_engineering` · [[Outline_of_engineering]] · [[Oxygen]] · `PH` · [[Packaging_engineering]] · [[Paper_engineering]] · `Paraffin_wax` · `Parallelogram_law` · `Parity_(mathematics)` · `Parity_(physics)` · `Partial_pressure` · `Partnership` · [[Pendulum]] · [[Petroleum_engineering]] · [[Pharmaceutical_engineering]] · `Phase_(matter)` · `Phase_(waves)` · `Philip_B._Crosby` · `Physical_chemistry` · `Physical_quantity` · [[Physics]] · `Planet` · `Planning` · `Plasticity_(physics)` · `Pneumatics` · `Point_estimation` · [[Polymer_engineering]] · `Polyphase_system` · `Potential_energy` · `Power_(physics)` · [[Power_engineering]] · `Power_factor` · `Power_gain` · `Power_station` · `Power_supply` · `Prentice_Hall` · `Pressure` · `Princeton_University` · `Privacy_engineering` · `Private_limited_company` · [[Probability]] · `Probability_distribution` · `Probability_theory` · [[Process_engineering]] · `Protozoa` · `Pseudovector` · `Pulley` · `R-value_(insulation)` · [[Radio-frequency_engineering]] · [[Railway_engineering]] · `Raised_floor` · `Rankine_scale` · `Rate_(mathematics)` · `Ratio` · `Redox` · `Regelation` · `Regulation_and_licensure_in_engineering` · `Rehabilitation_engineering` · `Relative_density` · `Relative_velocity` · [[Reliability_engineering]] · [[Reynolds_number]] · `Rheology` · `Rigid_body` · `Ring_(mathematics)` · [[River_engineering]] · [[Robotics]] · [[Robotics_engineering]] · `Root_mean_square` · `Rotational_energy` · `SI_base_unit` · `SI_derived_unit` · [[Safety_engineering]] · [[Sanitary_engineering]] · `Saturated_and_unsaturated_compounds` · `Scalar_(mathematics)` · `Scalar_(physics)` · `Scalar_multiplication` · [[Science]] · `Scientific_method` · `Second` · [[Security_engineering]] · [[Semiconductor_device]] · `Servomechanism` · `Sewage` · `Sewage_treatment` · `Shear_force` · `Shear_strength` · `Shear_stress` · [[Signal_processing]] · `Simple_machine` · `Single_bond` · `Siphon` · [[Software_engineering]] · `Sole_proprietorship` · `Solid` · `Solid-state_physics` · [[Solid_mechanics]] · `Solid_solution_strengthening` · `Solubility` · `Sound` · `Special_relativity` · `Specific_volume` · `Specific_weight` · `Spontaneous_combustion` · `Sports_engineering` · `State_of_matter` · `Statics` · `Statistics` · `Stefan–Boltzmann_law` · `Stewart_platform` · `Stiffness` · `Stoichiometry` · [[Strength_of_materials]] · `Stress_(mechanics)` · `Stress–strain_analysis` · `Stress–strain_curve` · `Structural_analysis` · `Structural_element` · [[Structural_engineering]] · `Structural_load` · [[Structure]] · `Sublimation_(phase_transition)` · `Substituent` · `Subsumption_architecture` · `Sunlight` · `Superhard_material` · `Supply_chain` · [[Surface_engineering]] · `Surface_tension` · `Surveying` · [[Sustainable_engineering]] · `Synthetic_fiber` · [[Systems_engineering]] · `Technical_standard` · `Technology` · [[Telecommunications_engineering]] · `Temperature` · `Tensile_testing` · `Tension_member` · `Theory` · `Thermal_conduction` · [[Thermal_engineering]] · `Thermal_equilibrium` · `Thermal_radiation` · [[Thermodynamic_system]] · `Thermodynamic_temperature` · [[Thermodynamics]] · `Thévenin's_theorem` · [[Tin]] · [[Tissue_engineering]] · `Torque` · `Torsional_vibration` · `Toughness` · [[Traffic_engineering_(transportation)]] · `Trajectory` · [[Transducer]] · `Transitive_relation` · [[Transportation_engineering]] · `Tree_(graph_theory)` · [[Tribology]] · `Trimean` · `Triple_bond` · `Triple_point` · `Trouton's_rule` · `Truncated_mean` · `Truss` · `Turbine` · `Turbomachinery` · `Turbulence` · `Two-port_network` · `Types_of_concrete` · `Ultimate_tensile_strength` · `Ultrasound` · [[Uncertainty_principle]] · `Unicode` · `Unit_vector` · `United_States_Assistant_Secretary_of_Defense` · `United_States_customary_units` · `University_of_Colorado_Boulder` · `Utility_frequency` · `Vacuum` · `Valve` · `Van_'t_Hoff_equation` · `Van_'t_Hoff_factor` · `Van_der_Waals_equation` · `Van_der_Waals_force` · `Vector_space` · [[Velocity]] · `Venturi_effect` · `Vertex_(geometry)` · `Vibration` · `Viscoelasticity` · [[Viscosity]] · `Volt-ampere` · `Volta_potential` · [[Voltage]] · `Volumetric_flow_rate` · `Von_Mises_yield_criterion` · `Wastewater_treatment` · `Water` · `Water_vapor` · `Waterproofing` · `Watt` · [[Wave]] · `Wavelength` · [[Wayback_Machine]] · `Weight` · `Wet-bulb_temperature` · `Wheel_and_axle` · `Winsorized_mean` · `Work_(physics)` · `Work_(thermodynamics)` · `Work_hardening` · `Work_of_art` · `Yield_(engineering)` · `Young's_modulus` · [[Zero-point_energy]] · `Zero_Defects` · `Zeroth_law_of_thermodynamics` · [[Zinc]] ## From the Real GENERATIVE library  *Glossary of civil engineering — placed from the Real G.E.N.E.R.A.T.I.V.E. course library (STEM and Music room). Source: Wikimedia Commons (via Wikipedia article media). [Details & license](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nuvola_apps_kcmsystem.png).* > This glossary of civil engineering terms is a list of definitions of terms and concepts pertaining specifically to civil engineering, its sub-disciplines, and related fields. For a more general overview of concepts within engineering as a whole, see Glossary of engineering. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_civil_engineering)) <!-- REAL-GENERATIVE-MEDIA:END --> > Summary stub · part of Systems Engineering · [Wikipedia source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_civil_engineering) ## Summary The glossary of civil engineering compiles definitions of terms used in the design and construction of infrastructure such as buildings, roads, bridges, water systems, and other public works. It spans structural, geotechnical, transportation, hydraulic, and environmental topics. As an alphabetized reference, it standardizes vocabulary across the breadth of civil practice. Such glossaries assist students, engineers, and stakeholders in communicating about large built systems. ## Key points - Defines terms across [[Civil_engineering|civil engineering]] - Covers structural, geotechnical, transportation, and hydraulic topics - Standardizes vocabulary for infrastructure work - Alphabetized reference format - Aids communication about large built systems ## Relation to Systems Engineering Infrastructure projects are complex systems, and consistent terminology supports the systems-[[Engineering|engineering]] coordination of their many civil sub-disciplines. ## Sources - [Glossary of civil engineering — Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_civil_engineering) Back to Systems Engineering --- <!-- SEMIOTIC-PROFILE:START --> ## Semiotic profile > *The semiotic universals this article invokes, machine-derived from the crossref — **unverified** (born so). Populated 2026-07-06 for the Systems room.* **Universals (2):** 🟡 system (10) · 🟢 hydraulic pneumatic iso1219 (2) **Enter by sign:** Systems Semiotic Gateway · Alphabetum · Icon Registry · ← Systems Portal <!-- SEMIOTIC-PROFILE:END --> <!-- REAL-GENERATIVE-MEDIA:START --> ## Wikipedia : Wikitube **Strict pair:** [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_civil_engineering) : [Wikitube](https://en.wikitube.io/wiki/Glossary_of_civil_engineering) ## Previous hub tags Tree parents: [[Reliability_engineering]] · [[Systems_engineering]]. Legacy hubs: none. --- *Sources: 1 legacy note. Minted wave 1, 2026-07-30 (v1.6 order).*