In civil engineering, understanding key terms and symbols is crucial for effective communication and the successful execution of projects. ACI (American Concrete Institute) and ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) represent pivotal industry standards and guidelines. Likewise, symbols like stress (σ), strain (ε), and shear force (Q) are fundamental in structural analysis and design. Terms like Modulus of Elasticity (E) and Young’s Modulus (E₀) are essential in shaping the field. This comprehensive list of civil engineering terms and symbols serves as a valuable resource for professionals, students, and anyone keen to explore the industry.

Terms:

 AASHTO –  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

 ACI – American Concrete Institute 

 ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act 

 AISC –  American Institute of Steel Construction 

 ASCE – American Society of Civil Engineers 

 ASD – Allowable Stress Design

 ASTM – American Society for Testing and Materials 

 BIM –  Building Information Modeling 

BMD –  Bending Moment Diagram

 BS –  British Standard 

 CBR – California Bearing Ratio 

 CPT – Cone Penetration Test 

 DPT – Dynamic Penetration Test 

 EIA – Environmental Impact Assessment 

 EIS  – Environmental Impact Statement 

 EN – European Norm (European Standard)

 EPC –  Engineering, Procurement, and Construction 

 FEM – Finite Element Method 

 FFL –  Finished Floor Level 

 FRC – Fiber Reinforced Concrete

 FRL – Finished Road Level 

 FRP – Fiber Reinforced Polymer 

 FOS –  Factor of Safety 

 GFC –  GroundFloor Construction 

 GIS – Geographic Information System 

 HDPE –  HighDensity Polyethylene 

 HFL – High Flood Level 

 HMA – Hot Mix Asphalt 

 HPC  – HighPerformance Concrete 

 IBC –  International Building Code 

 ISO  – International Organization for Standardization 

 ITP –  Inspection Test Plan 

 LTPP –  LongTerm Pavement Performance 

 LRFD – Load and Resistance Factor Design

 MPa – Mega pascal 

 NGL –  Natural Ground Level 

 OPC – Ordinary Portland Cement 

 PCA – Portland Cement Association 

 PCC – Plain Cement Concrete

 Psi  – Pounds per Square Inch 

 Psf – Pounds per Square Foot 

 PT –  PostTensioning 

 QA/QC –  Quality Assurance / Quality Control 

 RCC-  Reinforced Cement Concrete 

 RFI – Request for Information 

 RFQ –  Request for Quotation 

 SFD -Shear Force Diagram

SLS  – Serviceability Limit State

 SPT – Standard Penetration Test 

 TDS – Total Dissolved Solids 

 TPI – Test Pile Installation

UBC – Uniform Building Code

ULS – Ultimate Limit State

 WBS – Work Breakdown Structure 

 WWD –  Waste Water Discharge 

Symbols:

 C – Cohesion 

 Δ –  Deformation or Change 

 E – Modulus of Elasticity 

 E₀ – Young’s Modulus 

 Fₓ – Force in the x-direction 

  F_y – Force in the y-direction

  F_z – Force in the z-direction

 Iₓ  -Moment of Inertia about the x-axis

 Iᵧ – Moment of Inertia about the y-axis

 k – Spring Constant (Stiffness)

 Mₓ – Bending Moment in the x-direction

 Mᵧ – Bending Moment in the y-direction

Vₓ  -Shear Force in the x-direction

 Vy – Shear Force in the y-direction

q_net –  Net Bearing Capacity

q_allowable – Allowable Bearing Capacity

 S – Section Modulus 

 σ – Stress 

 σ -_max  Maximum Stress 

 σ -_y  Yield Stress 

 τ  -Shear Stress 

 τ_-max  Maximum Shear Stress 

 ρ – Density 

 u – Displacement 

 ξ – Damping Ratio 

 λ – Wavelength 

 φ –  Angle of Friction 

 δ – Deflection 

 ε – Strain 

 ε_max –  Maximum Strain