Abbreviations Used in Construction Industry - Part 6 (T to Z)

Dear Readers, 

This is the continuation of Part 5 and the final segment of construction industry acronyms. Construction management is a highly specialized field that necessitates the use of specific acronyms and abbreviations to facilitate clear communication and efficient management of complex projects. Construction estimating abbreviations play a vital role in calculating the costs of materials, labor, and equipment required to successfully complete a project.

In the realm of construction project management, acronyms play a crucial role streamlining communication and enhancing efficiency among project managers, contractors, and other stakeholders.

351) TA – Technical Advisor.

352) TB – Tie Beam.

353) TBC – To be Confirmed.

354) TCP – Traffic Control Plan – It is a crucial document utilized in the construction industry to ensure the safe and efficient management of traffic in and construction sites. It comprises a comprehensive set of drawings and specifications detailing how traffic will be controlled during various phases, employing signage, signals, pavement markings, and barricades.

355) TIG – Tungsten Inert Gas and is technically called gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW).

356) Thk. – Thick.

357) TLT – Toilet.

358) TOB – Top of Beam.

359) TOC – Top of Concrete.

360) TOS – Top of Slab / Steel.

361) TOW – Top of Wall.

362) TPI – Third Party Inspection / Inspector.

363) TQM – Total Quality Management.

364) TST – Total Station Theodolite. 

365) TYP. – Typical. In plans and drawings, the term “TYP.” indicates that a particular characteristic or detail applies to the same elements on the same page, view, or drawing. The term is analogous to “ditto.”

366) UB – Universal Beam.

367) UC – Universal Column.

368) UL – Upper Level.

369) UNO – Unless Noted Otherwise.

370) UOM – Unit of Measurement.

371) UPS – Un-interrupted Power Supply.

372) U/S – Underside.

373) UT – Ultrasonic Test.

374) UTS – Ultimate Tensile Strength. The maximum stress a material subjected to a stretching load can withstand without tearing.

375) UV – Ultra Violet.

376) VAT – Value Added Tax. 

377) VE (Value Engineering) – A process for improving the value of a construction project while reducing costs.

378) VI – Visual Inspection.

379) VO – Variation Order.

380) VOC – Volatile Organic Compound – This is an organic chemical with a high vapor pressure at room temperature. VOCs are usually responsible for the Odor of scents, perfumes, and pollutants. Some VOCs are harmful to humans and the environment. In the context of indoor air quality, these compounds may not be acutely toxic but can have long-term impacts on health.

381) VR (Virtual Reality) – The Use of Technology to Create an Immersive, Computer-Generated Experience.

382) Water Management – The Management and Control of Water in a Construction Project, Including Drainage and Runoff.

383) WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) – A Hierarchical Breakdown of a Project into Smaller, More Manageable Components.

384) W&C – Wrapping & Coating.

385) WIP – Work in Progress.

386) Wldr. – Welder.

387) WLL – Working Load Limit.

388) WMF – Wire Mesh Fence.

389) WO – Work Order.

390) Workforce Management – The Process of Managing and Coordinating the Construction Workforce.

391) WP’s / WI’s – Work Procedures / Method Statements / Work Instructions. It is used to prepare before commencement of execution / works.

392) WPQR – Welding Procedure Qualification Record

393) WPS – Welding Procedure Specification.

394) WQT – Welder Qualification Test.

395) WRM – Weekly Review Meeting.

396) WTP – Water Treatment Plant. 

397) WWF – Welded Wire Fabric – Sometimes called welded wire mesh, this is a grid of uniformly placed wires that provides flexural strength in concrete slabs, similar to rebar.

398) XRD – X-Ray Diffraction.

399) Yield Strength – it is the measurement of the amount of force that can be exerted on a material before it permanently deforms. Another name of yield strength is “Elastic Limit”.

400) ZOI – Zone of Influence.

Overtime (OT) for Construction Works

Dear Readers,

Construction Industry is the major employment creator for the (manpower) workforce. It is directly linked with country growth and infrastructures development. To meet the project schedule, extended working hours are the integral part of construction activities. 

If work time exceeds the fixed hours, employees be entitled to overtime payment rules for such hours or part of hour. This is paid at a higher rate than regular working hours. Also an Employee can work different work shifts according to their working hours, if available. But, the essential point is that employee need to be productive and complete their tasks then only overtime will be considered.

There are several laws in India which govern the maximum overtime hours allowed in India and also provide for an overtime calculation formula in India. Based on the industry one works for, the overtime payment rules vary. Some workplace may be governed by the central laws while the other might be a subject of state laws. Knowing employee rights may empower the working class.

In Construction Industry practice 11 hours daily work time inclusive of overtime and excluding lunch break. a person is entitled to be paid overtime wages twice his ordinary rate of wages in case he/ she is required to work for more than 9 hours a day or more than 48 hours in a week. The wages mentioned here is equivalent to the basic wages along with allowances, but does not include any bonus or other overtime wages. In case a worker is paid on a ‘piece rate’ basis, time rate will be calculated on the basis of previous month and the amount of overtime wages will be calculated accordingly. 

In any case, the overtime payment rules do not regard the gross salary. But if there is no statutory obligation and the employer wishes to reward the hard-working employees voluntarily, overtime payment rules in India do not restrict the same. In such a case, whether overtime is paid on basic or gross in India is the employer’s choice.

Welding Terms Part-7 (N&O)

Dear Readers,

This is a continuation of Part 6. This article will be a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their knowledge of the Welding Works.

Neutral Flame – An oxy-fuel gas flame that is neither oxidizing nor reducing.

Nick Break Test – A method for testing the soundness of welds by nicking each end of the weld, then giving the test specimen a sharp hammer blow to break the weld from nick to nick. Visual inspection will show any weld defects.

Non-Destructive Testing – NDT involves the testing of welds without destroying the welds or parts.

Non-ferrous – Does not come from iron ore. It is mined pretty much in its true form such as copper, aluminum, nickel, etc.

Normalizing – Heating iron-base alloys to approximately 100 ºF (38 ºC) above the critical temperature range followed by cooling to below that range in still air at ordinary temperature.

Nugget – The fused metal zone of a resistance weld.

Nozzle – A brass attachment that is about three inches long and shaped as an open cylinder.

O2 – Oxygen.

OFW – Abbreviation for Oxy-fuel welding. There are three processes in the Oxy group including oxyacetylene, oxyhydrogen and pressure gas welding.

Open-Circuit Voltage – The voltage between the output terminals of the welding machine when no current is flowing in the welding circuit.

Orifice Gas – In plasma arc welding and cutting, the gas is directed into the torch to surround the electrode. It becomes ionized in the arc to form the plasma and issues from the orifice in the torch nozzle as the plasma jet.

Oscillate – Hand (welding holder) movement while dragging (back hand) or pushing (forehand) the weld Puddle.

Ovens – Used to remove dampness from the welding electrodes as moisture in the electrode adversely.

Overfill – Excess deposition of weld metal. Overfill is a waste of time and material and can weaken the steel by placing too much heat on the joint. (Opposite of this is Underfill)

Overhead Position – The position in which welding is performed from the underside of a joint and the face of the weld is approximately horizontal.

Overlap – The protrusion of weld metal beyond the toe, face, or root of the weld.

Oxidizing Flame – An oxy-fuel gas flame having an oxidizing effect (excess oxygen).

Oxyacetylene Cutting – An Oxygen cutting process in which the necessary cutting temperature is maintained by flames obtained from the combustion of acetylene with oxygen.

Oxyacetylene Welding – A welding process in which the required temperature is attained by flames obtained from the combustion of acetylene with oxygen.

Oxy-Arc Cutting – An Oxygen cutting process in which the necessary cutting temperature is maintained through an arc between an electrode and the base metal.

Oxy-City Gas Cutting – An oxygen cutting process in which the necessary cutting temperature is maintained by flames obtained from the combustion of city gas with oxygen.

Oxygen Cutting – A process of cutting ferrous metals by means of the chemical action of oxygen on elements in the base metal at elevated temperatures.

Oxygen Gouging – An application of oxygen cutting in which a chamfer or groove is formed.

Oxy-Hydrogen Cutting – An oxygen cutting process in which the necessary cutting temperature is maintained by flames obtained from the combustion of city gas with oxygen.

Oxy-Hydrogen Welding – A gas welding process in which the required welding temperature is attained by flames obtained from the combustion of hydrogen with oxygen.

Oxy-Natural Gas Cutting – An Oxygen cutting process in which the necessary cutting temperature is maintained by flames obtained by the combustion of natural gas with oxygen.

Oxy-Propane Cutting – An Oxygen cutting process in which the necessary cutting temperature is maintained by flames obtained from the combustion of propane with oxygen.