deciduous trees
trees which shed leaves annually, as opposed to evergreens
evergreen trees
trees having green leaves throughout the year, as opposed to deciduous
datum
a horizontal plan elevation used as reference for other elevations in surveying and mapping
utility
a public service, such as telephone, was, gas, or electricity
flood plain
the land surrounding a flowing stream over which water spreads when a flood occurs
How is a parcel of land described?
frost line
A max depth at which soil will freeze, below this depth soils will remain above freezing.
Cut and Fill
a method of grading used to create a level area on a sloped site. to cut is to remove soil, to fill is to add soil. ideally, this type of grading should be limited in order to minimize the impact on a naturally occurring site.
What are the 4 main site factors that affect the physical form of a building?
1. Site to Structure - flat or passive site
2. Site to Form Relationships - the line of the site should be considered in relation to the buildings form
3. Vegetation - plants, bushes, and trees on a site create shapes, textures, and mass which have a visual impact on a buildings form
4. Climate - cold climates require compact building forms. Hot climates require open, airy plans that allow for good air circulation. Also, climates with substation snow and rain are likely to incorporate sloped roof surfaces.
Macroclimate
characterized by
Microclimate
Climate is described quantitatively by:
Degree day (dd)
the amount by which the average outdoor temperature at a paticular location is below 65 degrees F for one day
chill factor
fictitious temp assigned to a combination of actual temp and wind velocity which = the same effect as still air
Equinox
cluster
type of residential siting, where a series of housing units are grouped closely together and surrounded by open space
Albedo
Reflectivity measured as the relative permeability of a surface of radient energy flowing in either direction
runoff coefficient
the percentage of total rainfall which is not absorbed in the ground and runs off.
invert
the lowest point of the inside of a drain, pipe, channel or other liquid carrying conduit
coniferous
describing cone-bearing evergreen trees and shrubs, such as pines, spruce, fir, and cedar
drain tile
Clay pipe, usually with open joints, used to convey water away from a footing or to disperse liquid in a septic tank
backfill
earth that is replaced around a foundation or retaining wall after the concrete forms have been removed
transpiration
the process by which water vapor escapes into the atmosphere from plants
water table
