Concrete A structural material made by combining cement, sand, aggregate, and water.

Contraction Joints Joints formed in freshly placed concrete with a jointing tool to prevent cracks from expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature and moisture content.

Excavate Remove the top soil at a construction site.

Pier Foundation A type of foundation that consists of piers resting on a footing, usually below the house.

Pilaster A rectangular column that projects from a basement wall to strengthen it, used for additional girder or beam support.

Reinforcement Bars (rebar) Steel bars used to reinforce concrete.

Slab foundation A floor and foundation system constructed with a concrete slab floor.

Stepped footing A footing that follows the slope on a hilly terrain in a stair-step pattern of horizontal and vertical portion.

Stem Wall A type of foundation wall typically used in a crawl space foundation or slab foundation to support the above- grade walls.