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

2. 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.

3. Excavate
Remove the top soil at a construction site.

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

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

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

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

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

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