Table Of ContentEnglisch für Architekten und Bauingenieure –
English for Architects and Civil Engineers
Sharon Heidenreich
Englisch für Architekten und
Bauingenieure – English
for Architects and Civil
Engineers
Ein kompletter Projektablauf auf Englisch
mit Vokabeln, Redewendungen, Übungen
und Praxistipps – All project phases in
English with vocabulary, idiomatic expres-
sions, exercises and practical advice
4., überarbeitete und erweiterte Aufl age
Sharon Heidenreich
Nürnberg, Deutschland
ISBN 978-3-658-03062-9 ISBN 978-3-658-03063-6 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-3-658-03063-6
Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek verzeichnet diese Publikation in der Deutschen Nationalbibliografi e;
detaillierte bibliografi sche Daten sind im Internet über http://dnb.d-nb.de abrufb ar.
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V
Preface
The mobility of architects and building engineers is increasing. This is not due merely to
globalisation brought on by technology, but also the mutual recognition and international
validation of degrees. Throughout Europe, the Bologna Process seeks to introduce common
course modules leading to BA and MA degrees. As a result of the European Credit Transfer
System (ECTS), students are encouraged to travel, and periods spent abroad are credited. This
mobility and diversification has a significant common denominator and that is the English
language. A good knowledge and understanding of English is essential for persons working or
studying abroad.
The aim of this book, which can be used either in class or for self-study, is to give German
students, graduates and professionals an insight into the terminology common to the building
industry and, at the same time, to provide opportunity to practise and consolidate vocabulary
and grammar. The 16 units accompany the reader through all planning phases of a project,
from the brief and feasibility study through to the completion and acceptance of a scheme.
Business skills, such as telephoning, writing emails, letters, etc., are practised throughout the
book. The development of a single-family home, which is planned and realised during the
course of the book, provides a background for dialogues and letter writing. Some of the more
important grammar elements have been included, offering readers the opportunity to refresh
and practise functions appropriate to the phase of construction.
This book does not purport to be a dictionary or a set of rules. It points out major differences
between the UK and Germany, but does not cover all the rules and regulations. The purpose is
to support those wishing to enhance their constructional knowledge with the equivalent
English expressions and vocabulary. All terminology is introduced in an appropriate context,
giving readers a lexical phrase, a short expression in English, rather than single words lacking
context.
Acknowledgements
I am very grateful to all those who have made this book possible. Comments, suggestions and
criticism have provided valuable insights and contributed immensely towards what “English
for Architects and Civil Engineers” is today.
This book would never have been possible without the patience and support of my husband,
Nicholas Heidenreich, with looking after our three children. I would have been lost without his
help at the computer. The many diagrams, which he produced, illustrating different situations
and phases are an incredible asset to the book.
I would like to thank my father, James Hawken, for spending endless hours reading and
checking texts and for the emails with suggestions from across the globe. Susanne Zech, who
contributed towards the book with her drawings, has also been a great help and support.
This fourth edition would never have been possible without all those who purchased the first
three editions. The demand underlines how important a good knowledge of English has
become for students of architecture and civil engineering as well as experienced professionals
in practice. This applies particularly to the specialised vocabulary in the building industry.
VI Preface
Most of the text from the first three editions has been retained, but there are some additions
where a need for greater detail was identified. The second edition brought about two entirely
new chapters, which broadened the scope of the book to include structural design and building
services. A chapter that looks into current issues affecting the building industry signifcantly–
sustainability and energy-efficient building – was added to the third edition. After reorganising
some of the contents in other chapters, this new edition now includes a whole chapter
dedicated to building materials.
I would like to thank those who have contributed towards the development of this fourth
edition, especially my students at the Technische Hochschule Nürnberg and all the other
readers for their comments and suggestions. I look forward to receiving further input.
Nuremberg, April 2014 Sharon Heidenreich
VII
Contents
Abbreviations and Acronyms .................................................................................................. XI
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... XIV
Overview ................................................................................................................................ XV
Link to E-learning module ................................................................................................... XVI
1 Project Basics ......................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Construction industry ....................................................................................................... 1
1.2 People involved ................................................................................................................ 2
1.3 Project organisation .......................................................................................................... 5
1.4 The appointment ............................................................................................................... 7
1.5 The workplace .................................................................................................................. 8
1.6 Vocabulary ..................................................................................................................... 11
2 Preliminary Enquiries ......................................................................................................... 15
2.1 Feasibility ....................................................................................................................... 15
2.2 Site visit .......................................................................................................................... 17
2.3 Plots ................................................................................................................................ 21
2.4 Survey ............................................................................................................................. 24
2.5 Communicating with the client ....................................................................................... 25
2.6 Vocabulary ..................................................................................................................... 27
3 Briefing ................................................................................................................................. 31
3.1 Accepting the brief ......................................................................................................... 31
3.2 Consultants ..................................................................................................................... 33
3.3 Building costs ................................................................................................................. 36
3.4 Vocabulary ..................................................................................................................... 39
4 Preliminary Design .............................................................................................................. 43
4.1 Presentation .................................................................................................................... 43
4.2 Proportions ..................................................................................................................... 44
4.3 Comparisons ................................................................................................................... 46
4.4 Shapes ............................................................................................................................. 48
VIII Contents
4.5 Roofs .............................................................................................................................. 50
4.6 Appearance ..................................................................................................................... 51
4.7 Doors and windows ........................................................................................................ 52
4.8 Circulation ...................................................................................................................... 55
4.9 Vocabulary ..................................................................................................................... 56
5 Structural Design ................................................................................................................. 61
5.1 Structural systems ........................................................................................................... 61
5.2 Statics ............................................................................................................................. 63
5.3 Structural frameworks .................................................................................................... 67
5.4 Foundations .................................................................................................................... 69
5.5 Vocabulary ..................................................................................................................... 70
6 Building materials ............................................................................................................... 75
6.1 Structural materials ......................................................................................................... 75
6.2 Concrete .......................................................................................................................... 78
6.3 Steel ................................................................................................................................ 80
6.4 Timber ............................................................................................................................ 81
6.5 Smart materials ............................................................................................................... 84
6.6 Combining materials ....................................................................................................... 84
6.7 Technical standards ........................................................................................................ 86
6.8 Vocabulary ..................................................................................................................... 87
7 Building Services.................................................................................................................. 91
7.1 Building services engineering ......................................................................................... 91
7.2 Plumbing ......................................................................................................................... 92
7.3 Thermal comfort ............................................................................................................. 94
7.4 Ventilation ...................................................................................................................... 97
7.5 Electricity ....................................................................................................................... 99
7.6 Vocabulary ................................................................................................................... 101
8 Sustainability ...................................................................................................................... 107
8.1 Sustainable building ..................................................................................................... 107
8.2 Energy........................................................................................................................... 108
8.3 Energy-efficient buildings ............................................................................................ 110
8.4 Building services in energy-efficient buildings ............................................................ 112
8.5 Future trends ................................................................................................................. 114
8.6 Vocabulary ................................................................................................................... 117
Contents IX
9 Final Design ....................................................................................................................... 119
9.1 Coordination ................................................................................................................. 119
9.2 Presentation material .................................................................................................... 122
9.3 Presentation language ................................................................................................... 124
9.4 Alterations .................................................................................................................... 127
9.5 Vocabulary ................................................................................................................... 128
10 Planning and Building Permission ................................................................................. 131
10.1 Permission .................................................................................................................. 131
10.2 Planning application ................................................................................................... 133
10.3 Fire safety ................................................................................................................... 136
10.4 Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 138
11 Tender Documentation ................................................................................................... 141
11.1 Procurement procedure ............................................................................................... 141
11.2 Production information ............................................................................................... 142
11.3 Tender documents ...................................................................................................... 144
11.4 Language in tender documents ................................................................................... 147
11.5 Selection of contractors .............................................................................................. 148
11.6 Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 151
12 Tender Action .................................................................................................................. 155
12.1 Tendering .................................................................................................................... 155
12.2 Estimating ................................................................................................................... 156
12.3 Opening of tenders ..................................................................................................... 157
12.4 Negotiations ................................................................................................................ 159
12.5 Building contract ........................................................................................................ 162
12.6 Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 166
13 Pre-Construction Phase .................................................................................................. 169
13.1 Background to building operations ............................................................................. 169
13.2 Time management ...................................................................................................... 172
13.3 Construction programme ............................................................................................ 174
13.4 Site set-up ................................................................................................................... 176
13.5 Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 179
X Contents
14 Construction ..................................................................................................................... 183
14.1 Work progress............................................................................................................. 183
14.2 Site meetings .............................................................................................................. 187
14.3 Variations ................................................................................................................... 188
14.4 Project diary ................................................................................................................ 191
14.5 Ceremonies ................................................................................................................. 191
14.6 Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 192
15 Completion ....................................................................................................................... 197
15.1 Completion stage ........................................................................................................ 197
15.2 Delays ......................................................................................................................... 198
15.3 Acceptance ................................................................................................................. 200
15.4 Payment procedures .................................................................................................... 203
15.5 Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 206
16 Education, registration and more................................................................................... 209
16.1 Education .................................................................................................................... 209
16.2 Finding work .............................................................................................................. 211
16.3 Job application ............................................................................................................ 213
16.4 Practicing as an architect or civil engineer ................................................................. 216
16.5 Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 218
Answer Key ............................................................................................................................ 221
Bibliography ........................................................................................................................... 233
Vocabulary English-German ................................................................................................ 235
Vocabulary German-English ................................................................................................ 257
Description:Das Tätigkeitsfeld des Planers im Baugeschehen wird zunehmend internationaler; somit gewinnt Englisch als Kommunikationssprache weltweit an Bedeutung. Das praxisnahe Buch ist in die einzelnen Planungs- und Ausführungsphasen aufgeteilt und garantiert damit ein schnelles und gezieltes Nachschlagen w
