Construction Glossary
Decode construction terminology with ease. Your complete guide to understanding structural specifications, engineering terms, and municipal standards used by contractors in Bangalore.
RCC
Reinforced Cement Concrete
Concrete embedded with steel rebar to resist tensile forces. Form structural columns, beams, footings, and slabs.
TMT Steel
Thermo-Mechanically Treated Bars
High-ductility steel bars used in RCC. Fe-500D and Fe-550D denoting improved earthquake resistance and elongation.
BUA
Built-Up Area
The total floor area including carpet area, wall thickness, and balcony area. Construction pricing is quoted per sq.ft of BUA.
Plinth Level
Raised Ground Floor Level
The height at which the ground floor is raised from road level (typically 450-600mm) to prevent rainwater flooding into the house.
SBC
Soil Bearing Capacity
Maximum load per unit area soil can support without settlement. Determines whether isolated, raft, or pile foundation is required.
BOQ
Bill of Quantities
Detailed itemized list of materials, labor, and unit costs prepared by quantity surveyors for fixed-price contracts.
MEP
Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
The three major building service networks integrated inside walls and ceilings. Accounts for ~20-25% of overall construction cost.
PCC
Plain Cement Concrete
Concrete mix without steel reinforcement, laid as a hard leveling base before installing RCC footings or ground floor slabs.
DPC
Damp Proof Course
A continuous horizontal barrier laid at plinth height to prevent ground moisture from rising up wall masonry via capillary action.
FAR / FSI
Floor Area Ratio / Space Index
Ratio of maximum allowable built-up area to plot area specified by BBMP / BDA. Determines total constructible square footage.
OPC / PPC
Ordinary / Pozzolana Cement
OPC 53 grade cement is used for RCC columns and slabs. PPC cement is used for plastering and masonry work for crack prevention.
Curing
Concrete Hydration Process
Maintaining water ponding or wet hessian cloth over fresh concrete for 28 days to achieve full characteristic design strength.