Glossary
Pathologies in foundations

Slaughter

Earthwork method for trimming a plot of land

Setting gas pedal

Concrete admixture reduces setting time

Scouring

Two possible definitions:

• earthwork under a foundation to allow underpinning;

• progressive reworking of soil by water circulation.

Sharpenable

Characterizes land likely to be hollowed out by water circulation.

Afnor

Abbreviation for Association française de normalisation

Alluvial

Refers to land with a high proportion of alluvial deposits (generally sand or fines).

Bar

Unit of pressure close to 1 kg/cm² or 10⁶ Newton

Dam

Structure (masonry, reinforced concrete, earth, etc.) retaining water

Cofferdam

Enclosure (sheet pile, diaphragm wall, etc.) to hold back water during construction work