Structural

Pier Foundation

Structural · definition

Isolated columns transferring structural loads to deeper, stable soil or rock. Used for decks, additions, and on poor surface soils.

Source: U.S. DOE Building America Solution Center — Flood-Resistant Pier, Pile, Post, and Column Foundations

  • Point Load

    A concentrated load delivered at one spot (e.g., a post or beam end) that must be carried continuously down to a footing — a key check wh…

  • Pier & Beam

    A foundation of spaced piers carrying beams under the floor, leaving a crawl space. Easier utility access and floor leveling but more pro…

  • Post & Beam

    A structural system of vertical posts carrying horizontal beams, concentrating loads at points (and their footings) rather than along walls.

  • Parging

    A thin cement coat troweled over a foundation or block wall for a finished, more weather-resistant surface.

  • Post-Tensioned Slab

    A slab with tensioned steel cables that resist cracking on expansive soils. Cables must never be cut — a critical caution before any slab…

  • Moment Frame

    A rigid steel or engineered frame that resists lateral load without bracing — used to keep a wide opening (e.g., a removed wall or garage…

  • PSI (Concrete Strength)

    The compressive strength concrete is mixed to (e.g., 3,000–4,000 psi for residential). Specified per application; higher for structural a…

  • LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber)

    A strong engineered beam of glued wood veneers used for headers and beams where solid lumber can't span. Common when opening up a floor p…

Where this term fits in a remodel

The pillar guides set terms like this one in context — what the work involves, what drives its cost, and where it sits in the sequence of a project. Pricing a specific house takes a defined scope and an on-site assessment.

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