Calling all builders, designers, and trivia buffs - welcome to our Construction Vernacular Quiz: Master Reostra & More! This free construction terminology quiz is designed to test your grasp of structural components, from the elusive reostra to studs, chords, and beyond. Ready to unlock insider building terms trivia and see how well you know your trade lingo? Whether you're on-site, in the drafting room, or exploring building history at home, this vernacular term quiz - your ideal structural components quiz - will challenge you to master every element. If you're eager to sharpen your skills, expand your architecture vocab and dive in now - start the quiz today!
What is a stud in construction?
A horizontal beam spanning between walls
A vertical framing member in wall assembly
A diagonal brace in roof trusses
A masonry block used in foundations
A stud is a vertical framing member used in wall assemblies to support loads from the roof and floors above and to provide a nailing surface for sheathing and finishes. Studs are typically spaced at regular intervals, such as 16 or 24 inches on center, to evenly distribute these loads to the building’s foundation. They are fundamental to light-frame construction in both residential and commercial buildings. For more details, see Wikipedia.
What is a joist?
A horizontal structural member supporting a floor or ceiling
A vertical support post
A diagonal roof support
A decorative molding
Joists are horizontal structural members that support a floor or ceiling and transfer loads to beams or walls. They are typically made of wood, engineered wood, or steel, and are placed in parallel to evenly distribute weight. Proper joist selection and spacing are critical for structural integrity and floor performance. For more info see Wikipedia.
What is a chord on a truss?
The top or bottom member of a truss
The central diagonal member
A small connecting block
A horizontal wall plate
Chords are the main members forming the top and bottom edges of a truss, carrying tension and compression forces. The top chord supports roof loads while the bottom chord often acts as a tie preventing the walls from spreading. Web members connect the chords and help distribute loads. Learn more at Wikipedia.
What is a ledger in construction?
A beam supporting floor joists at an exterior wall
A masonry wall beneath a foundation
A type of scaffold component
A metal connector for rafters
A ledger board is a horizontal member attached to a support structure, such as a building frame, to support the ends of floor or deck joists. It transfers loads back to the main structure and must be securely fastened and properly flashed to prevent water ingress. Ledgers help maintain the level and alignment of floor or deck surfaces. See Wikipedia.
What is a noggin used for in stud walls?
A horizontal brace between studs to prevent twisting
A vertical support for rafters
A foundation anchorage block
A decorative trim piece
Nogging, also known as blocking, involves installing short horizontal members between studs to prevent twisting and improve rigidity of the wall frame. Blocking helps distribute loads and provide backing for fixtures and finishes. It also aids in the installation of services and enhances fire resistance. Read more at Wikipedia.
What is a girt in a metal building?
A horizontal structural member that spans between columns
A diagonal bracing member
A type of roof panel
A foundation anchor
Girts are horizontal structural members in steel-framed buildings that span between columns and provide support for wall cladding. They help distribute wind and other lateral loads to the primary frame. Proper placement and fastening of girts are essential for building envelope performance. For more, see Wikipedia.
What is a rafter?
A sloping beam supporting roof loads
A horizontal member supporting floors
A vertical column in a wall
A decorative window frame component
Rafters are sloping beams in a roof structure that support the roof covering and transfer loads to walls or beams. They run from the ridge board or hip to the wall plate and are typically spaced at regular intervals. Rafters must be sized and spaced based on span, load, and material. More information at Wikipedia.
What is a reostra in timber framing?
A tension tie rod used to resist lateral thrust in joints
A decorative molding on beams
A type of mortise joint
A wooden peg used as a fastener
A reostra is a metal tension tie or rod commonly used in traditional timber framing to resist lateral thrust at joints and keep structural members in tension. It prevents posts or beams from spreading or rotating under load by keeping them in tension. Proper installation requires correct tensioning and alignment. For further details, see Wikipedia.
What is a king post in a truss?
The central vertical post in a triangular truss
A horizontal tie beam
An outer roof overhang support
A masonry support pillar
In a king post truss, the king post is the central vertical member in tension, connecting the apex of the truss to the tie beam. It helps support the mid-span of the tie beam and transfers roof loads efficiently. This simple truss design is often used in small to medium-span roof structures. Read more at Wikipedia.
What is a purlin?
A horizontal beam supporting roof decking, spanning between rafters or trusses
A vertical post supporting floor joists
A diagonal brace in walls
A metal flashing at roof edges
Purlins are horizontal structural members that run parallel to the ridge of a roof and support the roof decking or sheeting. They span between rafters or trusses and are essential for distributing loads and providing lateral support. Common purlin types include C-purlins and Z-purlins in steel construction. Learn more at Wikipedia.
What is a scarf joint in timber framing?
A joint to splice two timbers end-to-end
A diagonal brace connection
A metal connector for roof assemblies
A decorative molding profile
A scarf joint is used to splice two timbers end to end, creating a longer structural member when a single piece of timber isn’t available. It involves cutting complementary angles or steps in each timber end to maximize surface contact and mechanical interlock. Scarf joints can be reinforced with pegs, keys, or plates to increase strength. For more info, see Wikipedia.
When tensioning a reostra in a timber frame, why is it important to monitor the moisture content of the adjacent wood?
Wood shrinkage from moisture loss can significantly alter tie tension and compromise structural alignment
Higher moisture levels accelerate corrosion of the metal tie
Wood moisture aids in bonding between steel and wood surfaces
Moisture monitoring ensures the finish coatings cure properly
As wood dries over time, its moisture content decreases and the wood shrinks, which can reduce the tension in a preloaded reostra and affect structural alignment. Monitoring moisture content during installation helps ensure that the final tension remains within design specifications after the wood stabilizes. Neglecting this factor can lead to loose ties and reduced lateral stability in the frame. For further guidance, see Wikipedia.
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Study Outcomes
Define Reostra -
Understand what a reostra is in the context of building structures and its specific function within a framework.
Identify Structural Components -
Pinpoint common elements like studs, chords and joists when presented with terminology in the quiz.
Apply Accurate Building Terminology -
Use proper construction jargon to describe and discuss various structural components confidently.
Differentiate Similar Terms -
Distinguish between vernacular terms that are often confused to ensure precise communication on the job site.
Evaluate Your Knowledge -
Assess your understanding of construction terminology through targeted questions in the vernacular term quiz.
Enhance Construction Fluency -
Build confidence in speaking and writing about structural components for both DIY projects and professional settings.
Cheat Sheet
Reostra (Principal Roof Beam) -
Reostra refers to the central longitudinal beam at a roof ridge that carries rafter loads to supports, as defined by the American Wood Council®. Engineers size a reostra for a uniformly distributed load using R = wL²/8 (where w is load per unit length and L is span). Mnemonic trick: "Ridge Every Opening Strongly and True" helps you recall its critical role in structural components quizzes.
Stud Spacing and Layout -
Wall studs are vertical framing members spaced typically 16″ or 24″ on center to transfer loads to the foundation, according to the International Code Council®. Standard spacing balances material efficiency with load capacity, ensuring uniform shear resistance in panels. Memory phrase: "16 or 24, studs galore" makes it easy to ace your building terms trivia.
Chords in Trusses -
In roof and floor trusses, chords are the top and bottom members that resist axial tension or compression, while internal webs handle shear (per AISC 360-16). Calculate chord axial stress with σ = P/A, where P is the chord force from structural analysis and A is its cross-sectional area. To remember: "Top chord's in compression, bottom chord's in tension" aids your construction terminology quiz prep.
Load Path Fundamentals -
A clear load path carries dead and live loads from roof to foundation through connected structural components, as taught in university-level structural courses (e.g., MIT OpenCourseWare). Equilibrium principles (ΣF = 0 and ΣM = 0) ensure forces are properly resolved at each joint. Use the "Roof-to-Roots" rhyme to lock in the sequence for any vernacular term quiz.
Joists vs. Beams -
Joists are regularly spaced members (often 2×8 or 2×10) that support floor loads, while beams are primary, larger members carrying reactions from multiple joists (per American Wood Council span tables). Floor live load calculations (e.g., 40 psf live + 10 psf dead) determine maximum joist span from standard charts. Picture "Joist jazzes up floors; beams bring the backbone" to master this structural components quiz point.
