MIL-HDBK-1025/5
GLOSSARY
Accretion. May be either natural or artificial. Natural accretion is the
buildup of land, solely by the action of the forces of nature, on a beach by
deposition of waterborne or airborne material. Artificial accretion is a
similar buildup of land such as that formed by a breakwater, jetty, or groin.
Also Aggradation.
Anchor Pile. A pile or column that is an integral part of waterfront
structure, whose primary function is to keep the structure firmly in place,
having been driven into earth for this purpose.
Ancillary Facilities. Installation or services provided at a harbor site that
complement the harbor's operations, but are not essential to harbor
functioning per se.
Apron. Clear area around perimeter of a dock for access, parking, storage,
and working space.
Armor. An outer layer of large stone or concrete armor units whose function
is to ensure the integrity of an embankment, jetty, or breakwater for
protection against wave action or currents.
Attenuate. To lessen the amplitude (magnitude of the displacement of a wave
from a mean value) of waves or surge.
Auxiliary Power. Means of propelling a craft that is not the primarily
designed means, e.g., an engine-driven propeller on a sailboat.
Bank. The rising ground bordering a river, lake, or sea; of a river or
channel, designated as right or left as it would appear facing downstream.
Basin. Boat. A naturally or artificially enclosed or nearly enclosed harbor
area for small craft.
Bathymetry. The measurement of depths of water in seas, lakes, or oceans;
also information derived for such measurements. Also Hydrography or
Soundings.
Beach. The zone of unconsolidated material that extends landward from the low
water line to the point where there is marked change in material or
physiographic form, or to the line of permanent vegetation. The seaward limit
of a beach, unless otherwise specified, is the MWL.
Beach Erosion. The carrying away of beach materials by wave action, tidal
currents, littoral currents, or wind.
Bearing Boards. The wooden members that transmit the deck loads to the floats
in some floating-pier systems.
Bedding Layers. The first and the lowest layer of gravel or stone that acts
as a bearing layer for larger stones or armor units placed upon it. It also
functions as a filter layer for the material beneath the structure.
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