Water terms starting with V

35 terms

  1. V-notch weir A weir that is V-shaped, with its apex downward, used to accurately measure small rates of flow.
  2. Vadose Zone The locus of points just above the water table where soil pores may either contain air or water. This is also called the zone of aeration.
  3. Valve A device used to control the flow in a conduit, pipe, or tunnel that permanently obstructs a portion of the waterway.
  4. Vane shear test An in-place shear test in which a rod with thin radial vanes at the end is forced into the soil and the resistance to rotation of the rod is determined.
  5. Variable costs Input costs that change as the nature of the production activity of its circumstances change; for example, as production levels vary.
  6. Varved A sedimentary bed or lamination that is deposited within one year's time.
  7. Vebe time The time for concrete to fully consolidate in a Vebe cylinder.
  8. Vegetative controls Nonpoint source pollution control practices that involve plants (vegetative cover) to reduce erosion and minimize the loss of pollutants.
  9. Vein (vayn) a vessel through which blood passes from various organs or parts back to the heart.
  10. Velocity The rate and direction of change of an object's position. The speed and direction at which something is moving.
  11. Velocity Zones Areas within the floodplain subject to potential high damage from waves. These sometimes appear on flood insurance rate maps.
  12. Venturi A pressure jet that draws in and mixes air.
  13. Vernier A device permitting finer measurement or control than standard markings or adjustments.
  14. Vertical curve The meeting of different gradients in a road or pipe.
  15. Vertical lift gate All rectangular gates set in vertical guides within which the gate moves vertically in its own plane. The hoist is usually on a runway overhead.
  16. Vesicular (vesicles) Containing many small cavities formed by the expansion of a gas bubble or steam when the rock solidifies.
  17. Vibrating screen A screen which is vibrated to separate and move pieces resting on it.
  18. Virgin compression Compression corresponding to stresses greater than the preconsolidation stress.
  19. Virgin compression curve The portion of the compression curve corresponding to virgin compression.
  20. Virgin compression line Straight line approximating the virgin compression curve.
  21. Viscosity The resistance of a fluid to flow. A liquid with a high viscosity rating will resist flow more readily than will a liquid with a low viscosity.
  22. Visitor day Twelve visitor hours which may be aggregated by one or more persons in single or multiple visits.
  23. Visitor use Visitor use of recreation and wilderness resource for inspiration, stimulation, solitude, relaxation, education, pleasure, or satisfaction.
  24. Void Invalid; a void agreement is one for which there is no remedy.
  25. Void ratio The ratio of the volume of void space to the volume of solid particles in a given soil mass.
  26. Volcanic rock Rock that forms from the solidification of molten rock or magma at the earth's surface (extrusive igneous rock).
  27. Volt (V) The unit of measurement of electromotive force. It is equivalent to the force required to produce a current of 1 ampere through a resistance of 1 ohm.
  28. Volt-ampere (VA) A unit of apparent power in an ac circuit containing reactance. It is equal to the potential in volts multiplied by the current in amperes, without taking…
  29. Volt-amperes reactive (VARS) The unit of measure for reactive power.
  30. Voltage (E) Electrical pressure, i.e. the force which causes current to flow through an electrical conductor.
  31. Voltage reduction Any intentional reduction of system voltage by 3 percent or greater for reasons of maintaining the continuity of service of the bulk electric power supply…
  32. Volume of Concrete The total space occupied by concrete forming the dam structure computed between abutments and from the top to the bottom of the dam.
  33. Volume of dam The total space occupied by the materials forming the dam structure computed between abutments and from the top to the bottom of the dam.
  34. Volumetric shrinkage The decrease in volume, expressed as a percentage of the soil mass when dried, of a soil mass when the moisture content is reduced from a given percentage…
  35. Vortex A revolving mass of water (whirlpool) in which the streamlines are concentric circles and in which the total head is the same.