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Glite Dictionary
🧱 A support beam 🐎 A strong horse
waler

waler

1 9.9
A horizontal metal beam that supports walls and concrete forms during building
  • noun
  • Specialized
: viga
  • The engineers installed a steel waler to reinforce the retaining wall during excavation.

Examples

  • Without a proper waler, the sheet piling could have collapsed under the pressure of the soil.

  • The construction team installed a waler to support the formwork.

  • Each wooden waler was carefully measured to fit the length of the concrete formwork.

  • Several walers are needed for the retaining wall.

  • In construction, the walers are crucial for supporting the framework while pouring concrete.

  • The contractor installed the walers to reinforce the retaining wall against soil pressure.

  • Using sturdy walers helps maintain the integrity of the formwork during the concrete setting process.

Synonyms

stringer
vswaler
  • Specialized
2 8.1

A long narrow piece used to support parts of a plane, boat, or building

is used for reinforcing formwork and retaining walls instead
carline
vswaler
  • Archaic
9.9

A horizontal beam in a roof or on a ship that supports rafters and deck planks

is used to reinforce formwork and retaining walls
stemple
vswaler
  • UK
9.9

A strong post that holds up a roof or wall, for example in a mine

is used only in a horizontal position rather than vertical support

How Strong

girder
  • Specialized
13 5.0
beam
78 2.7
waler
  • Specialized
1 9.9
batten
1 8.8
lath
  • Specialized
2 8.4

Surface Forms

waler singular
walers plural

Morphology

waler = wale (opaque) = wale + er

Although it is formally built on 'wale' plus '-er', the specialized construction meaning is not readily guessable from that base.

Etymology

The word waler for a construction beam comes from the simple word wale meaning 'a plank or ridge' with -er added as a thing that acts, a helpful way to remember the idea. So a waler is a horizontal board that supports and holds formwork in place.