Karst

A geologic setting where cavities are developed in massive limestone beds by solution on flowing water. Also called Carstic limestone.

Kelly Bar

A square or splined shaft which can slide vertically through a square or splined opening in a rotary driving head to turn an auger or drill bit; for a drilling rig which drives from top the Kelly bar may be a smooth cylinder.

Kentledge

Term used for reaction weights for test loading. Also called caisson weights or load-test weights.

Key

A beveled strip of wood or metal placed in the form where future pours occur.

Key Way

A groove left in the concrete by removal of the key, tying the next pour to the first.

Kicker

See Brace.

Kilonewton

S.I. (System International) unit of force equal to 0.2248 kips.

King Kong

Slang term for APE's Model 400 Vibratory Driver/Extractor, also see Super Kong.

King Pile

1. The center pile in a dolphin or cluster of piles usually with the top higher than the adjacent piles to hold lines from a ship.
2. Added support for a precast concrete or steel sheet pile wall.

Kink

Sharp bend in a wire rope that permanently distorts the wires and strands.

Kip

A force unit equal to 1,000 lbs.

Knee Brace

A short diagonal brace used to connect a batter brace or a vertical post in a span to an overhead strut.