Cales

English translation: Shims

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:Cales
English translation:Shims

09:32 Sep 10, 2013
    The asker opted for community grading. The question was closed on 2013-09-13 18:54:11 based on peer agreement (or, if there were too few peer comments, asker preference.)


French to English translations [PRO]
Tech/Engineering - Construction / Civil Engineering
French term or phrase: Cales
"Cales d'appui du platelage"

Also referred to in the source text as: cales en 3"x3"

This is a technical document about construction of wooden decking. Clearly, "cales" can have several meanings. I am considering "wedges" but wondered if there is a better, technical term in this particular context.
Anna Morvern
France
Local time: 08:02
Shims
Explanation:
http://landscaping.about.com/od/decksandarbors/ss/floating_d...
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/porch/msg081538412655.h...
http://www.deckmagazine.com/codes-and-standards/two-decks--m...
http://www.plumbaseindustrial.co.uk/Harmer Modulock Pedestal...

Shims come in all shapes and sizes

Selected response from:

Miranda Joubioux (X)
Local time: 08:02
Grading comment
This makes sense to me and is reinforced by the fact that "calage" seems to be translated usually by "shimming" in this type of context.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +3Shims
Miranda Joubioux (X)
3 +3support pads
Marie-Helene Dubois
4Blocking / Joist Blocking
DS Trans
4packing (piece)
Tony M


Discussion entries: 10





  

Answers


3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
support pads


Explanation:
From what I can see, these "cales" to support the "platelage" tend to be made of plastic or rubber.
See:
http://www.terrasse-nature.com/PBCPPlayer.asp?ID=297557
(there's quite a good picture where you can see some black round discs. I think these are the "cales")

Here is another picture that shows quite clearly what these "cales" are:
http://www.terrasse-nature.com/cales-pour-terrasses-en-bois....


Now that you know what they look like, look here:

http://www.ecobuild.co.uk/var/uploads/exhibitor/149/la8pdpth...

It says that these are called "support pads" and there seem to be different shapes available but the main feature of these appears to be to suspend the paving or timber to allow drainage, and I could swear that I read somewhere that that was what "cales" were used for.

If you do a search on "decking support pads", you'll see plenty more examples.

I am not 100% sure about this but it seems that this could be the right term.


Marie-Helene Dubois
Spain
Local time: 08:02
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 66

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  kashew: Makes sense too.
1 hr
  -> thanks

agree  Miranda Joubioux (X): This is also a good option
2 hrs
  -> thanks

agree  DS Trans: I think this is the best option.
2 hrs
  -> thanks
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Blocking / Joist Blocking


Explanation:
https://www.google.com/search?q=joist blocking&rlz=1C1CHVV_e...

DS Trans
United States
Local time: 02:02
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  kashew: I think that would translate "entretoise".
1 hr
  -> Thank you.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
Shims


Explanation:
http://landscaping.about.com/od/decksandarbors/ss/floating_d...
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/porch/msg081538412655.h...
http://www.deckmagazine.com/codes-and-standards/two-decks--m...
http://www.plumbaseindustrial.co.uk/Harmer Modulock Pedestal...

Shims come in all shapes and sizes



Miranda Joubioux (X)
Local time: 08:02
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 258
Grading comment
This makes sense to me and is reinforced by the fact that "calage" seems to be translated usually by "shimming" in this type of context.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  GILLES MEUNIER
31 mins
  -> Thanks

agree  kashew
1 hr
  -> Thanks

agree  DS Trans
2 hrs
  -> Thanks
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

10 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
cale
packing (piece)


Explanation:
In the absence of more detail about their shape and/or size, I'd say this would be the safest solution; note that 'packing' itself is uncountable, so if your situation specifically requires a countable noun, you'll need to use 'packing pieces'.

Tony M
France
Local time: 08:02
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 1250
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.


See also:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search