Berm 615574 215015150 2008-05-26T09:35:29Z Alan Liefting 36352 General clean up., Replaced: [[environment]] → [[environment (biophysical)|environment]] using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]] {{wiktionary}} A '''berm''' is a level space, shelf, or raised barrier separating two areas. Berm is a [[loanword]] from [[Dutch language|Dutch]].<ref name=oed>{{cite book | year=1989 | title=Oxford English Dictionary | publisher=Oxford University Press | location=Oxford, England}}</ref> ==History== In [[mediaeval]] [[military engineer]]ing, a berm (or berme) was a level space between a [[parapet]] or [[defensive wall]] and an adjacent steep-walled [[ditch]] or [[moat]].<ref name=oed/> It was intended to reduce [[soil]] [[pressure]] on the walls of the excavated part to prevent its collapse. It also meant that debris dislodged from fortifications would not fall into (and fill) a ditch or moat. In the [[trench warfare]] of [[World War I]], the name was applied to a similar feature at the lip of a [[trench]], which served mainly as an elbow-rest for [[riflemen]]. ==Modern usage== In modern military engineering, berm has come to mean the earthen or [[sod]] [[wall]] or parapet itself. The term especially refers to a low earthern wall adjacent to a ditch. The [[digging]] of the ditch (often by a [[bulldozer]] or [[combat engineering vehicle]]) can provide the soil from which the berm is constructed. Walls constructed in this manner are an effective obstacle to [[vehicle]]s, including most [[armoured fighting vehicle]]s, but are easily crossed by [[infantry]]. Because of the ease of [[construction]], such walls can be made hundreds or thousands of [[kilometre]]s long. Berms are also used to control [[erosion]] and [[sediment]]ation by reducing the rate of [[surface runoff]]. The berms either reduce the [[velocity]] of the [[water]], or direct water to areas that are not susceptible to erosion, thereby reducing the adverse effects of running water on exposed [[topsoil]]. ==Uses in other applications== * In modern [[highway]] construction, a berm is a [[noise barrier]] constructed of earth, often [[landscaped]], running along a highway to protect adjacent land users from [[noise pollution]]. * In the [[natural building]] movement, berming refers to piling earth against an exterior wall to create [[thermal mass]] or reduce the visible footprint of an [[earth-sheltered home]]. * In [[archeology]], a berm is a narrow space, such as that between banks and ditches. It can also refer to a raised linear bank separating two areas. *In corners on [[Motocross]] tracks. A 30 [[centimetre]] (1 [[Foot (length)|foot]]) high wall of soil around the outside of the corner allows riders to enter faster and exit with a [[slingshot]]-like effect, which results in maintaining higher [[speed]]s. * In [[Pennsylvania]], [[Ohio]], [[Indiana]], and [[West Virginia]]) the word "berm" refers to the [[Shoulder (road)|shoulder]] of a highway. * In some regions a berm refers to a strip of grass that is located between a [[sidewalk]] and the [[curb]] of a [[street]], also known as a [[tree lawn]], "verge", or "parking strip". * In [[BMX|Bicycle Motocross (BMX)]] [[bicycle racing]] and [[mountain biking]] (MTB), a berm refers to a banked turn made from dirt with a relatively tight [[radius]]. * In [[Snowboard Cross]], a berm is a wall of [[snow]] built up in a corner.<ref>[http://expn.go.com/glossary/bmx/index.html EXPN.com BMX Glossary<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> * In [[coastal]] systems, a berm is a raised ridge of [[pebble]]s or [[sand]] found at high [[tide]] or [[storm]] tide marks on a [[beach]]. * In snow removal, a berm or [[windrow]] refers to the linear accumulation of snow cast aside by a [[Snowplow|plow]].<ref>[http://www.saltinstitute.org/snowfighting/glossary.html Glossary of Snow and Ice Control Terms<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> *In [[open-pit mining]], a berm refers to dirt and [[Rock (geology)|rock]] piled alongside a [[haulage road]] or along the edge of a [[dump]] point. Intended as a safety measure, they are commonly required by government organizations to be at least one-half as tall as the wheel of the largest [[mining]] machine on-site.<ref>[http://www.msha.gov/training/surfhaul/slide36.htm Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) - Interactive Training - Surface Powered Haulage Safety<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> <ref>[http://www.msha.gov/techsupp/techexchange/dumppoint/dumppointsafety.pdf Microsoft PowerPoint - DumpPointSafety.ppt [Read-Only&#93;<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> *At some sports stadiums (mainly [[baseball]], in the [[US]]), the berm is a [[grass]] area along the [[fence]] in foul and fair territory where spectators may sit and view games. Grassy berms are mainly found at smaller ballparks, such as for [[spring training]], minor league teams, or [[college baseball]]. Admission prices are typically quite low and help attract fans. One such example is [[Bright House Field]] in [[Clearwater, Florida]], where the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] train and the minor league [[Clearwater Threshers]] play. *[[Disneyland|Disneyland Park]] in [[Anaheim, California]] is surrounded by a berm that was implemented to maintain the illusion of the park being a magical place removed from the real world. In many locations, the [[Disneyland Railroad|train]] that travels around the park rests upon or next to this berm. Some attractions, such as the [[Haunted Mansion]] and [[Pirates of the Caribbean (ride)|Pirates of the Caribbean]], are too large to fit entirely within the park, and thus are partly constructed outside the berm. Also, [[Mickey's Toontown]] was added to the park in 1993, and the lack of space necessitated that it lay almost entirely outside the berm. *Fabric products designed to provide secondary containment against leaks and spills are also known as berms. Placed under or around equipment, it acts as a barrier between [[machinery]] or fueling operations and serves to protect the [[environment (biophysical)|environment]] beneath. One such example is the [[Insta-Berm]]. == See also == * [[Earthworks (engineering)]] * [[Moroccan Wall]] ==References == {{reflist}} [[Category:Dutch loanwords]] [[Category:Archaeological features]] [[Category:Geotechnical engineering]] [[Category:Fortification]] [[Category:Snow removal]] [[da:Berme]] [[de:Berme]] [[et:Berm]] [[eu:Berma]] [[nl:Berm]] [[nds-nl:Baarm]] [[ja:犬走り]] [[uk:Берма]]