Ebenung

Ebenung is a term used in German-language technical contexts to denote the act or result of making a surface or terrain even or flat. The word derives from eben, meaning level or flat, with the suffix -ung indicating a process or outcome. The term is most common in construction, engineering, and surveying, but it can appear in other fields where a plane or uniform surface is required.

In construction and civil engineering, Ebenung refers to the process of preparing surfaces or sites to be level before further work such as foundation laying, paving, or installing equipment. Typical methods include planing or milling to remove irregularities, shimming or undercutting higher spots, and compacting soils to reduce unevenness. In woodworking or metalworking, Ebenung describes finishing steps that produce a flat, smooth surface, using tools such as planers, sanders, or grinders.

In terrain and land development, Ebenung covers leveling and grading operations that create a uniform surface for drainage, foundation support, or agricultural use. Grading plans specify the acceptable tolerances for elevation differences and slope to ensure stability and proper runoff.

Ebenung can also be used in a broader, sometimes metaphorical sense to describe standardization or homogenization of processes or data to improve comparability, though this usage is less common.

See also: leveling, flattening, planing, grinding, grading, surveying, finishing.