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oq-gem

Glossary for gem taxonomy

Authors: Luke Allen, Andrew Charleson, Svetlana Brzev, and Charles Scawthorn

This online Glossary explains around 400 terms contained in the GEM Building Taxonomy v 2.0 and nearly 700 images.

The terms have been listed in alphabetical and numerical order. Text description of each term is accompanied by illustrations (photos and/or drawings) where possible.

We welcome contributions in the form of photographs or images, illustrating glossary terms. If you have any questions you can also contact us at buildingtaxonomy@globalquakemodel.org


Hollow-stemmed plant. Its stiff tubular stems, sometimes up to 150-200 mm diameter, are used as a building material. It is commonly used as split and woven construction, in the form of trusses and frames. Bamboo construction has been traditionally used in South-East Asia (India), East Asia (China), South Pacific, and to certain extent in Central and South America.

WBB_Japan_BrzevM_1

Bamboo grove in Kyoto, Japan (M. Brzev)

RB_Assam_India_Rawal_1

Bamboo frame construction on stilts found in flood- and earthquake-prone areas such as Assam, India (People in Centre)

WBB_India_Rawal_1

Bamboo frame construction, Assam, India (People in Centre)

WBB_Central America_GUADUABAMBOO_1

Woven bamboo mats are used in low-income housing in Central America (www.guaduabamboo.com/images/low_income_bamboo_housing.jpg)

WBB_Philippines_SLR07_1

Traditional Bahay Kubo homes in Phillipines are built using bamboo (http://slr07.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/bahay-kubo.jpg)

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