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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


Wooden shingles are usually split wood, overlapping and fastened to wood battens. Wooden shingles are usually made of cedar, redwood, hardwood etc. Asphalt shingles are small overlapping sheets of asphalt, usually fastened to a plywood sheet substrate. An alternative form is made of glass fiber or polyester fleece impregnated with bituminous material (tar, asphaltic bitumen).

RMT7_USA_Krstic_1RMT7_USA_Krstic_2

Wooden shingle roof covering, USA (S. Krstic)

RMT7_Canada_BrzevS_1

RMT7_Canada_Brzev_2

A roof with asphalt shingle covering, Canada (S. Brzev)

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