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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


Sun-dried (or air-dried), unfired mud (clay) masonry, where the clay is cast into blocks (and sometimes into bricks) and then laid, as opposed to walls constructed in-place out of earth, as in earth construction (cob or rammed earth). Adobe blocks can be used both in unreinforced and reinforced masonry construction. Several types of reinforcement are available, including wood, bamboo/cane, or fibre reinforcing mesh.

ADO_Peru_N. Tarque_1

Adobe blocks are commonly used for single-family housing in Peru (N. Tarque)

ADO_Cuzco_Peru_Brzev_1

Tw-storey adobe building in Cuzco, Peru (S. Brzev)

ADO_Iran_Bakshi_Ghannad_Yekrangnia_1

Adobe house, Iran (A. Bakshi, M.A.Ghannad, and M. Yekrangnia)

ADO_Tajikistan_Niyazov_1

Adobe construction, Tajikistan (J. Niyazov)

Adobe blocks 1.jpg

Adobe blocks 2.JPG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing of adobe blocks in Peru (left - M. Blondet) and different sizes of adobe blocks (right- S. Brzev)

ADO_Peru_Brzev_2

Adobe blocks of different shapes and sizes, Peru (S. Brzev)

Adobe blocks 3.JPG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A recently constructed adobe wall, Chile (S.Brzev)

ADO_Chile_Brzev_3ADO_Chile_Brzev_2.JPG

 

 Existing adobe buildings built in early 1900s in Chile (left) and a building damaged in the 2010 Maule earthquake (right) (S. Brzev)

ADO_USA_Brzev_1

 

ADO_USA_Brzev_2

 

 

Mission Dolores (built in 1788) is the oldest building in San Francisco, California, USA; the building was constructed using adobe blocks (see photo on the right) (S. Brzev)

ADO_USA_Brzev_3

Exposed adobe walls in a 19th century adobe building in Sonoma, California (S. Brzev)

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