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
Date of construction can be taken from when the building was completed. If the building consists of structures that vary in age, use the earliest date. If the structure of the building has been upgraded (retrofitted) in a manner that improves its seismic performance, enter the date of the retrofit instead of the date of construction.