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


Second principal horizontal direction of the building plan. This direction is always perpendicular (orthogonal) to Direction X. It is defined as Perpendicular to Street if Direction X is listed as Parallel to Street. Alternatively, it is defined as Unspecified Direction when Direction X is defined as Unspecified Direction. See the Direction glossary term for an illustrative example.