Calculate Share Explore
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


There are no connections between the floor diaphragm(s) and the walls that are capable of transferring in-plane forces from roof to wall and restraining outward displacements of walls.

FWCN_FEMA 310 4-37

Inadequate wooden floor-to-wall connection (FEMA 310, 1998)

FWCN_-_FEMA172_1

Example of wall-to-floor connections of a wood diaphragm, that may be inadequate (adapted from FEMA 172, 1992)

FWCN_-_FEMA172_2

Example of connections of a composite concrete slab and steel deck diaphragm to a concrete or masonry wall, that may be inadequate (adapted from FEMA 172, 1992)

FWCN_Allen&Brzev_1

Cast-in-place reinforced concrete floor supported by concrete wall. The connection may not be adequate if construction joints are not able to transfer lateral loads across the interface.

FWCN_Canada_AdamsJ_1FWCN_Canada_AdamsJ_2

Floor-wall diaphragm connections between steel trusses (known as Open Web Steel Joists in North America) and masonry walls may be inadequate if support provided by the wall is not adequately designed and/or constructed (J. Adams)

FWCN_Canada_AdamsJ_3

Support for hollow concrete slabs provided by masonry walls may be inadequate (J. Adams)

FWCN_China_Dai_1

Inadequate support for precast concrete hollow floor slabs provided by supporting beams contributed to building collapse in the 2008 Wenchuan, China earthquake (J. Dai)

FWCN_New Zealand_Elwood_1

Out-of-plane wall collapse was reported in some unreinforced masonry buildings due to the 2011 Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake; the building shown on the photo had inadequate floor-wall connections (K. Elwood)

We use cookies

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this site and the user experience (tracking cookies). You can decide for yourself whether you want to allow cookies or not. Please note that if you reject them, you may not be able to use all the functionalities of the site.