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


Granite is a light-colored igneous rock with a random arrangement of minerals grains large enough to be visible with the unaided eye.  Granite is a coarse-grained, light-colored igneous rock composed mainly of feldspars and quartz with minor amounts of mica and amphibole minerals.  This mineral composition usually gives granite a red, pink, gray or white color with light and dark mineral grains scattered throughout the rock.  Granite polishes well and resists weathering and acid rain.  Granite is hard and difficult to shape into regular blocks; for that reason it is mostly used for random rubble or semi-dressed stone masonry construction. Granite is generally resistant to scratching by metal.

SPGR_India_BrzevS_1

SPGR_India_BrzevS_2

Granite is used for wall construction in Maharashtra, India (S. Brzev)

SPGR_Pakistan_Schacher_1

Granite stone boulders prepared for construction, Pakistan (T.Schacher)

SPGR_Peru_BrzevS_1

SPGR_Peru_BrzevS_2

Granite was used for the construction of Inca building complex, Macchu Picchu, Peru (S. Brzev)