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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


A framework of beams and columns in which some bays of frames are infilled with masonry walls that may or may not be mechanically connected to the frame. Due to great stiffness and strength in their planes, infill walls do not allow the beams and columns to bend under horizontal loading, changing the structural performance of the frame. During an earthquake, diagonal compression struts form in the infills so the structure behaves more like a Braced Frame rather than a Moment Frame. Infill walls can be part-height or completely fill the frame.

LFINF_-_Charleson_1

A simplified drawing of an infilled frame structure showing floor slabs supported by beams (adapted from: A. Charleson, Seismic Design for Architects, Architectural Press 2008, p. 64, Fig. 5.2)

LFINF_Allen&Brzev_1

Partial section of an infilled frame structure

Infilled Frame 1.JPG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reinforced concrete frame with brick masonry infill walls, India (A. Charleson)

LFINF_India_Brzev_1

Reinforced concrete frame with brick masonry infills under construction, India (S. Brzev)

LFINF_Indonesia_Bothara_1

Reinforced concrete frame building with concrete block infill walls, Padang, Indonesia (J. Bothara)

LFINF_Nepal_Bothara_1

Reinforced concrete frame building with brick infill walls under construction, Kathmandu, Nepal (J. Bothara)

LFINF_Algeria_Farsi_1

Reinforced concrete frame infilled with stone masonry panels in M'Sila damaged in the 2010 Algeria earthquake (M. Farsi)

LFINF_Algeria_Brzev_1

This reinforced concrete frame building with hollow clay tile infills in Algiers was under construction at the time of the 2003 Boumerdes, Algeria earthquake, and it suffered damage at the first storey level (S. Brzev)

LFINF_Uganda_Lemkuhl_1

Reinforced concrete frame building with hollow clay block infills, Uganda (E. Lemkuhl)

LFINF_Tangier_Morocco_Scawthorn_1

Reinforced concrete frame with masonry infills, Tangier, Morocco (C. Scawthorn)

LFINF_Rabbat_Morocco_Scawthorn_2

Detail of a reinforced concrete frame with hollow clay tile infill, Rabbat, Morocco (C. Scawthorn)

LFINF_Vietnam_Scawthorn_1

Reinforced concrete frame with masonry infills under construction, Vietnam (C. Scawthorn)

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