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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


Masonry wall construction in which reinforcement is embedded in such a manner that two materials act together in resisting forces. The reinforcement resists tension while the masonry resists compression. Reinforcement can take various forms, such as internal steel or wooden rods or bars grouted into masonry units or laid in horizontal mortar courses. Alternatively, vertical and/or horizontal wood or reinforced concrete posts or bands can be provided to increase the strength of individual building elements like walls and or tie them together. In some cases, textile reinforcing which is plastered over is used to reinforce masonry walls.

Masonry, Reinforced - construction

MR_Canada_Brzev_1

 

 

Reinforced masonry construction using concrete block masonry and steel reinforcement, Canada (left: B. McEwen; right: Anderson and Brzev, 2009)

MR_India_Rai_1

Wood-reinforced brick masonry known as Dhaji Dhewari in Kashmir, India (S. Brzev)

MR_Peru_N. Tarque_1

Adobe walls reinforced with a polymer mesh (geogrid) attached to the walls by plastic or nylon strings, Peru (N. Tarque)

Masonry-reinforced-adobe-Peru

Detail of an adobe wall reinforced with polymer mesh, Peru (A. Charleson)

Masonry-reinforced-NZ

 

 

Reinforced concrete block masonry, New Zealand - note vertical reinforcing bars placed in hollow cores (A. Charleson)

MR_Chile_Brzev_1

Reinforced clay block masonry, Chile (S. Brzev)

MR_Chile_WHE5

Typical reinforcement arrangement, Chile (Moroni, Gomez, and Astroza, World Housing Encyclopedia Report 5)

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