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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


Soil is mixed with water and used as mortar for various types of masonry construction. It is characterized by earthen colour, and it can be easily scratched (removed) from the wall using a sharp object (like a key).This type of mortar can be found mostly in adobe construction (e.g. Latin America and Asia), and stone masonry housing construction in remote rural areas where cement and/or lime are either unavailable or too expensive (e.g. south-east Asia). Mud mortar is a low-strength mortar, and it is the weakest of all mortar types.

Mud mortar and adobe blocks (S. Brzev)

Mud mortar and adobe blocks, Peru (S. Brzev)

Mud mortar and fired clay bricks (D. Rai)

Mud mortar and fired clay bricks, India (D. Rai)

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