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


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Setback [SET]

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Category: terms
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Abrupt change in elevational profile, such as in a building with tower and podium that creates a notch effect. A setback exists if the horizontal dimension of the seismic force-resisting system in any story is more than 130% of that in an adjacent story. Note that the Setback irregularity is a special albeit common case of Change in Vertical Structure, and therefore it has its own definition.

SET_diagram_Charleson_1

Simplified examples of typical building shapes that have setbacks (A. Charleson, Seismic Design for Architects, Architectural Press 2008, p154 fig. 9.21).

An example of a building with several setbacks (FEMA 2002)

An example of a building with several setbacks (FEMA 154, 2002)

SET_Canada_Brzev_1

A building with a setback, Vancouver, Canada (S. Brzev)

SET_Florida_USA_Brzev_1

A building with a setback, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA (S. Brzev)