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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Slope of the ground [HD]

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Category: terms
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The slope of the ground is input where the building is located on a sloping site, where the height of the ground floor above grade varies by more than 1 m. The slope of the building is measured across the length of the building footprint, in the direction where the greatest difference in level is observed. The slope is measured as an angle from horizontal (expressed in degrees), where a flat site would be zero (0) degrees.

For flat sites, where the variation of height of ground floor level above grade is less than 1m, the default value is zero (0) degrees.

The slope of ground can be specified as follows:

HD:a                       (where a denotes slope in degrees)

Example: HD:10 (the slope is 10 degrees)

HD_diagram_-_1

The slope of the ground is calculated from the length of the building footprint (in the direction where the greatest difference in level is observed), and the change in level of grade across this length.

HD_USA_Brzev_1

The slope of ground for these buildings in San Francisco, California is around 12 degrees, that is, HD:12