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


The shape of the building footprint is approximately triangular in shape, or a tapered wedge shape.

PLFD_Vancouver_Canada_googleearth_1

A building with triangular plan shape, Hotel Europe, Vancouver, Canada (Left: S. Brzev; Right: map data ©2013 Google, Province of British Columbia, DigitalGlobe, IMTCAN)

PLFD_San Francisco_USA_Googleearth_1

A building with triangular plan shape, San Francisco, California, USA (Map data ©2013 Google, SIO, NOAA, U.S. Navy, NGA, GEBCO, Image Landsat)