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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Unknown earth technology [ET99]

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It is clear that the structural material is earth construction, but the type of construction is unknown. The structural material may be hidden, such as in the case of a plastered earth wall, or information about it is unavailable.

ET99_India_Rawal_1

It is difficult to identify type of earthen construction when the walls are covered with plaster, like in this example of cob construction in India (People in Centre)

ET99_Chile_Brzev_1

Older low-rise masonry buildings in Chile are of adobe construction (see the exposed portion of the wall); adobe is NOT considered to be an earthen construction (it is a masonry construction technology) (S. Brzev)

ET99_Peru_Brzev_1

Many buildings in Peru are of adobe construction; adobe is NOT considered as earthen construction (it is a masonry construction technology) (S. Brzev)