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


Use this attribute if the building does not have a façade that is parallel to a street. Choose any other façade and define Direction X parallel to it. Direction Y will  be perpendicular (orthogonal) to Direction X. This includes buildings that are not located next to a street or their orientation is not parallel to the street. It also applies to any building where information about its direction is unavailable

Direction_3

Unspecified Direction - when street cannot be identified

Direction_4

Unspecified Direction - case of a building with a curved plan shape