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


Wooden beams or trusses and joists, supporting light roof covering, e.g. corrugated sheets. Also includes curved roof structures e.g. vaulted roofs.

RW01_New Zealand_ClarkW_1

Timber beams and joists supporting light roofing, New Zealand (W. Clark)

RW1_Cuba_Brzev_1

Wooden roof truss structure, Cuba (S. Brzev)

RW01_USA_Brzev_2

Wooden roof truss, California, USA (S. Brzev)

Wooden truss structure supporting wooden planks and steel sheet roofing, Chile (S. Brzev)

Wooden structure supporting wooden planks and steel sheet roofing, Chile (S. Brzev)

Wooden truss structure supporting light metal roofing, Chile (S. Brzev)

Wooden truss structure supporting light metal roofing, Chile (S. Brzev)

RW01_Indonesia_Bothara_1

Wooden roof structure supporting light metal roofing, Indonesia (J. Bothara)

Wooden beam and joist roof, Peru (S. Brzev)

Wooden beam and joist roof, Peru (S. Brzev)

RW01_Curico_Chile_MoroniM_1

A church with a vaulted wooden roof in Curico, Chile damaged in the 2010 Maule, Chile earthquake (M.O. Moroni)

RW01_Canada_Brzev_1

Curved wooden glulam beams supporting light metal roof covering, Canada (S. Brzev)

RW01_Canada_Brzev_2

RW01_Canada_Brzev_3

A roof structure consisting of steel decking supported by wooden glulam beams, Vancouver, Canada (S. Brzev)