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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Category: terms
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The roof structure is constructed of metal. Note that this refers to the structure, and not any lightweight sheet metal roof covering that might be present.

RME_Canada_Brzev_1

Metal (steel) roof structure consisting of steel beams (rolled steel sections), supporting steel trusses (open web steel joists) and steel roof covering, Canada (S. Brzev)

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Category: terms
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This attribute defines the following two aspects of connections from the roof to the structure of the building:

(a) Connections that enable the roof diaphragm to transfer horizontal shear forces induced by an earthquake or wind to the lateral load-resisting structure of the building and to prevent walls from falling away from the diaphragm.

(b) Connections from the roof to the vertical structure of the building to prevent wind uplift or lift-off.

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Category: terms
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It is clear that the roof structure is made from concrete, but the type of concrete system is unknown. The system may be hidden, or information about it is unavailable.

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Category: terms
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Concrete that has been cast on site in its final location in the structure.

CIP_USA_Charleson_1

Cast-in-place construction (columns), California (A. Charleson)

CIP_Canada_Brzev_3

Cast-in-place concrete beam construction (note reinforcement and formwork), Canada (S. Brzev)

CIP_Canada_Brzev_2CIP_Canada_Brzev_1

Cast-in-place reinforced concrete slab reinforcement installation (left) and the slab supported by the shoring after the concrete has been cast (right), Canada (S. Brzev)

CIP_India_Brzev_1

Cast-in-place concrete construction, India (note formwork for the slab construction) (S. Brzev)

CIP_USA_Scawthorn_1

Cast-in-place reinforced concrete building under construction, California (C. Scawthorn)

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Category: terms
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All types of wood cladding, including wood planks, wood shingles, plywood sheets. Also includes wood construction where it also forms the exterior wall surface, such as solid wood or log construction.

EWW_Canada_BrzevS_1

Wood plank cladding (lower level) and wood shingles (upper level), Canada (S. Brzev)

EWW_Cuba_BrzevS_1

Wood plank siding, Cuba (S. Brzev)

EWW_StMaartens_BrzevS_1

Wood shingles cladding, Saint Martin (Caribbean) (S. Brzev)

EWW_USA_BrzevS_1

Log wood walls, USA (S. Brzev)

EWW_USA_BrzevS_2

EWW_USA_Brzev_3

Wood shingles, California, USA (S. Brzev)

  1. Exterior walls
  2. Sawtooth [RSH6]
  3. Polygonal, solid (e.g. trapezoid, pentagon, hexagon) [PLFP]
  4. Composite cast-in-place reinforced concrete and masonry floor system [FM3]

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