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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Hollow-stemmed plant. Its stiff tubular stems, sometimes up to 150-200 mm diameter, are used as a building material. It is commonly used as split and woven construction, in the form of trusses and frames. Bamboo construction has been traditionally used in South-East Asia (India), East Asia (China), South Pacific, and to certain extent in Central and South America.

WBB_Japan_BrzevM_1

Bamboo grove in Kyoto, Japan (M. Brzev)

RB_Assam_India_Rawal_1

Bamboo frame construction on stilts found in flood- and earthquake-prone areas such as Assam, India (People in Centre)

WBB_India_Rawal_1

Bamboo frame construction, Assam, India (People in Centre)

WBB_Central America_GUADUABAMBOO_1

Woven bamboo mats are used in low-income housing in Central America (www.guaduabamboo.com/images/low_income_bamboo_housing.jpg)

WBB_Philippines_SLR07_1

Traditional Bahay Kubo homes in Phillipines are built using bamboo (http://slr07.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/bahay-kubo.jpg)

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Category: terms
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It is unknown whether the structure is designed and constructed to be ductile. The structural components may be hidden, or information about them is unavailable. It is usually not obvious whether a building was designed to perform in a ductile manner, without additional information such as design calculations and construction drawings.

D99_Philippines Manila Scawthorn_1

It is not clear whether this reinforced concrete frame building in Manila, Philippines was designed and constructed to perform in a ductile manner (C. Scawthorn)

D99_Kyrgyzstan_Scawthorn_1

It is not clear whether this building under construction in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan was designed to perform in a ductile manner (C. Scawthorn)

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Category: terms
Hits: 285

The floor structure is constructed of masonry.

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Category: terms
Hits: 309

These systems include earthen domes and vaults.

Earthen masonry domes, Iran (F. Naeim)

Earthen masonry domes, Iran (F. Naeim, World Housing Encyclopedia Report 104)

Collapse of earthen buildings with domed roofs in the 2003 Bam, Iran earthquake (F. Naeim)

Collapse of earthen buildings with domed roofs in the 2003 Bam, Iran earthquake (F. Naeim, World Housing Encyclopedia Report 104)

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Category: terms
Hits: 265

All types of plastic cladding. Includes plastic siding, corrugated plastic sheet.

  1. Composite masonry and concrete roof system [RM3]
  2. Mortar type unknown [MO99]
  3. Earth technology, other [ETO]
  4. Residential, unknown type [RES99]

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