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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Reinforced concrete slabs are supported by columns or load-bearing walls. Flat slabs are supported by columns with capitals and/or drop panels, while flat plates are supported by columns without capitals. This floor system also includes waffle slabs without beams. Slabs or plates can be post-tensioned.

FC1_Canada_Brzev_1

Waffle slab concrete construction, post office building, Canada (S. Brzev)

FC1_USA_Brzev_1

Flat plate concrete construction, parking garage, USA (S. Brzev)

Reinforced concrete flat slab system with capitals, UK (S. Brzev)

Reinforced concrete flat slab system with capitals, UK (S. Brzev)

FC1_Haiti_Irfanoglu_1

FC1_Haiti_Lang_1

Floor slab system consisting of cast-in-place reinforced concrete voided with concrete blocks was observed in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake (top photo - A. Irfanoglu and bottom photo - A. Lang)

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Category: terms
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Two residential units joined together. Can be stacked vertically, or joined horizontally as two semi-detached houses.

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Recording the number of storeys above ground as a range can be used to reflect either the surveyor’s lack of certainty for a single building, or when height ranges are used in regional surveys.

HBET:a,b
where a=upper bound and b= lower bound for the range
Example: HBET:3,1 (height range from 1 to 3 storeys)

HBET_Portugal_Brzev_1

Height of buildings within this block in Lisbon, Portugal ranges from 4 to 5 storeys (S. Brzev)

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Structural steel or timber members are bolted together with steel bolts and nuts.

BOL_Canada_Brzev_1

Bolted connection of three steel members joined at a column, Canada *S. Brzev)

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The footprint of the building when viewed in plan resembles the shape of the letter X.

Note that this also includes crucifom-shaped plans (resembling the "+" sign).

PLFX_Vancouver_Canada_Googleearth_1

A building with X-shaped plan, Vancouver, Canada (Map data ©2013 Google, Province of British Columbia, DigitalGlobe, IMTCAN)

PLFX_Japan_Scawthorn&Googleearth_1

A building with cruciform-shaped plan, Clock Tower Building, Kyoto University, Japan (left: Map data ©2013 Google, ZENRIN; right: C. Scawthorn)

  1. Roof-wall diaphragm connection present [RWCP]
  2. Arena [ASS2]
  3. Earth, reinforced [ER]
  4. Fired clay hollow bricks [CLBRH]

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