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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The foundations are 1m deep or more below grade, and they have no lateral capacity. Foundations with no lateral capacity include piles without lateral bracing support.

FOSDN_diagram_-_1

An example of a timber pile deep foundation with no lateral capacity.

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The material that covers the roof. In most cases this is different to the material of the roof system, but in some cases the roof covering will be the same as the roof system. In both cases, both the roof covering and the roof system should be defined where they are known. Where there are multiple covering materials present on the roof(s), choose the covering that covers more of the roof(s) by area than any other covering material.

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Concrete blocks with two or more cells (cavities) comprising more than 30% of the volume, which may be grouted and reinforced.

Concrete blocks hollow 1.JPG

Hollow concrete blocks, Peru (S. Brzev)

Hollow Concrete Blocks 1.JPG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hollow concrete blocks with three cells, Haïti (front) and with two cells, Canada (rear), (S. Brzev)

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Abrupt change in elevational profile, such as in a building with tower and podium that creates a notch effect. A setback exists if the horizontal dimension of the seismic force-resisting system in any story is more than 130% of that in an adjacent story. Note that the Setback irregularity is a special albeit common case of Change in Vertical Structure, and therefore it has its own definition.

SET_diagram_Charleson_1

Simplified examples of typical building shapes that have setbacks (A. Charleson, Seismic Design for Architects, Architectural Press 2008, p154 fig. 9.21).

An example of a building with several setbacks (FEMA 2002)

An example of a building with several setbacks (FEMA 154, 2002)

SET_Canada_Brzev_1

A building with a setback, Vancouver, Canada (S. Brzev)

SET_Florida_USA_Brzev_1

A building with a setback, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA (S. Brzev)

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Any form of shelter or settlement which is illegal, falls outside of government control or regulation, or is not afforded protection by the state.

  1. Steel connections, unknown [SC99]
  2. Mud mortar [MOM]
  3. Reinforced concrete bands [RCB]
  4. 10-19 Units [RES2D]

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