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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It is clear that the structure is steel, but the type of steel connections is unknown. The connections are not visible or there is insufficient information to determine their type.

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Soil is mixed with water and used as mortar for various types of masonry construction. It is characterized by earthen colour, and it can be easily scratched (removed) from the wall using a sharp object (like a key).This type of mortar can be found mostly in adobe construction (e.g. Latin America and Asia), and stone masonry housing construction in remote rural areas where cement and/or lime are either unavailable or too expensive (e.g. south-east Asia). Mud mortar is a low-strength mortar, and it is the weakest of all mortar types.

Mud mortar and adobe blocks (S. Brzev)

Mud mortar and adobe blocks, Peru (S. Brzev)

Mud mortar and fired clay bricks (D. Rai)

Mud mortar and fired clay bricks, India (D. Rai)

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There are horizontal bands of reinforced concrete within a masonry wall. Usually at plinth, lintel or roof level.

Stone masonry buildings with reinforced concrete bands at the lintel level, India (S. Brzev)

Stone masonry buildings with reinforced concrete bands at the lintel level, India (S. Brzev)

Stone masonry bulding with a reinforced concrete band at lintel level, Nepal (M. Schildkamp)

Stone masonry bulding with a reinforced concrete band at lintel level, Nepal (M. Schildkamp)

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Apartments, condominiums, townhouses of 10-19 units. Residential units are structurally connected.

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A Vertical Irregularity, not defined as any of the other Vertical Irregularity definitions in this table, that is likely to adversely affect the earthquake performance of the building.

Examples include weight (mass) irregularity where the weight of one floor is greater than 150% of an adjacent floor, and in-plane discontinuity where an in plane-offset of a vertical lateral load-resisting system causes greater overturning demands on the supporting structure. An example is where, say a braced frame at ground level consists of two bays, but there are three bays above. Other vertical irregularities include non-concentric column-beam joints.

Weight (mass) irregularity (FEMA 2006)

Weight (mass) irregularity (FEMA 454)

 

In-plane discontinuity (FEMA 2006)

In-plane discontinuity (FEMA 454, 2006)

  1. Unknown material [MAT99]
  2. Cement-based boards for exterior walls [EWCB]
  3. Composite steel roof deck and concrete slab [RME3]
  4. Metal exterior walls [EWME]

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