Evidence-based seismic performance assessment of non-structural components in fixed-base and base-isolated hospital buildings using monitoring data

Bayraktar A., Hökelekli E., Akköse M., Taş Y.

Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10518-026-02400-4
  • Dergi Adı: Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, Geobase, INSPEC
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Base-isolated buildings, Fixed-base buildings, Floor response spectra, Healthcare infrastructure, Hospital buildings, Inter-story drift ratio, Nonstructural component, Seismic performance, Structural health monitoring
  • Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Hospitals are critical facilities that must remain operational during and after earthquakes. However, the seismic vulnerability of non-structural hospital components (NSCs), which often determines post-earthquake functionality, is usually estimated using analytical or code-based demand models rather than quantified using observed earthquake data. This study presents a quantifiable, evidence-based assessment of the real earthquake performance of fixed-base and base-isolated hospital buildings using monitoring data. A representative set of hospital buildings in California was examined, including both isolated and non-isolated configurations with different isolation systems and site conditions. Multi-site strong-motion records were analyzed to evaluate ground- and floor-level accelerations, displacements, inter-story drift ratios (IDRs), fundamental periods and response spectral characteristics over a range of seismic intensities. The measured demands were then directly compared with the established acceleration- and drift-based NSC damage thresholds, as well as the roof-level design response spectra. The results show that fixed-base hospitals often exceed critical NSC thresholds due to significant roof acceleration amplification, high IDRs and substantial high-frequency transmission. In contrast, base-isolated hospitals consistently maintain floor accelerations and IDRs below critical NSC limits, demonstrating effective low-pass filtering and reduced exceedance potential.