Non-Structural Components in Isolated Medical Facilities During Seismic Demands

Abstract

This paper assesses the impact of damage to non-structural components on the performance of healthcare services in isolated hospitals, based on investigations of facilities during intense earthquakes. The discussion centers on detailed field inspections of three hospitals impacted by the devastating Kahramanmaraş earthquake sequence in Türkiye on February 6, 2023. Whenever possible, interviews were conducted with hospital managers and staff to gain insights into key decisions and potential rehabilitation activities following these earthquakes. This study aims to enhance understanding of the seismic performance of hospitals, improve their resilience, and identify ways to enhance the structural performance of healthcare infrastructure under severe seismic conditions. © 2025 IABSE Congress Ghent 2025: The Essence of Structural Engineering for Society, Proceedings. All rights reserved.