Seismic Vulnerability Evaluation Of Typical Hospital Cabinets By Shake Table Testing

The importance of nonstructural components on seismic risk of civil buildings has been known for several years but it is only in recent time s that earthquake engineers focused on such elements especially with reference to facilities’ contents. Strategic buildings, such as hospitals, require high seismic performance with no - damage to nonstructural components. In the present paper, the most relevant outcomes of recent shake table tests on freestanding hospital c abinets are discussed. Double - and single - window cabinets have been tested with mono - and bi - directional loadings , considering different contents conditions. Incremental testing from a low intensity up to a peak table acceleration equal to 1.20g have been performed. Testing protocol as well as vulnerability assessment have been conducted according to most consolidate d methods. The internal partitions have been also included in the sample mock - up . Testing intensity has been related to component damage as well as to top displacements . Component acceleration amplification factor s and seismic performance have been assesse d. The study revealed the criticalities of the tested specimens, which are used in ordinary hospital facilities and ambulatory room s . The results of the experimental tests represent an effective quantitative means for the seismic assessment of hospital cabinets.