Seismic damage investigation and analysis of hospital buildings in Ms 6.8 Luding earthquake
On September 5th,2022,an Ms 6.8 earthquake occurred at Luding County,Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,Sichuan Province.This earthquake caused severe disasters on Luding County,Hanyuan County,Shimian County,Kangding City,Yingjing County and other adjacent regions.In order to analyze the effects of the earthquake on local hospital buildings,seismic damage investigation on more than 60 local hospital buildings was conducted.The seismic damage of structural,non-structural components and critical equipment in these hospital buildings are analyzed.The typical characteristics of seismic damage observed in this earthquake are summarized.The investigation results indicate that the wooden and masonry hospital buildings without formal seismic design suffer heavy damage.However,the structural components of hospital buildings with proper seismic design mostly remain undamaged or suffer slight damage.The non-structural components and critical equipment suffer heavy damage,which influenc the post-earthquake normal operation of hospitals.The hospital buildings using seismic isolation technology have excellent seismic performance and can realize the three-level seismic protection of structural,non-structural components and equipment.Based on the seismic damage investigation results,related suggestions were proposed for seismic protection of structural,non-structural components and equipment in hospital buildings.For new hospital buildings located in high seismic fortification intensity areas and key earthquake surveillance and protection areas,seismic isolation and absorption technology can be used to reduce seismic damage.For non-structural components and critical equipment,seismic bracing,reliable anchor and base-isolation technology can be used based on their characteristics to maintain normal functionality after earthquakes.The research results can facilitate the improvement of seismic performance and post-earthquake functionality preservation ability of hospital buildings,and promote the construction and development of resilient urban and rural areas in China.