Behavior of Nonstructural Components in Recent Earthquakes

Damage to nonstructural components in earthquakes resulted in billions of dollars of losses during 2010. Nonstructural components include architectural components; mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) components; and furniture, fixtures, equipment and contents, the integrity of which is very important to the functionality of buildings after an earthquake. Following the earthquake in Chile in 2010, damage to nonstructural components led to the closure of many facilities, including airports, hospitals, clinics, and industrial facilities. In some cases, it took many months to restore these facilities to full functionality. Post-earthquake reconnaissance in Chile included a detailed study of hospital performance with a focus on the performance of nonstructural components and the impact of nonstructural damage on hospital operations. In Haiti, structural damage was widespread after the 2010 earthquake and largely overshadowed any reports of nonstructural damage, but it is important to note that much of the structural damage was caused by the unintended interaction between rigid nonstructural infill walls and light reinforced concrete frames. The paper also highlights lessons learned for US design practice.