Seismic Regions Research Articles

Analysis of the seismicity related to the tidal stress prior to the M w7.8 Kahramanmaras, Türkiye earthquake

Based on the preliminary reference Earth model, we calculated the temporal variation of tidal shear and normal stresses on the focal fault plane of the M w7.8 Kahramanmaras, Türkiye earthquake. For earthquakes (M ≥ 4.0) occurring along and around the East Anatolian fault zone (EAFZ) and the Dead Sea fault zone (DSFZ) between January 2002 and December 2022, we analysed tidal stress-related seismicity from two viewpoints: occurrence time and seismic strain. Seismicity was found to be significantly correlated with semi-diurnal tidal shear stress (TSS) prior to the Kahramanmaras M w7.8 main shock. An area with significant correlation was ∼140 km northeast of the epicentre. For three and more years prior to the Kahramanmaras event, the temporal rate of seismic strain increased during periods of increasing TSS and did not change much during periods of decreasing TSS. From the above results, the increase in TSS may have facilitated the occurrence of earthquakes in the years preceding the Kahramanmaras earthquake. The reason for these tide-triggered earthquakes may be that the seismic region is loaded to a critical state. This observation may shed light on the seismogenic processes that led to the Kahramanmaras earthquake and its precursors.

Site-specific stochastic ground motion model utilizing deterministic physics-informed simulations: A Bayesian approach

Limited availability of recorded ground motions poses a challenge for reliable probabilistic seismic-hazard analysis (PSHA), even in highly seismic regions like the Western United States. Stochastic ground motions are commonly employed to address this challenge. However, the stochastic ground motion models (GMMs) may not consistently generate ground motions compatible with the site hazard due to their calibration using global data, failing to capture site-specific characteristics adequately. In the absence of recorded motions, physics-informed simulations provide a viable alternative but are deterministic with limitations of their own that makes them challenging to support PSHA. This article introduces a Bayesian framework that combines prior knowledge from a stochastic GMM, calibrated with global data, with site-specific data obtained from deterministic physics-informed simulations. The proposed framework utilizes the Rezaeian–Der Kiureghian (2010) model as the stochastic GMM and incorporates site-specific data from the CyberShake 15.12 study. By updating the mean and variance of the predictive relationships, along with the marginal distribution of the model parameters, through Bayesian inference, this framework allows for the simulation of site-specific ground motions consistent with the site characteristics. The statistics of peak ground acceleration distributions, as well as both the median and variability of the elastic response spectra, obtained from the calibrated stochastic GMM, demonstrate consistency with those derived using GMMs based on the Next Generation Attenuation (NGA) database.

Relocation of 3 April 2017 Moiyabana Earthquake in Botswana Using Seismological Data from Local Network of Autonomously Recording Seismographs and International Monitoring System Stations

AbstractOn the 3rd April 2017 a widely felt Moiyabana earthquake shook Botswana and the rest of southern Africa. Previous Moiyabana earthquake locations used mainly teleseismic or regional seismograms; and/or non-seismic methods which include Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), and magnetotelluric (MT). These results did not agree, as evidenced by the depth of the earthquake that ranged from zero to 30 km (i.e. indicating either a man-made event or a natural event); thus motivating us to re-assess the location parameters. Unfiltered seismic waveform data from the recent project of the Network of Autonomously Recording Seismographs (NARS) in Botswana was complimented with stations from the International Monitoring System (IMS) to relocate the event. Relocated parameters are origin time, epicentre, focal depth, and magnitude. Geotool software from the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), and the Regional Seismic Travel Time model (RSTT) were used to process vertical components waveforms from 9 NARS and 32 IMS stations. Geotool results are: earthquake epicentre (22.645 °S: 25.220 °E); origin time of 17:40:16.9 (UTC); hypocentral depth range of 22 to 24 km; body magnitude (mb) and local magnitude (ml) of 6.3 ± 0.6 and 6.0 ± 0.8, respectively. RSTT results are: earthquake epicentre (22.667 °S: 25.257 °E); origin time of 17:40:16.95 (UTC); hypocentral depth of 25 km; and mb of 6.65 ± 0.03. The seismological location parameters from Geotool and RSTT, agree very well within experimental uncertainties with the non-seismic geophysical methods.

Out-of-plane behavior of U-shaped unreinforced masonry structures

The out-of-plane behavior of masonry walls is an important aspect of their response, particularly in seismic regions. While previous studies have examined various geometries and materials, there exists a dearth of research on U-shaped walls, specifically with diverse geometric configurations. Moreover, the influence of axial load on out-of-plane behavior remains largely unexplored, limiting practical applications. This study aims to bridge these gaps by comprehensively investigating the out-of-plane behavior of U-shaped walls, focusing on the quantification of variable parameters encompassing geometry and axial load. A three-dimensional finite element model using the macro-modeling approach is used to analyze the structural response of U-shaped masonry walls under out-of-plane loading. The accuracy of the numerical modeling approach has been validated by available experimental test results to demonstrate the effectiveness of the modeling approach in predicting the out-of-plane behavior of U-shaped masonry structures. Subsequently, a series of parametric studies delves into the impacts of distinct geometrical attributes, including thickness, height, and span size, shedding light on the behavior of these walls across diverse geometric configurations. The results indicate that the capacity of the wall at the connection between out-of-plane and cross walls significantly influences the overall behavior and the failure mode. It was found that axial load substantially increases the strength of walls, in order of 1.5–3 times, and the positive effect of axial load was more significant than the secondary effects in most cases, though the significance of secondary effect drastically increases by increasing the height. It is shown that walls with longer span have much better behavior in the presence of axial load. Based on the results, for each specific geometrical parameter, a linear function can be considered for relation between strength and axial load. These findings can provide useful insights for the design and analysis of U-shaped masonry structures, particularly in seismic regions where out-of-plane behavior is a critical factor in their performance.

Seismic column-to-footing connections reinforced with steel/GFRP bars and GFRP spirals

Hybrid reinforcement is explored for column-to-footing connections in seismic regions constructed with grouted duct connections as an accelerated bridge construction method. Two 38% scale precast concrete column-to-footing specimens were built; the first column was reinforced with hybrid reinforcement using a combination of mild steel and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) longitudinal bars, and the second with all-steel longitudinal bars. Double layers of GFRP spirals were used to provide improved concrete confinement for both columns; GFRP spirals exert higher levels of confining pressure on the column concrete core as deformation increases due to their elastic nature compared to steel spirals that yield. An equation was developed for the cross sectional area and pitch of a GFRP spiral to provide the same confining pressure as a steel spiral. The purpose of the cyclic load tests was to show that the column reinforced with hybrid reinforcement could reduce residual displacements using the elastic nature of GFRP bars. Pull-out tests of GFRP bars inside grouted ducts were carried out to determine the minimum embedment depth to achieve GFRP bar tensile strength. The seismic performance of both specimens was examined under quasi-static cyclic loads. The hybrid column reached a drift ratio of 9.0% drift ratio when a GFRP longitudinal bar fractured in compression; the all-steel column reached a drift ratio of 11.0% when two longitudinal steel bars fractured in tension. The elastic nature of the GFRP longitudinal bars provided substantial self-centering ability and reduced the residual displacement of the hybrid column compared to the all-steel column, thus enhancing its seismic resilience.

Incorporating seismic risk assessment into the determination of the optimal route for gas pipelines

ABSTRACT Earthquake-induced damage to gas pipelines can have severe economic, social, and environmental consequences. To mitigate these risks, one effective way is to carefully design the route of gas pipelines, considering the seismic hazard of the region. This paper proposes a methodology that incorporates seismic risk assessment into the process of designing gas pipeline routes. Conventional gas pipeline design methods consider only minimum distances from faults and fail to account for seismic potential. The methodology is applied to three gas pipeline routing problems in the high seismic region of southern Iran. Seismic risk is evaluated using the HAZUS method, and routing is performed through a GIS-based approach. Results are compared with conventional approaches in terms of length, seismic risks, and damage costs, showing the proposed method’s effectiveness in reducing immediate consequences like leaks and breaks in gas transportation. The proposed method reduces seismic damage by 3 to 68% for routing problems.

Construction of Regional Seismic Section Along Central Part of Iraq and its Geological Importance

A regional seismic section was constructed from fourteen local seismic lines from different surveys crossing the central part of Iraq from west to east. The seismic lines’ surveys were performed during the period 1974–1990. The length of the regional seismic section is 662.5 km. The considered seismic lines are unified to the sea level datum. The quality of seismic lines is relatively poor in the western part of the regional seismic section, but it is of good quality in the central and eastern parts. Seven reflectors were identified along the regional seismic section, corresponding to ages from the Ordovician to the Miocene. The formations are Khabour (Mid-Ordovician), Akkas (Upper Silurian), Kurra Chine (Upper Triassic), Najmah (Upper Jurassic), Mauddud (Mid-Cretaceous), Shiranish (Upper Cretaceous) and Fatha (Lower Fars) (Mid-Miocene). The Two-way times for these seismic reflectors from the west to the east are 1691 – 4000 ms, 750-4000 ms, 0-4000 ms, 208-4000 ms, 206 -3310 ms, 205 -2700 ms, and 216-2500 ms for the seven formations; starting from the oldest formation (Khabour Formation to the youngest one (Fath Formation ), respectively. The top depth values of the considered formations were defined from west to east for each formation (0-4.189) km, (0.456-4.880) km, (0.708-5.936) km, (0.802-8.5) km, (0-8.977) km, (0.5-9) km, and (1.8-9) km from the oldest to the youngest formation, respectively. The horizon generally dips towards the east. Two sedimentary basins were identified, the first in the western part of Iraq within the Paleozoic formation, while the eastern basin was within the Cenozoic and Mesozoic formations. These two basins are separated by an uplift at the central part of the regional seismic section. This uplift region was confirmed by gravity and magnetic high anomaly. Many faults were detected along the regional seismic profile. Most of these faults extend from the deeper to the shallower formations.

Artificial Neural Network-based robust technique for period prediction of Ottoman minarets in Türkiye

Minarets are crucial as symbolic and indispensable elements in mosques across religious communities worldwide. Beyond architectural culture, hazardous conditions have shaped the minaret structural formations in Islamic geography. Among these, masonry minarets built during the Ottoman Empire faced significant vulnerability to lateral forces due to their slender design, brittle materials, and distinctive shapes. After many earthquakes experienced in the 20th and 21st centuries, the collapse of numerous minarets highlights the urgent need to preserve the remaining structures in high seismicity regions of the historical Ottoman lands, moreover, identifying and fortifying the most vulnerable ones takes precedence. This study proposes an innovative approach, departing from previous research that solely focused on the correlation between geometrical and material properties such as height, cross-section area, moment of inertia, Young’s modulus, and material density using approximate formulas to predict the fundamental periods. Instead, it introduces a novel technique based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to predict the first three periods of Ottoman masonry minarets. Accurate measurements from 18 minarets located in Bursa City, Türkiye, were meticulously collected under ambient conditions, serving as the foundation for the neural network's comprehensive output database. The distinct parameters (geometrical and material properties) of these minarets form the input dataset. To mitigate the influence of random measurement noise, an effective averaging scheme was implemented. As a result, the proposed ANN technique demonstrates its robustness and holds great promise for practical applications, as it enables accurate estimation of the desired modal information for both the 18 minarets used to train the networks and the remaining three minarets, achieving high levels of accuracy.

A 3D Spherical ETAS Model: A Case Study in the Alaska-Aleutian Region

Abstract This study proposes a hypocentral version of the spherical epidemic-type aftershock sequence (ETAS) model by incorporating hypocentral depth information into the spherical ETAS model and applies it to earthquake data from the Alaska-Aleutian area. We validate the model using the stochastic reconstruction techniques and illustrate the rationale behind selecting the spatial probability density function. Subsequently, we estimate the 3D spatial variations of the background and offspring seismicity in the study region, revealing that the majority of clusters are located in shallow regions. We also identify an apparent temporal change in the background seismicity caused by artificial effects. Compared with the 3D-ETAS and spherical version of the epidemic-type aftershock sequence (SETAS) models, the new 3D-SETAS model provides a better description of 3D seismicity in high-latitude regions globally.

Flexible Polyurethane Adhesives: Predictive Numerical Model Calibration through Experimental Testing at Elevated Temperature

The thermo-mechanical behavior of polyurethane adhesive joints in wood structures is a crucial aspect that needs to be understood to ensure the durability and safety of timber structures, especially in seismic regions. As mass timber, particularly cross-laminated timber, continues to gain popularity as a building material, it is important to pay special attention to the behavior of connections between the timber elements. The use of flexible polyurethane adhesives presents a promising alternative to conventional mechanical connections in seismic-resistant timber structures. This research highlights the potential of polyurethane-based joints at elevated service temperature, offers a promising alternative to traditional wood joints, and suggests viability for post-fire restoration of wood structures. The response at the interface between wood and polyurethane under flexural stresses is also evaluated, underscoring the broader application possibilities of flexible adhesives in wood construction for mechanical and physical improvements.

Seismic design and performance assessment of a retrofitted building with tuned viscous mass dampers (TVMD)

Vibration control technologies have been widely implemented for the seismic retrofitting of buildings in high seismic regions. Among various vibration control devices, the tuned viscous mass damper (TVMD) has proven effective in mitigating both lateral inter-story drifts and floor accelerations. This paper presents the seismic design and performance assessment of a retrofitted structure located in a highly seismic area. The existing masonry building is being retrofitted into a steel frame-jacketed masonry wall interacting structural system installed with TVMDs. A simplified iterative design process is proposed for the tuning design of TVMDs used in the retrofitted structure, which is based on the fixed-point method. The seismic responses of the buildings are calculated using non-linear dynamic analysis in OpenSees. Applying the FEMA P-58 approach, the seismic performance of the buildings as measured by the repair cost and repair time is evaluated. The findings reveal that the majority of the structural damage is focused within the masonry walls, coupling beams, and non-structural components. Use of TVMDs results in reduced maximum inter-story drifts that when subjected to very rare earthquake (VRE) shaking are up to approximately 40% lower in both transverse and longitudinal directions compared with the uncontrolled structure. Owing to the effective control of seismic damage to both structural and non-structural components, the TVMD-equipped structure achieves a 42% reduction in median repair cost and a 46% reduction in median repair time at VRE compared with the uncontrolled building. The seismic performance assessment results also illustrate the advantages of TVMD control compared with conventional viscous dampers.

Predictive models for assessment of buried pipeline response under seismic landslides in Iran

In seismic regions both in Iran and around the world, subterranean gas pipelines inevitably extend through high-risk areas prone to seismic landslides. The seismic landslide-pipe failure mechanism constitutes a continuum geomechanical challenge influenced by factors such as sliding mass configuration, pipe positioning relative to potential slope failure surfaces, and seismic input characteristics. In this study, response of steel pipeline buried in sand under seismic landslide action is analyzed by finite difference models using an advanced soil constitutive model. The numerical model is first validated based on the shaking table test results and then several dynamic analyses are performed using the selected records of the Iranian ground motions database. The outcomes of the dynamic analysis demonstrate that Arias Intensity (Ia) can be identified as an optimal intensity measure (IM) for predicting the seismic response of a slope-pipe system in terms of maximum pipe deflection, axial strain, and shear stress. Predictive models are then developed based on the optimal IM for estimating the pipe deflection, axial strain, and shear stress subjected to a seismic landslide. These proposed predictive models offer valuable insights for assessing the response of buried pipelines to seismic landslides in Iran within the framework of performance-based earthquake engineering.

Probabilistic location of early instrumental earthquakes based on macroseismic and instrumental data

There are regions of moderate seismicity that have long lacked a dense network of seismic stations due to their sparse population, inaccessibility, and low economic levels. Characterization of earthquakes in such regions is typically limited to the small amount of macroseismic information available and data from only one or two seismic stations. Most often, the location of such earthquakes was based on the use of macroseismic information alone. We propose a method for probabilistic estimation of the location of such earthquakes based on a joint analysis of their macroseismic and instrumental data. The technique is implemented in the ProLoM program (Probabilistic Locator by Macroseismics). In this study, we test the performance of the method on a test earthquake of May 20, 1967 and present the results of the analysis of the earthquakes that occurred in the north of the East European Platform on June 30, 1911 and January 13, 1939.

Multisource remote sensing image fusion processing in plateau seismic region feature information extraction and application analysis – An example of the Menyuan Ms6.9 earthquake on January 8, 2022

Abstract A 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit Menyuan County, Haibei Prefecture, Qinghai Province, at 01:45 PM Beijing time on January 8, 2022 (17:45 PM GMT time on January 7, 2022). To explore the magnitude of the earthquake deformation and the affected area, this work combined optical remote sensing interpretation, interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) coseismic deformation extraction, and field surveys for research and analysis. Relying on the high-resolution Earth observation system of the Qinghai Remote Sensing Center for Natural Resources, high-resolution GF1D, GF2, and TRIPLESAT optical remote sensing images were acquired immediately after the earthquake. The airborne triangulation encryption method was used to carry out orthographic correction, fusion, and mosaic processing of digital orthophoto map (DOM) and digital surface model (DSM) images, and first-hand optical remote sensing images of the disaster areas were obtained. Based on differential InSAR (D-InSAR), small baseline subset InSAR (SBAS-InSAR) and lifting rail fusion methods, the coseismic deformation field and deformation rate of the lifting rail direction were obtained by using Sentinel-1A data processing before and after the earthquake. Combined with optical interpretation, InSAR deformation, and field investigation, the results show that the deformation trend of the line of sight (LOS) images to the north and south of the ascending and descending orbits show an obvious opposite trend. The surface shape variables are −50 to 45 cm and −65 to 72 cm, respectively, and the deformation rate before the earthquake reached 25 cm/year. The deformation field characteristics show that the earthquake was mainly due to thrust, and the coseismic deformation field fractured along the WNW‒ESE direction with a length of approximately 33 km. The areas affected by 10 mm, 20 cm, and 50 cm deformation magnitudes in the whole earthquake area were 975.14, 321.10, and 38.55 km2, respectively. Within 20 km, there were two main affected townships, namely, Sujitan Township and Huangcheng Mongolian Township. Within 50 km, there were four main affected towns and townships, namely, Sujitan Township, Mongolian Township of the Imperial city, Qingshizui town, and Haomen town.

Ensuring Seismic Resistance of Reinforced Concrete Buildings

There are a large number of works on a comprehensive assessment of the seismic resistance of buildings and structures. However, these studies, as a rule, do not take into account the random nature of the seismic impact, which is a pronounced non-stationary random process. An adequate assessment of the seismic resistance of buildings and structures is possible only on the basis of methods that allow taking into account the large variability of seismic impact parameters. The article presents a probabilistic method for calculating multi-storey reinforced concrete buildings designed in seismic regions, taking into account the interaction of a building with a non-linearly deformable foundation. The developed technique makes it possible to provide the required level of seismic resistance for the designed buildings based on the non-collapse criterion. As an ex-ample, the calculation of a multi-storey reinforced concrete building is considered. External seismic action is represented as a non-stationary random process. The external seismic action is considered as a non-stationary random process, which is obtained by multiplying the stationary random process by a deterministic envelope function. The parameters necessary for constructing the envelope and the stationary random process were obtained from the results of processing the available database of intense earthquakes. The stationary random process was generated by the shaping filter method. The impact parameters are based on the results of processing the available database of intense earthquakes. When modeling reinforced concrete structures, a concrete model is used with the function of damage accumulation under cyclic loads, as well as taking into ac-count the degradation of the strength and stiffness of the material during an intense earthquake. Accounting for the interaction of the building with the soil base is implemented using the SSI interface (Soil Structure Interaction). To prevent the influence of waves reflected from the boundaries of a limited ground massif, a PML layer (Perfectly Matched Layer) is used. The calculation was carried out using explicit methods for integrating the equations of motion on a computing cluster using parallel computing technology. The presented technique makes it possible to investigate the nature of the destruction of reinforced concrete structures during intense earthquakes and to identify zones with a deficiency in bearing capacity. The proposed probabilistic approach to modeling seismic impact as an implementation of a non-stationary random process with given parameters, together with taking into account the nonlinear deformation of the reinforced concrete structures of the building and foundation, allows you to control the level of reliability and design buildings with a given seismic resistance.

Regionally adjusted stochastic earthquake ground motion models, associated variabilities and epistemic uncertainties

An optimisation-based calibration technique, using the area metric, is applied to determine the input parameters of a stochastic earthquake-waveform simulation method. The calibration algorithm updates a model prior, specifically an estimate of a region’s seismological (source, path and site) parameters, typically developed using waveform data, or existing models, from a wide range of sources. In the absence of calibration, this can result in overestimates of a target region’s ground motion variability, and in some cases, introduce biases. The proposed method simultaneously attains optimum estimates of median, range and distribution (uncertainty) of these seismological parameters, and resultant ground motions, for a specific target region, through calibration of physically constrained parametric models to local ground motion data. We apply the method to Italy, a region of moderate seismicity, using response spectra recorded in the European Strong Motion (ESM) dataset. As a prior, we utilise independent seismological models developed using strong motion data across a wider European context. The calibration obtains values of each seismological parameter considered (such as, but not limited to, quality factor, geometrical spreading and stress drop), to develop a suite of optimal parameters for locally adjusted stochastic ground motion simulation. We consider both the epistemic and aleatory variability associated with the calibration process. We were able to reduce the area metric (misfit) value by up to 88% for the simulations using updated parameters, compared to the initial prior. This framework for the calibration and updating of seismological models can help achieve robust and transparent regionally adjusted estimates of ground motion, and to consider epistemic uncertainty through correlated parameters.

Evaluation of seismic hazard in the central seismic gap region of Himalaya based on site effects and simulated accelerograms

Evaluation of seismic hazard in the central seismic gap region of Himalaya based on site effects and simulated accelerograms

Experimental investigation of sliding-based isolation system with re-centering functions for seismic protection of masonry structures

A sliding-based isolation system is an efficient strategy to enhance the seismic performance of low-rise brick masonry buildings, a common type of construction across the globe. The previously developed isolation systems lack a proper re-centering mechanism. Therefore, in this study, a low-cost isolation system, termed reinforced cut wall (RCW) with an appropriate re-centering mechanism, is designed and tested experimentally using a shake table, which hasn’t been tested previously. Two unconfined reduced scale (1:3) brick masonry buildings were subjected to frequency-based seismic excitation, and the model's corresponding acceleration and displacement response were captured. Compared to the fixed base model, considerable reductions were observed in the acceleration and displacement response in the case of the isolated model. Similarly, the inter-story drift and floor relative displacement response was also reduced in the isolated model. Furthermore, the rebars used for the re-centering mechanism remained within the linear viscoelastic range. Based on the experimental validation, the proposed low-cost RCW isolator was found to be an efficient isolation strategy for low-rise masonry buildings in high seismic regions.

Implementing Non-Poissonian Forecasts of Distributed Seismicity into the 2022 Aotearoa New Zealand National Seismic Hazard Model

ABSTRACT Seismicity usually exhibits a non-Poisson spatiotemporal distribution and could undergo nonstationary processes. However, the Poisson assumption is still deeply rooted in current probabilistic seismic hazard analysis models, especially when input catalogs must be declustered to obtain a Poisson background rate. In addition, nonstationary behavior and scarce earthquake records in regions of low seismicity can bias hazard estimates that use stationary or spatially precise forecasts. In this work, we implement hazard formulations using forecasts that trade-off spatial precision to account for overdispersion and nonstationarity of seismicity in the form of uniform rate zones (URZs), which describe rate variability using non-Poisson probabilistic distributions of earthquake numbers. The impact of these forecasts in the hazard space is investigated by implementing a negative-binomial formulation in the OpenQuake hazard software suite, which is adopted by the 2022 Aotearoa New Zealand National Seismic Hazard Model. For a 10% exceedance probability of peak ground acceleration (PGA) in 50 yr, forecasts that only reduce the spatial precision, that is, stationary Poisson URZ models, cause up to a twofold increase in hazard for low-seismicity regions compared to spatially precise forecasts. Furthermore, the inclusion of non-Poisson temporal processes in URZ models increases the expected PGA by up to three times in low-seismicity regions, whereas the effect on high-seismicity is minimal (∼5%). The hazard estimates presented here highlight the relevance, as well as the feasibility, of incorporating analytical formulations of seismicity that go beyond the inadequate stationary Poisson description of seismicity.

Preferred Seismic Performance Attainment in Important Buildings

In the aftermath of earthquakes, hospital buildings are expected to remain occupiable to treat the injured. For the purpose, firstly, an appropriate structural system that ensures no or limited structural damage should be provided in such buildings; wall-frames are the recommended structural systems in hospital buildings. Secondly, it is also essential to adequately design wall-frames to help meet the preferred Occupiability seismic performance. The work presented in this paper examines the contributing factors for failure of structural elements in hospital buildings and explores structural configuration and design strategies for mitigating these failures. Nonlinear analyses studies of a typical hospital building in high seismic region in India are carried out to help provide quantitative guidelines for: (a) Structural Plan Density (SPD) of structural walls, and (b) design parameters, for achieving the preferred performance. Displacement-based limit state of structural damage adopted from traditional displacement demand estimation rules is proposed. Lateral stiffness, strength, and ductility are evaluated of study buildings, and efficacy of results obtained from nonlinear static analyses confirmed by performing nonlinear time history analyses in commercial software PERFORM 3D. Results demonstrate inadequacy of moment frame structural system in hospital buildings under strong earthquake shaking, identifies optimum overall SPD of structural walls and relative column-to-beam strength ratio of frame members, required to achieve Occupiability. A minimum 3% SPD of structural walls in Wall – Special Moment Resisting Frame (WSMRF), 4% SPD in Wall – Ordinary moment resisting frame (WOMRF) hospital buildings, and a minimum column-to-beam strength ratio (CBSR) of 2 is required in hospital buildings to attain Occupiability performance.