Non Structural Assessment

The nonstructural components are the architectural, mechanical and electrical components and systems that are permanently installed in buildings that are an integral part of a building system including their supports and attachments. Nonstructural components can pose significant life threatening risks during an earthquake. These are due to two principal causes; differential movement of the nonstructural components and lack of component capacity. Additionally, components such as toxic materials can pose major hazards as well.

Purpose of the Nonstructural assessment and risk mitigation is defined as the reduction of the Nonstructural Risk to Injury levels of the means of egress of all the buildings to the accepted levels of life-safety as defined in the Federal Emergency Management Agency document - FEMA. The life safety performance level is primarily intended to prevent nonstructural falling hazards that can directly cause injury. The issue of egress protection is taken care of by rehabilitation of relevant nonstructural components to the life safety performance level. 

Nonstructural Performance is the post-earthquake damage state in which potentially significant and costly damage has occurred to nonstructural components, but they have not become dislodged and fallen, threatening life safety either within or outside the building. Egress routes within the building are not extensively blocked, but may be impaired by lightweight debris. HVAC, plumbing, and fire suppression systems may have been damaged, resulting in local flooding as well as loss of function. While injuries may occur during the earthquake from the failure of nonstructural components, it is expected that, overall, the risk of life-threatening injury is very low. Restoration of the nonstructural components may take extensive effort.

The nonstructural assessment study aims to develop the following;

• Nonstructural upgrade for the safety of the inhabitants,
• Preparation of floor plans indicating the location of the nonstructural deficiencies

In the second phase; the design for the upgrade of the nonstructural elements and the cost estimation is aimed.

• Bills of quantities and cost-estimates for the nonstructural upgrade,
• Development of guidelines for nonstructural upgrade and typical nonstructural rehabilitation drawings