Seismic Response of Medical Beds due to Collision with Adjacent Objects

To ensure hospital operational continuity during and after a strong earthquake, the seismic safety of its nonstructural components is essential. Among these, movable medical equipment is vulnerable to excessive displacement, overturning, and collisions with adjacent objects, which may cause damage to the equipment and result in casualties. This study analyzed the seismic response of medical beds, accounting for collision effects. Time-history analyses using 2D models indicated that collisions with adjacent objects significantly increased both the median and variability of the horizontal responses under earthquakes of intensities below the design level. In addition, collisions modify the dominant behaviors, such as sliding and rocking, and reduce the overturning response. This study demonstrates that locking the wheels of medical beds and increasing clearance distances can mitigate collision-induced acceleration.