1. 1 Timber roof split due to strong hurricane winds

2. 2 In health facilities, a connection between structural elements and the roof must be adequate

3. 3 Construction close to the sea shore might result in great losses

4. 4 When there is a lack of symmetry among resisting elements, wind will induce torsional effects

5. 5 Hipped roofs with slope from 20 to 30 degrees interact better with the wind forces

6. 6 Pressure increase due to wind on overhanging roofs

7. 7 Protection effect of hospital building A favorable location of adjacent buildings can decrease the hurricane effects by reducing the wind loads

8. 8 Unfavorable location of buildings adjacent to a hospital A bad location of nearby buildings might induce increase of wind loads

9. 9 Bridge base erosion as a consequence of river flow increase

10. 10 Landslide obstructing highway access

11. 11 Pressure sketch for wind perpendicular to the ridge on a pitched-roof industrial building

12. 12 Pressure sketch for wind parallel to the ridge on a pitched-roof industrial building

13. 13 Flat-slab systems without capitals present little resistance against lateral forces. Their use on hospitals should be avoided

14. 14 Wind load path on pitched-roof buildings

15. 15 Structural steel frame collapsed due to strong winds

16. 16 Hurricane design philosophy for hospitals The hospital structure must be designed and built in such a way that it:  withstands, without any damage, the design hurricane event;  withstands, with minor and easily repaired damage, hurricanes greater than the design event.

17. 17 Vulnerability assessment objectives Available methodologies Available methodologies  Qualitative methods  Quantitative methods To evaluate the likelihood of a structure suffering damage due to the effects of a hurricane, and to characterize the possible damage Objective

18. 18 Qualitative methods Qualitative methods for vulnerability assessments They assess quickly and simply the structural safety conditions of the building, taking into account the following parameters: The age of the building The state of conservation and maintenance The characteristics of the materials used The number of stories The architectural plan

19. 19 Quantitative methods Quantitative methods for vulnerability assessments The goal is to determine the levels of resistance of the structure by means of an analysis similar to that used in new buildings and incorporating nonstructural elements.

20. 20  The goal is to ensure that the health care facility will continue to function after a hurricane, by reinforcing existing components or incorporating additional structural components to improve the levels of strength and stiffness.  The retrofitting measures should not interfere with the operation of the hospital during the process. Structural retrofitting