Diaphragm Analysis and Design

Presented by:

Tan Nguyen, S.E.

Sr. Associate, Irvine CA

Young Nam, S.E.

Vice President, Irvine CA

October 29, 2008

Updated November 5, 2008

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Learning Objectives

What is a Diaphragm?
Flexible, Rigid and Semi-rigid Definitions
Design Approach
Design Forces
Flexible Diaphragm Design
Sub-diaphragm
Rigid Diaphragm Design
Drag Strut or Collector Design
Re-entrant Corner
Diaphragm shear transfer

What is a
Diaphragm?
(adapted from ASCE 05 Chapter 11)

Diaphragm: roof, floor,

membrane or bracing
that transfers lateral
forces to vertical
resisting elements

What is a
Diaphragm?
(adapted from ASCE 05 Chapter 11)

Diaphragm: roof, floor,

membrane or bracing
that transfers lateral
forces to vertical
resisting elements

What is a
Diaphragm?
(adapted from ASCE 05 Chapter 11)

Diaphragm

Diaphragm boundary:
where shear is
transferred into or out
of the diaphragm

Parallel to load...

What is a
Diaphragm?
(adapted from ASCE 05 Chapter 11)

Diaphragm

Diaphragm boundary:
where shear is
transferred into or out
of the diaphragm

and along chords...

What is a
Diaphragm?
(adapted from ASCE 05 Chapter 11)

Diaphragm

Diaphragm boundary:
where shear is
transferred into or out
of the diaphragm

and other struts

What is a
Diaphragm?
(adapted from ASCE 05 Chapter 11)

Diaphragm
Diaphragm boundary

Diaphragm chord:
boundary element
assumed to provide
axial force to resist
diaphragm moment.

What is a
Diaphragm?
(adapted from ASCE 05 Chapter 11)

Diaphragm
Diaphragm boundary
Diaphragm chord

Drag strut: boundary

element parallel to
applied load that
collects and transfers
diaphragm shear forces
to the vertical lateralforce-resisting
elements.

What is a Concrete Diaphragm?

(adapted from ACI 318-05 section R21.9.1)

Structural element (floor or roof) that:

(a) Supports building elements resisting
horizontal forces.
(b) Transfers lateral forces to building
vertical lateral-force resisting system.
(c) Connects components of building
vertical lateral-force resisting system.

What is a Concrete Diaphragm?

(adapted from ACI 318-05 section 21.9.4)

Structural element (floor or roof)

Concrete diaphragm minimum thickness*:

Slab and composite topping: 2 inches
Topping over precast:
2.5 inches

*for Seismic Design Categories D, E, F

(ACI 318-05 Table R21.2.1, ASCE7-05 14.2.2.5)

What is a Concrete Diaphragm?

(adapted from ACI 318-05 section 21.9.5)

Structural element (floor or roof)
Concrete diaphragm minimum thickness: 2, 2.5 inches

Minimum reinforcement:*
ACI 318-05 section 7.12 - Shrinkage /
temperature reinforcing

*for Seismic Design Categories D, E, F

(ACI 318-05 Table R21.2.1, ASCE7-05 14.2.2.5)

Slab on steel deck, check manufacturers

shear capacity tables for reinforcing used

What is a Concrete Diaphragm?

(adapted from ACI 318-05 section 21.9.7.1)

Structural element (floor or roof)
Concrete diaphragm minimum thickness: 2, 2.5 inches
Minimum reinforcement: shrink / temp reinforcing

Concrete diaphragm shear strength

(Chapter 21 seismic provision):
C.I.P. slab = concrete + rebar strengths
Concrete fill on steel composite deck
treat fill above deck as c.i.p. slab
(engineering judgment)

What is a Concrete Diaphragm?

(adapted from ACI 318-05 section 21.9.7.2)

Structural element (floor or roof)
Concrete diaphragm minimum thickness: 2, 2.5 inches
Minimum reinforcement: shrink / temp reinforcing

Concrete diaphragm shear strength

(Chapter 21 seismic provision):
C.I.P. slab, fill on deck = concrete + rebar strengths

Topping slabs (over precast) = rebar

strength alone (shear friction)

Vn = Acv rt fy
At boundaries, check shear friction
(engineering judgment)

Is It Flexible?
Depends on relative stiffness of diaphragm vs.
vertical elements of lateral system
Flexible if maximum in-plane deflection
under lateral load > 2 x average story drift of
adjoining vertical elements of the lateral
system

Is It Flexible?
Depends on relative stiffness of diaphragm vs.
vertical elements of lateral system
Yes if plywood or bare metal decks (in general)
Plywood + 1.5 max. conc. topping is flexible

Is It Flexible?
Rigid diaphragms:
Concrete or composite (concrete filled
metal deck) slab with span / depth < 3
Distribute forces to vertical systems by
relative stiffness through rigid-body
behavior

Is It Flexible?
Semi-rigid diaphragms:
Any diaphragm modeled as membrane/plate
in computer program
Helpful at vertical system stiffness changes
that show unrealistic force jumps in and
out of diaphragm from rigid approach
Easy now in ETABS

Diaphragm Design Approach

Establish design shears and moments
Separately for load in each direction
Apply design force as distributed load
Find reactions at lateral systems
Differs if flexible, rigid or semi-rigid
Shear diagrams from loads and reactions
Moment diagrams from shear diagrams

Diaphragm Design Approach

Beam Analogy for Moment
M/(0.9*diaphragm depth) = axial T, C forces
Chord members resist gravity M + chord T
Connect chord splices for T
Axial C usually resisted by diaphragm
Not if metal deck buckles or accordions
Shear / length along chord
Connect diaphragm to chord

Diaphragm Design Approach

Drags, Collectors for Shear
Shear / length (at interior members, 2 sides)
Diaphragm check

Cumulative tension T force in drag strut

Drag design
Members resist gravity M + drag T
Ends connect T to vert. systems
Cross diaphragm as good practice
Watch out at shorter length by shear cap
limit

Diaphragm Design Approach

Drags, Collectors for Shear
Watch out at shorter length by shear limit
Can use partial-length drags BUT
Consider arch action for slab span
Consider rebar to tie slab beyond strut
back to rest of slab

Diaphragm Design Approach

Drags, Collectors for Shear
Full slab acts only where full brace or drag
exists

Diaphragm Design Approach

Drags, Collectors for Shear
At short lengths of vertical elements,
diaphragm shear > capacity
even when
count local
bearing and
tension (rebar)
Vu/ft > capacity

Diaphragm Design Approach

Drags, Collectors for Shear
What if provide just enough drag length to
meet capacity?
ok BUT

Vu/ft = capacity

Diaphragm Design Approach

Drags, Collectors for Shear
If drags not full slab width, effective moment
depth is less.
Larger chords,
located
inboard?

Diaphragm Design Approach

Drags, Collectors for Shear
If drags not full slab width, not full slab
engagement.
Check typical
slab rebar is
enough to
hold slab end
onto building

Diaphragm Design Approach

Similar Issues for Central Core Tower
If insufficient capacity at wall faces, extend
drags (rebar or W beam) from core corners

Diaphragm Design Approach

Similar Issues for Central Core Tower

Check drag
plus typical
slab rebar is
enough to
hold slab end
onto building
at each section

Diaphragm Design Approach

Similar Issues for Central Core Tower
Slab wings cantilever from core face

Diaphragm Design Approach

Drags in seismic regions

In Seismic Design Category C to F, amplify

drag force by Wo
(ASCE 7-05, section 12.10.2.1)

Amplified force for drag member, splice and

connection to vertical system
not in vert. system; capacity design there
Exception: need not amplify drag, splice,
connection at light framed shear walls

Diaphragm Design Approach

Sub diaphragm: short local drags from wall
or faade anchors to diaphragm
Check sub diaphragms for diaphragm
shear, tension chord, and drag
Common in plywood roof deck design
Full-width crossties at 25 max o.c.

Diaphragm Design Forces

What lateral force should be applied?
Base shear coefficient times slab mass
(uniform load per similar floor)?

Cs x slab mass ?
NO
Ignores dynamic first-mode or whiplash
effect with height

Diaphragm Design Forces

What lateral force should be applied?
Inertial story force from building static or
dynamic seismic design? ASCE7-05 eq 12.8-12
Fi

wi Hi
n

w H k
i i

i1

Nice try, but NO

Ignores higher-mode acceleration on lower

floors

Diaphragm Design Forces

What lateral force should be applied?
Diaphragm forces by Code? ASCE7-05 eq 12.10-1
n

F.p
i

Fj

j i
n

wi
wj

j i

Yes BUT

Check minimum force

Diaphragm Design Forces

What lateral force should be applied?
Check minimum diaphragm forces ASCE7-05 eq 12.10-1
Wi min =
Wi max =

Minimum may govern at

lower floors

Diaphragm design forces

Example: Diaphragm forces in a 5-story building
Story mass Wi = 100 k
Story height Hi = 14 ft
R = 8 Period T = 0.73 s SS = 1.50 SDS = 1.00
CS = 10.24%
20
18
16
Cs x Mass

14
12

Story shear

10

Diaph. force

Design force

6
4
2
0
1st FL

2nd FL

3rd FL

4th FL

5th FL

Diaphragm design forces

Example: Diaphragm forces in a 5-story building
Story mass Wi = 100 k
Story height Hi = 14 ft
R = 8 Period T = 0.73 s SS = 1.50 SDS = 1.00
CS = 10.24%
High R, lower building
20
18
force F so minimum16
14
formula governs! 1210

Cs x Mass
Story shear
Diaph. force

Design force

6
4
2
0
1st FL

2nd FL

3rd FL

4th FL

5th FL

Diaphragm Design
Case Study

Sample of Diaphragm Design

Elementary School 21 Bldg. 1
3 story steel structure
177 x 82 x 45 ft high
Roof deck 1 HSB 18 ga.
Floors 3 conc on W3 Formlock 18 ga.
EBF with beam/column moment conn.

R = 8 I = 1.25
SS= 1.68

SDS= 1.12

CS = 17.5%

Sample of Diaphragm Design

Sample of Diaphragm Design

Diaphragm force and minimum force > story force
Level

Mass

Story force

Dia. force Scale factor

Roof

681 kips

200 kips

200 kips

1.00

1341 kips

262 kips

376 kips

1.43

1396 kips

136 kips

391 kips

2.87

Total

3418 kips

598 kips

958 kips

1.60

Flexible Diaphragm
Metal Roof Deck

Flexible Diaphragm Roof level

Uniform lateral load
3 supports
Load by trib width
(or 2D model)

Continuity OK
Find shear
Find moment
Max Mu = 844 kft

Flexible Diaphragm Roof level

Diaphragm chord:
Max. Tu =
Mu/(0.9xB) = 13.1 k
W16x31, A = 9.12 in2
Ramsteel gravity
Mu/fMn =0.27
Tu/fTn = 13.1/(0.9FyA) = 0.03
Combined stress:
= 0.27 < 1 OK
Later must check as drag
strut in other direction

Flexible Diaphragm Roof level

Chord connection:
Beam shr Vbu = 6.8 k
Chord tension
Tu = 13.1 k
Connection tension
capacity:
fTn= 123 k > 13.1 k
OK
Later check as drag
strut

Flexible Diaphragm Roof level

Diaphragm shear along Gridline 4:
Vu = 57.1 k ea. side of drag
Vs = 0.7 x Vu = 40 kip service load
Shear stress vs = Vs / B = 556 plf
Deck manual shear capacity = 815 plf > 556 plf
OK also show reqd welds or screws

Flexible Diaphragm Roof level

Drag beam on grid 4:
Assume uniform drag force
Max. tension at grid C/4 (EBF end) Tu = 77 kip
W16x31 A = 9.12 in2
Ramsteel gravity Mu / fMn = 0.15
WoTu / fTn = 2 x 77 / (0.9 x Fy x A) = 0.38
Combined stress
= 0.51 < 1 OK

Flexible Diaphragm Roof level

Drag connection at grid C/4:
Beam shear: Vbu = 4.9 kip
WoTu = 154 kip
Bolted connection tension capacity
fTn= 123 kip < 154 kip NOT GOOD
Full pen weld drag beam to column
Beam flange capacity governs

Rigid Diaphragm
Typical Composite Slab Floor

Rigid Diaphragm Second Floor

Force to Verticals by Rigid Body Action
Do full building 3D equivalent static analysis
Find braced bay shears above and below floor
Find sum of change in force (not diaph design force)
Scale all forces by diaph design / equiv static floor

Rigid Diaphragm Second Floor

More force items
In quake direction,
uniform diaphragm
load and bracing
shears dont balance
eccentric c. mass and
c. stiffness; floor twists
Perpendicular frames
participate
Add fictive load for
equilibrium to simplify,
separate NS and EW
h

6 W ECC
L

Rigid Diaphragm Second Floor

Find shears, moments

Mu max = 2920 ft k
Tu = Mu/(0.9x61) = 53 k
Rebar As reqd =
Tu/(0.9xfy) = 1 in2
2 #7 = 1.2 in2
Mu max

Rigid Diaphragm Second Floor

If use W beam as chord
Grid B/3 Mu = 2920 ft k
Tu = M/(0.9x61) = 53 k
W16x31, A = 9.12 in2
Ramsteel Mu/fMn = 0.75
Tu/fTn = 53/(0.9xFyxA) =
0.13
Combined stress <1 ?
= 0.80 OK
Note:
Count either rebar or W
beam. Share? Study
deformation
compatibility

Mu

Rigid Diaphragm Second Floor

Drag on line 7
Tu = 90 kip
W16x31, A = 9.12 in2
Ramsteel Mu/fMn = 0.52
WoTu/fTn=
2xTu/(0.9xFyxA) = 0.44
Combined stress:
= 0.90 <1
OK
but what about
connection?

Rigid Diaphragm Second Floor

Drag connection at C/7
Beam Vbu = 21 k
WoTu = 180 k
Bolt cap fTn = 164 k NG
Go W16 to W21x44 ?
Connect w/ 7-1f A490
bolts
Connection tension
capacity:
fTn = 203 kip > 180 kip
OK

Rigid Diaphragm Second Floor

Slab to drag connection
Ru = 157 k at Line 7
ru = Ru/B = 1.84 k / ft
AISC 13-3 shear/stud
3/4 f x 4.5 long,
fc=3000, LW conc.
Qn= 17.7 k per stud
Add studs to those for
composite action

Rigid Diaphragm Second Floor

Slab strength along 7
Vu = 107 k (L of drag)
vu = 107 / B = 1.25 k/ft
Capacity:

3 LW, min. reinf.

Acv = 3.25 x 12 = 39 in2
rt = As / Acv = 0.0018
fVn = 5.46 k/ft > 1.25
OK See also mfr info
For CA school DSA
allows only 80% cap.

Diaphragm Re-entrant Corner

Diaphragm Re-entrant Corner

Note: See ASCE 7-05 Table 12.3-1 for

Horizontal Structural Irregularities

Diaphragm Re-entrant Corner

Designing drags/chords through corner
Extend drag/chord full extent of diaphragm
Proportion diaphragm force by area
Force/ft along drag
will vary

Shear Transfer
(Offset of Vertical Systems)

Shear transfer : Parking slab / SW

School # 21 Bldg. 3
Steel EBFs above c.i.p.
parking structure
Slab over parking transfers
EBF base shear to shear
walls and foundation
Shear loads offset through
slab to be amplified by
rho: r 1.3 for slab check
Other loads not amplified
for slab check
Wo on all forces for drags
and drag connections, r 1

Shear transfers
through slab

Shear transfer : Parking slab / SW

Lateral loads:
Shear forces at EBFs
Seismic soil active
pressure
Slab self weight EQ force?
Not in bldg forces. Count
for diaphragm?
Reactions:
Passive soil pressure
along walls
Shear in walls parallel
to EQ force
Friction at footing

Shear transfer : S.O.G / Found w/ Piles

San Bernardino C C Science Building
3-story steel with BRBs
Foundation on piles
Slab on grade as diaphragm to transfer the base
shear from the braced frames to the piles.

Shear transfer : S.O.G / Found w/ Piles

Lateral loads:
Shear forces at braced
frames
Lateral Force from
S.O.G. weight? Exclude
if dont count slab
friction
Reactions:
Passive soil pressure
on PC & GBs
Piles shear capacity
Soil / S.O.G friction (?)

Confusing Factors in ASCE7-05

125% irregularity factor
Sect. 12.3.3.4
Rho (r) redundancy factor
Sect. 12.3.4.2
Wo overstrength factor in special load
combinations
Sect. 12.4.3.1
Seismic Design Category affects rules
When does which apply in diaphragm
design?

Design Factors in ASCE7-05

Diaphragm Element

fctr% rho

W0

SDC = A or B
Regular or irregular building
Diaph design force, inertia + transfer 100% 1
Diaph-to-coll force, inertia + transfer 100% 1
Collector, splice, conn. to vert
100% 1

no
no
no

Design Factors in ASCE7-05

Diaphragm Element

fctr% rho

W0

SDC = C
Regular or irregular building
Diaph design force, inertia + transfer 100% 1
Diaph-to-coll force, inertia + transfer 100% 1
Collector, splice, conn. to vert
100% 1

no
no
YES

Design Factors in ASCE7-05

Diaphragm Element

fctr% rho

W0

100% 1
100% 1
100% 1

no
no
YES

SDC = D, E, F
Regular building
Diaph design force from inertia
Diaph-to-coll force from inertia
Collector, splice, conn. to vert

Design Factors in ASCE7-05

Diaphragm Element

fctr% rho

W0

SDC = D, E, F
Irregular building
For diaphragm design add together:
Diaph design force from inertia
Diaph design force from transfer

100% 1
100% 1.3

no
no

Design Factors in ASCE7-05

Diaphragm Element

fctr% rho

W0

SDC = D, E, F
Irregular building
For diaphragm-to-collector force add together:
Diaph design force from inertia
Diaph design force from transfer

100% 1
125% 1.3

no
no

For collector, splice, connection to verticals

Diaph force from inertia + transfer

100% 1

YES

Design Factors in ASCE7-05

Diaphragm Element

fctr% rho

W0

100% 1

no

100% 1
125% 1.3

no
no

SDC = D, E, F
Light Frame Exception
Diaphragm, collector, splice
Regular
Diaph force from inertia

Irregular, add together:

Diaph force from inertia
Diaph force from transfer

Conclusions

Determine flexible, rigid or semi-rigid

Diaphragm forces from Code formulas
Flexible - load by trib width or flexible beam
Rigid - load by 3D stiffness and scale up
Chords like beam flanges
Drag struts use overstrength forces
Drag strut extent consider carefully
Drag struts run through re-entrant corners
Shear transfer thru diaph. - amplified forces

Questions?

This concludes The American

Institute of Architects Continuing
Education Systems Program

Thank you
Tan Nguyen, S.E.
Young Nam, S.E.

Thornton Tomasetti
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Irvine, CA 92612
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