Everything You Wanted to Know

About Diaphragms
(But were Afraid to Ask)
May 17, 2017

Copyright © 2017 Steel Joist Institute. All Rights Reserved.

Presented by: Tom Sputo and Mike Antici

 Learning Objectives

• Recent changes in design codes and construction practices have made

diaphragm connection design more complicated and time consuming. This
webinar identifies those changes, provides design guidance, reviews
upcoming publications, and introduces new SDI design tools.

• Recognizing appropriate AISI and SDI Standards and literature and

understanding the limits of existing shear tables and evaluation reports.

• Design procedures for uniquely shaped and sloped structures, as well as

design procedures and shear capacities over CF framing.

2
What References are Available?

https://cfsei.memberclicks.net/publications

3
How Are Previous References Used?

SDI Diaphragm
Interaction
Calculator

4
How Are Previous References Used?

5
How are Shear Tables Developed?

Flat roof, Symmetric, Corner

sheets

6
Can It Be This Simple?

Sne = SFx
Sni = SM
Snc = (A2 + B2)1/2
Sn = min ( Sne, Sni, Snc, Snb )

7
Should We Understand Diaphragm Limit States?

8
Do Floor Diaphragms Also Have Limit States?

​𝑆↓𝑛 = ​𝛽​𝑃↓𝑛𝑓 /𝐿 +𝑘𝑏​𝑑↓𝑐 √⁠​𝑓′↓𝑐

9
What’s the Most Critical Limit State? Deck, Fastener, or Support?

10
Are Fastener (Weld) Shear Strengths Fixed?

Are welds defined in contract documents?

Inspection?

11
Are Fastener (Weld) Shear Strengths Fixed?
2013

DDM04
Visible, Effective, or
Average?
12
Are Fastener (Weld) Shear Strengths Fixed?

3.9.2 Arc Spot (Puddle) Welds: Arc spot

(puddle) welds must have a minimum effective
fusion area to supporting members of at least ½
inch (13 mm) in diameter. See figure 5 for details.

13
Are Fastener (Screw) Shear Strengths Fixed?

If support is CF43, 33 ksi = Pnf = 858

14
Are Fastener (Screw) Shear Strengths Fixed?

Pnv
2.7 ​𝑡↓1 𝑑 ​𝐹↓𝑈1

4.2√⁠​𝑡↓2 ↑3 𝑑 ​ 2.7 ​𝑡↓2 𝑑 ​𝐹↓𝑈2

𝐹↓𝑈2

1.0 2.5
t2/ t 1

15
My Supports are Thin Cold-Formed Purlins. Does This Mean Existing Shear
Tables are Useless?

16
Should I Defer to the CF supplier, or
Can S.D.I. Help?

17
 What About Fastener Tension?
Will Fastener Tension Also Change my Shear Tables?
( What is Pnft? )

% 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓+% 𝑻𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏≤𝟏.𝟎

​(​𝑃↓𝑛𝑓𝑡 /​𝑃↓𝑛𝑓 )↑1.5 +​(​Ω↓𝑡 𝑇/​𝑃↓𝑛𝑡 )↑1.5 =1.0 ​(​𝑃↓𝑛𝑓𝑡 /​𝑃↓𝑛𝑓 )↑1.5 +​(​𝑇 /​Φ↓𝑡 ​𝑃↓𝑛𝑡 )↑1.5 =1.0

​P↓nft /​​Ω↓𝑑 P↓nf +​T/​T↓n =​1.15/Ω ​Φ↓d P

​ ↓nft /​P↓nf +​T/​T↓n =1.15Φ

​Φ↓d P
​ ↓nft /​P↓nf +​0.71T/​T↓n =1.1Φ
​P↓nft /​Ω↓𝑑 ​P↓nf +​0.71T/​T↓n =​1.1/Ω

18
Is Pnft a Direct Substitution for Pnf?

​𝑆↓𝑛𝑒 =(2​𝛼↓1 +​𝑛↓𝑝 ​𝛼↓2 +​𝑛↓𝑒 )​​𝑃↓𝑛𝑓 ⁄𝐿

​𝑆↓𝑛𝑒 =(2​𝛼↓1 +​𝑛↓𝑝 ​𝛼↓2 )​​𝑃↓𝑛𝑓𝑡 ⁄𝐿 + ​𝑛↓𝑒 ​𝑃↓𝑛𝑓 ⁄𝐿

19
My Uplift > My Gravity. Again, Are Existing Shear Tables Useless?

20
Time to Panic?

21
I Want a 5 minute solution for CF and Uplift.
Can S.D.I. Help?

SDI Diaphragm Interaction Calculator

Deck Profile 1.5 x 6 WR Support Fastener #12 screw

Deck Gage 22 Support Fastener Pattern 36/7
Deck Fy, Fu 33, 45 ksi Sidelap Fastener #10 screw
Substrate thickness, t2 CF33 mil (20 gage)
(-) Uplift, ASCE 7-10 50 psf Substrate Fy, Fu 33, 45 ksi
Number of Spans 3
AISI S-310 2016

CF, DDM04 and S310 Diaphragm Tool

Nominal, ASD and LFRD outputs
Tension – Shear Interaction
Calculations Page

22
I Want a 5 minute solution.
Can S.D.I. Help?

P nf = 0.589 kips
P ns = 0.417 kips
Nominal Shear Strength, S n, plf
Sidelaps per Span, ft
Span 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8
1 387 348 314 284 259 238 220 204 191
Uplift = 0

2 471 426 388 357 329 302 280 260 243

DDM04
3 548 498 456 420 389 362 339 316 295
4 616 564 519 480 446 416 390 367 346
5 677 624 577 536 500 467 439 413 390
6 731 678 630 587 550 516 485 458 433
7 778 726 678 635 596 561 529 500 474

23
I Want a 5 minute solution.
Can S.D.I. Help?

Pnft, kips 0.225 0.189 0.154 0.119 0.083 0.048 0.012 -0.023 -0.059
LRFD Interactive Shear Strength, F d Snf, plf
Uplift = 50 x 1.0 = 50 psf

Sidelaps per Span, ft

Span 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8
1 159 130 106 86 68 49 18 F F
2 211 177 148 121 94 64 19 F F

LRFD
3 249 210 176 143 109 69 19 F F
4 275 234 195 157 117 72 19 F F
5 294 250 208 166 122 73 20 F F
6 308 261 216 171 125 74 20 F F
7 318 270 223 175 127 75 20 F F

𝜙" F Fasteners Fail in tension. See AISI S310

#$%

𝑃#.% 𝑛 𝑃
Sne 2𝛼 ( + 𝑛+𝛼 , 0𝐿 + 2 #.0𝐿 297 plf

1 𝑃#.%
Sni 2𝐴 𝜆 − 1 + 𝑛7𝛼 7 + ,
2𝑛+ Σ𝑥+, + 4Σ𝑥2, 0𝐿 215 plf
𝑤

𝑁 , 𝐵,
Snc 𝑃#.% = LIMIT 198 plf
𝐿,𝑁 , + 𝐵,

Sn min 𝑆#2, 𝑆#D, 𝑆#E 𝜙 = 159 plf

24
Accessories . . . . Should we open the can?

25
Who Selects Accessories and Can They Transfer Shear?

3.4 Accessory Attachment

A. Structural accessories shall be attached to supporting

structure or deck as required for transfer of forces, but
not to exceed 12” (300mm) on center. Non-structural
accessories shall be attached to supporting structure
or deck as required for serviceability, but not to exceed
24” (600mm) on center.

26
Who Selects Accessories and Can They Transfer Shear?

6” wide 22 gage flat plate. Pns #10 = 417 lbs

Sni = SM = 1005 plf = (Pns)(# screws)(0.5’)

4.8 screws / span (Use 5, not 4)

What did the deck detailer put on the erection

plans?

27
We’ve reviewed codes, shear limit states, potential
problems, and future solutions . . . . . Tom Sputo will
help with defining and applying shear loads before
selecting fasteners and patterns.

Part 2

28
When Checking Interaction, Should I Use . . .

MWFRS
CC
ASCE 7-05
ASCE 7-10
ASCE 7-16

29
When Checking Interaction, Should I Use . . .

This is an interesting question, but the answer is quite simple.

• Roof deck performs 2 functions:

• As Roof SHEATHING, carrying gravity and wind

uplift (or downward) loads

• As a DIAPHRAGM, transferring lateral loads into

the Lateral Force Resisting System

30
When Checking Interaction, Should I Use . . .

And ASCE 7-10 (and 7-16) provide the answer.

• C26.2 DEFINITIONS: COMPONENTS AND

CLADDING:

… Cladding receives wind loads directly. Examples of

components include fasteners, … roof decking …
Components can be part of the MWFRS when they act as
… roof diaphragms, but they may also be loaded as
individual components.

31
When Checking Interaction, Should I Use . . .

And ASCE 7-10 (and 7-16) provide the answer.

• C26.2 DEFINITIONS: MAIN WIND-FORCE

RESISTING SYSTEM (MWFRS)

Can consist of … an assemblage of structural elements

that work together to transfer wind loads acting on the
entire structure to the ground. Structural elements such as
… roof diaphragms are part of the Main Wind-Force
Resisting System (MWFRS) …

32
When Checking Interaction, Should I Use . . .

And ASCE 7-10 (and 7-16) provide the answer.

• ROOF DECK AS SHEATHING
• Roof Dead, Roof Live, and C&C Wind Pressures
(uplift or downward)

• ROOF DECK AS DIAPHRAGM

• Roof Dead, Roof Live, and MWFRS Wind
Pressures (uplift or downward) and MWFRS Wind
Diaphragm Shear

33
Openings. What Changes?

34
Openings. What Changes?

35
Openings. What Changes?

V1 = 16.7(20’)/100’ = 3.3K
V2 = 6.7(40’)/30’/2 = 4.5K
V3 = -10(60’)/100’ = -6K
SFx = 1.8K
SFy = 0

36
How do I handle a roof (or floor) diaphragm with holes?

V x = VA – w(x)

37
How do I handle a roof (or floor) diaphragm with holes?

V L = Vx ()

V R = VL –a(w)

38
How do I handle a roof (or floor) diaphragm with holes?

SH (b) = ​𝐰​𝐚↑𝟐 /𝟐 +(VL-aw)a

SH is the “hole chord” force that must be dragged into the diaphragm

39
How do I handle a roof (or floor) diaphragm with holes?

SH (b) = ​𝐰​𝐚↑𝟐 /𝟐 +(VL-aw)a

Observations:
• Chord force depends on magnitude of “w”
• As “a” approaches zero, chord force approaches zero

40
How about a simple computer solution using frame analysis
software?

It is possible to calculate diaphragm deflections using frame analysis

software that has the ability to calculate shear deflections in addition
to flexural deflections. Most, but not all available educational or
commercial software has this capability.

In order to properly model the diaphragm, a beam is constructed using

the proper shear stiffness, and analyzed under the load case(s).

Program input should use the following values:

I = Infinite (or extremely large value)
E = Infinite (or extremely large value)
G = 11300 ksi (for steel diaphragm)
B = Diaphragm depth (length parallel to direction of loading)
A = Beam element cross sectional area
= (B G') / G

41
How about a simple computer solution using frame analysis
software?

DDM04 – Example 15

G’ = 30 kip/inch

42
How about a simple computer solution using frame analysis
software? DDM04 – Example 15

A = 2 at hole
= 3 away from hole

43
How about a simple computer solution using frame analysis
software?
DDM04 – Example 15

VL VR

Disregarding Hole: Considering Hole:

VL = 30k VR = 30k VL = 28.36k VR = 31.64k
Δc = 0.287” Δd = 0.669” Δc = 0.269” Δd = 0.791”

But because magnitude of “w” does not change, the chord forces at
the hole do not change

44
Sloped Roofs. What Changes?

45
Sloped Roofs. What Changes?

46
Gable Roof. What Changes?

plf = plf

47
Hipped Roofs. What Changes?

48
Hipped Roof. What Changes?

49
Hipped Roof. What Changes?

​√⁠​(61+279)↑2 +​395↑2 /
1.732′
=301 𝑝𝑙𝑓

Σ​𝐹↓𝑥 =0
Σ​𝐹↓𝑦 =1600−1116+𝑇
T=484 𝑙𝑏𝑠

50
Skewed Shear Walls. What Changes?

51
Does Diaphragm Shear Capacity Change for 1-span Conditions?

52
Does Diaphragm Shear Capacity Change for 1-span Conditions?

633# 774# 417# 633#

258#

258#

5’ 5’ 5’

Σ​𝑀↓𝐴 =(633+774)(36")(2) +417(36")(6)+258(24)

(4)−258(12)(4)−​𝑆↓𝑛 (180")=0

​ ↓𝑛 3−𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛=1132#=377 𝑝𝑙𝑓
𝑆
​𝑆↓𝑛 1−𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛=1363#=454 𝑝𝑙𝑓

Σ​𝑀↓𝐴 =(633+417)(36")(2)+258(24)
(2)−258(12)(2)−​𝑆↓𝑛 (60")=0
53
Should I use “Shear-Area” or “Shear-Stiffness” to calculate deflections?

G‘ shear modulus

DS = wL2
8bG’

54
Is Shear Deflection based on Bending or Stiffness?

55
Is Shear Deflection based on Bending or Stiffness?

Bending Energy Method

Method

56
How do I design an unbalanced diaphragm, like a strip mall?
Statics will never fail you!

Force in Side L = P
= P / L (pounds / foot)
Force in Side W = P(e-XL) / L
= P(e-XL) / W L (pounds / foot)
XL = W2 / (L+2W)

The torsion in the diaphragm results in an

opposing force couple in the transverse walls that
must be taken out into the drag struts at those
walls.

57
 How do I design an unbalanced diaphragm, like a strip mall?
Statics will never fail you!

L = 100 feet
W = 30 feet
P = 15,000 pounds
e = 15 feet
XL = 5.62 feet

Force in L = 15,000 pounds

= 150 plf
Force in W = (15,000)(15-5.62)/(100) = 1407 pounds
= 47 plf

NOTE 1: The location of the centroid of the walls is determined by statics, and the
two transverse walls do not have to be of equal length.
NOTE 2: For both wind and seismic loading, the load P is located at the centroid
of the load application.

58
How is Acoustical Deck affected by the holes in the webs?

DDM04 – Example 19 and 22 – WR20 Roof Deck

59
How is Acoustical Deck affected by the holes in the webs?

DDM04 – Example 19 and 22 – WR20 Roof Deck

60
How is Acoustical Deck affected by the holes in the webs?

DDM04 – Example 19 and 22 – WR20 Roof Deck

Observation: Acoustical Deck diaphragms behave

much like unperforated deck diaphragms

61
Do I need reinforcing steel in a floor diaphragm?

Short answer, no … with some explanation needed.

• Testing to develop concrete filled diaphragm design method did not

contain reinforcing (neither welded wire reinforcing or rebar).

• ANSI/SDI C “Standard for Composite Steel Floor Deck-Slabs” permits

the use of either fibers (steel or synthetic) or steel reinforcing for
temperature and shrinkage reinforcement.

• ANSI/SDI NC “Standard for Non-Composite Steel Floor Deck” permits

2 methods.
• Deck as stay in place form, slab designed using ACI 318. ACI
318 will require temperature and shrinkage reinforcing.
• Deck as total structural support, in this case the slab is not
required to be designed by ACI 318, therefore no T&S reinforcing
required.

62
Do I need to have an Evaluation Report for every diaphragm

Short answer, no … with some explanation needed.

• Evaluation reports are useful for evaluation of alternate products IAW

Section 104 of the IBC

• Evaluation reports are NOT REQUIRED for products designed using

IBC provisions or referenced standards within the IBC.

• 2018 IBC will include AISI S310 Diaphragm Standard through IBC
references to AISI S100, SDI-RD, SDI-C, SDI-NC Standards.
• If diaphragm uses fasteners (welds or generic screws) that have
strength and stiffness included in S310, the diaphragm is
designed completely using Standards included in the IBC. No
Report required.
• If diaphragm uses fasteners that are proprietary, then the
strength and stiffness of the fasteners must be determined, and
an Evaluation Report is prudent.

63
 THANK YOU

Questions?
and don’t be afraid to ask

Copyright © 2017 Steel Joist Institute. All Rights Reserved.

64