Title: Modeling of Building Diaphragms for Nonlinear Response History Analysis

Author(s): Sergio E. Godínez, José I. Restrepo and Mario E. Rodríguez

Publication: Structural Journal

Volume:

Issue:

Appears on pages(s):

Keywords: diaphragm; seismic design; stringer-panel; structural analysis; transfer diaphragm

DOI: 10.14359/51742155

Date: 8/5/2024

Abstract:
The seismic design of building diaphragms is one of the most vexing tasks today. Diaphragms are the structural elements primarily designed to transfer in-plane forces to the lateral force-resisting system. Design challenges increase when modeling diaphragms in nonlinear response history analyses. The main complexity lies in choosing a computationally efficient model and establishing the demands and force distribution throughout the diaphragm. This paper describes two commonly used methods and compares the results in the design forces. A reinforced concrete core wall building with a flat slab transfer diaphragm is presented as a case study. Diaphragms were modeled with linear shell elements and the stringer-panel model. Differences in the magnitude of the forces are not significant, although visible differences are observed in the presentation of the results. The stringer-panel model shows a clear and unambiguous load path for the in-plane forces, making it an attractive alternative for the analysis of diaphragms.