Title

Distribution of Chord Forces in Large Panelized Wood Roof Diaphragms

Author Info

Weichang Pang, Clemson University
Chun Ni, FPInnovations
John Lawson, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Sami Pant, Clemson University

Recommended Citation

Published in World Conference on Timber Engineering Proceedings: Quebec City, Canada, August 10, 2014.

Abstract

Flexible wood roof diaphragms are very common in the United States, both for residential buildings and large-scale commercial buildings. Due to its simplicity, the traditional diaphragm design method is commonly used in diaphragm design, in particular for the design of diaphragms with relatively small dimensions. The traditional diaphragm design method assumes the axial chord forces developed in framing members under in-plane loading are carried only by the perimeter elements. This method has always been thought to be a conservative design method, especially when applied to large diaphragms. In recent years, the engineering community began to question the applicability of the traditional diaphragm design method. A new design approach known as the collective chord design method was proposed to analyze the chord forces for very large flexible roof diaphragms. This method utilizes strain compatibility of a simple beam to estimate the axial forces in multiple chord members. This paper evaluates the applicability of the traditional and collective chord design methods by modeling the behavior of large panelized roof diaphragms numerically.

Disciplines

Architectural Engineering

Copyright

2014 World Conference on Timer Engineering.