{"id":{"repo_id":"vt","oai_identifier":"oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/78679"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/vt/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/78679","repository":{"repo_id":"vt","name":"Virginia Tech","base_url":"https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Characterizing the Load-Deformation Behavior of Steel Deck Diaphragms using Past Test Data","abstract":"Recent research has identified that current code level seismic demands used for diaphragm design are considerably lower than demands in real structures during a seismic event. However, historical data has shown that steel deck diaphragms, common to steel framed buildings, perform exceptionally well during earthquake events. A new alternative diaphragm design procedure in ASCE 7-16 increases diaphragm seismic demand to better represent expected demands. The resulting elastic design forces from this method are reduced by a diaphragm design force reduction factor, Rs, to account for the ductility of the diaphragm system. Currently, there exist no provisions for Rs factors for steel deck diaphragms. This research was therefore initiated to understand inelastic steel deck diaphragm behavior and calculate Rs factors. A review of the literature showed that a large number of experimental programs have been performed to obtain the in-plane load-deformation behavior of steel deck diaphragms. To unify review of these diaphragm tests and their relevant results, a database of over 750 tested specimens was created. A subset of 108 specimens with post-peak, inelastic behavior was identified for the characterization of diaphragm behavior and ductility. A new recommended method for predicting shear strength and stiffness for steel deck diaphragms with structural concrete fill is proposed along with an appropriate resistance factor. Diaphragm system level ductility and overstrength are estimated based on subassemblage test results and Rs factors are then calculated based on these parameters. The effects of certain variables such as deck thickness and fastener spacing on diaphragm ductility are explored.","abstract_html":"Recent research has identified that current code level seismic demands used for diaphragm design are considerably lower than demands in real structures during a seismic event. However, historical data has shown that steel deck diaphragms, common to steel framed buildings, perform exceptionally well during earthquake events. A new alternative diaphragm design procedure in ASCE 7-16 increases diaphragm seismic demand to better represent expected demands. The resulting elastic design forces from this method are reduced by a diaphragm design force reduction factor, Rs, to account for the ductility of the diaphragm system. Currently, there exist no provisions for Rs factors for steel deck diaphragms. This research was therefore initiated to understand inelastic steel deck diaphragm behavior and calculate Rs factors. A review of the literature showed that a large number of experimental programs have been performed to obtain the in-plane load-deformation behavior of steel deck diaphragms. To unify review of these diaphragm tests and their relevant results, a database of over 750 tested specimens was created. A subset of 108 specimens with post-peak, inelastic behavior was identified for the characterization of diaphragm behavior and ductility. A new recommended method for predicting shear strength and stiffness for steel deck diaphragms with structural concrete fill is proposed along with an appropriate resistance factor. Diaphragm system level ductility and overstrength are estimated based on subassemblage test results and Rs factors are then calculated based on these parameters. The effects of certain variables such as deck thickness and fastener spacing on diaphragm ductility are explored.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["O'Brien, Patrick Emmet"],"institution":"Virginia Tech","degree_name":"Master of Science","degree_level":"masters","degree_discipline":"Civil Engineering","degree_department":"Civil and Environmental Engineering","school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":["Eatherton, Matthew R.","Easterling, William Samuel"],"committee_members":["Moen, Cristopher D."],"year":2017,"date_issued":"2017-08-07","date_published":"2017-08-07","updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:20:05Z","subjects":["Steel Deck Diaphragms","Steel Deck Diaphragms with Concrete Fill","Diaphragm Design Force Reduction Factors","Diaphragm Ductility","Seismic Design"],"languages":[],"rights":["In Copyright"],"rights_urls":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"identifier_entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.other","label":"Dc Identifier Other","values":["vt_gsexam:12271"],"render_values":[{"text":"vt_gsexam:12271","href":null,"code":true}]}]},"links":{"outbound_url":"http://hdl.handle.net/10919/78679","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.committeechair","label":"Committee Chair","values":["Eatherton, Matthew R.","Easterling, William Samuel"]},{"key":"dc:contributor.committeemember","label":"Committee Member","values":["Moen, Cristopher D."]},{"key":"dc:contributor.department","label":"Department","values":["Civil and Environmental Engineering"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["O'Brien, Patrick Emmet"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2017-08-08T08:00:32Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2017-08-08T08:00:32Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2017-08-07"]},{"key":"dc:publisher","label":"Institution","values":["Virginia Tech"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Civil Engineering"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["masters"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Science"]},{"key":"thesis:institution_name","label":"Thesis Institution Name","values":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Steel Deck Diaphragms","Steel Deck Diaphragms with Concrete Fill","Diaphragm Design Force Reduction Factors","Diaphragm Ductility","Seismic Design"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["In Copyright"]},{"key":"dc:rights.uri","label":"Rights URI","values":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.other","label":"Dc Identifier Other","values":["vt_gsexam:12271"]},{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["http://hdl.handle.net/10919/78679"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Recent research has identified that current code level seismic demands used for diaphragm design are considerably lower than demands in real structures during a seismic event. However, historical data has shown that steel deck diaphragms, common to steel framed buildings, perform exceptionally well during earthquake events. A new alternative diaphragm design procedure in ASCE 7-16 increases diaphragm seismic demand to better represent expected demands. The resulting elastic design forces from this method are reduced by a diaphragm design force reduction factor, Rs, to account for the ductility of the diaphragm system. Currently, there exist no provisions for Rs factors for steel deck diaphragms. This research was therefore initiated to understand inelastic steel deck diaphragm behavior and calculate Rs factors. A review of the literature showed that a large number of experimental programs have been performed to obtain the in-plane load-deformation behavior of steel deck diaphragms. To unify review of these diaphragm tests and their relevant results, a database of over 750 tested specimens was created. A subset of 108 specimens with post-peak, inelastic behavior was identified for the characterization of diaphragm behavior and ductility. A new recommended method for predicting shear strength and stiffness for steel deck diaphragms with structural concrete fill is proposed along with an appropriate resistance factor. Diaphragm system level ductility and overstrength are estimated based on subassemblage test results and Rs factors are then calculated based on these parameters. The effects of certain variables such as deck thickness and fastener spacing on diaphragm ductility are explored."]},{"key":"dc:description.abstractgeneral","label":"General Abstract","values":["A building’s floor and roof systems active in the resistance of in-plane loads, known as diaphragms, can be a critical component of a structure. In the past, the majority of diaphragm systems have demonstrated exceptional performance during earthquake events. Diaphragms must be designed in compliance with building codes. ASCE 7 is a widely recognized document in structural engineering used to prescribe building loads and outline design methodologies. Recent research has identified that code level seismic demands in ASCE 7-10 used for diaphragm design are considerably lower than demands in real structures during a seismic event. However, historical data has shown that steel deck diaphragms, common to steel framed buildings, perform exceptionally well during earthquake events. A new alternative diaphragm design procedure in ASCE 7-16 increases diaphragm seismic demand to better represent expected demands. The resulting design forces from this method are reduced by a diaphragm design force reduction factor, R<sub>s</sub>, to account for the diaphragm system’s ability to permanently deform without undergoing catastrophic failures – an engineering concept known as ductility. Currently, there exist no provisions for R<sub>s</sub> factors for steel deck diaphragms. This research was therefore initiated to understand steel deck diaphragm behavior and calculate R<sub>s</sub> factors. A review of the literature showed that a large number of experimental programs have been performed to obtain the in-plane load-deformation behavior of steel deck diaphragms. To unify review of these diaphragm tests and their relevant results, a database of over 750 tested specimens was created. A subset of 108 specimens with complete, inelastic behavior was identified for the characterization of diaphragm behavior and ductility. A new recommended method for predicting the in-plane strength and stiffness for steel deck diaphragms with overlaying structural concrete fill is proposed along with an appropriate resistance factor. Valuable information is extracted from previously tested steel deck diaphragms and R<sub>s</sub> factors are then calculated based on these parameters. The effects of certain variables such as deck thickness and fastener spacing on diaphragm ductility are also explored."]},{"key":"dc:description.degree","label":"Dc Description Degree","values":["Master of Science"]},{"key":"dc:format.medium","label":"Dc Format Medium","values":["ETD"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Characterizing the Load-Deformation Behavior of Steel Deck Diaphragms using Past Test Data"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.committeechair":["Eatherton, Matthew R.","Easterling, William Samuel"],"dc:contributor.committeemember":["Moen, Cristopher D."],"dc:contributor.department":["Civil and Environmental Engineering"],"dc:creator":["O'Brien, Patrick Emmet"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2017-08-08T08:00:32Z"],"dc:date.available":["2017-08-08T08:00:32Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2017-08-07"],"dc:description.abstract":["Recent research has identified that current code level seismic demands used for diaphragm design are considerably lower than demands in real structures during a seismic event. However, historical data has shown that steel deck diaphragms, common to steel framed buildings, perform exceptionally well during earthquake events. A new alternative diaphragm design procedure in ASCE 7-16 increases diaphragm seismic demand to better represent expected demands. The resulting elastic design forces from this method are reduced by a diaphragm design force reduction factor, Rs, to account for the ductility of the diaphragm system. Currently, there exist no provisions for Rs factors for steel deck diaphragms. This research was therefore initiated to understand inelastic steel deck diaphragm behavior and calculate Rs factors. A review of the literature showed that a large number of experimental programs have been performed to obtain the in-plane load-deformation behavior of steel deck diaphragms. To unify review of these diaphragm tests and their relevant results, a database of over 750 tested specimens was created. A subset of 108 specimens with post-peak, inelastic behavior was identified for the characterization of diaphragm behavior and ductility. A new recommended method for predicting shear strength and stiffness for steel deck diaphragms with structural concrete fill is proposed along with an appropriate resistance factor. Diaphragm system level ductility and overstrength are estimated based on subassemblage test results and Rs factors are then calculated based on these parameters. The effects of certain variables such as deck thickness and fastener spacing on diaphragm ductility are explored."],"dc:description.abstractgeneral":["A building’s floor and roof systems active in the resistance of in-plane loads, known as diaphragms, can be a critical component of a structure. In the past, the majority of diaphragm systems have demonstrated exceptional performance during earthquake events. Diaphragms must be designed in compliance with building codes. ASCE 7 is a widely recognized document in structural engineering used to prescribe building loads and outline design methodologies. Recent research has identified that code level seismic demands in ASCE 7-10 used for diaphragm design are considerably lower than demands in real structures during a seismic event. However, historical data has shown that steel deck diaphragms, common to steel framed buildings, perform exceptionally well during earthquake events. A new alternative diaphragm design procedure in ASCE 7-16 increases diaphragm seismic demand to better represent expected demands. The resulting design forces from this method are reduced by a diaphragm design force reduction factor, R<sub>s</sub>, to account for the diaphragm system’s ability to permanently deform without undergoing catastrophic failures – an engineering concept known as ductility. Currently, there exist no provisions for R<sub>s</sub> factors for steel deck diaphragms. This research was therefore initiated to understand steel deck diaphragm behavior and calculate R<sub>s</sub> factors. A review of the literature showed that a large number of experimental programs have been performed to obtain the in-plane load-deformation behavior of steel deck diaphragms. To unify review of these diaphragm tests and their relevant results, a database of over 750 tested specimens was created. A subset of 108 specimens with complete, inelastic behavior was identified for the characterization of diaphragm behavior and ductility. A new recommended method for predicting the in-plane strength and stiffness for steel deck diaphragms with overlaying structural concrete fill is proposed along with an appropriate resistance factor. Valuable information is extracted from previously tested steel deck diaphragms and R<sub>s</sub> factors are then calculated based on these parameters. The effects of certain variables such as deck thickness and fastener spacing on diaphragm ductility are also explored."],"dc:description.degree":["Master of Science"],"dc:format.medium":["ETD"],"dc:identifier.other":["vt_gsexam:12271"],"dc:identifier.uri":["http://hdl.handle.net/10919/78679"],"dc:publisher":["Virginia Tech"],"dc:rights":["In Copyright"],"dc:rights.uri":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"dc:subject":["Steel Deck Diaphragms","Steel Deck Diaphragms with Concrete Fill","Diaphragm Design Force Reduction Factors","Diaphragm Ductility","Seismic Design"],"dc:title":["Characterizing the Load-Deformation Behavior of Steel Deck Diaphragms using Past Test Data"],"dc:type":["Thesis"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Civil Engineering"],"thesis:degree_level":["masters"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Science"],"thesis:institution_name":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:20:05Z"}