Seismic behavior of single-storey steel structures with a flexible roof diaphragm

Abstract

The nonlinear response of 36 rectangular single-storey steel buildings subjected to historical earthquake accelerograms is examined. The buildings were designed according to current Canadian practice. The lateral load resisting system of the buildings includes a flexible metal roof deck diaphragm and vertical bracing located along the exterior walls. The results indicate that the fundamental period of the structures, the maximum drift, the forces and deformations in the roof diaphragm, and the ductility demand on the vertical bracings cannot be adequately predicted with existent design provisions. Tentative design guidelines are proposed on the basis of the results obtained in the study. Key words: analysis, design, seismic, dynamic, structures, steel, roof diaphragm.