Initial evaluation of diaphragm seismic demand in a half-scale shake table test

Abstract

This paper presents an initial evaluation of the seismic demand for diaphragms during a shake table test of a three-story precast concrete structure. Each level of the test structure contained a different precast concrete floor construction technique: topped double tees on the lower level; topped hollow core on the middle floor; and pretopped double tees on the top floor. The diaphragms were designed and detailed according to a new design methodology developed as part of parallel research. The structure was subjected to a series of 16 strong ground motions with increasing intensity including design-basis and maximum considered earthquakes for which the diaphragms were designed. In the paper, the major diaphragm global and local response is quantified. Conclusions are drawn regarding the observed diaphragm behavior.