On diaphragm action of discontinuous paneled roof decks in precast one-storey r/c buildings

The response of precast r/c structures to earthquake strongly depends on the diaphragm action that slab and roof-decks are able to provide. In the framework of a research project, recently concluded, two true-scale mock-ups of precast r/c one storey buildings were submitted to pseudo-dynamic and cyclic tests. Through a plentiful set of suitably placed measuring instruments the behavior of the different elements of the roof deck was closely monitored and information on the efficacy of the overall diaphragm behavior, as well as of the adopted capacity-design procedure, was thus garnered. This paper, after having briefly recalled the main experimental results of the project, with reference to the topic at issue, investigates the role of parameters such as the roof panel and beam span, the gap between roof elements etc. for a wide and robust assessment of diaphragm action of paneled roof decks in precast one-storey buildings. This represents a key issue for a reliable seismic design of precast r/c one storey buildings and to fully trust in their performance under earthquake