9.4.

Diaphragm Chords
Once the diaphragm web has been designed (sheathing thickness and nailing), the flanges or chord members must be
considered. The determination of the axial forces in the chords is described in Figure 9.3. The axial force at any point in the
chords can be determined by resolving the moment in the diaphragm at that point into a couple (equal and opposite forces
separated by a lever arm—the lever arm is the distance between chords):

M
T=C=
b

The tension chord is often the critical member. There are several reasons for this. One is that the adjusted design value in
compression is often larger than the adjusted design value in tension. This assumes that the chord is laterally supported and
that column buckling is not a factor. This is usually the case, but the possible effects of column instability in the compression
chord must be evaluated.

Another reason that the tension chord may be critical is that the chords are usually not continuous single members for the full
length of the building. In order to develop the chord force, the members must be made effective by splicing separate members
together. This is less of a problem in compression because the ends of chord members can transmit loads across a splice in
end bearing. Tension splices, on the other hand, must be designed.

Because the magnitude of the chord force is calculated from the diaphragm moment, the magnitude of the chord force follows
the shape of the moment diagram. The design force for any connection splice can be calculated by dividing the moment in the
diaphragm at the location of the splice by the distance separating the chords. A simpler, more conservative approach would
be to design all diaphragm chord splices for the maximum chord force.

It should also be noted that each chord member must be capable of functioning in either tension or compression. The applied
lateral load can change direction and cause tension or compression in either chord.

Some consideration should be given at this point to what elements in a building can serve as the chords for a diaphragm. In a
wood-frame building with stud walls, the doubled top plate is usually designed as the chord. See Example 9.5. This type of
construction is accepted by contractors and carpenters as standard practice. Although it may have developed through
tradition, the concept behind its use is structurally sound.

Example

EXAMPLE 9.5 Diaphragm Chord—Double Top Plate

The double top plate in a wood-frame wall is often used as the chord for the diaphragm (Figure 9.7). Splices are offset so
that one member is effective in tension at a splice. Connections for anchoring the diaphragm and shearwall together are
covered in Chap. 15.

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 Figure 9.7 Diaphragm chord in building with wood-frame roof system and wood-frame walls. Code
minimum top plate lap splice length is 4 ft to form a continuous chord member. Nail or bolt
connection must be designed to transmit chord force T from one plate member to the other.

The top plate members are not continuous in ordinary buildings unless the plan dimensions of the building are very small. Two
plate members are used so that the splice in one plate member can be staggered with respect to the splice in the other
member. This creates a continuous chord with at least one member being effective at any given point. When chord forces are
large, two plate members may not be adequate.

In order for the top plate members to act as a chord, they must be adequately connected together. If the chord forces are
small, this connection can be made with nails, but if the forces are large, the connection will require the use of wood screws,
bolts, or steel straps. These are connection design problems, and the procedures given in Chaps. 12 and 13 can be used for
the design of these splices. It should also be noted that the chord forces are usually the result of wind or seismic forces. When
used in ASD load combinations, a load duration factor CD of 1.6 will apply, and when used in LRFD combinations, a time effect
factor λ of 1.0 will apply. Other adjustment factors specified by the NDS may be applicable.

Wood structural panel diaphragms are often used in buildings that have concrete tiltup walls or masonry (concrete block or
brick) walls. In these buildings, the chord is often made up of continuous horizontal reinforcing steel in the masonry or
concrete wall. See Example 9.6. If the masonry or concrete is assumed to function in compression only (the usual
assumption), the tension chord is critical. The stress in the reinforcing steel is calculated by dividing the chord force by the
cross-sectional area of the horizontal wall steel that is placed at the diaphragm level.

Example

EXAMPLE 9.6 Diaphragm Chord—Wall Steel

The chord for the diaphragm usually consists of horizontal reinforcing steel in the wall at or near the level of the
diaphragm. Attempts to design the wood top plate or ledger to function as the chord are usually considered inappropriate
because of the larger stiffness of the masonry or concrete walls.

Development of the chord requires that the diaphragm be adequately attached (anchored) to the shearwalls. In this phase
of the design, the spacings of anchor bolts, blocking, and nailing necessary to transfer the forces between these elements

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 are considered. The details in Figure 9.8 are not complete, and they are only included here to illustrate the diaphragm
chords. Anchorage connections are covered in detail in Chap. 15.

Figure 9.8 Typical connections of diaphragm to masonry walls.

The double plate in wood walls and the horizontal steel in concrete and masonry walls are probably the two most common
elements used as diaphragm chords. However, other building elements can be designed to serve as the chord. As an example
of another type of chord member, consider a large window in the front longitudinal wall of a building. See Example 9.7.

Example

EXAMPLE 9.7 Header Acting as a Diaphragm Chord

Over the window, the header serves as the chord. It must be capable of resisting the maximum chord force in addition to
gravity loads. The maximum chord force is

MAX.M
T=C=
b

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 Figure 9.9 The header over an opening in a wall may be used as a diaphragm chord.

The connection of the header to the wall must be designed for the chord force at that point:

M1
T1 = C1 =
b

NOTE: For simplicity, the examples in this book determine the chord forces using the dimension b as the width of the
building. Theoretically, b is the dimension between the centroids of the diaphragm chords, and the designer may choose
to use this smaller, more conservative dimension.

The top plate in this longitudinal wall is not continuous. Here the window header supports the roof or floor framing directly,
and the header may be designed to function as the chord. The header must be designed for the appropriate combination of
vertical loads and lateral forces. The connection of the header to the shearwall also must be designed. (Note: If a cripple stud
wall occurs over the header and below the roof framing, a double top plate will be required over the header. In this case, the
plate can be designed as the chord throughout the length of the wall.)

The proper functioning of the chord requires that the diaphragm be effectively fastened to the chords and the supporting
shearwalls. Fastening can be provided by systematically designing for the transfer of gravity loads and lateral forces. This
approach is introduced in Sec. 10.8, and the design is covered in detail in Chap. 15.

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