An ACI Standard

Code Requirements for

the Design of Precast
Concrete Diaphragms
co for Earthquake Motions
' (ACI 550.5M-18) and
I
Commentary
~ Reported by Joint ACI-ASCE Committee 550

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American Concrete Institute
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 First Printing
American Concrete Institute September 2018
Always advancing
ISBN: 978-1-64195-027-5

Code Requirements for the Design of Precast Concrete Diaphragms for Earthquake
Motions (ACI SSO.SM-18) and Commentary

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 ACI 550.5M-18

Code Requirements for the Design of Precast

Concrete Diaphragms for Earthquake Motions
(ACI 550.5M-18) and Commentary

An AC I Standard

Reported by Joint ACI-ASCE Committee 550

Larbi M. Sermour*, Chair Lance Osbome, Secretary

Suzarme Aultman Alvin C. Ericson Kenneth A. Luttrell Mario E. Rodriguez•

Roger J_ Becker* Mostafa Mohamed Gad Alia j
Vilas S. Mu umdar Joseph C. Sanders*
le-Lin Chung Harry A. Gleich Clay J. ·aito* James Schroder
Ned M. Cleland* Ne-il M. Hawkinst Clifford R. Ohlwiler John F. Stanton
Manuel Conde Fuentes Augusto H. Holmberg Victor F. Pizano-'l110men P. Jeffrey Wang
Thomas J. D' Arcy* L. S. Paul Johal Charles L. Pizzano Cloyd E. Wamcs
William K. Doughty Jason J. Krohn* Jose I. Restrepo* Michael H. Weber
Semeh Ibrahim El Ashri Emily B. Lorenz Sami II. Rizkalla

*Diaphragm Subcommittee members who developed this code

!Diaphragm Subcommittee Chair

Special thanks to S. K. Ghosh and S. Nakaki for their contributions to tllis standard.

This standanl describes code requirements for the design of precast
concrete diaphragms subject to earthquake motions where used
under the design pmvisions of,-lSCESEI 7-16 Section 12.10.3 and
A.CJ 318.\f The response of precast concrete diaphragms under
earthquake motions depends primati/y on the strength, stiffness,
and defor711ation capacities of the connectors and the reinforce­
ment at joints between the precasl concrete members. The seismic
forces specified in ASCEISEI 7 for the design of precast concrete
diaphragms, their chonis, and collectors in stmctures assigned to
Seismic Design Categ01y (SDC) C, D. E. or F are tied ro force
reduction factors specified in ASCEISEJ 7-16 Chapter 12, and to
the shear overstrength provided by the connections and the rein­
forcement at joints specified in ASCE!SEJ 7-16 Chapter 14. The
shear overstnmgth depends on the design methodology, elastic or
ductile, used for the diaphragn1 and targets elastic response for
the maximum considered eanhquake for shear connections regard­
less of the design option selected. The design option rhat can be
used depend� on the assigned design categ01-y and on the span and
aspect ratio of the diaphragm. The selection of the design option is
associated with minimum requirements for the tensile deformation
capacity of the connections and the reinforcement at joints.
Keywords: connections; diaphragms; earthquake-resistant structures;
precast concrete; seismic design.

ACI Committee Reports, Guides, and Conunentaries are

intended for guidance in plamung, designing, executing, and
inspecting construction. Tllis document is intended for the use
of individuals who are competent to evaluate the significance
and limitations of its content and rcconunendations 1md who
will accept responsibility lor the application of the material .it
contains. TI1e American Concrete Institute disclaims any and
all responsibility for the stated principles. The Institute shall
not be liable for any loss or damage arising therefrom.
Reference to this docm11ent shall not be made in contract ACI 550.5M-18 was adopted August 13, 2018, and published September 2018.
Copynght Cl 20 18, American Concrete Institute.
documents. If items found in this document are desired by
All rights reserved including rights of reproduction and use in any form or by any
the Architect/Engineer to be a part of the contract doctunents,
means, including the making of copies by any photo process, or by electronic or
U1ey shall be restated in mandatory language for incorporation mechanical device, printed, written, or oral. or recording for sound or visual reproduc­
by the Architect/Engineer. tion or for use in any knowledge or retrieval system or device, unless permission in
writing is obtained from the copyright proprietors.
2 DESIGN OF PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS FOR EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M-18) AND COMMENTARY

CONTENTS 5.2-Diaphragm seismic design force. p. 11

5.3-Diapbragm seismic demand level. p. 12
CHAPTER 1 -G E N E RAL, p. 3 SA-Diaphragm nominal shear strength. p. 13
1.1-Inlroduction. p. 3 5.5-Diaphragm modeling and analysis, p. 15
L. 2-Scopc, p. �
I .3-Structural drawings. p. � C HAPTER 6-DIAPHRAGM DESIGN OPTIONS, p. 1 7
U-Units. p. 5 6. !-General. p. 17
6.2-Eiastic design option. p. 20
CHAPTER 2-NOTATION A N D D E F I N ITIO N S, p. 6 6. 3-Basic design option, p. 20
2.1-Notation., p. 6 6A-Reduced design option, p. 20
2.2-Definitions. p. 6
C HAPTER 7-DIAPH RAGM CON NECTIONS A N D
CHAPTER 3-REFERENCED STA N DARDS, p. 8 R E I N FO RCEMENT AT JOI NTS, p. 2 1
7.1-General. p. 21
CHAPTER 4-GE N ERAL CONSID ERATIONS, p. 9 7.2-Connection classifications, p. 21
�.!-General design considerations. p. 9 7.3-Dcfonned bar reinforcement. p. 22
4.2-Materials. p. 9 7.4-Special inspection, p. 22
�.3-Minimum thickness, p. 9
�.4-Tolerances. p. 9 AS-C O M M E NTA RY R E F ER E N C ES A N D
ACRO NYMS, p. 2 3
CHAPTER 5-DESIGN FORCES, SEISMIC R8.1-References. p. 2 3
D E M A N D LEVELS, A N D ANALYSIS, p. 1 1 R 8.2-Acronyms. p. 23
5.1-General. p. l l

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 DESIGN OF PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS FOR EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M- 1 8) AND COMMENTARY
CHAPTER 1--G E N ERAL
1.1--l ntroduction
1 . 1 . 1 Consistent with ACI 3 1 8M requirements for anal­
y sis, tlus standard specifics expected perfonnancc and
design requirements for precast concrete diaphragms subject
to earthquake loading. nus standard is meant to replace the
design procedure for precast concrete diaphragms for struc­
tures assigned to Seismic Design Category (SDC) C, D, E,
or F that was developed and accepted for use by ASCE/SEI
7- 1 6 in Section 1 4.2.4. The procedure described herein and
that of ASCE/SEI 7- 1 6 supplement the provisions of Chapter
1 8 of ACI 3 1 8M- 1 4 and do not supplant them
1 . 1.2 The procedure described herein may also be used for
precast concrete diaphragms in structures assigned to SDC B.
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3
R1--G E N E RAL
R1.1--lntroduction
Precast concrete diaphragms are extensively used for
parking stmctures and residential and commercial build­
ings. Those diaphragms frequently consist of large precast,
prestressed concrete members such as double-tee (DT)
or hollow-core (HC) members. Double-tee members are
c01mected to one another through discrete mechanical
connections or by reinforcement that crosses the joint between
members. Industry practice is to use these DT diaphragms in
an tmtopped condition in buildings assigned to SDC A and
B, and in a topped condition in buildings assigned to SDC
C, D, E, or F. Hollow-core members are primarily used in an
untapped condition in buildings assigned to SDC A and B.
Design requirements for precast concrete diaphragms
are covered by the general provisions of ACI 3 18M.
However, unless a precast concrete diaphragm includes
a topping tlmt meets all tl1e prescriptive requirements for
diaphragms in Chapter 1 8 of ACI 3 1 8M- 1 4, the precast
concrete diaphragm cannot be designed directly using that
clmpter. For DT diaphragms made composite witl1 a topping
or without a topping, structural integrity and force transfer
witlun tl1e diaphragm are provided by the discrete web and
chord connections that join tlle individual precast concrete
members. If a precast concrete diaphragm made composite
witl1 a topping or without a topping is to provide a struc­
tural system with an earthquake loading perfomum ce equal
to or exceeding that of a comparable cast-in-place concrete
diaphragm, accurate knowledge of the strength, s1iffness,
and defonnability of tl1e individual cOimections used in
the diaphragm is needed. Results from tests on individual
com1ections in accordance with ACr Standard 550.-l-M-18 are
needed to obtain the infonnation on stiffness, shear strength,
tensile strengtl1, and tensile deformation capacity required
for tl1e design of c01mections and reinforcement at joints
for precast concrete diaphragms satisfying tl1e lateral load
perfonnance reqtrirements of tllis standard, Section 1 2 . 1 0 . 3
o f ASCE/SEI 7- 1 6, and Chapter 1 8 of ACI 3 1 8M- 1 4.
Post-earthquake reconnaissance following the 1 994 Nortll­
ridge eartl1quake (IYerson and Hawkins 1 994) revealed that
when precast concrete diaphragms "vith topping of 75 nun
or less were subjected to significant earthquake motions, tlte
topping was likely to crack along the edges of tile precast
concrete members. Consequently , reinforcement crossing
the edges was susceptible to damage and the degree of
susceptibility increased as tl1e aspect ratio for t11e diaphragm
increased and as tl1e larger dimension of the diaphragm
between seistllic-force-resisting vertical elements increased.
Those observations on tl1e behavior of large precast
concrete diaphragms resulted in a comprehensive research
study (Fleischman 20 1 4) to develop better design models for
precast concrete diaphragms and comprehensive studies of
the strengtll and defom1ation capacity of diaphragm cotmec­
tions. I n the improved design methodology resulting from
that research, the choice of connection type is tied to the
tension defonnations and shear overstrength needed in the
diaphragm to achieve tl1e required design perfonnance.
4 DESIGN OF PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS FOR EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M-18) AND COMMENTARY

CODE COMMENTARY

Where connections wiU1 lilnited defonnation capacity are

used, the earthquake design forces need to be higher than
for ductile cotmections. The choice of the appropriate over­
strength that should be used in diaphragm design requires
detailed knowledge of t11e strength and defonnation capaci­
ties of t11e diaphragm connections for the differing combi­
nations of force and deformation ex'Perienced by the
connections.

1.2-Scope
1 . 2 . 1 This standard shall apply to precast concrete
diaphragms and collectors that are part of the seismic-force­
resisting system in structures assigned to SDC C, D, E, or
F. ll is pennissible to use this standard for the design of the
same elements in structures assigned to SDC B.

1 .2.2 This standard shall apply to precast concrete

diaphragms, including a) through c):
a) Diaphragms that consist of a cast-in-place composite
topping slab with a thickness of less than 75 mm on precast
concrete members
b) Diaphragms that comprise precast concrete members
with end strips fonned by either a cast-in-place composite
topping or edge beams
c) Diaphragms of interconnected precast concrete
members without cast-in-place concrete topping.

1.3-Structural d rawings R1.3-Structura l drawings

Structural drawings for precast concrete diaphragms shall Reinforcement details in the vicinity of the connectors
show all features of the members into which the connec­ and the means and procedures by \Vhicb the cormections
tors or reinforcement at joints are cast t11at are essential to between t11e precast concrete members are completed affect
tlle intended seismic performance of the diaphragms and all the perfonnance of the co1mection. Details should be speci­
details of the connections or reinforcement at joints essentiaJ fied completely, including tolerdltces, and fully docmnented
for attaimnent of tltat intended performance. on tl1e structural drawings for tl1e diaphragm.
Essential details shall include:
a) The anchorage of the com1ectors and reinforcement at
joints into the precast concrete member
b) The procedures and materials by which the connection
between cmmectors in adjacent members shall be made and
the tolerances that are acceptable
c) Supplemental reinforcement that shall be included in
U1e precast concrete members to ensure that the perfonnance
of the member under earthquake loading does not materially
affect ilie measured response of the connections between
members
d) The metJtods to be used to ensure composite action, as
specified in the design, between topping and precast concrete
member
e) The connection of the collectors and the adjacent
precast concrete members to t11e vertical elements of the
seismic-force-resisting system
f) The quality control and special inspection procedures
governing placement of connectors and completion of
connections

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 DESIGN OF PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS FOR EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M- 1 8) AND COMMENTARY 5

CODE COMMENTARY

1. 4-Units
The official version of this standard is the English language
version using inch-pound units published by the American
Concrete Institute.

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6 DESIGN OF PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS FOR EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M-18) AND COMMENTARY

CODE COMMENTARY

C H A PTER 2 -NOTATION A N D DEFIN ITIONS R2-CHAPTERS A N D DEFIN ITIONS

2 . 1 -Notation
AR = diaphragm aspect ratio
L diaphragm span
MCER =risk-targeted maximum considered earthquake
N = number of stories
Rs = diaphragm design force reduction factor
daHD= minimum required deformation of a high deform­
ability element
'baMD= minimum required deformation of a moderate
deformability element
no calculated shear overstrength factor for basic
design option
QR calculated shear overstrength factor for reduced
design option
n,. diaphragm shear overstrength factor

2 .2 -Definitions R2 .2-Defi nitions

ACI provides a comprehensive list of definitions through
an online resource, "ACI Concrete Tenninology." Defini­
tions provided herein complement that resource.
aspect ratio-di aphragm span-to-depth ratio as defined
in 5.3 .5.
connection-region where two a�jacent precast concrete connection-in precast concrete members, an assembly
members are joined mechanically, including the bar, weld of com1ectors or reinforcement at joints with linking parts,
metal, or mechanical device, which joins the connectors or welds, and anchorage to concrete.
reinforcement embedded in the precast concrete members.
connector-fabricated part embedded in concrete for connector-mechanical device, including any attached
anchorage and intended to provide a load path across a joint reinforcement, embedded in the precast concrete member
between precast concrete members. and used to cmmect adjacent members.
design ea rt hqua ke-e a rt hqua ke ground motion that is
two-thirds of t11e corresponding MCER ground motion.
dia JJhragm-roof. floor, or other membrane or bracing
system acting to transfer tlle earthquake loading to the
vertical elements of the seismic-force-resisting system.
diaphragm design options (EDO, BDO, RDO)-options
implemented for precast concrete diaphragm designed in
accordance wiU1 Ulis standard.
(a) Elastic design option (EDO) targets elastic diaphragm
response in the maximum considered earU1quake
(b) Basic design option (BDO) targets elastic diaphragm
response in the design earthquake
(c) Reduced design option (RDO) pennits limited
diaphragm yielding in the design earthquake
flexure-controlled dia (J hragm-diaphragm with a flex­ ftexu re-cont.-olled diaphragm-diaphragm in which the
ural yielding mechanism, which litnits t11e maximum forces fle�:urdl yielding mechanism is typically the yielding of U1e
tllat develop in the diaphragm, tllat has a design shear chord tension reinforcement
strength greater than the shear corresponding to the nominal
flexural strengtJ1.
maximum considered earthquake (MCEn)-most
severe eartllquake motion considered by theA SCE/SEI 7- 16:
procedures for detenn.ining MCER ground motion values are
provided in Section 11.4.3 of ASCE/ SEI 7- 16.

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 DESIGN OF PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS FOR EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M- 1 8) AND COMMENTARY 7

CODE COMMENTARY

nonlinear response history analysis (NRHA)-analysis

perfonnance in accordance with Section 16.2 of ASCE/ SEI
7- 16.
reinfor·cement at j oints-rei nfo rc ement t11at crosses
joints and is designed to resist shear, axial tensile, and
compressive forces from bending moments and longitudinal
forces, or both.
shear·-contr'Olled diaphragm-di aphragm that does not shear·-controlled diaphragm-
meet ilie requirements of a fiex1.ue-controlled diaphragm. !) diaphragm that cannot develop a fiexl.ITal mechanism
because of aspect ratio, chord member strength, or oilier
constraints. Many precast concrete diaphragms with low
aspect ratios are shear-controlled diaphragms.
2) diaphragm that is designed to yield in shear rather than
in flexure. In some countries, untapped hollow core (HC)
slabs with cast-in-place boundary elements are intended to
be in this category (Ellioll et al. 1992; Menegotto and Marti
1996).
span length-di aphragm span as defined in 5.3 . ..!-.

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8 DESIGN OF PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS FOR EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M-18) AND COMMENTARY

CODE COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 3-REFERENCED STA N DARDS

American Concrete Institute (ACJ)
ACI 117M-10(15)-Speci:fications for Tolerances for
Concrete Construction and Materials and Commentary
ACI 3 18M-14-Building Code Requirements for Struc­
tural Concrete and Commentary
ACI 550.4M- I 8-Qualification of Precast Concrete
Diaphragm Co1mections and Reinforcement at Joints for
Earthquake Loading
ACI ITG-7M -09-Specification for ToIerances for Precast
Concrete

American .._ocie�v ofCivil Engineers (ASCE)

ASCE/SEI 7-16-Minimum Design Loads for Buildings
and Other Structures

ASIA! International
ASTM A615/A615M-16-Standard Specification for
Deformed and Plain Carbon-Steel Bars for Concrete
Reinforcement
ASTM A706/A706M-16-Standard Specification for
Defonned and Plain Low-Alloy Steel Bars for Concrete
Reinforcement

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 DESIGN OF PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS FOR EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M- 1 8) AND COMMENTARY 9

CODE COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 4-GE N E RAL CONSIDERATIONS R4-GENERAL CONSIDERATI O N S

4.1 -General design considerations

4. 1 . 1 Designs shall consider diaphragm in-plane forces,
diaphragm transfer forces, connection forces, column
bracing forces, and diaphragm out-of-plane forces as
described in 12.2.1 of AC£ 3 18M-I-I-.

4. 1 .2 Earthquake loading forces for precast concrete

diaphragms designed in accordance with tllis standard shall
be determined using Section 12.10.3 of ASCE/SEI 7-1 6.

4. 1 .3 1l1e seismic load path for diaphragms shall satisfy

t11e requirements of 18.12.3 of ACI 3 18M-14.

4. 1 .4 Diaphragms shall be designed in two orthogonal

directions and consistent with the layout of tl1e ertical
elements of the seismic-force-resisting sy stem to which the
earthquake forces of the diaphragm are transferred.

4. 1 .5 Designs shall provide for tl1e transfer of forces at

diaphragm discontinuities, such as ope1lings and reentrant
comers.

4.2-Materials
4.2. 1 Design properties for concrete and steel reinforce­
ment shall satisfy 12.2.2 of ACI 3 18M-14.

4.2. 1 . 1 Material strengths specified for connectors shall be

witlrin 10 percent of the specified strengths used for those
com1ectors in the quaJification tests conducted in accordance
with ACI 550.4M-l 8.

4.2. 1.2 Concrete strengths specified for the precast

concrete elements of tl1e diaphragm shall be witlrin 25
percent of those used for those elements in the qualification
tests conducted in accordance with ACI 550.4M-18.

4.2.2 The minimum reinforcement ratio and the spacing

of reinforcement in topping slabs shall satisfy 18.12.7.1 of
ACI 3 1 8M-14.

4.2.3 1l1e stress in tendons used as reinforcement to resist

earthquake loading shall satisfy 18.12.7.2 and 18.12.7.3 of
ACI 3 l 8M-14.

4.3-M i n i m u m thickness
4.3. 1 Diaphragms and diaphragm toppings shall have
thickness as required for stability, strengtl1, and stiffness
under factored load combinations and shall satisfy 12.3 and
18.12.6 of ACI 318M-14.

4.4-Tolerances 4.4-Tolerances
4.4. 1 Tolerances for posttloning and completion of R4.4. 1 The tolerances required by 2 6.6.2 of ACI 3 1 8M-14
connections between tile precast concrete elements of the are considered tobe t11e minimwn acceptable standard for
diaphragm shall not exceed ±13 mm. reinforcement and com1ectors in precast concrete. Industry

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10 DESIGN O F PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS F O R EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M-18) AND COMMENTARY

CODE COMMENTARY

standard product and erection tolerances are provided in ACI

ITG-7M-09. Interfacing tolerances for precast concrete with
cast-in-place concrete are provided in ACI l l?M-10(15).
Tolerances specified in 4.4.1 for completion of connections
are more stringent than tl10se customarily used for precast
concrete diaphragms in structures assigned to seismic
design category (SDC) A and B. However, precast concrete
diaphragms for structures assigned to SDC B, and designed
in accordance with this standard, need to satisfy 4. 4. 1.

4.4.2 Where the tolerance of 4. 4.1 is exceeded, the

licensed design professional shall review and approve all
modifications in accordance with the procedures specified
in ACI ITG-7M-09.

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 DESIGN OF PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS FOR EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI SSO.SM-18) AND COMMENTARY
CODE
C H A PTER 5 -DESIGN FORCES, SEISMIC
D E M A N D LEVELS, A N D ANALYSIS
5 . 1 -General
Precast concrete diaphragms, their chords, and collectors
shall be designed for strength level seismic forces as speci­
fied in 5. 2.
5 .2 -Diaphragm seismic design force
5.2. 1 Diaphragm seismic design forces for Seismic Design
Category (SDC) C, D, E or F shall satisfy a) or b):
a) For diaphragms consisting of cast-in-place noncom­
posite topping slab on precast concrete members, forces
shall be determined in accordance with Sections 12.10.1 and
12.10.2 or 12.10.3 of ASCE/SEI 7-16, as appropriate.
b) For all precast concrete diaphragms defined in 1. 2. 2,
forces shaH be detennined in accordance with Section
12. 10.3 of ASCE/SEI 7-16
5.2.2 Chords and collectors of the precast concrete
diaphragms defined in 1. 2. 2 shall be designed in accordance
with Section 12.10. 3 of ASCE/SEI 7-16.
5.2.3 Precast concrete diaphragms in SDC B shall be
pem1itted to be designed for the seismic force specified in
Section 12.10.3 of ASCE/SEI 7-16.
5.2.4 Diaphragms designed in accordance with Section
12.10.3 of ASCE/SEI 7-16 shall usc diaphragm force reduc­
tion factors Rs as specified in Table 12.10.3.5-1 of ASCE/
SEI 7-16.
5.2.5 Values of R, shall depend on the seismic demand
level as specified in 5.3 and the diaphragm design option
selected in accordance with Chapter 6.
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11
COMMENTARY
R5-DESIGN FORCES, SEISMIC DEMAND
LEVELS, A N D AN ALYSIS
R5 .2-Diaphragm seism ic design force
The diaphragm seismic design force specified in Section
12. 10.1 ofASCE/SEI 7-16 first appeared in the 1985 Unifonn
Building Code (UBC 1985). The force levels specified by
the 12.10.1 formula were established by empirical consid­
erations rather than by rational methods of analysis. Sy stem
performance should theoretically require that diaphragms
have sufficient strength and ductility to mobilize the inelastic
behavior of the vertical elements of the lateral-force-resisting
sy stem. The forces specified by Section 12. 10. 1 of ASCE/
SEJ-7-16 do not ensure that behavior (Iverson and Hawkins
199-l ).
Analy tical as well as ex'}Jerimental results from shaking
table tests have shown that diaphragm forces over much of
the height of a structure in the design level earthquake may,
at times during the earthquake, be significantly greater Hum
the forces specified in Section 12. 10. 1 of ASCE/SEI-7-16
particularly where diaphragm response is near-elastic. M ate­
rial-specific factors related to overstrength and deformation
capacity . and geometry-specific factors, probably account
for tl1at behavior. However, for diaphragms tlmt have high
aspect ratios and large spans between the vertical elements
of the seis1nic-force-resisting sy stem, as is the case for many
large precast concrete parking decks, the forces specified in
Section 12. 10. 3 of ASCE/SEI 7-16 better represent a11tici­
pated behavior. The forces in Section 12. 10.3 present an
elastic diaphragm force as the statistical sum of tl1e first and
higher mode effects of tl1e structure (Rodrit,'Uez et al. 2002).
In recognition of the defom1ation capacity and overstrengtl1
of tl1e diaphragm. the elastic design force is reduced by a
diaphragm force reduction factor R.,. The development of
the specified Rs values is discussed in Section C12.10.3.5 of
ASCE/SEI 7-16 and Ghosh ct al. (2017). The resultant design
force level is not significantly di.ff crent from the design force
level of Section 12.10.1 of ASCE/SEI-7-16 for many prac­
tical situations. However, for higher diaphragm aspect ratios
and longer diaphragm spans, as is likely in precast concrete
parking decks, the design force levels of Section 12.10.3 of
ASCE/SEI-7-16 ca11 be significantly greater tl1an tl1ose of
Section 12.10.1 of ASCE/SEI-7-16. Therefore, tl1e proce­
dures of Section 12.10. 3 of ASCE/SEI 7-16 are required for
the determination of design force levels for precast concrete
diaphragms in buildings assigned to SDC C, D, E, and F
(Ghosh 2016).
12 DESIGN O F PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS F O R EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M-18) A N D COMMENTARY

CODE COMMENTARY

5 .3-Diaphragm seismic demand level R5 .3-Di a phragm seismic demand level

5.3. 1 A diaphragm seismic demand level of low. moderate,
or high shall be dctenni ned for each diaphragm, based on a)
through d):
a) SDC assigned to the stmcture
b) Number of stories in the structure, N
c) Diaphragm span L, as defined in 5 . 3 . 4
d ) Diaphragm aspect ratio AR, a s defined in 5 . 3 . 5
5.3.2 F o r structures assigned t o S D C B or C, the seismic
demand level shall be permitted to be designated as low.
5.3.3 For structures assigned to SDC D, E. or F. the seismic
demand level shall be detennined in accordance with Fig.
5 . 3 . 3 and the fol lowing:
a) If AR is greater than or equal to 2 . 5 and Ute diaphragm
seismic demand level is low according to Fig. 5 . 3 .3 , the
diaphragm seismic demand level shall be changed to
moderate.
b) I fAR is less than 1 . 5 and the diaphragm seismic demand
level is high according to Fig. 5 . 3 .3, the diaphragm seismic
demand level shall be permitted to be changed to moderate.
8 direction, and typically the maximum span will be oriented
7 perpendicular to the joints between the primary precast
13'
'--'
High
tl) 6
(I)
. ......
The global ductility demanded of a diaphragm in an
MCER level event depends on the seismic demand level
defi ned in 5 . 3 and t11e design option for the diaphragm
selected in accordance with Chapter 6. The jointed nature of
precast concrete systems results in the load paths <md defor­
mations being largely detennined by the c01mections across
the joints between precast concrete members. Those connec­
tions may consist of either reinforced conc rete topping slabs,
discrete mechanical connections, or reinforcement at joints.
Because the diaphragn1 tensile and shear strains are largely
concentrated at the joints, the connections or reinforcement
crossing ilie joints or the reinforcing in the topping slab must
accormnodate U1ose strain demands.
Figure 5 . 3 . 3 is used to detennine diaphragm seismic
demand level as a function of the diaphragm span and
the number of stories. Detenn.ination of the span of the
diaphragm, as defined in 5.3 .4, and its aspect ratio as defined
in 5 .3 . 5, are illustrated in Fig. R5.3 for typical diaphragm
geometries in buildings witJ1 three different lateral-force­
resisting systems.
Most precast concrete diaphragms consist of precast,
prestressed concrete floor deck members mnning in only one
concrete deck units. The defonnability classifications of
Chapter 7 for connections or reinforcement at joints and the

£ 5 Rs factors defined in Table 1 2 . 1 0. 3 .5 - 1 of ASCE/SEI 7- 1 6

CZl are calibrated relative to joint opening between the precast
'+-< 4
0 concrete floor units, and are Ums based on the diaphragm
[) 3 having its larger span oriented in the directions illustrated
Moderate
1
1 in Fig. R5.3. The characteristics of diaphragms associated
2 Low I with the Urree seismic demand levels defi ned in 5 . 3 . 3 are as
z
r ss
I
1 fol lows:

0 r 23 :r43 Low seismic demand leve l :

0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Diaphragm Span L (m)
Fig. 5.3. 3-Diaphragm seismic demand level.
5.3.4 Diaphragm span of a structure, L, shall be the
maximum diaphragm span on any floor in the stmcturc in
any direction. The diaphragm span in a particular direction
on a particular floor level shall be t11e larger of the maximum
distance between two lateral-force-resisting system (LRFS)
vertical elements and twice t11e exierior distance between the
outer LFRS vertical element and tlle building free edge.
5.3.5 Diaphragm aspect ratio AR shall be the diaphragm
span-to-depth ratio using the diaphragm span L, defined in
5 . 3 .4. The diaphragm deptll shall be the diaphragm dimen­
sion perpendicular to the diaphragm span between Ute chord
lines for the diaphragm or portion of diaphragm.
70 a ) Diaphragms in structures assigned t o SDC C and
diaphragms in stmcttrres assigned to SDC D. E. or F
with diaphragm span ::; 23 Il\ number of stories ::; 3, and
diaphragm aspect ratio < 2 . 5
Moderate seismic demand level :
a) Diaphragms in structures assigned to SDC D, E. or F
with diaphragm span ::; 23 m and number of stories > 3 but
::; 6
b) Diaphragms in stmctures assigned to SDC D, E, or
F wit11 diaphragm spa11 > 23 m but :S 58 m and nwnber of
stories ::; 2
c) D iaphragms in structures assigned to SDC D, E, or
F wit11 diaphragm span > 23 m but ::; 43 m and number of
stories > 2 but :S 4
d) D iaphragms in structures assig11ed to SDC D, E, or F
with diaphragtn span :S 23 m
e) Number of stories :S 3, and diaphragm aspect ratio � 2 . 5
1) D iaphragms in stmctures assigned t o S D C D, E, or F,
categorized as high seismic demand level in accordance with
Fig. 5 . 3 .3, and with diaphragtn aspect ratio < 1 . 5

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 DESIGN OF PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS FOR EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M- 1 8) AND COMMENTARY 13

CODE COMMENTARY

Lm
(a) Office building

Lm
(b) Parking garage with exterior wall

L. Lm Le
(c) Parking garage with interior wall
Fig R5. 3-Typical precast concrete diaphragm layouts.

H igh seismic demand level :

1 ) Diaphragms in structures assigned to SDC D, E, or F
with diaphragm span > 58 m
2) Diaphragms in structures assigned to SDC D, E, or F
with diapluagm span > 43 m and number of stories > 2
3 ) D iapluagms in structures assigned to SDC D, E, or F
with diapluagm span > 23 m a11d nwnber of stories > 4
4) D iaphragms in structures assigned to SDC D, E, or F
with number of stories > 6.

5 .4-Diaphragm nominal shear strength
Diaphragms designed in accordance 5.2.4 shall have
nominal shear strengths Qj<j> limes the in-plane shear
strength determined using the seismic design force. The
R5 .4-Di a phragm nomi nal shear strength
The diapluagm shear overstrength factor Q,, is applied in
the design of diaphragm shear reinforcement and connec­
tions crossing joints. The purpose of this factor is to keep
the diaphragm shear response elastic while the diapluagm

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14 DESIGN O F PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS F O R EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M-18) A N D COMMENTARY

CODE COMMENTARY

diaphragm shear overslrengtb. factor shall equal 1 .4Rs and
the strength reduction factor <!> shall equal 0.75.
develops inelastic flexural action, as is anticipated for the
basic design option (BDO) in the MCER, and for the reduced
design option (RDO) in both the design earthquake and the
MCER. No inelastic diaphragm response is anticipated for
the elastic design option (EDO).
The value of the diaphragm shear overstrength factor is Q"
= 1 .4Rs, a11d values for Rs are specified in 1 2. 1 0 . 3 of ASCE/
SEI 7- 1 6. The vaJues of the diaphragm design force reduc­
tion factor Rs are 0.7, 1 .0, and 1 .4 for the EDO, BDO, and
RDO, respectively. Tltis translates i nto diaphragm shear
overstrength factors Q" of 1 .0, 1 .4, and 2.0 (rounded to one
decimal place) for the EDO, B DO, and RDO, respectively.
The diaphragm shear overstrengU1 factor Q" is applied
to the diaphragm design forces and, therefore, requires an
increase in U1e shear strength of U1e diaphragm relative to
its flcx'Ural strengUL As implied by tile foregoing Q, values,
the level of overstrengtb required relative to the diaphragm
flex'Ural strength varies with the design option. The RDO
requires a higher overstrengU1 than tl1e BDO due to tl1e larger
anticipated inelastic action. For tl1e EDO, no overstrengU1 is
required because t l1e diaphragm design force itself targets
elastic behavior in the MCER. The nontinal shear strength
required for the diaphragm in all three design options is
constant, regardless of design option, because t11e parameter
Rs in tile overstrength factor is cancel led out by t11e R, in
the denontinator of tile diaphragm design force expression
given in Section 1 2 . 1 0 . 3 of ASCE/SEI 7 - 1 6 . The diaphragm
design force at level x, FP.., equals Cpxwp./Rs or FnfR., where
Fr:r is the inertial horizontal force at levelx defined as the

product of the mass wP.' tributary to the diaphragm at level x

and the peak horizontal floor acceleration at tl1at level, p.<·
The shear strength required in tl1e design procedure would
be Q)'�, and considering Q, 1 .4Rs, leads to Q,Fpx 1 .4F"'
= =

wltich shows that the shear strengtl1 required i n tl1e design

procedure is constant, regardless of design option.
The Q, values represent upper-bound constant values ( for
each diaphragn1 design option) of paran1etric ex'Pressions
developed for the required shear overstrength on t11e basis
of detailed parametric studies ( Fleisclunan 20 1 -l) performed
using the nonlinear response history analysis (NRHA) of
Section 1 6.2 of ASCE/SEI 7- 1 6 and anaJytical models of
precast concrete structures developed and calibrated on
the basis of large-scale physical testing (Fleisclunan 20 1 4;
Z hang ct al. 20 I I ). These precast concrete structures were
subjected to spectnun-compatible ground motions scaled
to the MCER to determine tl1e required shear overstrengtl1
factors.
Precast concrete diapl1Tagn1s can be designed and detailed
for a ductile flex'ltral response that enables t he redistribu­
tion of internal forces. However, to achieve ductile flex'ltral
response, potentially nonductile shear lintit states have to
be precluded. To prevent these shear failures, elastic shear
response is targeted in the design procedure for botl1 flexure­
controlled and shear-controlled systems.
The shear factor values were obtained by bounding
the ma.x:imum shear force Vmax occurring in N RH A of tl1e

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 DESIGN OF PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS FOR EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M- 1 8) AND COMMENTARY 15

CODE COMMENTARY

diaphragm at ti1e critical shear joint as tile diaphragm devel­

oped a flexural mechanism (in oilier regions of the floor) at
the MCER level hazard, and scal ing it by the design shear or
requi red shear strength, II,,. Accordingly :
a) The diaphragm shear factor for the EDO, is unity (Q ..

=
1 .0 :::: 1 .4R,, where Rs
=
0.7 for EDO) because elastjc
diaphragm response is expected in the MCER for EDO.
b) The diaphragm shear amplification factor for the BDO
is taken as an upper botmd on the Vm""JV,, ratio for the BDO
design under t he MCER level hazard.
c) The diaphragm shear an1plification factor for the RDO
is taken as an upper bmmd on the Vma)V,, ratio for the RDO
design under ti1e MCER level hazard.
Figure R5.4 shows a scatter plot of tile VmmJr;;, ratios from
N R H A for different numbers of stories n and diaphragm
AR at the maximum considered earU1quake. Solid symbols
are results where the vertical elements of the lateral-force­
resisting system are walls, and open symbols are results
w here t hose elements are frames. TI1e data represent the
mean of tl1e maximum responses from five ground motions.
The expression provided for Q.,, n ..
=
l .4R,, is plotted as
a horizontal broken line on each plot, indicating that the
expression provides a constant upper bound for the :mtici­
pated required elastic shear forces for all design cases.
The diaphragm design force reduction factors Rs for
precast concrete diaphragms are specifical ly tied to design
and detailing requirements, so i liat the ductility and over­
strength necessary for expected diaphragm perfonnance
are achieved. Chapters 6 and 7 arc based on the diaphragm
seismic design methodology (DSDM), the product of a
multi-university research project ( Fleischman 20 1 4), and
give detailing requirements for diaphragms constructed of
precast concrete members in SDC C, D, E, or F, consistent
with the Rs factors. These detailing requirements are in addi­
tion to t l10se of ACI 3 1 8M. The derivation of diaphragm
design force reduction factors is described in the Conunen­
taries to Chapters 6 and 7.

5 .5 -Diaphragm modeling and analysis

5.5. 1 Modeling and analysis procedures shall satisfy tile
requirements of Chapter 6 of ACI 3 1 8M- l �.

5.5.2 Any set of reasonable and consistent assump­

tions for diaphragm effective stiffness, compatible witl1 the
appropriate design option described in Chapter 6, shall be
permitted for caJculatjon of diaphrdgm in-plane deflection.

5.5.3 Calculation of diaphragm in-plane design moments,

shears, and axial forces shall be consistent witl1 require­
ments of equilibrium. boundary conditions, and the selected
design option.

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16 DESIGN O F PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS F O R EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M-18) A N D COMMENTARY

CODE COMMENTARY

1 .8 no I BOO I • n=2
1 .7 • n=4
n=6
1 .6
1 .5
nv= 1 .4Rs �
1 .4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

1 .3
1 .2 "
L
D
•
1.1 !:::.
• AR
l
0 1 2 3 4 5

(a)

2.6 nR I ROO I • n=2

2.4 • n=4

2.2 Qv=1 .4R5 n=6

2 - - - - - - � - - - - - - - - - - - -

1 .8
1 .6
1 .4 •

1 .2
AR
1
0 1 2 3 4 5

(b)
Fig. R5. 4-Diaphragm shear amplification factor from
l\TRifA at 'v!CER: (a) BDO; and (b) RDO.

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 DESIGN OF PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS FOR EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI SSO.SM-18) AND COMMENTARY
CODE
CHAPTER 6-DIAPH RAGM D ESIGN OPTIONS
6.1 -General
A diaphragm design option shall be assigned for a given
structure. The option shall be based on the lowest classifica­
tion of the defonnability of the connection or reinforcement
at joints, as defined in Chapter 7.
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17
COMMENTARY
AS-D IAPHRAG M DESIGN OPTIO N S
R6. 1 -Diaphragm design options
The intent of tl1e design procedure is to provide tl1e
diaphragm with the proper combination of strengtJ1 and
defonnation capacity to survive anticipated seismic events.
Three different design options are provided to the designer
to accomplish tllis objective, ranging from a fully elastic
diaphragm design under tl1e MCER to designs t11at permit
significant inelastic deformations in the diaphragm under
ilie design eart11quake. The motivation for tllis approach
is the recogrlition thaL under certain conditions, a precast
concrete diaphragm desigtled to remain fully elastic up to
the MCER may not be economical or reliable. Under otJ1er
conditions, however, a diaphragm designed to remain elastic
up to the MCER will perfonn satisfactorily and may be the
most desirable.
The methodology allows tl1e three design options related
to deformation capacity as follows:
I ) An EDO, where tl1e diaphragm is designed to tl1e
Ilighest force levels, calibrated to keep tl1e diaphragr 11 elastic
not only for tl1e desigtl eartllquake, but also in an MCER.
In exchange for the lligher design force, tllis option pemlits
ilie desigr1er to detail tl1e diaphragm witl1 low-defonnabilit:y
cmme ctions or reinforcement at joints (LDE) iliat need not
meet any specific defom1ation capacity requirements.
Tbi s option is limited in its use. The three diaphragm
seismic demand levels (low, moderate, and bigh) defined in
5 . 3 limit the design option tl1at can be used based on building
height, diaphragm geometry, and seismic haza rd level. The
use of the EDO is not pennitted where the diaphragm has a
high seismic demand level.
2) A BDO, in wllich tl1e diaphragm is designed to a force
level calibrated to keep the diaphragm elastic in tl 1e design
eartl1quake, but not necessarily in the MCER. The design
force level is lower tllilll that required for t11e EDO, but
this option requires moderate-defom1ability connections or
reinforcement at joints (MD E), or better, that have inelastic
deformation capacities sufficient for the anticipated defor­
mation demands in an MCER.
Tbi s option and the reduced design option (RDO) require
the use of a diaphragm shear overstrength factor Qv to
assure that a nonductile shear failure does not occur prior
to the connections or reinforcement at joL nts reaching their
intended inelastic defonnation. TI1e inelastic defonnation is
associated with joint opening due to diaphragm fl ex'Uf e and
not joint sliding deformation due to shear.
3 ) An RDO, in wllich tl1e diaphragm is designed for tl1e
lowest desigt1 force level.
Because the design force level is lower in the RDO tl1an
in the BDO, y ielding in tl1e diaphragrn is anticipated in the
design earthquake. The Rs values that detennine tl1e seismic
design force levels have been calibrated so U1at diaphragm
inelastic defonnation demands in an MCER are approxi­
mately two-thirds of tl1c defonnation capacity of 1 5 mm
specified in 7 .2.3 for high-defonnability elements (HDE).
cOc1\
18 DESIGN O F PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS F O R EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M-18) AND COMMENTARY

CODE COMMENTARY

Each design option can be used with its associated seismic

demand level or a lower seismic demand level. A 1 5 percent
diaphragm seismic design force increase is applied when a
diaphragm design option is used for a seismic demand level
t hat is one higher than its associated seismic demand level and
use of t he EDO is not pennitted for a high seismic demand
level diaphragm. There may be different types or details of
connections used within a precast concrete diaphragm. The
diaphragm design option used must be based on the connec­
tion \:v ith t he least defonnability classification.
The BDO has two perfonnance targets: 1 ) elastic
diaphragm response in t he design earthquake; and 2)
diaphragm connection and reinforcement at joint defonna­
tion demands (that is, joint opening) in the MCER within
the allowable defonnation capacity baMD of connection or
reinforcement at joints in the MDE category. The diaphragm
design force levels for the BDO are al igned with the fi rst
perfonnance target . Attainment of the second performance
target hinges on the selection of tl1e value for baMD relative
to t11e diaphrdgm inelastic deformation demands anticipated
for the MCER. These a11ticipated defonnation demands were
established through nonlinear response history analysis
(NRHA) of precast concrete stmctures with diaphragms
designed to t he BDO force levels. and subjected to spec­
t mm-compatible ground motions scaled to t he MCER.
Practical considerations affected the selection of baMD·
The allowable deformation of H DE, baHD, requrred for the
RDO was established based on the best-performing precast
concrete diaphragm cotmections available at the time this
standard was developed ( Rcn and Naito 20 1 3 ). The best­
perfonning connections in the database achieved a maximum
dependable deformation of 1 5 mm. Therefore, the maximum
deformat ion demand, based on subsequent studies (Zhang et
al 20 1 1 ; Fleisclm1an 20 1 4 ), was set at lO nun and, tl1erefore,
two-tllirds of the 1 5 nu11 value. Because LDEs did not have
a deformation requrrement, t11e MDE allowable defomwtion
demand value should reside somewhere near half the H DE
value, or ?J}"fD 5 tmn.
=

The NRHA results for tlte MCER are shown in Fig. R6. 1 .
These results show U1at fJ}"fD = 5 nm1 was an appropriate
and viable choice for ilie MDEs used in U1e BDO, provided
the diaphragms were in the moderate seismic demand level
(solid triangular markers in Fig. R6. l ) or in t he low seismic
demand level (solid circular ma rkers in Fig. R6. l ). However,
tllis value did not produce compliant designs for diaphragms
in the high seismic dema11d level (solid square markers in
Fig. R6. l ) and, tlms, some measure was required to bring the
design procedure into confo rmanc e.
A choice existed in how to modify U1e design procedure to
resolve tllis nonconfonnance to tl1e design target:
a) The allowable defonnation ranges for U1e diaphragm
c01mections and reinforcement at joints could be modified­
that is, a more stringent qualification defonnation require­
ment for MDE-leading to an increase in baMD·
b) The diaphrag1n seismic design forces for all tlrrce design
options could be increased and, therefore, tbe design earth-

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DESIGN OF PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS FOR EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI SSO.SM-18) AND COMMENTARY 19

CODE COMMENTARY

quake perfonnance target for elastic diaphragm response

changed from the diaphragm y ield point itself to a lower
value within t he diaphragm elastic range.
c) Create a special requirement for the nonconfonning
diaphragm case-that is, increase the diaphragm forces only
for nonconfonning cases.
Choice a) did not align well with the typical deforma­
tion capacities of the then-existing c01mections, and would
not produce evenly-sized deformation ranges for the LDE,
MDE, and H DE classifications. Choice b) not only produced
overly conservative designs for many cases, but also blurred
the clean BDO perfonnance target of elastic diaphragm
response in the design earU1quake. For these reasons Choice
c) was considered the most desirable.
Thus, raU1er U1an increase the value of '6;�.ro to accommo­
date t he diaphragms in the high seismic demand level, it was
decided to keep baMD 5 mm and create a special require­
=

ment for confonnance in t he case of diaphragms in the high

seismic demand level. Each design option was developed
with an associated diaphragm seismic demand level and
pe rformance in mind. Where nonconformance did not occur
at the associated seismic desigu level-U1at is, the moderate
seismic demand level-but instead at the high seismic
den1and level, a special requirement was considered of using
the seismic diaphragm design force associated with the more
demanding seismic demand level.
The special requirement was an increase in lhe design
force for the nonconfonning case. The magnitude of Ute
design force increase is 1 5 percent. The manner in which
this val ue was established is also shown in Fig. R6. 1 . As
mentioned previously, t11e solid square markers indicate
the maximwu diaphragm connection and reinforcement at
joints defonnation demand (joint opening demand) for tl1e
BDO for high diaphragm seismic demand levels and indi­
cate demands greater than 8a"·m 5 mm. TI1e hollow square
=

markers i ndicate the maximum diaphragm connection and

reinforcement at joints defonnation for these same cases
with U1e 1 5 pe rcent increase il1 diaphragm force. This design
force increase is seen to bril1g the defom1ation demand
within U1e allowable limit. The same design force i ncrease
is enforced in 6.2 for use of U1e EDO wiU1 the moderate
seismic demand level, though tllis provision ·was not based
on any quantitative analytical results.

5 - - !' - - - - - - - · r------,
I • High
.a. Moderate
Low
3 -----:----- -;, - - = :6---]-------· •

- n=4
n=2
()
0 3() 60 90
Length (m)
Fig. R6. }-Diaphragm maximum joint opening in NRHA for
BDO designs under the MCEg

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20 DESIGN OF PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS FOR EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M-18) AND COMMENTARY

CODE COMMENTARY

6.2-Eiastic design option

Any deformability classification of connection or rein­
forcement at joints is permitted to be used with the elastic
design option (EDO) and, therefore, such use is penrutted
for:
a) Low seismic demand level
b) Moderate seismic demand level, provided the diaphragm
design force is increased 1 5 pe rcent

6.3-Basic design option

Either moderate defonnability elements (MDE) or high
defom1ability elements ( H DE) shall be used with the basic
design option (BDO) and, therefore, such use is permitted
for:
a) Low seismic demand level
b) Moderate seismic demand level
c) H igh seismic demand level, provided tl1e diaphragm
design force is increased 1 5 percent

6.4-Reduced design option

H igh defom1ability elements (HDE) shall be used with
the reduced design option (RDO) and, t herefore, such use is
permitted for all seismic demand levels.

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 DESIGN OF PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS FOR EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M- 1 8) AND COMMENTARY
CODE
CHAPTER 7-D IAPHRAG M C O N N ECTIONS A N D
R E I N FORCEMENT AT J O I NTS
7. 1 -General
7. 1 . 1 Precast concrete diaphragm com1ections and rein­
forcement at joints shall be assigned to a defonnability clas­
sification based on reverse cyclic tension tests conducted in
accordance with ACI 550 -lM- 1 8.
7. 1 .2 Precast concrete diaphragm connections or rein­
forcement at joints shall be classified as low, moderate, or
high defonnability elements in accordance with Table 7. 1 .2.
Table 7. 1.2-Connection deformability
classification
Element dt>fonna bil ity Dcfonnability based onACI 550.41\1-18 testing
Low Less than 8 mm
Moderate Between 8 nun and less than 1 5 nm1
High I5 mm and greater
7.2-Connection classifications
7.2.1 Low-deformability element (LDE)-Com1cctions or
reinforcement at joints used in precast concrete diaphragms
with tension defonnation capacity, as detennined by the
testing required by 7 . 1 . 1 , less than 8 tmn.
7.2.2 lvfoderate-deformability element (Jv/D£)-Connec­
tions or reinforcement at joints used in precast concrete
diaphragms with tension deformation capacity, as deter­
mined by the testing required by 7 . 1 . 1 , greater than or equal
to 8 mm but less than 1 5 mm.
7.2.3 High-deformability element (HDE)-Connections or
rei nforcement at joints used in precast concrete diaphragms
with tension deformation capacity, as dctcnnincd by the
testing required by 7 . 1 . 1 , greater than or equal to 15 mm.
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21
COMMENTARY
R7-D IAPH RAGM C O N N ECTIONS A N D
R E I N FO RCEMENT AT JOINTS
R7.1 -General
The precast concrete diaphragm seismic design metllOd­
ology (DSDM) uses an approach that requires knowledge of
t 11e diaphragm cotmection or reinforcement stiffness, defor­
mation capacity, and strength to effectively and efficiently
design the diaphragm system for seismic forces. To meet
this need, it is critical tl1at the connection or reinforcement
properties be detennined in a repeatable, reproducible, and
consistent manner so that existing and new connections can
be used effectively in the diaphragm system. The qualifica­
tion protocol in ACI 550-lM- 1 8 provides an ex.'))e rimental
approach for the detennination of connection or reinforce­
ment properties. The testing establ ishes the strength, sti ff­
ness, and defonnation capacity of tJ1e connections and rein­
forcement at joints under i11-plane shear and in-plane tension.
As a minimwn, in-plane monotonic and cyclic tension tests
are conducted. If shear performance chardcteristics are
desired, monotonic and reverse cyclic shear tests need to
also be performed for detennination of the effective y ield
displacement in sheai. However. shear perfo nnance c l13rac­
teristics do not affect the com1ection classifications of 7 .2.
Precast concrete diaphragms defonn mostly by the
strains that occur at the joints between the precast concrete
members. The requirements for reinforcement or cotmec­
tion defonnabilit:y come from Ute need for the connections
to acconunodate tltese strains at tl1e joints. A connection
is an assembly of connectors including the linking parts,
welds, and anchorage to concrete. Mechanical cmmectors
are identified as tl1e primary parts tl1at make tl1e connection,
but tl1e deformation capacity identified witl1 t11e connection
represents the perfonnance of tl1e entire link across t11e joint.
Qualification of the deformation capacity of t11e connec­
tion, t11en, is dependent on the details of the entire load path
across the joint. The use in design of a connector qualified
by testing is only valid when tlle design i ncorporates the
complete connection detailing, as tested.
R7.2-Connection classifications
The diaphragm reinforcement classifications a re high­
defonnability elements ( H DE), moderate-defonnability
elements (MDE), and low-defonnability elements (L DE).
The tlmshold values of tension deformation capacity
for each connection or reinforcement class were selected
by considering t11e range of t11e ultimate (cyclic tension
opening) defonmtions exhibited by t11e various precast
concrete diaphragm cotmections examined in t11e diaphragm
seismic design metl10dology (DSDM) ex.'))e rimental program
(Ren and Naito 20 1 3 ). Based on tl1ese results, a threshold
deformation of 1 5 mm was selected for H D E cmmections or
reinforcement at joints and 8 111111 for MDE connections or
reinforcement at joints. There is no defonnation requirement
for LDE connections or reinforcement at joints.
22 DESIGN O F PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS FOR EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M-18) AND COMMENTARY
CODE
7.3-Deformed bar reinforcement
Defonned bar reinforcement ( ASTM A6 1 5/A6 1 5M
or ASTM A706/A706M ) positioned as chord reinforce­
ment withi n cast-in-place concrete topping or cast-in-place
concrete pour strips and satisfying the cover, lap, and devel­
opment requirements of ACI 3 1 8M- l -l shall be deemed to
qualify as high-deformabi lity elements ( HDEs). Reduction
of development length for excess reinforcement in accor­
dance with 25.4. 1 0 of ACI 3 1 8M- 1 4 is not permitted.
7.4-Special i nspection
For precast concrete diaphragm connections or reinforce­
ment at joints classified as high-defonnability elements
(HDE ), installation of the embedded parts and completion
of the continuity of reinforcement across joints, and comple­
tion of connections in the field, shall be subject to conti nuous
special inspection as defi ned in the general building code.
Special inspection shall apply for all connections that use
HDE elements, which are rel ied upon for diaphragm seismic
performance in structures assigned to Seismic Design Cate­
gories (SDC) C, D, E, and F.
American Concrete Institute Copyrighted Material-www.concrete.org
COMMENTARY
A factor of safety of 1 . 5 was introduced i nto the design
procedure by establishing for each of the three design options
of Chapter 6 maximum joint opening demands at two-tltirds
of the cmmection's limiting defonnation capacity as deter­
mined by testing in accordance with ACI 550.4M- 1 8. The
two-thirds factor leads to maximum allowable defonnations
of 10 mm and 5 mm for the HDE and the MDE, respec­
t ively. No defonnation capacity requirement is needed for
the L D E because this c lassification of connection or rein­
forcement at joints is used with designs that result in fully
elastic diaphragm response up to the MCER. The allowable
joint openings were used as targets in the analytical para­
metric studies to calibrate the design factors.
The diapluagm cmmection or reinforcement at joints clas­
sification is based on inelastic defonnation associated with
joint opening due to diaphragm fle>.c'Ure and not joint sliding
defonnaUon due to shear. Other reinforcement associated
with col lectors and anchordges, secondary connections
to spandrels, and similar connections, may have different
requirements imposed on them by the defonnations of the
diapluagm. Those differences should be considered in deter­
mining the required defonnabi lity for those com1ections.
In meeting the required defonnation capacity using the
testing protocols in the qualification procedure given in ACI
550.4M- 1 8, the required cumulative inelastic deformation
capacity is also met.
R7.4-Special inspection
The purpose of this requirement is to verify that the
detailing required for high-defonnability elements ( H DEs) is
properly executed tluough inspection by personnel who are
qualified to inspect these elements. Qualifications of inspec­
tors should be acceptable to the licensed design professional
and to t11e jurisdiction enforcing tl1e general building code.
DESIGN OF PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS FOR EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M- 1 8) AND COMMENTARY 23

CODE COMMENTARY

As-C O M M ENTARY R EF ERENCES AND

ACRONYMS

R8.1 -References
Au thored docu ments
Elliott, K. S.; Davies, G . ; and Omar, W., 1 992, '·Experi­
mental and Theoretical I nvestigation of Precast Concrete
Hollow-Cored Slabs Used as Horizontal Floor Diaphragms "
The Structural Engineer, V 70, No. 1 0, May, pp. 1 75- 1 87 .
Fleischman, R B., 20 1 4, Seismic Design Methodology
Document for Precast Concrete Diaphragms, Project 08-07
Deliverable, Charles Pankow Foundation, Vancouver, WA,
Feb., 545 pp.
Ghosh, S. K. , 20 1 6, "Alte rnative Diaphragm Seismic
Design Force Level of ASCE 7- 1 6," Structure Magazine,
Mar., pp. 1 8-22.
Ghosh, S. K.; Cleland, N. M: and Naito, C. J . , 20 1 7,
"Seismic Design of Precast Concrete Diaphragms," NEHRP
Seismic Design Technical Brief No. 1 3, NJST GCR 1 7-9 1 7-
4 7, Natjona1 I nstitute of Standards and Teclmology.
Iverson, J. K., and Hawkins, N. M., 1 994, "Perfo rmance
of Precast Prestressed Concrete Building Structures During
Northridge Earthquake," PC! Journal, V 39, No. 2, Mar.­
Apr., pp. 38-55. doi : 1 0. 1 555-t/pcij.030 1 1 994. 38.55
Menegotto, M., and Marti, G., 1 996 'Diaphragm Action
of Precast Floors: Behavior and Modeling," Eleventh World
Conforence on Earthquake Engineering, Paper No. 768,
E lsevier Science Ltd.
Ren, R., and Naito, C. J., 20 1 3, ' Precast Concrete
Diaphragm Connector Perfonnance Database," Journal of
Structural Engineering, V 1 39, No. I , Jan., pp. 1 5-27. doi:
l 0. l 06 I /(ASCE)ST. l 943-54 1 X .0000598
Rodriguez, M . ; Rest repo, J. I . ; and Carr, A. J., 2002, "Earth­
quake I nduced Floor Horizontal Accelerations in Buildings,"
Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics, V 3 t No.
3, pp. 693-7 1 8. doi : 1 0. 1 002/eqe. 1 49
Schoettler, M. J . ; Belleri, A . ; Zhang D . ; Restrepo, J . ;
and Fleisclunan, R. B . , 2009, " Preliminary Results of the
Shake-Table Testing for Development of a Diaphragm
Seismic Design Methodology," PC! Journal, V 54, No. 1 ,
pp. 1 00- 1 24. doi: 1 0. 1 5554/pcij .O lO 1 2009. 1 00. 1 24
UBC, 1 985, U nifonn Building Code, I nternational Confe r­
ence of Building Officials, Whittier, CA, 1 985 .
Zhang, D . ; Fleisclunan, R. B . ; Naito, C. J . ; and Ren,
R., 20 1 1 , 'Ex'})erimental Evaluation of Pretopped Precast
Diaphragm Critical Flexure Joint under Seismic Demands "
Journal of the Structural Division, V 1 3 7, No. 1 0, Oct., pp.
1 063- 1074. doi : 1 0. 1 06 l /(ASCE)ST. l 943 -54 1 X.0000352

R8.2-Acronyms
AR : aspect ratio
BDO: basic design option
DSDM: diaphragm seismic design methodology
DT: double-tee
EDO : elastic design option
HC: hollow core

American Concrete Institute Copyrighted Material-www.concrete.org

24 DESIGN O F PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGMS FOR EARTHQUAKE MOTIONS (ACI 550.5M-18) AND COMMENTARY

CODE COMMENTARY

H D E : high-defonnabi lity element

LDE: low-deformability element
MDE: modcrate-dcfonnabili.ty clement
NRHA: nonl inear response history analysis
ROO: reduced design option
SDC: Seismic Design Category

American Concrete Institute Copyrighted Material-www.concrete.org

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