ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: The response of a structure to earthquake relies on the diaphragmatic behaviour of slabs at both storey and roof level. Cast-in-situ r/c slabs can easily behave as rigid diaphragm. The same holds for slabs built with precast elements and completed through in situ casting, provided peripheral ties and suitable reinforcement at connections with vertical elements is provided. Long span roofing of precast r/c industrial buildings generally consist of “panel elements” connected through mechanical devices, without any cast-in-situ completion, or even interposed with skylights. Diaphragm action can be still relied upon if the in plane rotational equilibrium of elements can be guaranteed by forces at peripheral connections: for this case a simplified design approach is proposed and validated in this paper.
