Experimental And Theoretical Research On The Diaphragm Effects Of The Cladding Systems Of Light Gauge Steel Structures

If there exists a reliable connection between the cladding system and the frame components of the light gauge steel building, the in-plane shear-resistant stiffness and shear-resistant strength provided by the cladding system cannot be neglected. This is referred to as the diaphragm effect. The force-bearing capacity of the entire structure can be strengthened due to the collaborative working between structural frames and panels of roofs and wall. Diaphragm effects caused by panels can contribute the design process in many aspects such as less bracings, small weight and low cost. This is because the inclusion of the diaphragm effects in design process can actually reflect structural characteristics subjected to external excitations. Therefore, it is practical and necessary to investigate the diaphragm effects of light gauge steel structures caused by cladding system in the field of civil engineering.In this study, the diaphragm effects of light gauge steel structures are examined based on the experimental approach, the finite element method (FEM) and the theoretical deduction respectively. The diaphragms with/without openings and the entire structural system are taken as examples respectively to carry out the aforementioned three kinds of analyses. A simplified approach for analyzing the diaphragm effects is proposed using FEM for diaphragm without openings based on the observations made in the former experimental investigation. The effectiveness of proposed approach is demonstrated through the comparison between the numerical and experimental results. Therefore, the profiled sheeting can be simplified as the orthotropic rectangular plate providing that the diaphragm panels are fastened with the purlins in every trough. The analytical approach proposed in this study can be utilized to simplify the computational model and investigate the diaphragm panels with various physical parameters. The effects of six parameters on shear-resistant capacity are examined, whose observations are taken as important guidelines for the determination of design formulae of shear-resistant capacity of diaphragm without openings.In reality, the existing roof-lights and the windows in the cladding system will...