Roof Wall Diaphram

A diaphragm structure results when a series of such vertical and horizontal diaphragms are properly tied together to form a structural unit.

Roof wall diaphram.

In structural engineering a diaphragm is a structural element that transmits lateral loads to the vertical resisting elements of a structure such as shear walls or frames. At the roof level these wall reactions turn the load in the roof system in the plane of the roof. The roof structure consists of a panelized hybrid roof system which is very common in large diaphragm roofs in the seismically active western united states. This horizontal element is known as the diaphragm.

A shear wall however is a vertical cantilevered diaphragm. A shear wall however is a vertical cantilevered diaphragm. The term diaphragm is usually applied to roofs and floors. This roof system comprises structural wood panel sheathing with light dimensional lumber supports resting on open web steel joists and joist girders.

Diaphragms are typically horizontal but can be sloped such as in a gable roof on a wood structure or concrete ramp in a parking garage. The diaphragm resists the in plane loads by acting as a large horizontal beam spanning between the supporting end walls that are known as shear walls. A diaphragm is a flat structural unit acting like a deep thin beam.