Moment frame links wall

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11346102-B2
Application number	US-202117215562-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 29, 2021
Priority date	May 18, 2004
Publication date	May 31, 2022
Grant date	May 31, 2022

Abstract

A lateral bracing system having high initial stiffness and including yield links capable of effectively dissipating stresses generated within the lateral bracing system under lateral loads.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bracing system for use in constructions, the bracing system comprising:
a structural frame having a first structural support member and a second structural support member;
a mounting element affixed between the first structural support member and a central portion of the second structural support member, the mounting element configured to affix the central portion of the second structural support member to the first structural support member, the second structural support member pivoting clockwise about a pivot point at the mounting element upon a first load exerted on the structural frame, and the second structural support member pivoting counterclockwise about the pivot point at the mounting element upon a second load exerted on the structural frame, the second load being opposite to the first lateral load, the first structural support member being spaced from the second structural support member at locations on either side of the central portion, the space on either side of the central portion and the mounting element enabling rotation of the first structural support member relative to the second structural support member; and
a yield link affixed at a first end to the first structural support member and at a second end, opposite the first end, to the second structural support member, the yield link comprising a mid-section between the first and second ends having a width smaller than a width of the yield link at the first and second ends and capable of yielding in tension and compression to dissipate stress within the frame upon a lateral load applied to the structural frame.

2. The bracing system recited in claim 1 , further comprising a buckling restraint block affixed to the second structural support member, the buckling restraint block limiting buckling of the yield link.

3. The bracing system recited in claim 1 , the yield link comprising a first yield link, the bracing system further comprising a second yield link, the first and second yield links positioned at top and bottom flanges of the second structural support member.

4. The bracing system recited in claim 3 , wherein the second yield link comprises a section between first and second ends of the second yield link capable of yielding in tension and compression to dissipate stress within the frame upon a lateral load applied to the structural frame.

5. A bracing system as recited in claim 4 , wherein the buckling restraint block comprises a first buckling restraint block, the bracing system further comprising a second buckling restraint block affixed to one of the flanges of the second structural support member, the second buckling restraint block limiting buckling of the second yield link.

6. A bracing system for use in constructions, the bracing system comprising:
a structural frame having a first structural support member and a second structural support member;
a mounting element affixed between the first structural support member and a central portion of the second structural support member, the mounting element including a central hole configured to align with an opening in the central portion of the second structural support member, and configured to receive a bolt through the central hole and opening to affix the central portion of the second structural support member to the first structural support member and to allow rotation of the second structural support member relative to the first structural support member, the central hole defining an axis of rotation of the second structural member relative to the first structural member such that the second structural support member pivots clockwise about the axis of rotation upon a first load exerted on the structural frame, and such that the second structural support member pivots counterclockwise about the axis of rotation upon a second load exerted on the structural frame, the second load being opposite to the first lateral load; and
a yield link affixed at a first end to the first structural support member and at a second end, opposite the first end, to the second structural support member, the yield link comprising a section between the first and second ends capable of yielding in tension and compression to dissipate stress within the frame upon a lateral load applied to the structural frame.

7. The bracing system of claim 6 , wherein the first structural support member is spaced from the second structural support member at locations on either side of the central portion, the space on either side of the central portion and the mounting element enabling rotation of the first structural support member relative to the second structural support member.

8. The bracing system recited in claim 6 , further comprising a buckling restraint block affixed to the second structural support member, the buckling restraint block limiting buckling of the yield link.

9. The bracing system recited in claim 6 , wherein the section of the yield link has a smaller width than the ends of the yield link.

10. A construction, comprising:
a first structural support member;
a second structural support member including sloped edges sloping back a central portion of the second structural support member toward top and bottom edges of the second structural support member;
a mounting element affixed between the first structural support member and the central portion of the second structural support member, the mounting element configured to affix the central portion of the second structural support member to the first structural support member and the mounting element configured to allow rotation of the second structural support member relative to the first structural support member about a pivot point; and
a lateral bracing system affixed between the first and second structural support members, including:
a pair of yield links, each yield link including a first end affixed to the first structural support member, and a second end affixed to the second structural support member, a yield link of the pair of yield links having a middle section of smaller width than at the first and second ends, the middle section capable of yielding in tension and compression to dissipate stress within at least one of the first and second structural support members upon a lateral load applied to at least one of the first and second structural support members, and the sloped edges of the second structural support member preventing binding of the second structural member as the second structural member rotates about the pivot point relative to the first structural support member.

11. The bracing system recited in claim 10 , further comprising first and second buckling restraint blocks, the first and second buckling restraint blocks affixed to top and bottom flanges of the second structural support member, the first and second buckling restraint blocks limiting buckling of the first and second yield links.

Assignees

• Simpson Strong Tie Co Inc

Inventors

• Pryor Steven E
• Anderson Guy T

Classifications

• E04H9/0237 Primary

  Structural braces with damping devices · CPC title

• E04B1/98 Primary

  against vibrations or shocks (on foundations E02D31/08); against mechanical destruction, e.g. by air-raids (against incendiary damage only E04B1/94; finishing work therefor E04F; buildings withstanding earthquake or the like, shelters, arrangements of splintercatching walls E04H9/00) · CPC title

• E04B2001/2496

  Shear bracing therefor · CPC title

• E04B2001/2442

  Connections with built-in weakness points · CPC title

• E04B2/56

  {Load-bearing} walls of framework or pillarwork; Walls incorporating load-bearing elongated members (E04B2/74, E04B2/88 take precedence; pillars E04C3/30) · CPC title