Moment frame connector

Abstract

A lateral bracing system is disclosed for affixing a column to a beam in a construction. The lateral bracing system includes a pair of buckling restraint plates, one each affixed to a top and bottom flange of a beam. The lateral bracing system further includes at least one yield plate for each buckling restraint plate. Each yield plate includes a first end affixed to the column, and a second end affixed to the beam.

Description

PRIORITY DATA[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 959,696 entitled “MOMENT FRAME CONNECTOR,” filed Dec. 19, 2007, which application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 871,587, entitled “Moment Frame Connector”, filed Dec. 22, 2006. Both applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to hysteretic damping for structures used in light-framed constructions, and in particular to a lateral bracing system constructed to provide a high degree of energy dissipation through hysteretic damping along with high initial stiffness so that energy is dissipated at low force thresholds within a light-framed construction.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Shear stresses due to natural phenomena such as seismic activity and high winds can have devastating effects on the structural integrity...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The lateral bracing system has sufficient stiffness and rigidity to provide a high degree of resistance to deflection under applied lateral loads. However, at lateral loads above a controllable and predictable level, the structure of the present invention provides for stable yielding of the yield links. In this way, the applied lateral loads are hysteretically dampened from the system, and a high degree of energy is dissipated, thereby preventing damage to the frame. Moreover, the energy dissipation and stable yielding of the yield links allow the frame to withstand repeated deflection under lateral loads without failure.

[0012]In a further embodiment, the lateral bracing system may include a pair of buckling restraint assemblies which are provided directly between a beam and a column. In such an embodiment, all connections between each buckling restraint assembly and the beam or column may be made with bolts. The all-bolt assembly facilitates assembly at the jobsite.

Problems solved by technology

Shear stresses due to natural phenomena such as seismic activity and high winds can have devastating effects on the structural integrity of light-framed constructions.

Lateral forces generated during such natural phenomena may cause the top portion of a wall to move laterally with respect to the bottom portion of the wall, which movement can result in damage or structural failure of the wall and, in some instances, collapse of the building.

Many conventional lateral bracing systems perform well initially under lateral loads, but yield and fail upon the repetitive lateral loads which often occur during significant seismic activity and high winds.

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