STRUCTURAL CONNECTION MECHANISMS FOR PROVIDING DISCONTINUOUS ELASTIC BEHAVIOR IN STRUCTURAL FRAMING SYSTEMS

摘要

A structural frame for a building includes a plurality of columns, beams, and beam-to-column connections. A plurality of braces are positioned in frame bays formed by respective pairs of columns and beams, each brace comprising a multi-piece brace having a plurality of brace portions. A plurality of discontinuous elastic zone connections couple the plurality of beams to the plurality of columns via the plurality of beam-to-column connections and/or couple pieces of the multi-piece brace together. Each of the discontinuous elastic zone connections comprises connection mechanisms and a compression element positioned on each connection mechanism, with each compression element comprising a single component or a plurality of deformable components in a parallel stack, a series stack, or a combination of parallel stacks and series stacks. The compression element is configured to provide elasticity in the structural frame and dampen the effects of transient loads on the structural frame.

主权项

1. A structural frame for a building comprising:
a plurality of vertically oriented columns configured to provide gravity and lateral load resisting support to the structural frame; a plurality of horizontally oriented beams coupled to the plurality of columns at a plurality of intersections; a plurality of beam-to-column connections configured to couple the plurality of vertically oriented columns to the plurality of horizontally oriented beams at the plurality of intersections; a plurality of braces positioned in at least a portion of frame bays of the structural frame that are formed by respective pairs of columns and beams, each of the plurality of braces comprising a multi-piece brace having a plurality of brace portions; and a plurality of discontinuous elastic zone connections to couple the plurality of beams to the plurality of columns via the plurality of beam-to-column connections and/or to couple pieces of the multi-piece brace; wherein each of the plurality of discontinuous elastic zone connections comprises:
a plurality of connection mechanisms; anda compression element positioned on each of the plurality of connection mechanisms, the compression element comprising a single component or a plurality of deformable components in a parallel stack, a series stack, or a combination of parallel stacks and series stacks;wherein the compression element is configured to provide elasticity and damping in the structural frame in response to transient loads and overloading applied to the structural frame.