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

摘要

A structural frame for a building includes first and second structural members, with a discontinuous elastic zone at locations where the first and second structural members are coupled and through which a load passes therebetween. Discontinuous elastic zone connections couple the first and second structural members and are configured to provide elasticity in the structural frame and dampen the effects of transient loads on the structural frame. Each discontinuous elastic zone connection includes faying surfaces opposing each other, fastening devices configured to secure respective first and second structural members, and a compression element positioned on each fastening device configured to act in combination with a fastening device to regulate movement of the faying surfaces relative to each other, and thus regulate the behavior of the discontinuous elastic zone connection resulting from loads applied by first and second structural members on opposing sides of a respective discontinuous elastic zone.

主权项

1. A structural frame for a building comprising:
a plurality of first structural members; a plurality of second structural members coupled to the plurality of first structural members, with a discontinuous elastic zone being present at a location where a respective first structural member is coupled to a respective second structural member through which a load passes between the first and second structural members during a loading event; and a plurality of discontinuous elastic zone connections configured to couple the plurality of first structural members to the plurality of second structural members, the discontinuous elastic zone connections configured to enhance elastic characteristics of the structural frame and its response to transient loads; wherein each of the plurality of discontinuous elastic zone connections comprises:
faying surfaces either rigidly connected to or formed as part of respective first and second structural members, with the faying surfaces opposing each other and either in contact with each other or separated by a compression element in an interstitial space between the opposing faying surfaces;fastening devices configured to secure a respective first structural member to a respective second structural member; anda compression element positioned on each fastening device, the compression element comprising a singular component or plurality of deformable components in a stacked arrangement;wherein the compression element is configured to act in combination with a respective fastening device so as to regulate movement of the faying surfaces relative to each other, and thus regulate the behavior of the discontinuous elastic zone connection resulting from loads applied by respective first and second structural members on opposing sides of a respective discontinuous elastic zone.