Method and apparatus to control seismic forces, accelerations, and displacements of structures
First Claim
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1. A structure including a system for damping internal forces, and limiting accelerations and drifts caused by external excitations, the system comprising:
- a. a gravity frame coupled to a base level;
b. at least four separate reaction frames rigidly coupled to a base level in at least one plane; and
c. connection means for connecting the gravity frame and the reaction frame, the connection means including spring means for setting a period of response and damping means for dissipating energy, and limiting forces, accelerations and drifts within the structure;
wherein each reaction frame is connected to the gravity frame via the connection means, each reaction frame being contained within a different vertical plane defined by the structure.
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Abstract
A seismic energy dissipation system for use with structures such as buildings, bridges and the like. The system includes a gravity frame, at least one reaction frame, and connection apparatus for connecting the gravity frame and the reaction frame. The connection apparatus includes springs for setting a period of response and energy dissipation units for dissipating energy within the structure, thus controlling the response of a structure with respect to internal forces, accelerations and deformations due to external excitations such as wind or earthquake.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A structure including a system for damping internal forces, and limiting accelerations and drifts caused by external excitations, the system comprising:
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a. a gravity frame coupled to a base level;
b. at least four separate reaction frames rigidly coupled to a base level in at least one plane; and
c. connection means for connecting the gravity frame and the reaction frame, the connection means including spring means for setting a period of response and damping means for dissipating energy, and limiting forces, accelerations and drifts within the structure;
wherein each reaction frame is connected to the gravity frame via the connection means, each reaction frame being contained within a different vertical plane defined by the structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A multi-storied structure including a system for damping internal forces caused by external forces, the system comprising:
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a. a gravity frame, coupled to a base level, comprising multiple beams and columns, the gravity frame extending vertically for multiple stories;
b. at least four separate reaction frames, rigidly coupled to a base level in at least one plane, comprising multiple beams and columns, each reaction frame extending vertically for multiple stories;
c. a plurality of springs, each story of each section of the reaction frame being connected to the gravity frame with a least one spring; and
d. a plurality of energy dissipation units, each story of each reaction frame being connected to the gravity frame with at least one energy dissipation unit. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of damping internal force within a structure caused by external force, the structure including a gravity frame coupled to a base level and at least one separate reaction frame rigidly coupled in at least one plane to the base level, the method comprising:
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connecting springs between the reaction frame of the structure and the gravity frame of the structure; and
connecting energy dissipation units between the reaction frame of the structure and the gravity frame of the structure. - View Dependent Claims (15)
selecting a desired period of response of the structure to external force;
configuring the springs based upon the desired period of response;
selecting a desired level of damping within the structure caused by the external force; and
configuring the energy dissipation units based upon the desired level of damping.
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16. A structure having at least one level and including a system for damping internal forces and limiting accelerations and drifts, the system comprising:
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a gravity frame coupled to a base level;
a separate reaction frame rigidly coupled to the base level; and
connection means at each level for connecting the gravity frame and the reaction frame such that the gravity frame can distort relative to the reaction frame. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A building comprising:
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at least one level;
a frame comprising multiple beams and columns, the beams and columns being arranged to form seismic reaction frame and a separate, essentially flexible, gravity load carrying frame, the reaction frame being coupled to a base level rigidly in at least one plane; and
connection means at each level for connecting the reaction frame and the gravity frame such that the gravity frame can distort relative to the reaction frame upon a predetermined amount of force being exerted upon the building. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A method of damping internal force within a structure caused by external force, the structure including a gravity frame and at least four separate reaction frames, each contained within a different vertical plane defined by the structure, the method including the steps of:
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coupling the gravity frame to a base level for relative movement therebetween;
rigidly coupling the at least four reaction frames in at least one plane to the base level; and
coupling the reaction frames and the gravity frame to one another with at least one energy dissipation unit that includes at least one spring element. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. In a building structure including a gravity frame located on a base level, a method of damping internal force within a structure caused by external force that includes the steps:
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coupling the gravity frame to the base level through an isolating element that permits relative movement between the gravity frame and the base level;
providing the building structure with a reaction frame rigidly connected to the base level; and
connecting the gravity frame and the reaction frame to one another with a parallel connection including a spring means and a damper means for relative movement between the gravity frame and the reaction frame.
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28. A structure including a system for damping internal forces, and limiting accelerations and drifts caused by external excitations, the system comprising:
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a. a gravity frame coupled to a base level;
b. a separate reaction frame rigidly coupled to a base level in at least one plane; and
c. connection means for connecting the gravity frame and the reaction frame, the connection means including spring means for setting a period of response and damping means for dissipating energy, and limiting forces, accelerations and drifts within the structure;
wherein the gravity frame comprises multiple beams and columns, a first level of the columns including a pin connection at a top and a bottom. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification