Bearing brace apparatus
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A brace apparatus comprising:
- a core member having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion;
a buckling restraining assembly surrounding at least the middle portion of the core member, the buckling restraining assembly comprising;
a metal support positioned external to the core member;
a rigid cementitious layer coupled to the metal support and surrounding the core member; and
at least two separate bearing members each of which is interposed between the rigid layer and the core member so that one side of the bearing member is in direct contact with the rigid layer, and an opposite side of the bearing member is not in direct contact with the core member such that an air gap is formed between the core member and the bearing members;
the core member is comprised of a single piece of metal.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a brace apparatus having a core member configured to absorb energy generated by seismic or other forces by undergoing plastic deformation. A buckling restraining assembly is included for maintaining the structural integrity of the brace after the core member has undergone plastic deformation. The buckling restraining assembly includes one or more bearings is located proximal the core member. The bearings are adapted to minimize friction between the core member and the buckling restraining apparatus. An air gap is positioned between the core member and the one or more bearings of the buckling restraining apparatus are adapted to prevent bonding of the core member and buckling restraining assembly. Projections are included in the core member of the brace apparatus to minimize movement of the middle portion of the core member relative to the buckling restraining assembly.
58 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A brace apparatus comprising:
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a core member having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion; a buckling restraining assembly surrounding at least the middle portion of the core member, the buckling restraining assembly comprising; a metal support positioned external to the core member; a rigid cementitious layer coupled to the metal support and surrounding the core member; and at least two separate bearing members each of which is interposed between the rigid layer and the core member so that one side of the bearing member is in direct contact with the rigid layer, and an opposite side of the bearing member is not in direct contact with the core member such that an air gap is formed between the core member and the bearing members;
the core member is comprised of a single piece of metal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A brace apparatus adapted to absorb kinetic energy comprising:
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a steel core member having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion; one or more lateral supports adapted to provide additional support to at least one of the first and the second end of the steel core member; a buckling restraining assembly surrounding the middle portion of the steel core member, the buckling restraining assembly comprising; a metal support positioned external to the core member; a cementitious rigid layer coupled to the metal support and circumscribing the core member; and a plurality of bearing members each of which is interposed between the rigid layer and the steel core member so that each bearing member has one side that is in direct contact with the rigid layer and an opposite side that is not in direct contact with the steel core member such that an air gap is formed between the bearing members and the core member. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A brace apparatus adapted to absorb energy by providing plastic deformation while being resistant to buckling, the brace apparatus comprising:
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a core member having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion; one or more lateral supports adapted to provide additional support to the core member; a buckling restraining assembly circumscribing the middle portion of the core member comprising; a support tube surrounding a portion of the core member; a rigid cementitious layer internal to the support tube; and a plurality of bearing members interposed between the rigid layer and the core member such that one side of each bearing member is in direct contact with the rigid layer, and an opposite side is spaced apart from the core member so that it is not in direct contact with the core member such that an air gap is formed between the core member and the bearing members. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. In an improved brace apparatus, adapted to absorb energy by providing plastic deformation of a core member during seismic activity so as to be resistant to buckling, the brace apparatus having a buckling restraining assembly comprising a concrete filled tube circumscribing at least a middle portion of the core member, the improvement comprising:
bearing members interposed between the core member and the concrete filling of said tube, each said bearing members comprising a first surface in direct contact with the concrete filling, and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface and that is not in direct contact with the core member such that an air gap is formed between the core member and the;
the core member is comprised of a single piece of metal bearing members.
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27. A brace apparatus comprising:
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a core member having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion; a buckling restraining assembly circumscribing the middle portion of the core member, the buckling restraining assembly comprising; a metal support positioned external to the core member; a cementitious rigid layer coupled to the metal support and circumscribing the core member; and a plurality of bearing members interposed between the rigid layer and the core member wherein a first bearing member is positioned adjacent to a core member first side and a second bearing member is positioned adjacent a core member second side, such that an air gap is positioned between the first bearing member and the core member first side and an air gap is positioned between the second bearing member and the core member second side, one side of each bearing member is in direct contact with the rigid layer. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification