Patent Grant
10689876
Typically, structural beam-to-column connections in moment-resisting frames may be very expensive to build, because they include multiple parts that must be fitted and then welded together. For example, the parts required for the moment-resisting frame may include a column, column continuity plates, column doubler plates, and a beam. The welding between the beam and the column is typically performed in the field and may be particularly expensive. Another connection type includes a flange-plate moment connection and addresses the expense of welding. Generally, however, when the frame experiences a seismic event, the connection between the beam and the column is such that the failure or yielding of the frame occurs at a location on the beam, which is near but not at the connection.
Accordingly, designers and manufacturers of moment-resisting frame continue to seek improvements thereto.
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a moment-resisting frame as well as to a connection system and a moment-resisting frame that includes such plate. In an embodiment, a beam-to-column connection system is disclosed. The beam-to-column connection system includes a plurality of splice plates configured to be secured to a column and to be spaced from each other. The beam-to-column connection system also includes a plate including at least one first beam-connection portion and at least one first splice plate-connection portion. The at least one first beam-connection portion is configured to connect to a top flange of a beam. The at least one first splice plate-connection portion is configured to connect to two or more of the plurality of splice plates. The beam-to-column connection system also includes a seismic fuse plate including at least one second beam-connection portion, at least one second splice plate-connection portion, and at least one shear portion extending between the second beam-connection portion and the second splice plate-connection portion. The at least one second beam-connection portion is configured to connect to a bottom flange of the beam. The at least one second splice plate-connection portion is configured to connect to a remainder of the plurality of splice plates.
In an embodiment, a moment-resisting frame is disclosed. The moment-resisting frame includes a column and a beam. The beam includes a top flange, a bottom flange, and a web extending between the top flange and the bottom flange. The moment-resisting frame also includes a beam-to-column connection system connecting the beam to the column. The beam-to-column connection system includes a plurality of splice plates secured to the column and spaced from each other. The beam-to-column connection system also includes a plate including a first beam-connection portion and a first splice plate-connection portion. The first beam-connection portion is connected to the top flange of the beam. The first splice plate-connection portion is connected to two or more of the plurality of splice plates. The beam-to-column connection system further includes a seismic fuse plate including a second beam-connection portion, a second splice plate-connection portion, and a shear portion extending between the second beam-connection portion and the second splice plate-connection portion. The second beam-connection portion is connected to the bottom flange of the beam and the second splice plate-connection portion is connected to a remainder of the plurality of splice plates.
In an embodiment, a beam-to-column connection system is disclosed. The beam-to-column connection system includes at least four splice plates configured to be secured to a column and to be spaced from each other. The at least four splice plates exhibits a sheet-like shape. The beam-to-column connection system also includes a plate including a first beam-connection portion and a first splice plate-connection portion. The first beam-connection portion is configured to connect to a top flange of a beam and the first splice plate-connection portion is configured to connect to two or more of the at least four splice plates. The beam-to-column connection system further includes a seismic fuse plate exhibiting single piece construction. The seismic fuse plate includes a second beam-connection portion configured to connect to a bottom flange of the beam, two second splice plate-connection portions configured to connect to a remainder of the at least four splice plates, and two shear portions that each extend between the second beam-connection portion and a corresponding one of the two second splice plate-connection portions. Each of the two shear portions defines at least one opening. Each of the second beam-connection portion, the two second splice plate-connection portions, and the two shear portions exhibit a generally rectangular shape. The second beam-connection portion, the two second splice plate-connection portions, and the two shear portions define two exterior recesses.
Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used in combination with one another, without limitation. In addition, other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
The drawings illustrate several embodiments, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar elements or features in different views or embodiments shown in the drawings.
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to at least one plate (e.g., a plate including at least one shear portion or a plate that does not include at least one shear portion) for a moment-resisting frame as well as to a connection system and a moment-resisting frame that includes such plate. Specifically, the plate may be configured and positioned such that movement or tilting of the moment-resisting frame exerts shear forces on one or more portions of the plate. For example, as the moment-resisting frame experiences a seismic event (e.g., an event that may exert forces onto the moment-resisting frame, which may tilt or reconfigure the moment-resisting frame from a generally rectangular configuration to a parallelogram configuration), the plate may be subjected to shear force that may preferentially fail the plate instead of a column or at least one beam (e.g., a single beam or a plurality of beams) connected to the column by the connection system that includes the plate.
In some embodiments, the connection system may be configured to prevent or reduce the likelihood of buckling at one or more portions of the beam and/or column connected by the connection system. For example, failure resulting from shear forces experienced by the plate at the connection system may accommodate or allow greater relative rotation or pivoting between the beam and column connected by the connection system (e.g., as compared with a conventional connection system) without failure of the beam and/or column. Facilitating increased tilting between the beam and column connected by the connection system (compared with a conventional connection) without buckling the beam and/or column may prevent failure or deformation of the beam (e.g., which may be more costly to repair than repairing or replacing the connection system). For example, instead of buckling or otherwise plastically deforming the beam, during a seismic event, the plate may experience elastic and/or plastic deformation resulting from the shear forces experienced thereby, while the deformations experienced by the beam and the column may remain in the elastic region, thereby preventing damage to the beam and column. Moreover, one or more portions of the connection system (e.g., the plate) may be replaced. As noted above, replacing a failed or plastically deformed plate may be easier and/or less expensive than replacing a failed or plastically deformed beam or column.
Generally, the plate may have any number of suitable configurations, such that the plate may be subjected to and/or fail due to shear forces (e.g., in a seismic event) of a selected magnitude. In an embodiment, the plate may include at least one shear portion that may selectively fail during a seismic event, may have any suitable shape and/or cross-section that may have a suitable shear strength. In such an embodiment, the plate is a seismic fuse plate. In an embodiment, the plate does not include at least one shear portion. Hence, for example, by selecting a suitable shear strength for the shear portion(s) of the plate or omitting the shear portion(s) from the plate, the moment-resisting frame may be configured such as to fail due to the shear forces applied at the shear portion of the plate, while the column and beam connected by the connection system may remain undamaged.
In an embodiment, the moment-resisting frame can include a plurality of plates. In such an embodiment, at least one of the plates include at least one shear portion and a remainder of the plates do not include at least one shear portion. As such, the at least one plate that include the shear portion can fail preferentially relative to the plates that do not include the shear portion.
Generally, the beam-to-column connection system 400 may include any number of suitable connections that may be configured to connect the first seismic fuse plate 410a and/or second seismic fuse plate 410b to the column 300, such as with a plurality of splice plates. In the illustrated embodiment, the first seismic fuse plate 410a may be connected to the column 300 by opposing first and second pairs of splice plates 420a, 420a′. Similarly, the seismic fuse plate 410b may be connected to the column 300 by opposing third pair of splice plates 420b and fourth pairs of splice plates 420b′. In the illustrated embodiment, multiple respective fasteners (e.g., bolts 430) may connect the first and second pairs of splice plates 420a, 420a′ to the first seismic fuse plate 410a. Likewise, in the illustrated embodiment, the first seismic fuse plate 410a may be connected to the beam 200 with multiple fasteners (e.g., bolts 430). Similarly, the seismic fuse plate 410b may be connected to the third pair of splice plates 420b and to the fourth splice plate 420b′ by one or more fasteners, such as by bolts 430.
The first and second pairs of splice plates 420a, 420a′ may extend outward from the column 300 (e.g., generally in the direction of the beam 200). In the illustrated embodiment, the beam-to-column connection system 400 may include doubler plates 440a, 440b that may be secured to the column 300. For example, the doubler plates 440a, 440b may be welded or otherwise secured to the column 300 with any number of suitable fastening mechanisms (e.g., fasteners, such as bolts, rivets, etc., welds, etc.). In an embodiment, the first pair of splice plates 420a may be secured to the doubler plate 440a (e.g., the first pair of splice plates 420a may be fastened to the doubler plate 440a by welding or with one or more fasteners, such as with bolts 430). Similarly, the second first pair of splice plates 420a′ may be connected to the doubler plate 440b (e.g., the second first pair of splice plates 420a′ may be fastened to the doubler plate 440b by welding or with one or more fasteners, such as with one or more bolts).
Also, the third pair of splice plates 420b may be secured to the doubler plate 440a by welding or with one or more fasteners (e.g., with one or more bolts 430). Hence, for example, the first pair of splice plates 420a and the third pair of splice plates 420b may be positioned on the same side of the column 300 and may be spaced apart from each other. Also, the fourth pair of splice plates 420b′ may be secured to the doubler plate 440b by welding or with one or more fasteners (e.g., with one or more bolts 430). Moreover, for example, the second pair of splice plates 420a′ and the fourth pair of splice plates 420b′ may be located on the same side of the column 300 (e.g., opposite to the respective first pair of splice plates 420a and the third pair of splice plates 420b). Similarly, the second pair of splice plates 420a′ and the fourth splice plates may be spaced apart along the column 300 (e.g., the second pair of splice plates 420a′ may have generally the same longitudinal position along the column 300 as the first pair of splice plates 420a, and the fourth pair of splice plates 420b′ may have generally the same longitudinal position along the column 300 as the 420b).
In the illustrated embodiment, the first pair of splice plates 420a is positioned above the third pair of splice plates 420b along the column 300. For example, the first pair of splice plates 420a may secure a portion of the first seismic fuse plate 410a, and the third pair of splice plates 420b may secure a portion of the seismic fuse plate 410b. The first seismic fuse plate 410a may be spaced apart from (e.g., positioned above) the second seismic fuse plate 410b, such that the beam 200 may be positioned between the first and second seismic fuse plates 410a, 410b and secured thereto. For example, as described above the first and second seismic fuse plates 410a, 410b may secure the beam 200 to the column, such that the beam 200 is secured between the first and second seismic fuse plates 410a, 410b.
The beam 200 may be an I-beam that has a top flange 210, a bottom flange 220, and a web 230 extending therebetween. It should be appreciated that the beam 200 may have any number of suitable shapes (e.g., round tube, square tube, etc.). In the embodiment shown in
Generally, the first seismic fuse plate 410a and the second seismic fuse plate 410b may extend outward from the column 300 in the same direction as the beam 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the first seismic fuse plate 410a and the second seismic fuse plate 410b orient the beam 200 substantially perpendicularly relative to the column 300 (e.g., the column 300 may be oriented along a substantially vertical axis 10, the beam 200 may be oriented generally along a substantially horizontal axis 20, and the vertical and horizontal axes 10, 20 may be substantially perpendicular to each other). In additional or alternative embodiments, the beam 200 may be oriented at any suitable angle relative to the column 300 (e.g., at obtuse or acute angles relative to the column 300). For example, the first, second, third, and fourth pairs of splice plates 420a, 420a′, 420b, 420b′ may be secured to the corresponding doubler plates 440a, 440b, such as to form a suitable angle relative to the column 300 and to orient the beam 200 at the suitable angle relative to the column 300.
The first and second pairs of splice plates 420a, 420a′, and the third and fourth pairs of splice plates 420b, 420b′ may be spaced apart by a suitable distance, such as to accommodate the beam 200 of any selected thickness (e.g., thickness that may be defined by distance between the outer surfaces of the top flange 210 and bottom flange 220). That is, the first seismic fuse plate 410a and the second seismic fuse plate 410b may be positioned at suitable distance along the column 300 to secure the beam 200 of any selected thickness. Moreover, the beam-to-column connection system 400 may be positioned at any suitable height along the column 300, such that the beam 200 is positioned at a corresponding suitable height.
In the illustrated embodiment, the column 300 is an I-beam that includes flanges 310, 320 and a web 330 therebetween. For example, the column 300 may be axially oriented and/or centered about the axis 10, such that axis 10 is positioned midway between the flanges 310 and 320. In an embodiment, the flanges 310, 320 may be generally perpendicular to the axis 20 that may be generally perpendicular to the axis 10 (e.g., the longitudinal direction of the beam 200 may be generally perpendicular to the outer surfaces of the flanges 310 and 320). It should be appreciated, however, that the beam 200 may have any number of suitable orientations relative to the shape of the column 300 (e.g., relative to the flanges 310 and/or 320). Moreover, the column 300 may have any number of suitable cross-sectional shapes (e.g., tubular rectangle, tubular round, etc.).
In the illustrated example, the first seismic fuse plate 410a and second seismic fuse plate 410b are connected to the column 300 by the first and second pairs of splice plates 420a, 420a′ and the third and fourth pairs of splice plates 420b, 420b′ (respectively) that are connected to the doubler plates 440a, 440b. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the doubler plates 440a, 440b may be connected to the column 300 with one or more welds (e.g., fillet welds may connect the 440a, 440b to the flanges 310, 320). Generally, however, the first seismic fuse plate 410a and the second seismic fuse plate 410b may be connected to the column 300 with any number of suitable connect systems and mechanism. Examples of suitable connection systems and mechanisms are more fully described in PCT International Application No. PCT/US2015/047006 filed on 26 Aug. 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.
In particular, for example, the first seismic fuse plate 410a and the second seismic fuse plate 410b may fail or plastically deform, to absorb energy from the seismic event, due to shear forces experience thereby (e.g., forces in a direction generally parallel to the axis 20). As described above, the seismic fuse plate(s), such as the first and second seismic fuse plates 410a, 410b, may absorb some of the energy that a seismic event may deliver to the moment-resisting frame 100. Specifically, for example, dissipating the energy from the seismic event by allowing the seismic fuse plate(s) to deform and/or at least partially shear may prevent or avoid deformations to the beam 200 and/or to the column 300 (e.g., that may otherwise result from the seismic event).
In an embodiment, the beam 200 may be spaced from the column 300 by a space 30. Hence, for example, the first seismic fuse plate 410a and the second seismic fuse plate 410b may experience shear forces as the beam 200 moves toward and/or away from the column 300 during a seismic event. As described below in more detail, positioning the beam 200 spaced from the column 300 along the horizontal axis 20 (e.g., by a suitable distance) and secured to the column 300 by the beam-to-column connection system 400 may allow the beam 200 to move in a direction that is generally parallel to the horizontal axis 20 as the frame tilts. In some embodiments, the horizontal axis 20 together with the beam 200 may change orientation relative to the column 300 and relative to the vertical axis 10, as the moment-resisting frame 100 tilts during a seismic event. Furthermore, the beam 200 may apply or produce shear force on the first seismic fuse plate 410a and the second seismic fuse plate 410b, as the frame tilts and the beam 200 is forced to change orientation relative to the column 300 (e.g., from a generally perpendicular orientation to forming an acute and/or obtuse angle relative thereto).
In some embodiments, the first seismic fuse plate 410a and the second seismic fuse plate 410b may have similar or the same configurations. Hence, for the sake of simplicity, the following describes to the first seismic fuse plate 410a, but would be similarly applicable to the second seismic fuse plate 410b. For example, the seismic fuse plate 410a may have at least one portion that is wider than the width of the beam 200 (e.g., a portion of the seismic fuse plate 410a that is near the column 300 may be wider than the width of the beam 200). Moreover, in some embodiments, the first pair of splice plates 420a and the second pair of splice plates 420a′ may be secured to the seismic fuse plate 410a at the portion that is wider than the beam 200 (e.g., the first pair of splice plates 420a and the second first pair of splice plates 420a′ may be positioned about the beam 200 such as to define a distance therebetween that is greater than the width of the beam 200.
In an embodiment, at least one portion of the seismic fuse plate 410a may be positioned between the beam 200 and an outer periphery of the beam 200 (e.g., without contacting any other portion of the beam 200, column 300, other portions of the beam-to-column connection system 400, or combination thereof). The seismic fuse plate 410a may include first and second shear portions 411a, 411a′. Specifically, for example, the first shear portion 411a may extend between a beam-connection portion (e.g., portion of the seismic fuse plate 410a that may be connected to the beam 200) and a splice plate-connection portion (e.g., portion of the seismic fuse plate 410a that is secured between the first pair of splice plates 420a). Similarly, the second shear portion 411a′ may extend between the beam-connection portion (e.g., portion of the seismic fuse plate 410a that may be connected to the beam 200) and another splice plate-connection portion (e.g., portion of the seismic fuse plate 410a that is secured between the second pair of splice plates 420a′). Hence, under some operating conditions, the first and second shear portions 411a and/or 411a′ may fail, as the beam 200 is forced away from and/or toward the column 300.
In some embodiments, the beam-to-column connection system 400 may include a shear tab 450 (e.g., blocker plate) that connects the beam web 230 to the first column flange 310. For example, as shown in
Moreover, the shear tab 450 may be detached from the beam 200. For example, the shear tab 450 may be attached to the beam 200 after the beam 200 is positioned at the suitable location relative to the column 300 (e.g., without the shear tab 450, the beam 200 may be positioned between two opposing columns, such that the beam 200 is suitably shorter than the distance between the two opposing columns, to facilitate installation of the beam 200). Furthermore, the shear tab 450 may have horizontal slotted holes to accommodate the beam 200 from moving toward the column 300 or moving away from the column 300.
In other words, the shear tab 450 may provide additional restraint (e.g., to resist gravity loads) for the beam 200, but with limited ability to transmit movements from the beam 200 to the column 300.
In an embodiment, in a seismic event that applies lateral load onto the moment-resisting frame 100 (e.g., in directions along the axis 20), the seismic fuse plate 410a may experience a greater load when the beam 200 experiences forces in the direction away from the column 300 than when the beam 200 experiences forced in the direction toward the column 300. As such, under some operating conditions, the seismic fuse plate 410a may be more prone to failure when the beam 200 is forced away from the column 300. In other words, the beam-to-column connection system 400 may be configured such that the seismic fuse plate 410a may selectively plastically deform and/or fail in a single direction (e.g., due to shear forces at the first and second shear portions 411a, 411a′). As described above, in some conventional frames, the beam may be selectively weakened near the connection to the column; such weakened portion may fail in response to repeated compressive and tensile loads thereof (e.g., due to buckling).
The moment-resisting frame 100 may include a beam 200 connected to and between opposing columns 300 and 300a, thereby forming a substantially rigid structure that may resist lateral forces (e.g., the moment-resisting frame 100 may be included in a structure, such as a building, and may provide suitable resistance to lateral movements, which may prevent collapse of the building under certain conditions). As described above, the beam 200 may be connected to the column 300 by the beam-to-column connection system 400. Furthermore, the beam 200 may be connected to the column 300a by a beam-to-column connection system 400a that may be similar to or the same as the beam-to-column connection system 400 (e.g., as described above).
In the illustrated example, the beam-to-column connection system 400 includes the seismic fuse plate 410a and seismic fuse plate 410b that experience shear load (as shown in
As described above, the seismic fuse plate 410a may include the shear portions 411a, 411a′ that may be positioned and configured such as not to contact any other portion of the beam 200, column 300, beam-to-column connection system 400, or combinations thereof. For example, the seismic fuse plate 410a may include a beam-connection portion 412a that may generally extend along the middle of the seismic fuse plate 410a and may be connected to the beam. The seismic fuse plate 410a also may include a first splice plate-connection portion 413a and a second splice plate-connection portion 413a′. In an embodiment, the first splice plate-connection portion 413a may be secured to the first pair of splice plates and the second splice plate-connection portion 413a′ may be secured to the second pair of splice plates. For ease of identification,
In an embodiment, the first and second shear portions 411a, 411a′ may be positioned between the portions of the seismic fuse plate 410a, which may be secured to the beam or to the column. For example, the first shear portion 411a may be positioned between the beam-connection portion 412a (secured to the beam) and the first splice plate-connection portion 413a (secured to the first pair of splice plates). Likewise, the second shear portion 411a′ may be positioned on an opposite side of the seismic fuse plate 410a and between the beam-connection portion 412a (secured to the beam) and the second splice plate-connection portion 413a′ (secured to the second pair of splice plates).
Hence, for example, as the beam 200 and the column 300 experience forces in the opposite directions (as shown in
Generally, the amount of deformation and/or the forces required to produce the deformation (e.g., such as to plastically deform or fail at least one of the first or second shear portion 411a, 411a′ of the seismic fuse plate 410a and/or corresponding portions of the seismic fuse plate 410b) may vary from one embodiment to the next and may depend on the shape and size of the first and second shear portions 411a, 411a′, modulus of elasticity of the material of the seismic fuse plate 410 and/or material of the first and second shear portions 411a, 411a′, etc.
As described above, in some embodiment, the moment-resisting frame may have two or more beam-to-column connection systems that include at least one seismic fuse plate (e.g., two opposing beam-to-column connection systems). Additionally or alternatively, moment-resisting frames may include a single beam-to-column connection system with at least one seismic fuse plate. For example, a moment-resisting frame may include two opposing columns and a beam connected thereto; a beam-to-column connection system (e.g., as described above) may connect the beam to a first column, and another connection (e.g., another rigid connection, such as a welded connection) may connect the beam to a second column.
The seismic fuse plate 410a may have a plate-like configuration of a selected thickness. For example, the thickness of the seismic fuse plate 410a may be selected such that the first and second shear portions 411a, 411a′ have a suitable or selected failure point or force at which the first and second shear portions 411a, 411a′ plastically deform.
Also, as described above, the seismic fuse plate 410a may be fastened to the beam and to the splice plates. Hence, for example, the seismic fuse plate 410a may include fastener holes 415a at suitable locations for fastening the seismic fuse plate 410a. Generally, however, the seismic fuse plate 410a may be fastened to the beam and to the splice plates with any number of suitable connections (e.g., weld, rivets, etc.). In some embodiments, the seismic fuse plate may have no holes or openings for fasteners.
It should be appreciated, however, that the shear portions of the seismic fuse plate may have any number of suitable configurations.
Moreover, in some embodiments, the shear portions may have a smaller thickness than other portions of the seismic fuse plate.
Furthermore, the seismic fuse plate may have any number of suitable configurations. In an embodiment, where the shear portions 711, 711′ of the seismic fuse plate 710 may have selected strength, such as to produce a controlled plastic deformation and/or failure thereat. For example, the shear portions 711, 711′ may have a suitable or selected thickness, such that the shear portions 711, 711′ may deform or fail in response to selected shear forces applied thereto.
In the illustrated embodiments in
Referring to
In an embodiment, each of the first and second pieces 918a, 918b of the plate 910a includes a first portion 921 and a second portion 922 extending from the first portion 921. The first and second portions 921, 922 may exhibit a generally rectangular shape. However, the first and second portions 921, 922 may exhibit other non-rectangular shapes if suitable. The first and second portions 921, 922 may be arranged relative to each other such that the first and second pieces 918a, 918b exhibit a generally L-like shape. Further, the generally L-shape of the first and second pieces 918a, 918b allows the first and second pieces 918a, 918b to be coupled to a greater percentage of the splice plates 920 and/or allow the splice plates 920 to exhibit a shorter length than if the first and second pieces 918a, 918b exhibited a different shape. The first portion 921 exhibits a first width (measured perpendicularly from the horizontal and vertical axes 10, 20) and the second section 922 exhibits a second width that is measured parallel to the first width. The first width is greater than the second width. The different widths of the first and second portions 921, 922 forms a first exterior recess 923. The first exterior recesses 923 of the first and second pieces 918a, 918b, collectively, may be sized and configured to accommodate a portion of the column 300 therein, as shown in
At least a portion of the first portions 921 of the first and second pieces 918a, 918b form the beam-connection portion of the plate 910a and at least a portion of the second portions 922 of the first and second pieces 918a, 918b form the splice plate-connection portion of the plate 910a. The first portions 921 of the first and second pieces 918a, 918b may also form part of the beam-connection portion of the plate 910a.
In an embodiment, the plate 910a (e.g., the first and second pieces 918a, 918b) does not include a shear portion. In such an embodiment, the plate 910a does not include at least one of an opening (e.g., opening 414a of
Referring to
In an embodiment, each of the third and fourth pieces 919a, 919b of the seismic fuse plate 910b includes a beam-connection portion 912, a splice plate-connection portion 913, and a shear portion 911 extending between the beam-connection portion 912 and the splice plate-connection portion 913. The beam-connection portion 912, the splice plate-plate connection portion 913, and the shear portion 911 may each exhibit a generally rectangular shape. The dimensions of the generally rectangular shape of at least two of the beam-connection portion 912, the splice plate-plate connection portion 913, or the shear portion 911 may be the same or different. The beam-connection portion 912, the splice plate-plate connection portion 913, and the shear portion 911 may be arranged relative to each other such that the third and fourth pieces 919a, 919b exhibit an angular generally S-shape, as shown in
Further, the generally S-shape of the third and fourth pieces 919a, 919b allows the third and fourth pieces 919a, 919b to be coupled to a greater percentage of the splice plates 920 and/or allow the splice plates 920 to exhibit a shorter length than if the third and fourth pieces 919a, 919b exhibited a different shape. In an embodiment, the third and fourth pieces 919a, 919b may exhibit any other suitable shape. For example, the third and fourth pieces 919a, 919b can, collectively, exhibit any of the shapes disclosed herein.
In an embodiment, the third and fourth pieces 919a, 919b include an opening 914. For example, the opening 914 may be formed in the shear portion 911 of the third and fourth pieces 919a, 919b. However, it is noted that at least one of the third or fourth pieces 919a, 919b may include at least one cutout (e.g., similar to cutout 616 of
As previously discussed, the beam-to-column connection system 901 also includes a plurality of splice plates 920 (e.g., at least four splice plates 920) that are configured to couple the plate 910a and the seismic fuse plate 910b to the doubler plates 940a, 940b.
In an embodiment, at least some of the plurality of splice plates 920 may be configured to operate in pairs, wherein each pair of the splice plates 920 is configured to sandwich and be attached to the same splice plate-connection portion. In an embodiment, at least one of the plurality of splice plates 920 may be configured to be attached to a splice plate-connection portion by itself which may facilitate assembly of the beam-to-column connection system 901.
Each of the plurality of splice plates 920 may be configured to be coupled to the doubler plates 940a, 940b and to the plate 910a and the seismic fuse plate 910b using any of the attachment methods disclosed herein. In an embodiment, at least one of the plurality of splice plates 920 may be welded to a corresponding one of the first or second doubler plate 940a, 940b because welding the splice plates 920 to the corresponding one of the first or second doubler plate 940a, 940b off-site, instead of on a construction site, may be performed more efficiently and accurately. In an embodiment, at least one of the plurality of splice plates 920 may be configured to be coupled to the plate 910a and the seismic fuse plate 910b using any of the attachment methods disclosed herein, such as bolts, rivets, or the like.
The plurality of splice plates 920 may exhibit any suitable shape. In an embodiment, at least one of the plurality of splice plates 920 may exhibit a sheet-like shape that is bent at a right angle, similar to the splice plates illustrated in
In an embodiment, the two shear portions 1011 of the seismic fuse plate 1010b may define one or more openings 1014 In an embodiment, the seismic fuse plate 1010b includes a cutout (e.g., similar to the cutout 616 of
The moment-resisting frames 100, 900, and 1000 shown in
In an embodiment, the column 1160 is a box column or a hollow structural section exhibiting a rectangular cross-section, such as a generally square cross-section. However, it is noted that the column 1160 can include another suitable type of structural column. The column 1160 includes a first member 1161 (e.g., a first flange), a second member 1162 (e.g., a second flange) opposing the first member 1161, a third member 1163 extending between the first and second members 1161, 1162, and a fourth member 1164 opposing the third member 1163 and extending between the first and second members 1161, 1162. The third and fourth members 1163, 1164 of the column 1160 provide a surface to which the splice plates 1120 can be coupled. As such, the beam-to-column connection system 1100 may not include exterior doubler plates since the splice plates 1120 can be coupled to the third and fourth members 1163, 1164. In other words, the third and fourth members 1163, 1164 can function as exterior doubler plates that extend along an entirety of a length of the column 1160.
The beam-to-column connection systems disclosed herein can be used to couple a plurality of beams to the column. For example,
The moment-resisting frame 1200 includes a column 1260 and four beams 200 coupled to the column. However, it is noted that more or fewer beams 200 (e.g., one, two, three, five, etc.) can be coupled to the column 1260. The column 1260 and the four beams 200 can be the same or substantially similar to any columns and beams, respectively, disclosed herein. For example, as illustrated the column 1260 includes a box column or a hollow structural section exhibiting a square or rectangular cross-section. In such an example, the beam-to-column connection system 1201 (e.g., the splice plates 1220) can be coupled directly to the four members 1261, 1262, 1263, 1264 without the use of exterior doubler plates. However, it is noted that the beam-to-column connection system 1201 can include one or more exterior doubler plates to facilitate attachment of the splice plates 1220 to the column 1260, such as when the column 1260 includes an I-beam.
The beam-to-column connection system 1201 can include one or more of a plurality of plates 1210 (e.g., plates that include or do not include at least one shear portion), a plurality of splice plates 1220, at least one shear tab 1250, or at least one spacer 1270. Referring to
The splice plates 1220 can exhibit any suitable shape that allows the splice plates 1220 to couple two or more of the beams 200 to the column 1260. In an embodiment, as illustrated, the splice plates 1220 can exhibit a generally planar shape, such as a generally bar-like shape. In such an example, each of the splice plates 1220 can include two splice plate-to-beam connection portions 1226 and one splice plate-to-column connections portions 1227. The splice plates 1220 exhibiting the generally bar-like shape can be used to couple beams 200 that are adjacent to opposing members of the column 1260. However, the splice plates 1220 can exhibit other suitable shapes. In an example, the splice plates 1220 can exhibit a planar generally hashtag-like shape (e.g., the splice plates 1220 shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, some of the splice plates 1220 are positioned above other of the splice plates 1220. This causes the top surfaces 1228 and bottom surfaces 1229 of some of the splice plates 1220 to be offset relative to the top surfaces 1228 and bottom surfaces 1229 of the other splice plates 1220. Referring to
Referring back to
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/549,853 filed on Aug. 24, 2017 and is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/516,834 filed on Apr. 4, 2017, which is a U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US2016/065623 filed on Dec. 8, 2016, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/265,362 filed on Dec. 9, 2015. The disclosures of each of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein, in their entireties, by this reference.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 15516834 | US | |
| Child | 16101075 | US |
