CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priorities of Taiwanese Application Nos. 099108880 and 099205208, filed on Mar. 25, 2010.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a buckling restrained brace, more particularly to a buckling restrained brace that is adapted to be connected fixedly between two connecting plates of a framework of a building.
2. Description of the Related Art
A buckling restrained brace is generally used in a steel framework of a building for absorbing vibration energy generated by an earthquake so as to minimize damage to the framework resulting from the shock of the earthquake.
As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional buckling restrained brace 1 is provided between two connecting plates 14 of a steel framework 13 of a building, and includes an axial member 11 and a restraining unit 12 that surrounds the axial member 11. The axial member 11 has end portions longitudinally opposite to each other and connected respectively to the connecting plates 14 of the steel framework 13.
However, the restraining unit 12 generally has a square or round cross-section, and the conventional buckling restrained brace 1 has a relatively heavy weight and a relatively large volume, thereby resulting in inconvenience when being assembled to the steel framework 13, and occupying a relatively large space within the building.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a buckling restrained brace that can alleviate the abovementioned drawbacks of the conventional buckling restrained brace.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an axial member adapted for use in a buckling restrained brace.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for making a buckling restrained brace.
Accordingly, a buckling restrained brace of the present invention is adapted to be connected fixedly between two connecting plates of a framework of a building. The buckling restrained brace comprises a rigid restraining unit extending in an axial direction and having opposite longitudinal ends, and an axial member. The axial member includes a middle section, a pair of first coupling sections, and a pair of second coupling sections. The middle section extends in the axial direction and is surrounded by the restraining unit. The first coupling sections are connected respectively and perpendicularly to opposite longitudinal end portions of the middle section. Each of the first coupling sections extends in the axial direction, has at least a portion exposed from a respective one of the longitudinal ends of the restraining unit, and is formed with a first coupling groove adapted for engaging a respective one of the connecting plates. The second coupling sections are connected respectively and perpendicularly to the opposite longitudinal end portions of the middle section. Each of the second coupling sections extends in the axial direction, is spaced apart from a corresponding one of the first coupling sections in a first transverse direction transverse to the axial direction, has at least a portion exposed from a respective one of the longitudinal ends of the restraining unit, and is formed with a second coupling groove adapted for engaging a respective one of the connecting plates.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional buckling restrained brace connected to a steel framework;
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a first preferred embodiment of a buckling restrained brace according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is another schematic side view of the first preferred embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the first preferred embodiment taken along line 91-91 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is another sectional view of the first preferred embodiment taken along line 92-92 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method of making the first preferred embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a surrounding member of the first preferred embodiment;
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the first preferred embodiment;
FIG. 9 is an assembled perspective view of the first preferred embodiment;
FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a second preferred embodiment of the buckling restrained brace according to the invention;
FIG. 11 is another schematic side view of the second preferred embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the second preferred embodiment taken along line 93-93 in FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 is another sectional view of the second preferred embodiment taken along line 94-94 in FIG. 10;
FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a method of making the second preferred embodiment;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a surrounding member of the second preferred embodiment;
FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the second preferred embodiment;
FIG. 17 is an assembled perspective view of the second preferred embodiment;
FIG. 18 is a schematic side view of a third preferred embodiment of the buckling restrained brace according to the invention;
FIG. 19 is another schematic side view of the third preferred embodiment;
FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the third preferred embodiment taken along line 95-95 in FIG. 18;
FIG. 21 is another sectional view of the third preferred embodiment taken along line 96-96 in FIG. 18;
FIG. 22 is a flow chart of a method of making the third preferred embodiment;
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a surrounding member of the third preferred embodiment;
FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the third preferred embodiment; and
FIG. 25 is an assembled perspective view of the third preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 2, the first preferred embodiment of a buckling restrained brace 201 according to the present invention is adapted to be connected fixedly between two connecting plates 9 of a steel framework of a building. The buckling restrained brace 201 comprises a rigid restraining unit 3 and an axial member 4.
Further referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the restraining unit 3 includes a surrounding member 31 extending in an axial direction (X) and having opposite longitudinal ends. In this embodiment, the surrounding member 31 is formed with an inner surrounding surface 311 (see FIG. 7).
The axial member 4 includes a middle section 41, a pair of first coupling sections 42, and a pair of second coupling sections 43.
The middle section 41 extends in the axial direction (X), and is surrounded by the surrounding member 31 of the restraining unit 3 (i.e., the inner surrounding surface 311 of the surrounding member 31 faces the middle section 41). With further reference to FIG. 8, the middle section 41 has two longitudinal end portions 415 opposite to each other in the axial direction (X) and exposed respectively from the longitudinal ends of the surrounding member 31. The middle section 41 further has a main portion 416 disposed between the end portions 415, and two converging portions 417. One of the converging portions 417 interconnects the main portion 416 and one of the end portions 415, and the other one of the converging portions 417 interconnects the main portion 416 and the other one of the end portions 415. Each of the converging portions 417 converges from a corresponding one of the end portions 415 toward the main portion 416. The restraining unit 3 further includes a curable material 32 filled between the surrounding member 31 and the middle section 41.
The first coupling sections 42 are connected respectively and perpendicularly to the longitudinal end portions of the middle section 41. The second coupling sections 43 are connected respectively and perpendicularly to the longitudinal end portions of the middle section 41. Each of the first and second coupling sections 42, 43 extends in the axial direction (X). Each of the second coupling sections 43 is spaced apart from a corresponding one of the first coupling sections 42 in a first transverse direction (Y) transverse to the axial direction (X). The middle section 41 is formed as an elongated plate, which is formed with first and second side surfaces 411, 412 opposite to each other in a second transverse direction (Z) transverse to the axial direction (X) and the first transverse direction (Y). In this embodiment, each of the first and second coupling sections 42, 43 has a first coupling segment 441 that is connected to the first side surface 411 of the middle section 41, and that has an exposed part 4411 exposed from a respective one of the longitudinal ends of the surrounding member 31, and a connecting part 4412 connected to the exposed part 4411 and surrounded by the surrounding member 31. In this embodiment, each of the first and second coupling sections 42, 43 further has a second coupling segment 442 that is connected to the second side surface 412 of the middle section 41, and that has an exposed part 4421 exposed from a respective one of the longitudinal ends of the surrounding member 31, and a connecting part 4922 connected to the exposed part 4421 and surrounded by the surrounding member 31. The exposed part 4411 of the first coupling segment 441 of each of the first coupling sections 42 cooperates with the exposed part 4421 of the second coupling segment 442 of the corresponding one of the first coupling sections 42 to define a first coupling groove 443 (see FIG. 9). The exposed part 4411 of the first coupling segment 441 of each of the second coupling sections 93 cooperates with the exposed part 4421 of the second coupling segment 442 of the corresponding one of the second coupling sections 43 to define a second coupling groove 444. Each of the first and second coupling segments 441, 442 of the first and second coupling sections 42, 43 is in contact with the inner surrounding surface 311 of the surrounding member 31.
When connecting to the steel framework of the building, the buckling restrained brace 201 is disposed between the connecting plates 9 with the middle section 41 of the axial member 4 being coplanar with the connecting plates 9 and with each of the first and second coupling sections 42, 43 being perpendicular to the connecting plates 9, such that each of the first and second coupling grooves 443, 444 engages a respective one of the connecting plates 9 (i.e., one of the first engaging grooves 443 and a corresponding one of the second engaging grooves 444 engage one of the connecting plates 9, while the other one of the first engaging grooves 443 and a corresponding one of the second engaging grooves 444 engage the other one of the connecting plates 9). As such, the surrounding member 31 can be designed to have a rectangular cross-section as clearly illustrated in FIG. 7, thereby resulting in a smaller volume thereof than the conventional buckling restrained brace 1 illustrated in FIG. 1.
The connecting part 4412, 4422 of each of the first and second coupling segments 441, 442 has an end surface opposite to the exposed part 4411, 4421 of a corresponding one of the first and second coupling segments 441, 442 in the axial direction (X) and inclining toward the exposed part 4411, 4421 of the corresponding one of the first and second coupling segments 441, 442. The presence of the converging portions 417 of the middle section 41 as well as the end surfaces of the first and second segments 441, 442 strengthens effectively the stiffness and the strength of two ends of the axial member 4 so that the axial member 4 can have uniform stress distribution.
As shown in FIG. 6, a method of making the buckling restrained brace 201 of this invention comprises steps 901 to 904.
Referring to FIG. 7, the step 901 is to prepare the hollow surrounding member 31 that is made of steel and that has a rectangular cross-section.
As shown in FIG. 8, the step 902 is to prepare the axial member 4 that extends in the axial direction (X) and that includes a middle section 41, two pairs of first coupling segments 441, and two pairs of second coupling segments 442. Each pair of the first coupling segments 441 extend in the axial direction (X) and are connected perpendicularly to the first side surface 411 of the middle section 41 at a respective one of the longitudinal end portions of the middle section 41. Each pair of the second coupling segments 442 extend in the axial direction (X) and are connected perpendicularly to the second side surface 412 of the middle section 41 at a respective one of the longitudinal end portions of the middle section 41. The exposed part 4411, 4421 of each of the first coupling segments 441 cooperates with the exposed part 4411, 4421 of the corresponding one of the second coupling segments 442 to define the first and second coupling grooves 443, 444 (see FIG. 9) therebetween. In this embodiment, the middle section 41, and the first and second coupling segments 441, 442 are made of steel.
As shown in FIG. 9, the step 903 is to extend the axial member 4 through the surrounding member 31 such that the exposed parts 4411, 4421 and the first and second coupling grooves 443, 444 are exposed from the surrounding member 31, and that the connecting part 4412, 4422 of each of the first and second coupling segments 441, 442 are in contact with the inner surrounding surface 311 of the surrounding member 31 so as to stabilize the structure and to strengthen the structural strength of the buckling restrained brace 201.
The step 904 is to fill the curable material 32 between the surrounding member 31 and the middle section 41 of the axial member 4. In this embodiment, the curable material 32 may be structural concrete or epoxy resin.
As shown in FIG. 10, the second preferred embodiment of the buckling restrained brace 202 according to the present invention has a structure similar to that of the first embodiment. The main difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment resides in the configuration of the axial member.
As further shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, in this embodiment, the axial member 6 includes a middle section 61 extending in the axial direction (X) and surrounded by the surrounding member 31, a pair of first coupling sections 62 and a pair of second coupling sections 63.
The first coupling sections 62 are connected respectively and perpendicularly to opposite longitudinal end portions of the middle section 61. With further reference to FIG. 16, each of the first coupling sections 62 has a portion exposed from a respective one of the longitudinal ends of the surrounding member 31 and formed with a first coupling groove 642. The second coupling sections 63 are connected respectively and perpendicularly to the opposite longitudinal end portions of the middle section 61. Each of the second coupling sections 63 is spaced apart from a corresponding one of the first coupling sections 62 in the first transverse direction (Y), and has a portion exposed from a respective one of the longitudinal ends of the surrounding member 31 and formed with a second coupling groove 643.
The middle section 61 has an intermediate segment 611 and first and second lateral segments 612, 613 connected respectively and perpendicularly to opposite lateral ends of the intermediate segment 611 in the first transverse direction (Y) such that the middle section 61 has an H-shaped cross-section (see FIG. 13). The intermediate segment 611 is formed with an elongated slot 641 extending in the axial direction (X). The first lateral segment 612 interconnects integrally the first coupling sections 62 to form a first plate 68 (see FIG. 16), and the second lateral segment 613 interconnects integrally the second coupling sections 63 to form a second plate 69 (see FIG. 16). Each of the first and second plates 68, 69 has an axial length longer than that of the intermediate segment 611. Each of the first and second coupling sections 62, 63 has opposite distal edges in the second transverse direction (Z) that are in contact with the inner surrounding surface 311 of the surrounding member 31 (see FIG. 15).
In this embodiment, each of the first coupling sections 62 has a maximum width in the second transverse direction (Z) that is larger than that of the first lateral segment 612, and includes a converging part 621 that is connected integrally to and converges toward the first lateral segment 612. Each of the second coupling sections 63 has a maximum width in the second transverse direction (Z) that is larger than that of the second lateral segment 613, and includes a converging part 631 that is connected integrally to and converges toward the second lateral segment 613. Therefore, the stiffness and the strength of two ends of the axial member 6 can be strengthened. Preferably, the elongated slot 641 formed in the intermediate segment 611 of the middle section 61 weakens the structural strength of the middle section 61, so that the buckling restrained brace 202 of this embodiment can have uniform stress distribution.
As shown in FIG. 14, a method of making the buckling restrained brace 202 of this invention comprises steps 905 to 908.
Referring to FIG. 15, the step 905 is to prepare the hollow surrounding member 31 that is made of steel and that has a rectangular cross-section.
Referring to FIG. 16, the step 906 is to prepare the axial member 6 composed of the middle section 61 that is formed with the elongated slot 641, and the first and second plates 68, 69 that have the first and second coupling sections 62, 63 formed with the first and second coupling grooves 642, 643. In this embodiment, the middle section 61 and the first and second plates 68, 69 are made of steel and welded integrally together.
As shown in FIG. 17, the step 907 is to extend the axial member 6 through the surrounding member 31 such that a portion of each of the first and second coupling sections 62, 63 and the first and second coupling grooves 642, 643 is exposed from the surrounding member 31, and that the distal edges of each of the first and second coupling sections 62, 63 are in contact with the inner surrounding surface 311 of the surrounding member 31 so as to stabilize the structure and to strengthen the structural strength of the buckling restrained brace 202.
The step 908 is to fill the curable material 32 between the surrounding member 31 and the middle section 61 of the axial member 6.
As shown in FIG. 18, the third preferred embodiment of the buckling restrained brace 203 according to the present invention has a structure similar to that of the second preferred embodiment. The main difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment resides in the configuration of the axial member.
As further shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, in this embodiment, the axial member 8 includes a middle section 81 extending in the axial direction (X) and surrounded by the surrounding member 31, a pair of first coupling sections 82 and a pair of second coupling sections 83.
The middle section 81 has a first lateral segment 811 interconnecting integrally the first coupling sections 82 to form a first plate 88 (see FIG. 24). Each of the first coupling sections 82 has a portion exposed from a respective one of the longitudinal ends of the surrounding member 31 and formed with a first coupling groove 841. The second lateral segment 812 is spaced apart from the first lateral segment 811 in the first transverse direction (Y) and interconnects integrally the second coupling sections 83 to form a second plate 89 (see FIG. 24). Each of the second coupling sections 83 has a portion exposed from a respective one of the longitudinal ends of the surrounding member 31 and formed with a second coupling groove 842. Each of the first and second coupling sections 82, 83 has opposite distal edges in the second transverse direction (Z) that are in contact with the inner surrounding surface 311 of the surrounding member 31 (see FIG. 23).
In this embodiment, each of the first coupling sections 82 has a maximum width in the second transverse direction (Z) that is larger than that of the first lateral segment 811, and includes a converging part 821 that is connected integrally to and converges toward the first lateral segment 811. Each of the second coupling sections 83 has a maximum width in the second transverse direction (Z) that is larger than that of the second lateral segment 812, and includes a converging part 831 that is connected integrally to and converges toward the second lateral segment 812. The third preferred embodiment has the same advantages as those of the second preferred embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 22, a method of making the buckling restrained brace 203 of this invention comprises steps 909 to 912.
Referring to FIG. 23, the step 909 is to prepare the hollow surrounding member 31 that is made of steel and that has a rectangular cross-section.
Referring to FIG. 24, the step 910 is to prepare the axial member 8 including the first and second plates 88, 89 that are formed with the first and second coupling sections 82, 83 formed with the first and second coupling grooves 841, 842. In this embodiment, the first and second plates 88, 89 are made of steel.
As shown in FIG. 25, the step 911 is to extend the axial member 8 through the surrounding member 31 such that a portion of each of the first and second coupling sections 82, 83 and the first and second coupling grooves 841, 842 is exposed from the surrounding member 31, and that the distal edges of each of the first and second coupling sections 82, 83 are in contact with the inner surrounding surface 311 of the surrounding member 31.
The step 912 is to fill the curable material 32 between the surrounding member 31 and the first and second plates 88, 89.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.
Patent Application
20110232221
