Moment frame connector

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 11299880
  • Patent Number
    11,299,880
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, February 10, 2015
    9 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, April 12, 2022
    2 years ago
Abstract
A lateral bracing system is disclosed for affixing a column to a beam in a construction. The lateral bracing system includes a pair of buckling restraint plates, one each affixed to a top and bottom flange of a beam. The lateral bracing system further includes at least one yield plate for each buckling restraint plate. Each yield plate includes a first end affixed to the column, and a second end affixed to the beam.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention


The present invention relates to hysteretic damping for structures used in light-framed constructions, and in particular to a lateral bracing system constructed to provide a high degree of energy dissipation through hysteretic damping along with high initial stiffness so that energy is dissipated at low force thresholds within a light-framed construction.


2. Description of the Related Art


Shear stresses due to natural phenomena such as seismic activity and high winds can have devastating effects on the structural integrity of light-framed constructions. Lateral forces generated during such natural phenomena may cause the top portion of a wall to move laterally with respect to the bottom portion of the wall, which movement can result in damage or structural failure of the wall and, in some instances, collapse of the building.


In constructions such as residences and small buildings, lateral bracing systems were developed to counteract the potentially devastating effects of shear stress on the structural integrity of light-framed constructions. Although various designs are known, one type of lateral bracing system includes vertical studs spaced from each other and horizontal beams affixed to and extending between the studs. The beams are affixed to the studs in a manner aimed at increasing structural performance of the connection under lateral loads.


Many conventional lateral bracing systems perform well initially under lateral loads, but yield and fail upon the repetitive lateral loads which often occur during significant seismic activity and high winds. Upon appreciable yield or failure of the lateral bracing system, the entire system must be replaced.


Another consideration unrelated to loading of structures is the ease and effectiveness with which such structures may be erected by crews at a worksite. One task which adds to the time, complexity and cost of constructions is having to weld components together at the worksite. Bolted connections are typically preferred, in that they may be accomplished more quickly, effectively and without the additional equipment and labor costs associated with welding.


SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention, roughly described, relate to a lateral bracing system for affixing a column to a beam in a construction. In embodiments, the lateral bracing system includes a pair of buckling restraint blocks, one each welded to a top and bottom flange of a beam. Each buckling restraint block includes one or more bores formed through a center of the block. The lateral bracing system further includes at least one yield link for each buckling restraint block. Each yield link includes a first end affixed to the column, and a second end fit through a bore in a buckling restraint block and affixed to an end of the buckling restraint block.


The lateral bracing system has sufficient stiffness and rigidity to provide a high degree of resistance to deflection under applied lateral loads. However, at lateral loads above a controllable and predictable level, the structure of the present invention provides for stable yielding of the yield links. In this way, the applied lateral loads are hysteretically dampened from the system, and a high degree of energy is dissipated, thereby preventing damage to the frame. Moreover, the energy dissipation and stable yielding of the yield links allow the frame to withstand repeated deflection under lateral loads without failure.


In embodiments, a beam may be delivered to the worksite having the buckling restraint blocks welded, glued or otherwise affixed thereto. Once at the worksite, the yield links may be inserted into the bores in the buckling restraint blocks and affixed to the buckling restraint blocks and columns. Thus, minimal fabrication of the lateral bracing system of the present invention is required at the worksite.


In a further embodiment, the lateral bracing system may include a pair of buckling restraint assemblies which are provided directly between a beam and a column. In such an embodiment, all connections between each buckling restraint assembly and the beam or column may be made with bolts. The all-bolt assembly facilitates assembly at the jobsite.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beam connected to a column by a lateral bracing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.



FIG. 2 is a front view of the lateral bracing system according to FIG. 1.



FIGS. 3-5 are perspective views of a beam connected to a column by a lateral bracing system according to a further embodiment of the present invention.



FIG. 6 is a front view of the lateral bracing system shown in FIGS. 3-5.



FIG. 7 is a top view of the lateral bracing system shown in FIGS. 3-5.



FIG. 8 is a side view of a yield link of the lateral bracing system shown in FIGS. 3-5.



FIG. 9 is an end view of a buckling restraint block of the lateral bracing system shown in FIGS. 3-5.



FIG. 10 is a side view of a buckling restraint block of the lateral bracing system shown in FIGS. 3-5.



FIG. 11 is a side view of a yield link according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.



FIG. 12 is a side view of a buckling restraint block according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.



FIG. 13 is a graph of lateral load vs. lateral displacement of the frame for embodiments of the present invention.



FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a pair of buckling restraint assemblies affixing a beam directly to a column.



FIG. 15 is a partially dissembled perspective view of a buckling restraint assembly of FIG. 14.



FIG. 16 is a side view of a pair of buckling restraint assemblies affixing a beam directly to a column.



FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a buckling restraint assembly of FIGS. 14 and 16.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 17, which in embodiments of the invention relate to a lateral bracing system having high initial stiffness and including yield links capable of effectively dissipating energy generated within the lateral bracing system under lateral loads. It is understood that the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the invention to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents of these embodiments, which are included within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details.


Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a frame 100 comprised in part of a horizontal beam 102 affixed to a vertical column 104. Each of the beam 102 and column 104 includes an opposed pair of flanges connected by a central diaphragm. Although referred to as a vertical column and a horizontal beam, it is understood that the column and beam may be affixed to each other at angles other than 90° in alternative embodiments. The beam 102 is affixed to the column 104 by means of a beam stub 110 including a lateral bracing system. The lateral bracing system is comprised of a pair of buckling-restrained braced devices 112, one on each of the top and bottom flanges of beam stub 110. Each buckling-restrained braced device 112 includes a flat, “dog-bone” shaped yield link 114 welded or glued at its first end to a flange of the beam stub 110 and welded or glued at its second end to a flange of the column 104 (“dog bone” shaped in that it is narrower at a center portion than at its end portions). Covering the center portion of each yield link 114 is a buckling restraint block 116. Blocks 116 are welded or glued to the respective flanges of the beam stub 110.


A shear tab 122 may further be provided between the beam stub 110 and column 104. The shear tab 122 may be affixed as by welding, gluing or bolting to a flange of column 104 and as by welding, gluing or bolting to the central diaphragm of beam stub 110. The beam stub 110 additionally includes an end plate 124 welded at an end of the beam stub opposite shear tab 122. End plate 124 may be bolted to a similar end plate 126 to affix the beam 102 to the beam stub 110 as explained hereinafter.


In operation, the pair of buckling-restrained braced devices 112 operate in tandem to oppose rotation of the beam relative to the column (i.e., rotation about the shear tab 122) under a lateral load. Attempted rotation in a first direction will place the first of the devices 112 in tension and the second of the devices in compression. Attempted rotation in the opposite direction will place the first of the devices in compression and the second in tension.


The yield link 114 of the respective devices 112 provides high initial stiffness and tensile resistance to relative movement between the column 104 and the beam 102 under lateral loads, but provides stable yielding and energy dissipation under lateral loads above a predictable and controlled level. In particular, the bending strength of the column and beam could be designed to exceed the moment capacity of the yield links 114, and in particular, the thinner center portions of yield links 114. Thus, the yield links 114 yield under lateral loads before yielding or failure of the column or beam, and any damage is limited to the yield links which may be easily removed and replaced. The buckling restraint blocks 116 prevent buckling of the yield links under a compressive load. The shear tab 122 is provided to oppose vertical shear (i.e., along the length of column 104) under a vertical load.


Moreover, the lateral bracing system provided between beam 102 and column 104 as described with respect to the above and below embodiments allows the omission of the lateral-torsional buckling restraint system conventionally provided as part of the beam. That is, in prior art systems, a lateral-torsional buckling restraint system was provided as part of the beam to yield in the event of excessive lateral loads. These lateral-torsional buckling restraint systems include a yield link and lateral braces to prevent buckling of the beam. Through the use of the lateral bracing system according to the present invention, the lateral-torsional buckling restraint system found on the beam in the prior art may be omitted. Having the ability to control, via a finite cap to the link moment capacity, the input demands on the beam through the lateral bracing system of the present invention, that is separate from the beam itself, allows the beam to be designed without bracing. It also allows the beams and columns to be designed to remain elastic at the level of ultimate yield-link connection moment capacity.


Upon lateral loads, the yield links 114 exert forces on the flange of the column 104 to which the yield links are attached. Accordingly, continuity plates 130 may optionally be affixed to the affected flange of column 104 to oppose the forces exerted by the yield links.


As explained in the Background section, it is desirable to avoid welding at the worksite. Accordingly, in embodiments, the assembly and connection of beam 102 and column 104 may be accomplished as follows. Prior to arriving at the worksite, the first end of the yield links 114 and the buckling-restraint blocks 116 may be welded or glued to the beam stub 110. The end plate 124 may also be welded or glued to the stub 110.


The beam stub 110 may then be welded or glued to column 104 by welding/gluing the second end of the yield links 114 to the flange of column 104, and welding/gluing the shear tab to the diaphragm of column 104. The shear tab may then be bolted to the diaphragm of the beam stub 110. The joined beam stub 110 and column 104 may then be delivered to the worksite. The inclusion of beam stub 110 allows all welding/gluing to take place before the column arrives at the worksite. The end plate 126 may be welded or glued to the beam 102 and the beam may then be delivered to the worksite. Once at the worksite, the beam 102 may be affixed to the beam stub 110 by bolting the end plates 124 and 126 together.


An alternative embodiment of the present invention is now explained with respect to FIGS. 3 through 12. In this embodiment a lateral bracing system is provided which allows the omission of the beam stub 110 and provides a simpler yet effective design. Referring initially to FIGS. 3 through 7, a frame 200 is comprised in part of a horizontal beam 102 affixed to a vertical column 104. Although referred to as a vertical column and a horizontal beam, it is understood that the column and beam may be affixed to each other at angles other than 90° in alternative embodiments.


The beam 102 is affixed to the column 104 by means of a lateral bracing system. The lateral bracing system is comprised of a pair of buckling-restrained braced devices 212, one on each of the top and bottom flanges of beam 102. Each buckling-restrained braced device 212 includes one or more cylindrical yield links 214, each including threads at its ends as explained hereinafter. Each set of one or more yield links 214 may be provided within a buckling restraint block 216 which is welded, glued or otherwise affixed to the upper and lower flanges of beam 102.


A shear tab 222 may further be provided between the beam 102 and column 104. The shear tab 122 may be affixed as by welding, gluing or bolting to a flange of column 104 and as by welding, gluing or bolting to the central diaphragm of beam 102. As seen in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the shear tab includes a circular hole in the middle of the shear tab, and oblong holes at the upper and lower edges. Where bolted to the flange of the column, pivoting of the beam 102 about the bolt in the central circular hole, upon yielding of the upper and lower yield links (explained below), the bolts will ride in the upper and lower slots. This allows the shear tab to remain functional without failure to the extent the bolts ride in the slots. Column flange stiffeners 230 may optionally be affixed to the flange of column 104 to oppose the forces exerted by the yield links.



FIG. 8 shows a side view of an embodiment of a cylindrical yield link 214 and FIGS. 9 and 10 show end and side views, respectively, of an embodiment of a buckling restraint block 216. Cylindrical yield link 214 may be formed of steel and includes first and second threaded ends 240, 242, and a center portion 244 between ends 240 and 242. Center portion 244 preferably has a smaller diameter than ends 240, 242 so that, upon yielding as explained hereinafter, the yield link 214 yields at center portion 244. Tapered sections 246 and 248 may be provided to smoothly transition from the diameter of ends 240, 242 to center portion 244. Although not shown, ends 240 and 242 may be chamfered to allow easy insertion into the buckling restraint block 216. Center portion 244 may include ribs 250, the purpose of which is explained hereinafter. It may be possible to form center portion 244 of a different material than ends 240 and 242, where the center portion has a lower modulus of elasticity. In such an embodiment, the center portion may be provided with the same diameter as end 240, and still be the first portion to yield upon tensile stresses above the center portion yield point.


In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the end 242 may have a larger diameter than end 240. As one example, end 242 may have a diameter of 1.30 inches, end 240 may have a diameter of 1.25 inches, and center portion 244 may have a diameter of 1.00 inch, except at ribs 250, which may have a diameter of 1.25 inches. It is understood that each of the above dimensions may vary above and below that set forth, either proportionately or disproportionately to each other, in alternative embodiments.


Buckling restraint block 216 may be a block of metal such as aluminum or steel with one or more bores 260 formed therethrough for receiving the one or more yield links 214. Bores 260 may have a diameter which is approximately the same as the diameter of ribs 250 and/or end 240, with the end 264 being slightly larger to receive threaded end 242 of yield links 214. The length (along the length of beam 102) of block 216 may for example be 6.50 inches, the width (across the width of the flanges of beam 102) may be approximately equal to or slightly less than the width of the flanges of beam 102, such as for example 7.00 inches, and the block 216 may have a height of 2.50 inches. When block 216 includes a pair of bores 260, the bores may be spaced from each other 4.00 inches, centerline to centerline. It is understood that each of these dimensions may vary, either proportionately or disproportionately to each other, in alternative embodiments.


The block 216 may include an end 262, through which end 240 of yield link 214 protrudes when the device 112 is assembled as explained below, and an end 264 opposite end 262. A portion of bores 260 may be threaded adjacent end 264, for receiving threaded end 242 of the yield link as explained below.


Beam 102 may be delivered to the worksite having block 216 welded, glued or otherwise affixed thereto. Column may be delivered to the worksite having shear tab 222 welded, glued or otherwise affixed thereto. Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 10, once at the worksite, yield links 214 may be inserted into bores 260, with end 240 of yield link 214 inserted first into end 264 of block 216 (i.e., right to left from the perspective of FIGS. 6 and 7). The smaller diameter portions 240, 244 and 250 of the yield link pass through the larger diameter bore 260 until threaded yield link end 242 engages the threaded end of the bore. At that point, end 242 may be threaded into block end 264 to affix the yield link 214 to the buckling restraint block 216. The end 242 of yield link 214 may include a head to drive the link into the block, but the head may be omitted in alternative embodiments.


For each yield link 214, the link is screwed in until link end 240 protrudes from block end 262. As seen for example in FIG. 6, a nut 270 is then threaded onto link end 240, the end 240 passes through a hole formed in the flange of column 104, and a second nut 272 is threaded onto end 240. Once nuts 270 and 272 are tightened down on opposed sides of the column flange, the buckling-restrained braced device 212 is fixed in position to oppose movement between beam 102 and column 104.


In particular, the pair of buckling-restrained braced devices 212 operate in tandem to oppose rotation of the beam 102 relative to the column 104 under a lateral load. The yield link 214 of the respective devices 212 provides high initial stiffness and tensile resistance to relative movement between the column 104 and the beam 102 under lateral loads, but provides stable yielding at center portion 244 and energy dissipation under lateral loads above a predictable and controlled level. In particular, bending strength of the column and beam could be designed to exceed the moment capacity of portions 244 of yield links 214. Thus, the yield links 214 yield under lateral loads before yielding or failure of the column or beam, and any damage is limited to the yield links which may be easily removed and replaced.


The buckling-restraint blocks 216 prevent buckling of the yield links under a compressive load. In particular, the relative diameter of bore 260 to the diameter of the center portion 244 of the yield links 214 limits the amount which the yield links may buckle. As set forth above, the center portion 244 may include ribs 250. The enlarged diameter of ribs 250 further limit the amount to which the yield links 214 may buckle within bore 260 of buckling restraint block 216. In embodiments, there may be three ribs 250, but there may be one, two or more than three in alternative embodiments. In further embodiments, ribs 250 may be omitted altogether.


In the embodiments described with respect to FIGS. 8 through 10, the link end 242 has a greater diameter than link end 240, thereby allowing the yield link to pass freely through the buckling restraint block 216 until engagement of the threads in link end 242 and block end 264. In the alternative embodiments of FIG. 11, the yield link 214 has ends 240 and 242 with equal diameters, for example 1.25 inches. In such embodiments, the block 216 may have a bore 260 threaded along its entire length as shown in FIG. 12. The embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12 may operate with or without ribs in the smaller diameter center portion.


In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention described above with respect to FIGS. 1-12, the lateral bracing system has sufficient stiffness and rigidity to provide a high degree of resistance to deflection under applied lateral loads. However, at lateral loads above a controllable and predictable level, the structure of the present invention provides for stable yielding of the yield links. In this way, the applied lateral loads are hysteretically dampened from the system, and a high degree of energy is dissipated, thereby preventing damage to the frame. Moreover, the energy dissipation and stable yielding of the yield links allow the frame 100 to withstand repeated deflection under lateral loads without failure.


In the event the links are damaged upon yielding, the lateral bracing system may be restored to its virgin integrity and load bearing capabilities simply by removing and replacing the yield links. The structural frame remains intact and need not be replaced.



FIG. 13 is a plot of the response of an embodiment of the buckling-restrained braced device 112 of FIGS. 1 through 2 and an embodiment of the buckling-restrained braced device 212 of FIGS. 3 through 10 for applied lateral loads. As seen, both embodiments perform elastically until their yield point at about 22,000 lbs. lateral load.



FIGS. 14-17 show a further embodiment of the present technology including a lateral bracing system 300. In this embodiment, beam stub 110 of the above-described embodiments may be omitted, so that the lateral bracing system 300 connects the beam 102 directly to the column 104.


The lateral bracing system 300 includes a pair of buckling-retrained assemblies 302, which may or may not be identical to each other, with one located on top of the beam 102 and the other below the beam 102. The following description of a buckling-retrained assembly 302 applies to both assemblies 302.


Each buckling-retrained assembly 302 includes a yield member 304 having a column-mounted plate 308, a beam-mounted plate 310, and a yield plate 312 connected between the column-mounted plate and beam-mounted plate. The column-mounted plate 308 may have a vertical portion 308a and a horizontal portion 308b that may be welded together at a right angle. The vertical and horizontal portions 308a, 308b may be affixed to each other by other means, or cast as a single piece in further embodiments.


The horizontal portion 308b may be formed of a flat, unitary construction with beam-mounted plate 310 and yield plate 312. The horizontal portion 308b and plates 308, 310 and 312 may for example be formed from a single piece of ¼ inch steel. The horizontal portion 308b and plates 308, 310 and 312 may for example be formed to other thicknesses in further embodiments.


The column-mounted plate 308 and beam-mounted plate 310 may each have a width (across the width of the flanges of beam 102) approximately equal to or slightly less than the width of the flanges of beam 102, such as for example 7.00 inches. The yield plate 312 may have a width (across the width of the flanges of beam 102) that is less than the width of the plates 308, 312. The width of plate 312 may be between 1 and 6 inches in an embodiment, between 1 and 3 inches in a further embodiment, and between 2 and 3 inches in a further embodiment. The width of yield plate 312 may be other dimensions, with the provision that the yield plate have a smaller width than the column and beam-mounted plates 308, 310.


The buckling-retrained assembly 302 further includes a buckling restraint member 316 and a pair of spacer blocks 318 (one of which is omitted from FIG. 17 for clarity). The buckling restraint member 316 may be a flat plate with a length (along a length of beam 102) approximately equal to a length of the yield plate 312. The buckling restraint member 316 may be longer or shorter than the yield plate 312 in further embodiments. The buckling restraint member 316 may be ¼ inch steel, though it may be thicker or thinner in further embodiments.


The spacer blocks 318 are sized to fit in between the horizontal portion 308b of column-mounted plate 308 and beam-mounted plate 310, on either side of yield plate 312, when the buckling-retrained assembly 302 is assembled together as explained below. The spacer blocks 318 may have the same thickness as the yield member 304. Stiffeners 230 may also be provided as described above.


The yield member 304 including column-mounted plate 308, beam-mounted plate 310, and yield plate 312 may be affixed to the column 104, either at the jobsite or remote from the jobsite. In one embodiment, the vertical portion 308a includes holes 320 (FIG. 17) for receiving bolts 322 (for example FIG. 15) above and below the horizontal portion 308b so that the yield member 304 may bolt to the column 104. In further embodiments, it is contemplated that the yield member 304 may alternatively be affixed to the column 104 by welding or gluing.


Thereafter, at the jobsite, the beam-mounted plate 310 may be bolted to the beam 102 via a plurality of bolts 326. While the figures show six bolts 326, there may be more or less than that in further embodiments.


At this point, the yield member 304 is affixed to both the beam 102 and column 104. The beam and column may also be attached to each other by a shear tab 222 as described above. Shear tab 222 may be affixed to the column 104 as by welding, gluing or bolting to a flange of column 104 and to the web of beam 102 as by bolts 328. The assembly of the yield member 304 to the beam 102 and column 104 at this stage of assembly is shown for example in FIG. 15.


In embodiments, the buckling restraint assemblies 302 and shear tab 222 may affix beam 102 to column 104 at the jobsite with bolts only, thus simplifying construction by omitting welding. However, in further embodiments, the beam-mounted plate 310 and/or shear tab 222 may be affixed to beam 102 by welding or gluing. In further embodiments, the yield member 304 may be affixed to the beam 102 first, either before or at the jobsite, and then affixed to the column 104.


The buckling restraint member 316 is next affixed to beam 102 over the yield plate 312. As seen for example in FIG. 17, a pair of bolts 332 fit through respective holes 334 in buckling restraint member 316, up through holes 338 in spacers 318, and into holes 340 (FIG. 15) formed in beam 102, where the bolts may receive a nut to fasten the bolts in place. Being the same thickness as the yield member 304, the spacers ensure a uniform load distribution across the buckling restraint member 316 when the bolts 332 are fastened to beam 302 around the yield plate 312.


In operation, the pair of buckling-restrained assemblies 302 operate in tandem to oppose rotation of the beam relative to the column (i.e., rotation about the shear tab 222) under a lateral load. Attempted rotation in a first direction will place the first of the assemblies 302 in tension and the second of the devices in compression. Attempted rotation in the opposite direction will place the second of the assemblies in tension and the first in compression.


The yield plate 312 of the respective assemblies 302 provides high initial stiffness and tensile resistance to relative movement between the column 104 and the beam 102 under lateral loads, but provides stable yielding and energy dissipation under lateral loads above a predictable and controlled level. In particular, the bending strength of the column and beam could be designed to exceed the moment capacity of the pair of yield members 304, and in particular, the thinner center yield plate 312. Thus, the yield plates 312 yield under lateral loads before yielding or failure of the column or beam, and any damage is limited to the yield plates which may be easily removed and replaced. The buckling restraint plates 316 prevent buckling of the yield plates under a compressive load. The shear tab 222 is provided to oppose vertical shear (i.e., along the length of column 104) under a vertical load.


Although the invention has been described in detail herein, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments herein disclosed. Various changes, substitutions and modifications may be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as described and defined by the appended claims.

Claims
  • 1. A construction, comprising: a column;a beam;a shear tab having a length oriented vertically, the shear tab affixed to the column and bolted to the beam, between a top and bottom flange of the beam; anda buckling restraint assembly on at least one of the top and bottom flanges of the beam, the buckling restraint assembly including:a column mounted plate affixed to the column,a beam mounted plate mounted to the beam, anda yield plate connected between the column mounted plate and the beam mounted plate, the yield plate having a smaller width than the column mounted plate and the beam mounted plate, the smaller width of the yield plate defining first and second notches on opposite sides of the yield plate, between the column mounted plate and beam mounted plate, the yield plate yielding in tension and compression to dissipate stress within the construction upon a lateral load applied to the beam and/or column;a pair of spacer plates fitting within the first and second notches in the yield plate;a buckling restraint member covering at least a portion of the yield plate, the pair of spacer plates configured to provide a uniform load distribution across the buckling restraint member due to the first and second notches in the yield plate; anda pair of bolts fitting through a pair of holes in the buckling restraint member, a pair of holes in the pair of spacer plates and into one of the top and bottom flange of the beam, the pair of bolts receiving a pair of nuts to affix the buckling restraint member and pair of spacer plates to one of the top and bottom flange of the beam.
  • 2. A construction as recited in claim 1, wherein the yield plate has a lower strength than the beam mounted plate and column mounted plate, the yield plate yielding before the beam mounted plate and the column mounted plate.
  • 3. A construction as recited in claim 1, wherein the column mounted plate is bolted to the column.
  • 4. A construction as recited in claim 1, wherein the beam mounted plate is bolted to the beam.
  • 5. A construction, comprising: a column;a beam;a shear tab having a length oriented vertically and affixed between the column and beam, between a top and bottom flange of the beam; anda lateral bracing system affixed between the column and beam, including:a yield link connected between the column and the beam, the yield link including a pair of notches defining a narrow section yielding in tension and compression to dissipate stress within the construction upon a lateral load applied to the beam and/or column;a pair of spacer plates fitting within the pair of notches in the yield link and having substantially the same thickness as the yield link;a buckling restraint member covering at least a portion of the yield plate, the pair of spacer plates configured to provide a uniform load distribution across the buckling restraint member due to the first and second notches in the yield plate;a pair of bolts fitting through a pair of holes in the buckling restraint member, a pair of holes in the pair of spacer plates and into one of the top and bottom flange of the beam, the pair of bolts receiving a pair of nuts to affix the buckling restraint member and pair of spacer plates to one of the top and bottom flange of the beam;the shear tab including a central circular hole, and a first and second oblong holes spaced closer to the top and bottom flanges, respectively, than the central circular hole, the central and oblong holes supporting a weight of the beam against gravity, the central circular hole and the first and second oblong holes configured to allow rotation of beam about the central circular hole upon yielding of the yield link without damaging the shear tab, column or beam.
  • 6. A construction as recited in claim 5, wherein the yield link has a lower strength than the beam and column, the yield link yielding before the beam and the column.
  • 7. A construction as recited in claim 5, wherein the lateral bracing system comprises a column mounted plate bolted to the column.
  • 8. A construction as recited in claim 5, wherein the lateral bracing system comprises a beam mounted plate bolted to the beam.
PRIORITY DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/967,462 entitled “MOMENT FRAME CONNECTOR” filed Dec. 14, 2010, which application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/959,696 entitled “MOMENT FRAME CONNECTOR,” filed Dec. 19, 2007, which application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/871,587, entitled “Moment Frame Connector”, filed Dec. 22, 2006. Each application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

US Referenced Citations (66)
Number Name Date Kind
1599692 Trout Sep 1926 A
1744600 Wilcox Jan 1930 A
3173522 Frantisek et al. Mar 1965 A
3674289 Geraci Jul 1972 A
3716957 Bernardi Feb 1973 A
3716959 Bernardi Feb 1973 A
3828516 Kern Aug 1974 A
3851428 Shuart Dec 1974 A
3901613 Andersson Aug 1975 A
3915579 Offenbroich Oct 1975 A
3960458 Sato et al. Jun 1976 A
4175555 Herbert Nov 1979 A
4192621 Barth Mar 1980 A
4326826 Bunyan Apr 1982 A
4409765 Pall Oct 1983 A
4447217 Blandford May 1984 A
4463753 Gustilo Aug 1984 A
4615157 Murray Oct 1986 A
5019079 Ross May 1991 A
5048243 Ward Sep 1991 A
5242239 Hosokawa Sep 1993 A
5375382 Weidlinger Dec 1994 A
5490356 Kemeny Feb 1996 A
5536127 Pennig Jul 1996 A
5595040 Chen Jan 1997 A
5660017 Houghton Aug 1997 A
5664392 Mucha Sep 1997 A
5680738 Allen et al. Oct 1997 A
5727358 Hayashi et al. Mar 1998 A
5797228 Kemeny Aug 1998 A
5906080 diGirolamo May 1999 A
5956916 Liss Sep 1999 A
5970679 Amore Oct 1999 A
6007267 VanHorn Dec 1999 A
6030162 Huebner Feb 2000 A
6059482 Beauvoir May 2000 A
6073405 Kasai et al. Jun 2000 A
6112486 Ashton et al. Sep 2000 A
6138427 Houghton Oct 2000 A
6220410 Robinson Apr 2001 B1
6237303 Allen et al. May 2001 B1
6474902 Beauvoir Nov 2002 B1
6516583 Houghton Feb 2003 B1
6591573 Houghton Jul 2003 B2
6681538 Sarkisian Jan 2004 B1
6739099 Takeuchi et al. May 2004 B2
7174690 Zadeh Feb 2007 B2
7178296 Houghton Feb 2007 B2
7497054 Takeuchi et al. Mar 2009 B2
7757441 Whittaker Jul 2010 B1
7874120 Ohata et al. Jan 2011 B2
8146322 Karns Apr 2012 B2
20020062617 diGirolamo May 2002 A1
20020184836 Takeuchi et al. Dec 2002 A1
20030009977 Houghton Jan 2003 A1
20030230032 Shahnazarian et al. Dec 2003 A1
20040118075 Zadeh Jun 2004 A1
20040187430 Takeuchi et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040244330 Takeuchi et al. Dec 2004 A1
20050166487 Tsai Aug 2005 A1
20050257451 Pryor et al. Nov 2005 A1
20050257490 Pryor et al. Nov 2005 A1
20050284041 Chen Dec 2005 A1
20060144006 Suzuki et al. Jul 2006 A1
20090165419 Richard et al. Jul 2009 A1
20110232221 Tsai et al. Sep 2011 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (17)
Number Date Country
2535815 Mar 1976 DE
1936053 Jun 2008 EP
04008945 Jan 1992 JP
05321330 Dec 1993 JP
10306498 Nov 1998 JP
2000027293 Jan 2000 JP
2000035018 Feb 2000 JP
2000144901 May 2000 JP
2002371626 Dec 2002 JP
2003074126 Mar 2003 JP
2004278293 Oct 2004 JP
2005042375 Feb 2005 JP
2005213964 Aug 2005 JP
2005350906 Dec 2005 JP
2007016449 Jan 2007 JP
2007032802 Feb 2007 JP
9831512 Jul 1998 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (53)
Entry
Machine Translation of Japanese Patent Publication 2003074126 from the European Patent Office at https://worldwide.espacenet.com/singleLineSearch?locale=en_EP (obtained on Apr. 30, 2018).
Machine translation of Japanese Patent 2005-42375 from English translator on the Japan Patent Office webpage (http://dossier1.ipdl.inpit.go.jp/AIPN/odse_top_dn.ipdl?N0000=7400; translated on Aug. 7, 2012).
Response to Office Action filed Aug. 19, 2013 in Chinese Patent Application No. 200710301531.4.
Office Action dated Oct. 7, 2013 in Turkish Patent Application No. 2011/12457.
Office Action dated Dec. 24, 2013 in Korean Patent Application No. 136829/2007.
Machine Translation of JP2000144901 published May 26, 2000.
Office Action dated Apr. 7, 2013 in Chinese Patent Application No. 200710301531.4.
Response to Office Action filed Jun. 29, 2012 in U.S. Appl. No. 13/081,410.
Notice of Allowance and Fee(s) Due dated Aug. 29, 2012 in U.S. Appl. No. 13/081,410.
Office Action dated Jul. 17, 2012 in Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-341933.
Swedish Search Report cited in Turkish Patent Application No. 2011/12457 dated Aug. 16, 2012.
Examination Report dated Jan. 21, 2013 in Australian Patent Application No. 2007254648.
Response to Office Action filed Jan. 16, 2013 in Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-341933.
Response to Office Action filed Mar. 31, 2012 in Chinese Application No. 200710301531.4.
Response to Office Action filed Apr. 4, 2012 in European Application No. 07255025.4.
Office Action dated Sep. 15, 2011 in U.S. Appl. No. 13/081,410.
English Abstract for JP04008945 published on Jan. 13, 1992.
English Abstract for JP2007032802 published on Feb. 8, 2007.
Response to Office Action filed Mar. 9, 2011 in Chinese Application No. 200710301531.4.
Extended European Search Report dated May 12, 2011 in European Application No. 07255025.4.
Office Action dated Feb. 1, 2011 in European Application No. 07255025.4.
Final Office Action dated Jan. 31, 2012 in U.S. Appl. No. 13/081,410.
Response to Office Action filed Dec. 15, 2011 in U.S. Appl. No. 13/081,410.
Office Action dated Nov. 16, 2011 in Chinese Application No. 200710301531.4.
Office Action dated Oct. 5, 2010, U.S. Appl. No. 11/959,696.
Response to Office Action filed Nov. 5, 2010, U.S. Appl. No. 11/959,696.
Office Action dated Dec. 6, 2010, U.S. Appl. No. 11/959,696.
Requirement for Restriction/Election in U.S. Appl. No. 12/967,462 dated Feb. 23, 2012.
Response to Election/Restriction in U.S. Appl. No. 12/967,462 dated Mar. 23, 2012.
Non-Final Rejection in U.S. Appl. No. 12/967,462 dated Apr. 11, 2012.
Amendment in U.S. Appl. No. 12/967,462 dated Jul. 11, 2012.
Final Rejection in U.S. Appl. No. 12/967,462 dated Aug. 16, 2012.
Amendment in U.S. Appl. No. 12/967,462 dated Dec. 17, 2012.
Non-Final Rejection in U.S. Appl. No. 12/967,462 dated Sep. 27, 2013.
Amendment in U.S. Appl. No. 12/967,462 dated Jan. 27, 2014.
Final Rejection in U.S. Appl. No. 12/967,462 dated May 8, 2014.
Amendment in U.S. Appl. No. 12/967,462 dated Nov. 10, 2014.
European Search Report dated Jun. 15, 2015 in European Application No. 11193511.0.
English language Abstract and machine translation of JP2002371626 published Dec. 26, 2002.
Office Action dated Sep. 14, 2015 in Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-290561.
Examination Report dated Feb. 16, 2016 in Australian Patent Application No. 2014274605.
Response to Office Action filed Mar. 10, 2016 in Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-290561.
Examination Report dated Apr. 13, 2016 in Australian Patent Application No. 2011254027.
Response to Search Opinion filed Apr. 19, 2016 in European Patent Application No. 11193511.02.
Response to Examination Report filed Sep. 27, 2016 in Australian Patent Application No. 2014274605.
Response to Examiner's Report filed Mar. 9, 2017 in Australian Patent Application No. 2011254027.
Examination Report dated Mar. 28, 2017 in Australian Patent Application No. 2011254027.
Amendment filed May 17, 2018 in Canadian Patent Application No. 2761545.
Office Action dated Jul. 24, 2018 in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0134897.
Examiner's Report dated Aug. 28, 2018 in Canadian Patent Application No. 2,761,545.
Response to Office Action filed Jun. 27, 2019 in Australian Patent Application No. 2017202480.
Response to Office Action filed Jan. 24, 2019 in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0134897.
Response to Examiner's Report filed Feb. 20, 2019 in Canadian Patent Application No. 2,761,545.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20150159362 A1 Jun 2015 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60871587 Dec 2006 US
Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 12967462 Dec 2010 US
Child 14618847 US
Continuation in Parts (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 11959696 Dec 2007 US
Child 12967462 US