Corrugated Shearwall

Abstract

A prefabricated shearwall including a central diaphragm having a height generally defined by top and bottom edges, and a width generally defined by a pair of end sections. The diaphragm further includes at least one corrugation extending in the height direction at least partially between the top and bottom edges. The corrugation increases the ductility and ability of the shearwall to withstand lateral forces such as those generated in earthquakes, high winds, floods and snow loads.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 734,870, entitled CORRUGATED SHEARWALL, filed Dec. 12, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. SIMP-51002US0), now pending.CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0002]The following application is cross-referenced and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety:[0003]U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 008,015, entitled CORRUGATED SHEARWALL, filed Dec. 9, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. SIMP-51002US1), now pending.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]1. Field of the Invention[0005]The present invention relates to a shearwall for opposing lateral forces on building walls, and in particular to a prefabricated shearwall including a central diaphragm having a corrugated or non-planar cross section to improve the ability of the shearwall to withstand lateral forces such as those generated in earthquakes, high winds, floods and snow loads.[0006]2. Description of the Related Art[0007]Shearwalls were developed...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a prefabricated shearwall with improved lateral load bearing characteristics that can be easily retrofit into existing structures. The shearwall includes a central diaphragm with at least one corrugation that increases the cross-sectional area and ductility of the diaphragm in the lateral direction, and further improves the resistance of the shearwall to lateral forces such as those generated in earthquakes, high winds, floods and snow loads. The shearwall may also include reinforcing chords and a flat sill plate to distribute the significant compressive forces over a large surface area on the underlying support surface and prevent any wetness or moisture from the underlying support surface from damaging the chords. The corrugation may be formed so that it is larger at the bottom edge of the central diaphragm and slopes inward to become smaller toward the top edge of the central diaphragm, resulting in a shearwall providing even greater lateral force resistance.

Problems solved by technology

Prior to shearwalls and lateral bracing systems, lateral forces generated during these natural phenomena often caused the top portion of a wall to move laterally with respect to the bottom portion of the wall, which movement could result in structural failure of the wall and, in some instances, collapse of the building.

While a prefabricated shearwall of the construction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 provides lateral force response and resistance, it has limitations with respect to its lateral load bearing capabilities.

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