Double-duty, hold-down system

Abstract

A method for securing a building to a foundation provides hold-down units that perform double-duty by acting as a compressive load on a floor immediately therebelow due to the force of a seat or base portion thereof. Meanwhile, a flange portion of each hold-down device extends upward to fasten to the upright members in an upper floor applying tension thereto. Thus, an anchoring rod extending through multiple floors of the shear walls may reduce the number of total hold-down devices by an amount approaching half that otherwise required. Likewise, the number of more expensive, automatic, take-up devices used is reduced by approximately half.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 255,826, filed on Oct. 22, 2008, entitled DOUBLE-DUTY, HOLD DOWN SYSTEM, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 982,372, filed on Oct. 24, 2007, entitled DOUBLE-DUTY, HOLD-DOWN SYSTEM.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to building construction, and more specifically, to apparatus for anchoring shear walls to foundations and lower floors.[0004]2. Background[0005]Strong winds and earthquakes subject walls and others elements of a building to tremendous forces. If these forces are not distributed to the proper elements or structures capable of withstanding such force, the building may be torn apart. Foundations are often the strongest element of a building. Securely tying the walls of a building to the foundation greatly improves structural performance during periods of strong wind or earthquake. Securement promotes singl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021]Instead of such solutions, the apparatus, systems, and methods in accordance with the invention, using a continuous rod, allow reduced hardware without sacrificing building anchoring capacity. Meanwhile, when provided with take-up devices, the system may compensate for shrinkage or crushing occurring on any level of the building. Thus, if shrinkage or crushing on one level exceeds the capacity of the system on that level, the system on other levels can compensate for the excess.

[0022]The system may also take advantage of unique, take-up units. Individual take-up units may be stackable, providing greater ability to compensate for abnormally large amounts of shrinkage and cru

Problems solved by technology

Strong winds and earthquakes subject walls and others elements of a building to tremendous forces.

If these forces are not distributed to the proper elements or structures capable of withstanding such force, the building may be torn apart.

Securement promotes single body motion limiting whiplash amplification otherwise often resulting in structural failure.

Tall narrow shear walls, which may be found in nearly all homes, act as lever arms and may magnify an imposed load.

However, lower levels can present amplification of structural weaknesses to upper levels.

If a hold-down system installed on a given level cannot compensate for all shrinkage and crushing affecting that level, structural weaknesses may be amplified on adjace

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