Bracing structure

Abstract

To provide a braced frame that eliminates slip-type load displacement history and exhibits excellent seismic energy absorption. [Solution] A braced frame 70 is provided in which two braces 60 are arranged at two diagonal positions of a rectangular frame-shaped frame 30 formed by upper and lower beams 10 and left and right columns 20. Each brace 60 has a turnbuckle 50 and two first rods 40A and second rods 40B whose ends are connected to the turnbuckle 50 and the frame 30. One end 42 of the first rod 40A is immovably connected to the frame 30, and the other end 44 is movably connected to the turnbuckle 50. When a tensile force acts on one brace 60 and the other brace 60 is under compression, the turnbuckle 50 of the other brace 60 moves its other end 44 into the hollow 51a, thereby absorbing the amount of deformation of the other brace 60 that corresponds to the amount of plastic deformation of the first brace 60.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , , ,

[0006]

[0001] The present invention relates to a brace structure.

Background Art

[0002] In a rectangular frame structure formed by upper and lower beams and left and right columns, a brace structure in which braces made of, for example, steel frames are arranged at diagonal positions may be applied. Compared with a ramen structure which is another structural form, it is a frequently used structural structure because it can be constructed at a relatively low cost and is easy to apply as seismic reinforcement for existing buildings. When a general brace receives a compressive force, it may buckle, while when it receives a tensile force, it generates tensile resistance to bear part of the horizontal force during an earthquake and suppress the displacement of the structure caused by the horizontal force.

[0003] Thus, although a general brace is a member that resists tensile force, due to the so-called slip phenomenon when it plastically deforms and elongates after generating tensile resistance in the elastic region, the load-displacement history of the brace structure becomes a slip-type history, and there is a problem that the earthquake energy absorption performance does not increase. This will be outlined with reference to FIG. 7.

[0004] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the deformation modes during an earthquake of an example of a conventional general brace structure and the load-displacement history in each deformation mode in the order of (a) to (f).

[0005] As shown in FIG. 7(a), a brace structure F is formed by upper and lower beams G, left and right columns C, and two braces B1 and B2 at two diagonal positions.

[0006] As shown in Figure 7(b), when a horizontal force Q acts on the brace frame F during an earthquake from the right side, the brace frame F is displaced to the right in a parallelogram shape, and a tensile force acts on one brace B1, while the other brace B2 is on the compression side. The brace B1, which is under tensile force, elastically deforms and elongates (displacement δ1) up to its yield point Q1, and then plastically deforms up to displacement δ2 in the plastic region. At this time, the other brace B2, which is on the compression side, deforms, for example, out of the plane of the frame, and geometrically shrinks virtually within the plane as shown in the figure.

[0007] Next, as shown in Figure 7(c), when the brace frame F, which has been displaced to the right, returns to its original position, the brace B1 that had been generating tensile resistance until then reduces its tensile resistance at a gradient similar to that of the elastic region, for example, until the tensile resistance becomes zero at displacement δ3, and then returns to the origin of the load displacement history. At this point, since the brace B1 has undergone plastic deformation, it is stretched by an amount corresponding to the horizontal displacement δ3 of the plastic deformation, as shown in the figure.

[0008] Next, as shown in Figure 7(d), when the horizontal force Q during an earthquake acts on the left side of the brace frame F, a tensile force acts on the other brace B2, which was previously on the compression side, causing it to elastically deform and elongate (displacement δ4) up to the yield point Q2, and then plastically deform up to displacement δ5 in the plastic region.

[0009] Next, as shown in Figure 7(e), when the brace frame F, which has been displaced to the left, returns to its original position, the other brace B2, which had been generating tensile resistance, reduces its tensile resistance at a gradient similar to that of the elastic region, for example, until the tensile resistance becomes zero at a displacement of δ6, and then returns to the origin of the load displacement history. Here, since the other brace B2 has undergone plastic deformation, it elongates by an amount equivalent to the horizontal displacement δ6 of the plastic deformation, as shown in the figure, similar to the other brace B1.

[0010] Next, as shown in Figure 7(f), when the horizontal force Q during an earthquake acts again on the right side of the brace frame F, it stretches by an amount equivalent to the horizontal displacement δ3 of plastic deformation, and then undergoes elastic deformation again to generate tensile resistance.

[0011] Thus, a slip-type hysteresis characteristic of load displacement history is a hysteresis characteristic that returns to the origin in response to horizontal forces in the left-right direction. As a result, the area enclosed by the hysteresis loop does not increase, and the seismic energy absorption capacity does not increase.

[0012] Based on the above, a braced frame structure is desirable because it eliminates the slip-type load displacement history and has excellent seismic energy absorption properties.

[0013] Here, Patent Document 1 proposes a connection structure for brace members and beam members to a frame. This connection structure is a connection structure for brace members and beam members to a frame in which brace members and beam members provided in a steel frame are connected to gusset plates provided on the column members that constitute the frame. The brace member and beam member comprises an H-shaped steel as the main member, an end plate capable of withstanding a higher axial force than the H-shaped steel, with one end welded to the web end of the H-shaped steel and having bolt holes at a predetermined distance from the one end, a stress transmission plate welded to the upper and lower surfaces of the end plate and with one end welded to the flange of the H-shaped steel, having a length of at least a predetermined distance, and transmitting the axial force of the flange of the H-shaped steel to the end plate, and a buckling prevention plate provided on the stress transmission plate to prevent buckling of the end plate, and the end plate and gusset plate are bolted together via a splice plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0014] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-112881 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0015] The brace and beam connection structure described in Patent Document 1 also has a conventional structure in which a brace is connected to the frame, and therefore the load displacement history may exhibit slip-type hysteresis characteristics.

[0016] This invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a braced frame that eliminates slip-type load displacement history and has excellent seismic energy absorption properties. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] To achieve the above objective, one embodiment of the brace frame according to the present invention is: A braced frame structure is formed by upper and lower beams and left and right columns, with two braces positioned at two diagonal locations within this rectangular frame structure. The brace comprises a turnbuckle having a hollow interior, and two first and second rods, the ends of which are connected to the turnbuckle and the frame. The first rod has one end immovably connected to the frame and the other end movably connected to the turnbuckle. The second rod is immovably connected at both ends to the frame and the turnbuckle. When a tensile force acts on one brace and a compression force acts on the other brace, The turnbuckle of the other brace is characterized by having a deformation absorption mechanism that absorbs the amount of deformation of the other brace equivalent to the amount of plastic deformation of the first brace by moving the other end of the first rod into the hollow.

[0018] According to this aspect, two braces are arranged at two diagonal positions of a rectangular frame-shaped structure. The two braces have a turnbuckle with a hollow inside and two first rods and second rods connected to its ends. One end of one first rod is fixedly connected to the structure, and the other end is movably connected to the turnbuckle. When tensile force acts on one brace and the other brace is on the compression side, the turnbuckle of the other brace moves the other end of the first rod into the hollow to absorb the deformation amount of the other brace corresponding to the plastic deformation amount of one brace, so that when tensile force acts next time, tensile resistance can be quickly generated, and the slip behavior of the brace structure is suppressed, thereby forming a brace structure with a spindle-shaped load-displacement history and excellent earthquake energy absorption performance.

[0019] Here, during an earthquake, horizontal forces act alternately in the left-right direction, so tensile and compressive forces act alternately on the two braces. Therefore, the turnbuckles of both braces have deformation amount absorption mechanisms, and the deformation amounts of the corresponding braces are alternately absorbed by the two deformation amount absorption mechanisms.

[0020] Since the first rod of the brace on the compression side is movable by the deformation amount absorption mechanism, there is no risk of buckling due to the compressive force.

[0021] Also, in another aspect of the brace structure according to the present invention, the turnbuckle has a main body with the hollow and a first through hole through which the end of the first rod penetrates and communicates with the hollow, a wedge body movably arranged inside the hollow, and a biasing body in the hollow that biases the wedge body toward the first through hole side. The wedge body is formed by a plurality of wedge segments and has a second through hole through which the end of the first rod penetrates at its center. The inner wall surface near the first through hole in the hollow is inclined, and the plurality of wedge split bodies move along the inner wall surface in the axial direction of the turnbuckle. The deformation amount absorption mechanism is formed by the main body, the wedge body, and the biasing body.

[0022] According to this aspect, the deformation amount absorption mechanism of the turnbuckle includes a main body, a wedge body, and a biasing body that biases the wedge body toward the first through hole side of the main body. When the corresponding brace is on the compression side, the plurality of wedge split bodies forming the wedge body can quickly absorb the deformation amount of the brace as they move in the axial direction of the turnbuckle along the inner wall surface near the first through hole in the hollow of the main body. When a tensile force acts on the corresponding brace, the wedge body can be quickly moved to the tensile side to generate a tensile resistance force.

[0023] In another aspect of the brace structure according to the present invention, There is a bottom wall at the end of the inner wall surface, and the opening of the first through hole faces the inside of the bottom wall. The end of the wedge body directly or indirectly abuts on the bottom wall.

[0024] According to this aspect, the opening of the first through hole faces the inside of the bottom wall at the end of the inner wall surface, and the end of the wedge body directly or indirectly abuts on the bottom wall. This can prevent the end of the wedge body on which a tensile force acts via the first rod from fitting into the first through hole and causing jamming, thereby inhibiting the movement of the wedge body.

[0025] Here, "the end of the wedge body directly or indirectly abuts on the bottom wall" includes both a form in which the end of the wedge body directly abuts on the bottom wall and a form in which a washer or the like described below is interposed between the bottom wall and the end of the wedge body, and the bottom wall and the end of the wedge body indirectly abut via the washer or the like.

[0026] In another aspect of the brace structure according to the present invention, A washer is attached to the bottom wall that biases the wedge body toward the opposite side of the first through hole, and the wedge body indirectly contacts the bottom wall via the washer.

[0027] According to this embodiment, a washer that biases the wedge body toward the opposite side of the first through hole is attached to the bottom wall, thereby preventing the end of the wedge body, which is subjected to tensile force via the first rod, from becoming stuck in the first through hole and causing galling, which would hinder the movement of the wedge body. At the same time, the wedge body, which is subjected to compressive force via the first rod, can be smoothly biased toward the center of the turnbuckle against the biasing force of the biasing body.

[0028] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the brace frame according to the present invention, The interface between the inner wall surface and the outer surface of the wedge body is characterized by being coated with a lubricant.

[0029] According to this embodiment, by applying (spreading or spraying) a lubricant to the interface between the inner wall surface and the outer surface of the wedge, it is possible to suppress galling that occurs when the side surface (outer surface) of the wedge, which is subjected to tensile force via the first rod, becomes stuck to the inner wall surface of the main body, thereby hindering the movement of the wedge.

[0030] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the brace frame according to the present invention, When a compressive force is applied to the brace, the plurality of wedge segments move in the axial direction against the biasing force of the biasing body while the second through-hole and the end of the first rod are engaged, and as the plurality of wedge segments move along the inner wall surface, the engagement between the second through-hole and the end of the first rod is released, and the end of the first rod moves into the hollow interior, thereby absorbing the deformation of the brace. Next, when a tensile force is applied to the brace, the biasing force of the biasing body causes the plurality of wedge segments to move axially, engaging the second through-hole with the end of the first rod, and the brace generates a tensile resistance force against the tensile force.

[0031] According to this embodiment, when a compressive force is applied to the brace, as the multiple wedge divisions move axially against the biasing force of the biasing body while the second through-hole and the end of the first rod are engaged, the engagement between the second through-hole and the end of the first rod is released, and the end of the first rod moves into the hollow interior, thereby absorbing the deformation of the brace. When a tensile force is then applied to the brace, the wedge body moves axially, re-engaging the second through-hole and the end of the first rod, and re-engaging the inner wall surface with the wedge body. Thus, when a compressive force is applied, the deformation of the brace can be absorbed, and when a tensile force is then applied, the tensile resistance force of the brace can be quickly generated.

[0032] Furthermore, other embodiments of the brace frame according to the present invention include: The first rod is characterized in that a male screw is provided on the outer circumference of the end of the rod, and a female screw is provided in the second through hole, and the two engage with each other through the meshing of the male screw and the female screw.

[0033] According to this embodiment, the male thread on the outer circumference of the end of the first rod and the female thread provided in the second through hole engage with each other, thereby achieving a firm integration between the end of the first rod and the wedge body, and enabling resistance to the tensile force acting upon them.

[0034] Furthermore, other embodiments of the brace frame according to the present invention include: The outer circumference of the end of the first rod and the second through hole are both smooth surfaces, and are characterized in that they engage with each other by frictional force.

[0035] According to this embodiment, the smooth outer surface of the end of the first rod and the smooth surface of the second through-hole engage with each other through frictional force, thereby eliminating the need to machine screw grooves on both, and allowing resistance to the tensile force acting on the end of the first rod and the wedge body through a strong integration. [Effects of the Invention]

[0036] As can be understood from the above explanation, the brace frame of the present invention provides a brace frame that eliminates slip-type load displacement history and has excellent seismic energy absorption properties. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0037] [Figure 1] This is a front view of an example of a brace frame according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a deformation absorption mechanism, cut in the axial direction, showing the normal state. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of an example of a wedge body that forms a deformation absorption mechanism. [Figure 4] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a deformation absorption mechanism, cut in the axial direction, showing the state in which a compressive force is acting on the brace. [Figure 5] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a deformation absorption mechanism, cut in the axial direction, showing the state in which a tensile force is acting on the brace. [Figure 6] (a) to (g) are schematic diagrams showing the deformation patterns of an example of a braced frame according to the embodiment during an earthquake, and the load displacement history in each deformation pattern. [Figure 7] (a) through (f) are schematic diagrams showing the deformation patterns during an earthquake of an example of a conventional braced frame structure, and the load displacement history in each deformation pattern. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0038] Hereinafter, an example of a brace frame according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In this specification and drawings, substantially identical components may be denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanations.

[0039] [Brace frame according to the embodiment] An example of a brace frame according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Here, Figure 1 is a front view of an example of a brace frame according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is a longitudinal section view of an example of a deformation absorption mechanism cut in the axial direction, showing the normal state, and Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a wedge forming the deformation absorption mechanism. Figure 4 is a longitudinal section view of an example of a deformation absorption mechanism cut in the axial direction, showing the state in which a compressive force is acting on the brace, and Figure 5 is a longitudinal section view of an example of a deformation absorption mechanism cut in the axial direction, showing the state in which a tensile force is acting on the brace. Furthermore, Figure 6 shows, in order from (a) to (g), schematic diagrams of the deformation patterns of an example of a brace frame according to the embodiment during an earthquake and the load displacement history in each deformation pattern.

[0040] The braced frame 70 shown in Figure 1 is a frame in which two intersecting braces 60A and 60B are arranged at two diagonal positions of a rectangular frame 30 formed by upper and lower beams 10A and 10B and left and right columns 20A and 20B that form a steel structure building. In the illustrated example of the frame 30, the height between the upper and lower beams 10 is H, and the width between the left and right columns 20 is B.

[0041] The upper and lower beams 10 are formed from shaped steel materials such as H-shaped steel, and the left and right columns 20 are formed from shaped steel materials such as square steel pipes or H-shaped steel.

[0042] Gusset plates 25 are attached to the upper and lower inner surfaces 22 of the left and right columns 20, and both ends of the two braces 60 are immovably connected to the corresponding gusset plates 25 by bolts 47.

[0043] As shown in Figure 2, each brace 60 has a turnbuckle 50 and two first rods 40A and second rods 40B, the turnbuckle 50 and the frame 30 (and its gusset plate 25).

[0044] The first rod 40A has one end 42 connected to a gusset plate 45, which is immovably connected via bolts 47 to a gusset plate 25 that protrudes from the inner surface 22 of a column 20 of the frame 30, and the other end 44 is movably connected to a turnbuckle 50.

[0045] On the other hand, one end 42 of the second rod 40B is connected to a gusset plate 45, which is immovably connected via bolts 47 to a gusset plate 25 that protrudes from the inner surface 22 of the column 20 of the frame 30, and the other end 44 is immovably connected to a turnbuckle 50 by screwing it in.

[0046] The turnbuckle 50 has a deformation absorption mechanism, which will be described in detail below. In the illustrated example, the other end 44 of the lower first rod 40A is movably connected to the turnbuckle 50.

[0047] In this illustrated example, the other end 44 of the lower first rod 40A is movably connected to the turnbuckle 50, but the other end 44 of the upper second rod 40B may also be movably connected to the turnbuckle 50.

[0048] During an earthquake, the horizontal force Q acts alternately on the brace frame 70 from left to right, resulting in alternating tensile and compressive forces acting on the two braces 60A and 60B.

[0049] As will be explained in detail below, the brace frame 70 in the illustrated example absorbs the deformation of the other brace 60 that corresponds to the plastic deformation of the one brace under tensile force when a tensile force is acting on one brace 60 and the other brace 60 is under compression. The other end 44 of the first rod 40A of the other brace 60 is connected to a turnbuckle 50, which is a deformation absorption mechanism. The turnbuckle 50 moves the other end 44 of the first rod 40A in the axial direction of the turnbuckle 50.

[0050] In this way, the deformation absorption mechanism 50 of the compression-side brace 60 absorbs the deformation of the compression-side brace 60 that corresponds to the plastic deformation of the brace 60 receiving tensile force. As a result, when a tensile force is next applied to the brace 60, the brace 60 can quickly generate tensile resistance. This suppresses the slip behavior of the brace frame 70, resulting in a brace frame 70 with a spindle-shaped load displacement history and excellent seismic energy absorption.

[0051] The configuration and operation of the deformation absorption mechanism 50 will be explained in detail below with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

[0052] The brace 60 in the illustrated example has, for example, a first rod 40A and a second rod 40B formed from round steel, and a turnbuckle 50.

[0053] As shown in Figure 2, the turnbuckle 50 has a main body 51 with a hollow 51a, a wedge 53 disposed in the hollow 51a, and a biasing body 52 that biases the wedge 53 in the hollow 51a, and these components form a deformation absorption mechanism.

[0054] The main body 51 has a first through hole 51b at one end and a third through hole 51e at the other end, and the first through hole 51b and the third through hole 51e are in communication with the hollow 51a.

[0055] The inner wall surface 51d in the vicinity of the first through hole 51b in the hollow 51a is inclined, and a wedge body 53 is disposed along the inner wall surface 51d so as to be movable in the axial direction of the turnbuckle 50.

[0056] The end of the inner wall surface 51d is a bottom wall 51c, and the opening of the first through hole 51b faces the inside of the bottom wall 51c.

[0057] A washer 55 is provided on the bottom wall 51c, and the wedge body 53 is positioned so that its bottom contacts the washer 55 and its side contacts the inner wall surface 51d.

[0058] As shown in Figure 3, the wedge body 53 is formed from a plurality of wedge segments 54 (three in the illustrated example), and a second through-hole 53a is provided inside each wedge segment 54 through which the other end 44 of the first rod 40A passes. Although the wedge body 53 in the illustrated example is formed from three wedge segments 54, the number of wedge segments may be two or four or more.

[0059] Both components are manufactured such that when each wedge segment 54 is housed in the inner wall surface 51d of the main body 51, the outer surface of each wedge segment 54 makes surface contact with the inner wall surface 51d.

[0060] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the wedge segment 54 has an internal female screw, and the other end of the first rod 40A has an external male screw. The other end 44 of the first rod 40A, which passes through the first through hole 51b of the main body 51, passes through the inside of the washer 55 and through the second through hole 53a of the wedge body 53. The internal screw of each wedge segment 54 and the external male screw of the other end 44 of the first rod 40A engage, causing the first rod 40A and the wedge body 53 to move together as a single unit in the axial direction of the turnbuckle 50.

[0061] Here, instead of the configuration shown in the illustration where the other end 44 of the first rod 40A and the second through hole 53a of the wedge body 53 move together by engaging with each other's male and female threads, the outer circumference of the other end of the first rod and the second through hole may both have smooth surfaces and engage with each other by frictional force.

[0062] The other end 44 of the second rod 40B is provided with a male thread, and the third through hole 51e of the main body 51 is provided with a female thread. By screwing the two together, the turnbuckle 50 and the other end 44 of the second rod 40B are immovably connected.

[0063] In the normal state shown in Figure 2, the wedge body 53 is biased toward the inner wall surface 51d in the Y1 direction by the biasing force of the biasing body 52, which is made of a compression coil spring, for example.

[0064] On the other hand, the wedge 53 is biased in the Y2 direction, which is opposite to the Y1 direction, by a washer 55 located on the bottom wall 51c of the main body 51.

[0065] First, the presence of a bottom wall 51c at the end of the main body 51 prevents the end of the wedge 53 from becoming stuck in the first through hole 51b and causing galling, which would hinder the movement of the wedge 53, when a tensile force acts on the brace 60 during an earthquake and the wedge 53 receives a tensile force from the first rod 40A.

[0066] Furthermore, the interposition of the washer 55 between the bottom wall 51c and the wedge 53 further suppresses galling caused by the end of the wedge 53 becoming lodged in the first through hole 51b when the wedge 53 is subjected to tensile force from the first rod 40A. Also, when subjected to compressive force, the biasing force of the washer 55 allows the wedge 53 to be smoothly pushed inward into the hollow 51a.

[0067] Furthermore, a lubricant may be applied to the interface between the inner wall surface 51d and the outer surface of the wedge body 53. This lubricant is preferable because it can suppress galling caused by the outer surface of the wedge body 53 becoming embedded in the inner wall surface 51d when a tensile force is applied to the wedge body 53 via the first rod 40A.

[0068] As shown in Figure 2, under normal conditions, during an earthquake, horizontal forces will act alternately on the brace frame 70 from left to right.

[0069] When a tensile force acts on the other brace (not shown) and a compressive force P1 acts on the brace 60 shown in Figure 4, the other end 44 of the mutually interlocking first rod 40A and the wedge 53 move together in the Y3 direction against the biasing force of the biasing body 52 in the Y1 direction. At this time, the washer 55 also pushes the wedge 53 in the Y2 direction against the biasing force of the biasing body 52.

[0070] As the wedge 53 moves along the inclined inner wall surface 51d of the main body 51, each wedge segment 54 separates from the other end 44 of the first rod 40A in the Y4 direction, and the engagement between them is released. Then, as the other end 44 of the first rod 40A moves further into the hollow 51a of the main body 51, the amount of deformation of the brace 60 on the compression side is absorbed.

[0071] Next, as shown in Figure 5, when a tensile force P2 is applied to the brace 60, which was on the compression side, each wedge segment 54 is pushed back in the Y6 direction toward the first through hole 51b along the inner wall surface 51d by the biasing force in the Y5 direction by the biasing body 52, the wedge body 53 re-engages with the other end 44 of the first rod 40A, and the other end 44 of the first rod 40A and the wedge body 53 move together in the Y7 direction and come into contact with the bottom wall 51c via the washer 55, causing the brace 60 to generate a tensile resistance force against the applied tensile force P2.

[0072] The load displacement history when a horizontal force Q acts alternately in the left-right direction on a brace frame 70, in which the other end 44 of the first rod 40A of each brace 60 is movably connected to a deformation absorption mechanism 50 which is a turnbuckle, is as shown in Figure 6.

[0073] As is clear when compared with Figure 7, which shows the load displacement history of a conventional brace frame, in the conventional brace frame F, as shown in Figure 7(b), the compression-side brace B2 deforms out of plane, for example, whereas in the brace frame 70, as shown in Figure 6(b), the deformation of the compression-side brace 30B is absorbed by the deformation absorption mechanism 50B. Subsequently, when a horizontal force Q acts in the opposite direction, the deformation of the compression-side brace 30A is also absorbed by the deformation absorption mechanism 50A in the brace frame 70.

[0074] In this way, the deformation absorption mechanism 50 corresponding to each compression-side brace 60 absorbs a deformation amount equivalent to the plastic deformation of the other brace 60 that is subjected to tensile force. As a result, when a tensile force is then applied to the compression-side brace 60, that brace 60 can quickly generate tensile resistance. Consequently, while conventional brace frames, as shown in Figure 7, have a slip-type load displacement history and do not have high seismic energy absorption capabilities, the brace frame 70 suppresses slip behavior, resulting in a spindle-type load displacement history as shown in Figure 6, making it a brace frame 70 with excellent seismic energy absorption capabilities.

[0075] Other embodiments may be used in which other components are combined with the configurations listed in the above embodiments, and the present invention is not limited in any way to the configurations shown herein. In this regard, modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 10,10A,10B: Beam 20,20A,20B:Column 25: Gusset Plate 30: Frame 40A: First rod 40B: 2nd rod 42: One end 44: Other end 50, 50A, 50B: Turnbuckle 51: Main unit 51a:Hollow 51b: 1st through hole 51c: Bottom wall 51d: Interior wall surface 51e: 3rd through hole 52: Biased body 53: cuneiform 54: Wedge segment 55: Washer 60: Brace 70: Brace frame Q: Horizontal force

Claims

1. A braced frame structure is formed by upper and lower beams and left and right columns, with two braces positioned at two diagonal locations within this rectangular frame structure. The brace comprises a turnbuckle having a hollow interior, and two first and second rods, the ends of which are connected to the turnbuckle and the frame. The first rod has one end immovably connected to the frame and the other end movably connected to the turnbuckle. The second rod is immovably connected at both ends to the frame and the turnbuckle. When a tensile force acts on one brace and a compression force acts on the other brace, A brace frame characterized in that the turnbuckle of the other brace is equipped with a deformation absorption mechanism that absorbs the amount of deformation of the other brace equivalent to the amount of plastic deformation of the first brace by moving the other end of the first rod into the hollow.

2. The aforementioned turnbuckle is The main body has a hollow, and the end of the first rod has a first through-hole through which it passes and communicates with the hollow, A wedge-shaped body is movably disposed inside the hollow interior, The hollow structure includes a biasing body that biases the wedge body toward the first through-hole side, The wedge body is formed from a plurality of wedge segments and has a second through-hole in its center through which the end of the first rod passes. The inner wall surface near the first through-hole in the hollow is inclined, and the plurality of wedge divisions move along the inner wall surface in the axial direction of the turnbuckle. The brace frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformation absorption mechanism is formed by the main body, the wedge body, and the biasing body.

3. The end of the inner wall surface has a bottom wall, and the opening of the first through hole faces the inside of the bottom wall. The brace frame according to claim 2, characterized in that the end of the wedge body directly or indirectly abuts against the bottom wall.

4. The brace frame according to claim 3, characterized in that a washer that biases the wedge body toward the opposite side of the first through hole is attached to the bottom wall, and the wedge body indirectly contacts the bottom wall via the washer.

5. The brace frame according to claim 3, characterized in that a lubricant is applied to the interface between the inner wall surface and the outer surface of the wedge body.

6. When a compressive force is applied to the brace, the plurality of wedge segments move in the axial direction against the biasing force of the biasing body while the second through-hole and the end of the first rod are engaged, and as the plurality of wedge segments move along the inner wall surface, the engagement between the second through-hole and the end of the first rod is released, and the end of the first rod moves into the hollow interior, thereby absorbing the deformation of the brace. Next, when a tensile force is applied to the brace, the biasing force of the biasing body causes the plurality of wedge segments to move in the axial direction, engaging the second through-hole with the end of the first rod, and the brace generates a tensile resistance force against the tensile force, as described in claim 2.

7. The brace frame according to claim 6, characterized in that a male screw is provided on the outer circumference of the end of the first rod, and a female screw is provided in the second through hole, and the two engage with each other through the interlocking of the male screw and the female screw.

8. The brace frame according to claim 6, characterized in that both the outer circumference of the end of the first rod and the second through hole have smooth surfaces and are designed to engage with each other by frictional force.

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