Control structure equipped with a rotational force limiter and an energy dissipator

Abstract

A control structure includes a pivot-based rocker frame assembly integrated with a rotating yielding unit capable of generating a constant resistive yield force through high elastic-plastic displacement and high ductility. Bending yield plates are located within and distributed around the rotating yielding unit, with specific boundary conditions that allow them to flex elastically to high cyclic elastic-plastic displacements and high displacement and curvature ductility while maintaining a constant resistive yield force. The constant resistive yield force generated by the replaceable rotating units enables the control structure to resist and withstand extreme earthquakes (base motion inputs) with a constant resistive yield force, and the plastic curvature within the yield zone of the rotating unit's bending plates is maintained within their capabilities, controlling and limiting forces within the control structure, its supporting foundation, and the mass or other structures it may seismically support.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a force limiting and energy dissipating system. More specifically, although not limited thereto, the present invention relates to an energy absorption system that reduces the impact of vibrations or racking motions of storage racks and buildings caused by earthquakes.

Background Art

[0002] Commercial and industrial storage rack systems are designed to hold various quantities of goods. Storage rack systems can withstand vibrations caused by low levels of seismic forces, but elevated levels of seismic forces can damage the racks and cause the goods to fall from the racks.

[0003] Storage racks can be structurally different, but they generally consist of multiple pairs of upright columns arranged linearly to form two upright columns in a row. Usually, the front row is adjacent to the aisle where the forklift is operated or the automated system operates, and the rear row can be adjacent to the wall or a parallel aisle. There are a plurality of horizontal shelves between the columns. A series of such shelves extends upward to the top of the upright columns. Shelves and pallets installed across multiple pairs of beams usually hold the goods being stored. The columns support the weight of the goods and transfer that weight to the bottom of each column and to the foundation on which the columns are installed. When viewed in plan view, the rack is usually rectangular, with a length that can exceed 100 m and a typical width of 0.9 m to 3 m.

[0004] During an earthquake, the rack may sway vertically. This is because the time difference in the movement caused by the foundation moving in one direction and the inertial resistance of the mass (pallet) supported by the flexible structure induces the swaying of the rack. This movement is called racking. Vertical racking can generate very large forces on the rack structure.

[0005] A typical way to reduce the effects of vertical racking is to use diagonal ties. The ties can generally be tensioned cables with one end fixed to the upper region of the rack and the other end fixed to the foundation. A plurality of ties forming a zigzag pattern along the vertical direction of the rack can be used. The ties serve to reinforce and reduce the vertical movement of the bottom of the rack. The ties can increase the rigidity of the rack significantly. This is not ideal because the peak loads that the ties and / or the rack can receive can be very high. This can lead to catastrophic failures. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] In this specification, external information sources including patent specifications and other documents are referred to, but this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the present invention. Unless otherwise stated, references to such information sources should not be construed in any jurisdiction as admitting that such information sources are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an energy absorption system or mechanism or device or control structure or rack or building that eliminates one or more of the above-mentioned demerits or at least partially improves them or at least provides useful alternatives to the public. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention is a device or mechanism or more preferably a control structure that can limit the forces generated within itself and / or within a structure (such as a building or storage rack) to which it is connected and seismically supports when resisting and enduring ground motion or base motion input from an earthquake.

[0009] The control structure can be composed of a rocker frame assembly pivotally connected (preferably relatively inflexible) to a structure base or structural member. As the rocker frame rotates about its base pivot, a bending member (e.g., preferably a plate) within a rotating unit that is directly or indirectly connected to the rocker frame, but distal from one of the pivots of the rocker frame, is flexurally displaced (preferably deformed by bending). A bending member (plate) that is part of a rotating unit that is part of the control structure has one of its ends configured with specific free translation or free translation and free rotation boundary conditions, and while maintaining a certain resistance yield force (preferably without generating or causing membrane forces within itself), it can be bent and yielded about its bending minor axis with high elastoplastic displacement (deformation), high displacement, and bending curvature ductility.

[0010] Importantly, the specific boundary conditions allow (in addition to the translational or translational and rotational characteristics described above) the length along the elastic-plastic bending curve of the plate to freely increase or decrease (between its reaction points) as the plate is displaced and / or allow the plate to generate a horizontal reaction force at its reaction points or interface as the plate bends and displaces.

[0011] The specific boundary conditions of the bending member that enable it to generate a certain repeated resistance yield force while bending into high elastoplastic displacement will be described in more detail.

[0012] The pivotably based control structure is a structure that can efficiently incorporate a rotational yield unit. That is, they (the control structures) are of a form that enables efficient utilization of a certain resistance yield force generated by a plate that bends elastically within a rotating unit that is a connected part of the control structure.

[0013] Due to the stable and constant resistance yielding force generated by the bending plate within the rotating unit, the pivotable control structure can also form a stable elastoplastic mechanism. This mechanism can flow and cycle with high elastoplastic displacement and high ductility with a certain resistance force, while maintaining and restricting the internal force within itself or in any adjacent structure to which it is connected and seismically supported at the maximum value that is a function of the yielding force generated by the bending yield plate, which is a part of it.

[0014] By flowing with a certain resistance yielding force as a stable elastoplastic mechanism capable of high displacement and high ductility, the control structure resists and endures the earthquake ground motion (displacement, velocity, acceleration) input, and limits the magnitude of the acceleration and dynamic forces that can occur within its members, within its support foundation, or within the members of other structures that it seismically supports.

[0015] In the case of a high-rise control structure or a control structure that seismically supports a high-rise building (for example, a building with 20 floors or more), the flexibility of the yield plate (elastic yield displacement of the plate) and the flexibility of the rocker frame assembly of the pivot base (i.e., the upper structure of the control structure) (elastic yield displacement of the structure), the sum of their flexibilities, and the ratio of their flexibilities can be configured such that the high ductility capacity of the yield plate (able to bend to high elastoplastic displacement) is transmitted so that the overall (or structural) ductility capacity of the entire control structure is provided. During the bending of the yield plate to high elastoplastic displacement (and strain or ductility), the drift in the control structure is low (in the case of high structural ductility), and the P-DELTA effect is negligible (or manageable).

[0016] That is, the control structure maintains a certain resistance yielding force (by restricting the peak response acceleration of the mass supported by the control structure, restricting the forces generated within the control structure, restricting the forces within its foundation, and restricting the forces within the structures that the control structure can seismically support), and can resist and endure intense ground motion or base motion input (i.e., high peak ground motion acceleration, PGA) while maintaining a low peak (elastoplastic) displacement response as a whole for the control structure (i.e., low lateral drift).

[0017] In one embodiment (herein referred to as the ALPHA1 rocker frame), the rocker frame assembly includes a vertical (e.g., tower) aspect and is pivotally connected to a horizontal structural base or foundation. The rocker frame is connected by a double-pin link or push rod to an extension arm of a rotating unit distal to the rocker frame pivot and is connected to the horizontal structural base or foundation.

[0018] In the first embodiment (herein referred to as the BETA1 rotating unit or BETA1 rotor), the rotating unit includes a relatively non-flexible rotatable circular drum (or disk) that is placed between rotor plates and is firmly connected to the rotor plates at each of its ends. Each rotor plate has an integrated arm extending from the rotor plate and is connected by a pin and slot to a tie (or push rod) (the first structural member) of the control structure.

[0019] One end (the first region) of the bending member (plate) is firmly fixed around the drum (or disk) (the first anchor) and is distributed in the form of an impeller. The first region of the plate, together with the first anchor to the rotatable drum, moves in an arc.

[0020] The first part of the rotating unit includes a drum, rotor plates having arms, and a bending plate. This assembly is supported from the axis center axis together with the rotation axis of the drum and rotatably connects the first part to a second part including an outer casing or outer housing attached from a horizontal structural base or foundation (the second structural member).

[0021] The peripheral ends (the second regions) of the bending member (plate) (opposite the first region of the plate firmly fixed to the drum) have specific translational or translational and rotational boundary conditions, and the arc movement at their ends is suppressed by pinning (the second anchor) their translational or translational and rotational free ends (the second regions) to the outer housing (or the second part) of the rotating unit.

[0022] The first and second parts of the rotating unit are preferably pivotally connected by a shaft.

[0023] By the rotation about the base pivot of the rocker frame of the control structure, a tie (or push rod) with ends connected by pins and slots pushes and pulls on the extension arm of the rotor plate, fixing the bending member (plate) and rotating the circular drum (or disk) (first anchor) of the rotating units distributed around it. The end region (first region) of the bending member (plate) firmly fixed and arranged around the drum (first anchor) rotates with the drum and moves in an arc. Since the ends (second region) on the opposite (peripheral) side of the bending member (plate) are constrained in their arc motion by pins (second anchors), an inter anular shear force is generated, elastically or elastoplastically bending the bending member (plate).

[0024] In a second embodiment (herein referred to as the BETA2 rotating unit or BETA2 rotor), the rotating unit also includes a relatively inflexible rotatable inner circular drum (first anchor), around which a first region of the bending member (plate) is firmly fixed and distributed in the form of an impeller around the drum (first anchor).

[0025] The peripheral ends (second region) of the bending member (plate) also have the same specific translational or translational and rotational boundary conditions here, and the arc motion at their ends is suppressed by pins (second anchors) connecting the peripheral ends (second region) to a second (outer) annular part of a turbine casing (or cowling) concentric with the inner rotatable drum. The outer drum (casing) is fixed so as not to move and is fixed to the structural base (second structural member).

[0026] The inner rotatable drum can be placed between a circular end plate (rotor plate) that is firmly fixed and supported on a torque shaft that is rotatably fixed to the structural base (second structural member). The rigid arms located outside the concentric drums are connected at right angles to the axis of the torque shaft, and the opposite ends are connected to the push rod (first structural member) of the control structure by pins and slots.

[0027] In the further embodiment described above, the inner rotatable drum passes through the outer circular casing in order to function as both the first anchor and the torque shaft.

[0028] In a further embodiment, the ALPHA1 rocker frame has two pivots and is connected in a similar manner to both the horizontal base or foundation and the relatively inflexible upper structural member.

[0029] In a further embodiment, the rocker frame has a horizontal (spanning truss) configuration and is pivotally connected at each end to vertical chords or towers that are pivotally connected to the horizontal base or foundation. The internal rotating unit and bending members (plates) are also preferably distal from the pivots of the rocker frame and are preferably connected to the rocker frame via double pin links or push rods and fixed to the vertical chords or towers. All of the horizontally oriented pivotable rocker frame, preferably double pin links, the rotating unit having bending plates and the pivotable columns or towers are part of the control structure.

[0030] Here, in a further embodiment referred to as the ALPHA2 rocker frame, the rocker frame assembly includes a vertical (tower) aspect and is pivotally connected to a horizontal base or foundation. The vertical cords of the rocker frame are parallel to another adjacent set of outer cords pivotally connected to the structural base of the foundation. These outer cords can first be connected to a centerline that includes pivots of the rocker frame having a relatively non-flexible pin-joint type in the horizontal direction. A rotating unit with a bending member (plate) positioned internally is also distal from the rocker frame pivot here and is connected between and distributed along the opposite faces of the pivotable outer cords (first or second structural members) adjacent to the rocker frame (first or second structural member). All of the pivotable vertically-directed (tower aspect) rocker frame, the rotating unit with a bending plate, the pin-jointed outer cords to the rocker frame type, and the outer cords with a pivotable base connection are part of the control structure.

[0031] Rotation about the base pivot of the ALPHA2 rocker frame causes an inter-story relative displacement between the cords of the rocker frame and the base pivotable outer cords. This displacement is suppressed by a rotating connector (yield connector) positioned between and along each cord, generating a reactive inter-story shear force between the sliding pin connection of the rotor arm to the outer cord and the outer casing of the rotating unit fixed to the inner cord of the rocker frame. This shear force rotates the drum of the rotating unit, engages the bending member (yield plate) of the rotating unit, and causes elastic or elastoplastic buckling about their bending minor axes. The elastoplastic buckling limiting force and energy in the control structure and other structures it can support seismically are dissipated.

[0032] In a further embodiment, the ALPHA2 rocker frame may have a horizontal (spanning truss) aspect and is preferably pivotally connected at each end to a vertical cord or tower pivotally connected to a horizontal base or foundation. A horizontal outer cord parallel to the horizontal cord of the rocker frame is similarly pivotally connected to the vertical cord or tower. The rotating unit, within which the bending member (plate) is disposed, is distal from the pivot of the rocker frame and is preferably positioned between and along the opposite faces of the horizontal cord of the rocker frame and the parallel outer cord. The vertically directed pin-jointed tie may connect to the outer cord and the centerline including the pivot of the rocker frame. All of the pivotable horizontally directed (spanning truss aspect) rocker frame, the horizontal outer cord pivotally connected to the vertical cord or tower having a pivotable structural base or foundation connection, the rotating unit having a bending member, and the vertical tie connection to the center of the horizontal outer cord and the rocker frame are part of the control structure.

[0033] In a further embodiment, the control structure includes a rotating yielding unit having a push rod with both sides pin-connected to form a diagonal brace of a pivot base eccentric brace (tower) structure, within the brace frame structure, a (horizontal) beam is pin-connected to a (vertical) column, and the rotating unit of the diagonal brace pin-connects an (eccentric) (upper) beam adjacent to the beam to the column, and the end on the opposite side of the diagonal of the brace is a pin connection of the push rod that eccentrically column-connects the (lower) beam.

[0034] In a further embodiment, the control structure includes a rotating yielding unit positioned along between one pivot base wall element (or rigid cord) and another parallel pivot base wall element (or rigid cord), both wall elements are also connected to a pin-jointed motion control tie, and all form a pivot base coupled shear wall (or rigid cord) control structure.

[0035] In a further embodiment, the control structure includes a series of parallel pivot-based wall elements, along and between which rotational yielding units are positioned, and all wall units are connected to the operation control tie and all together form a control structure including a series of connected shear walls (or rigid cords).

[0036] In one embodiment, the bending member is composed of steel.

[0037] In one embodiment, the elongated bending member is composed of a metal plate.

[0038] In one embodiment, the bending member is replaceable.

[0039] In one embodiment, the bending member plastically deforms between the first anchor and the second anchor as a result of the oscillatory movement of the rocker frame and subsequent rotation of the drum of the rotational unit during an earthquake.

[0040] In one embodiment, the primary structure (i.e., the structure seismically supported by the control structure) is or is part of a warehouse rack, a building, and / or a large civil structure.

[0041] In one embodiment, the first anchor or the second anchor firmly restrains the first region received by the anchor in six degrees of freedom.

[0042] In one embodiment, a plurality of connectors are present between the rocker frame and the structure or the base.

[0043] In a second aspect, the present invention is composed of an apparatus or mechanism, more preferably a force-limiting and energy-dissipating rotating unit, inside which a yielding member (plate) is fixed. In this form, the internal structural plates can generate a stable and constant repetitive resistance yielding force while bending and yielding in high elastoplastic deformation about their bending minor axes. The structure it directly supports and the structure of which it is a part maintain the internal forces within the structure and its foundation, preferably while being limited to the maximum value related to the yielding force of the structural plates that are part of it. A stable elastoplastic mechanism that can flow and cycle with high elastoplastic displacement and high ductility can be formed with a certain resistance yielding force.

[0044] By yielding with a certain force through its own high elastoplastic bending displacement, the plate within the rotating unit changes the natural response (displacement, velocity, acceleration) of the mass and / or structure that it is part of and that it directly or indirectly supports seismically, and by flowing as a certain resistance plastic mechanism, it resists the ground motion (displacement, velocity, acceleration) input of a severe earthquake and limits the magnitude of the acceleration and dynamic forces that can occur within the structure when withstanding it.

[0045] The ability of the plate to limit the forces within the control structure and any connected structures depends on its ability to stably maintain potentially high repetitive elastoplastic displacements (deformations) while maintaining a certain resistance yielding force.

[0046] The magnitude of the peak elastoplastic displacement requirement on the plate is a function of many variables including the ground motion (acceleration) input, the mass seismically supported by the structure and its distribution, the elastic natural vibration frequency of the structure (including the plate), and the yield strength of the plate. The ability of the plate to maintain repetitive peak displacement requirements while maintaining a stable and constant resistance yielding force further depends on their material stress-strain characteristics and structural form.

[0047] The shape of the bending member (plate) and the strength along its bending direction are preferably configured such that the bending yield (i.e., plastic flow, plastic strain, plastic curvature) within the plate is limited to a specific finite "yield zone" within the end region of the plate that is immediately adjacent to one or all of the anchors of the plate. The plate preferably maintains elasticity between the yield region within the first region of the plate adjacent to its first anchor and the distal yield region within the second end region of the plate adjacent to its second anchor or between the yield region within the first end region of the plate (adjacent to the first anchor) and the distal non-yielding second end region (adjacent to the second anchor). One skilled in the art will understand that the confinement of the yield to these regions can be simply achieved by using a rectangular plate with a constant cross-section and material properties (prismatic) along its bending direction.

[0048] In a further aspect, the invention can be a force limiting and energy dissipating device for absorbing energy during the operation between two structural members. The device · a first part of a rotating unit fixed to a first part of the structural member, · a second part of a rotating unit fixed to a second part of the structural member, · an elastically deformable yielding member within the rotating unit, having a first region positioned by a first anchor and a second anchor respectively, and a second region spaced apart from the first region, comprising The first anchor fixes the first region to the first part of the rotating unit such that during an earthquake, the first region can move with the first part relative to the second part of the rotating unit and the second region. The second anchor allows the second region to translate freely or translate and rotate relative to the second part of the rotating unit of the first part of the rotating unit relative to the second structural member of the first structural member during the vibration operation, so that the yielding member can bend and yield while maintaining a stable constant resistance yielding force (preferably such that no internal membrane force is generated within its elongated member).

[0049] In one embodiment, the bending member extends in a first direction between at least two anchors, the first anchor fixing a first region to the first rotating unit part so as to move with the first rotating unit part during an earthquake, and the second anchor having a second region · rotate about an axis perpendicular to the first direction with respect to the rotating unit part and parallel to the unit during operation, · configured to be able to translate laterally in the first direction with respect to the rotating unit part.

[0050] In a further aspect, the control structure consists only of the rotating unit (without a rocker frame), the rotating system is directly attached to the foundation or attached on a secondary bending member (base) fixed to the underlying foundation, and the extension arm of the rotating unit is directly or via a diagonal tie connected to the structure that the rotating unit supports seismically.

[0051] In a further aspect, the invention can be a rotating tie anchor for fixing at least one diagonal tie to the foundation for or of a seismically supported structure.

[0052] In a further aspect, the invention can be a racking restraint system having at least one diagonal tie for resisting the racking of a structure attached to a foundation or base. At least one tie is attached from the rack to a rotating tie anchor, which is a rotating unit having a bending member (plate) attached therein, from which an extension arm is connected to at least one diagonal tie.

[0053] The rotating unit with an elongated bending member (plate) is held on the foundation or secondary bending member base without or substantially without impairing the elastic and / or plastic bending response of the bending member to the racking of the rack and / or load input via at least one tie.

[0054] In one embodiment, the seismically supported structure is either a rack or a building.

[0055] In one embodiment, two ties are connected to the anchor.

[0056] In one embodiment, the tie is connected to the uppermost region of the rack that is seismically supported.

[0057] In one embodiment, the two ties are connected to both sides of the vertically extending arm of the anchor.

[0058] In one embodiment, the tie receives a tensile load during an operating earthquake.

[0059] In one embodiment, the tie anchor includes hold-down anchors in each anchor region of the secondary bending member (under and supporting the rotary system (unit)), and the rotary system is located at the center between both hold-down anchors.

[0060] In one embodiment, at least one hold-down anchor of the secondary member is configured such that its respective anchor region can move laterally so as to move towards and away from the other anchor.

[0061] In one embodiment, both hold-down anchors of the secondary bending member are configured such that their respective anchor regions of the secondary bending member are between their respective end regions during the bending of the primary bending member (rotary unit), and can rotate about a rotation axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the secondary bending member and parallel to the foundation or base.

[0062] In one embodiment, the central pivot connection is formed at the central hold-down anchor intermediate the two end hold-down anchors of the secondary bending member.

[0063] In one embodiment, the length of the secondary bending member exceeds 1 m.

[0064] In one embodiment, the length of the secondary bending member is 2 m.

[0065] In one embodiment, the drum of the rotating unit, the rotor with arms, and the housing are highly rigid with respect to the bending plate and resist substantial elastic deformation to directly transmit the tie force to the bending member.

[0066] In one embodiment, the primary bending member (plate) is very flexible with respect to the entire rotating system.

[0067] In one embodiment, the primary bending member has high ductility with respect to the entire rotating system.

[0068] In one embodiment, the secondary bending member under the rotating unit and the main bending member (plate) forms a substantially standing secondary harmonic curvature shape during deformation.

[0069] In one embodiment, the secondary bending member forms a substantially horizontal S-shape during deformation.

[0070] In one embodiment, the secondary bending member substantially forms a positive lobe on one side of the straight body and a negative lobe on the opposite side of the straight body.

[0071] In one embodiment, the curved shape of the secondary bending member has a point that coincides with the pivot point of the central anchor that does not translate in any direction.

[0072] In one embodiment, the secondary bending member is divided into two wings, the first wing is located on the first side of the central anchor, and the second wing is located on the second side of the central anchor.

[0073] In one embodiment, the tie anchor is located above and connected to each of the first wing and the second wing.

[0074] In one embodiment, the primary bending member and the secondary bending member in the rotating unit act substantially continuously.

[0075] In a further aspect, the present invention can be a fixed storage rack assembly. Diagonal ties are used from the rack into a rotatable upright provided within a triple-fixed braking system provided on a straight body, and the braking system can absorb and dissipate energy via the ties during an earthquake or high load.

[0076] Preferably, the triple fixation of the support secondary member allows a single curvature bend upward on one side of the secondary member and a single curvature bend downward on the other side of the secondary member under any racking of the rack relative to the lower support for the anchor.

[0077] In a further aspect, the present invention can be an energy absorption structure assembly. It is spaced anchoring from a lower support of an energy absorption bending member attached directly or indirectly (e.g., via bolts, ties, ties through an upright, etc.) to the rack to fix the rack, and the fixation allows a symmetric and / or asymmetric arc-like movement of the bending member that plastically deforms from its elastic spread without cantilevering the ends from the ends of the bending member.

[0078] In a further aspect, the present invention can be a brace anchor that can substantially convert a lateral tensile force from a structure (preferably a racking type) into a force (torque) that is substantially rotationally distributed during operation by elastic and plastic yielding on one or more elongated bending members that depend (directly or indirectly) from a foundation for the structure.

[0079] In one embodiment, the rotational action is transmitted to a bending member that absorbs the energy received from the tensile force in a controlled manner.

[0080] In one embodiment, the structure is firmly held to a foundation (a second structural member) in the absence of an earthquake.

[0081] In one embodiment, during an earthquake, the structure has its energy attenuated via a rotation unit.

[0082] In one embodiment, the rotating unit is firmly held (elastically and substantially) to the foundation in all degrees of freedom when there is no earthquake. When an earthquake occurs and the bending member yields, there is (kinematically) relative ease of lateral movement along the longitudinal direction in at least one end region of the bending member, and (kinematically) relative ease of rotation about a rotational axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and parallel to the foundation in both end regions of the bending member.

[0083] In a further aspect, the present invention can be an assembly for absorbing energy from a structure attached to a foundation that sways laterally from an earthquake. The assembly further includes a rigid and elongated body portion (rocker frame), which is configured to swing about a pivot anchor located at a first end of the body portion during the earthquake. The pivot anchor has a pivot axis perpendicular to the lateral plane and parallel to the foundation. depending on the body portion, includes a deformable yielding member within the rotating unit spaced apart from the pivot anchor at least in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis. The rotating unit connects the body portion to one first member selected from the foundation, a vertical cord (preferably pivotally) connected to the foundation, and a horizontal cord connected to a vertical cord (preferably pivotally) connected to the foundation. The pivot anchor is configured and arranged to cause relative movement between the body portion and the first member during the swinging of the body portion. One or more selected from the body portion and the vertical cord are configured to engage or be integrated with the structure such that the movement of the structure is transmitted to one or more selected from the body portion and the vertical cord.

[0084] In one embodiment, the relative movement causes elastoplastic deformation of a deformable member within the rotating unit.

[0085] In one embodiment, the body portion is a column.

[0086] In one embodiment, the body portion is a truss.

[0087] In one embodiment, one or both of the cords are columns.

[0088] In one embodiment, one or both of the cords are trusses.

[0089] In one embodiment, the deformable yielding member is plate-shaped.

[0090] In one embodiment, the deformable yielding member includes a steel plate.

[0091] In one embodiment, the deformable yielding member includes a damper including a spring or rubber element, a friction plate element, or a shear yielding element.

[0092] In one embodiment, the deformable member bends at the center of its minor axis.

[0093] In one embodiment, the body and the cord are substantially rigid compared to the yielding member.

[0094] In one embodiment, the body (locker frame) is pivotally fixed to another earthquake-dependent structure up to two-thirds of the height of the control structure.

[0095] In one embodiment, the vertical cord of the control structure is pivotally fixed to an earthquake-dependent structure up to two-thirds of the height of the control structure.

[0096] In one embodiment, the pivot anchor is configured to pivotally engage the body and the foundation.

[0097] In one embodiment, the deformable member within the rotating unit engages between the body and the foundation.

[0098] In one embodiment, the body includes rotating anchors, a first rotating anchor and a second rotating anchor located at each end of the body.

[0099] In one embodiment, the second rotating anchor is attached to an upper region such as an upper floor, ceiling, or other upper area of the structure.

[0100] In one embodiment, a further deformable member is engaged between the body portion and the upper region. In one embodiment, the rigid elongate body portion is substantially horizontal.

[0101] In one embodiment, there are two vertical cords, a first vertical cord and a second vertical cord, pivotally connected to the base at each end of the elongate body portion.

[0102] In one embodiment, a first rotary anchor is attached to the first vertical cord and a second rotary anchor is attached to the second vertical cord.

[0103] In one embodiment, both vertical cords are configured to be pivotally attached to the base.

[0104] In one embodiment, both vertical cords are configured to be pivotally attached to the upper region.

[0105] In one embodiment, the body portion is further engaged with each vertical cord by spaced-apart deformable members.

[0106] In one embodiment, along the height of the vertical cords, there are a plurality of body portions (locker frames) and associated deformable members within the rotary unit, which are part of the rotary unit.

[0107] In one embodiment, the deformable member is a substantially plate-like member that is within the rotary unit, is part of the rotary unit, and is intermediate the body portion and the vertical cord.

[0108] In one embodiment, the rotary unit having the deformable member transmits shear forces between the vertical cord and the body portion.

[0109] In another embodiment, the rotating unit has two end regions, one of the first end regions is constrained with respect to the body, and the vertical cord acts on the second end region opposite to the first end region to rotate the drum of the rotating unit and deform the deformable member during relative movement.

[0110] In one embodiment, the body extends substantially horizontally and pivotally engages midway between two vertical cords.

[0111] In one embodiment, there is at least one horizontal cord that pivotally engages midway between two pivot-based vertical cords.

[0112] In one embodiment, there are two cords that pivotally engage midway between two pivot-based vertical cords.

[0113] In one embodiment, the rotating unit having a deformable member is intermediate between the body (locker frame) and the horizontal.

[0114] In one embodiment, during movement of the structure or assembly from an earthquake, there is relative movement between the rigid and elongated body and the horizontal cord, causing rotation of the drum of the rotating unit and bending deformation of the deformable member that is within and part of the rotating unit.

[0115] In one embodiment, the foundation is one of the ground, floor, ceiling, beam, and truss.

[0116] In one embodiment, at least one end region of the deformable member has a sliding engagement.

[0117] In one embodiment, there is a pin joint tie system that connects the vertical cord and / or the body to each other.

[0118] In one embodiment, there is a pin joint tie system that connects the horizontal cord and / or the body to each other.

[0119] In a further aspect, the present invention is an energy absorption system for a structure attached to a foundation, which restricts the lateral movement of the upper region of the structure relative to the foundation during an earthquake, and the system comprises a rocker rigidly connected to a rigid and elongated body engaging the structure, configured to transmit the lateral movement of the upper region about the body, and the rocker a pivot anchor configured to pivot the body about a pivot axis perpendicular to the lateral movement and parallel to the foundation, at least two spaced-apart rotary unit anchors, with one anchor on each side of the pivot axis, each anchor depending from and intermediate the foundation and the body, and each anchor including at least one deformable member configured to deform elastically or elasto-plastically during the lateral movement, The second end of the body on the opposite side of the rocker is constrained to one selected from the upper region and a second rocker.

[0120] In one embodiment, the structure is a rack, ceiling and / or building.

[0121] In one embodiment, the foundation is one of a ground, floor, ceiling, beam and truss.

[0122] In one embodiment, the deformable member within the rotary unit depends on the foundation.

[0123] In one embodiment, the deformable member depends on a vertical cord engaging the structure.

[0124] In one embodiment, the vertical cord is substantially rigid compared to the deformable member.

[0125] In one embodiment, the vertical cord is pivotally dependent from the foundation via a vertical cord pivot anchor including a vertical cord pivot axis parallel to the pivot axis of the pivot anchor.

[0126] In one embodiment, there are two vertical cords, each having a vertical cord pivot anchor and a spaced anchor, and the anchors and the central pivot anchor are rigidly joined to each other by a body portion.

[0127] In one embodiment, the body portion is a truss.

[0128] In one embodiment, the body portion is substantially rigid with respect to the deformable member.

[0129] In one embodiment, the upper region of the vertical cord is engaged with the structure.

[0130] In one embodiment, the vertical cord is engaged with a structure that depends on seismic up to two-thirds of the height of the control structure.

[0131] In a further aspect, the present invention can be an energy absorption system for a structure attached to a foundation. The energy absorption system absorbs the lateral movement of the structure during an earthquake. During an earthquake, the upper region of the structure moves laterally, and the system includes a body portion including an upper portion laterally restrained to the upper region of the structure and a base on the opposite side of the upper portion, a pivot that is perpendicular to the lateral movement and pivotally depends on the foundation about an axis parallel to the foundation, and the pivot allows the body portion to swing back and forth about the axis, at least two spaced yielding connectors (rotating units), with one yielding connector on each side of the pivot, and each spaced yielding connector depends on the foundation and the body and includes one or more deformable members configured to plastically deform during swinging, and includes.

[0132] In one embodiment, the upper region of the structure that depends on seismic engages the control structure up to two-thirds of the height of the earthquake-resistant supported structure.

[0133] In one embodiment, the height of the structure (subordinate or control) exceeds 30 meters.

[0134] In one embodiment, the upper part of the body is constrained to the upper region via a cable.

[0135] In one embodiment, when the body swings about a pivot, one yielding connector (rotating unit) deforms clockwise and the opposite yielding connector deforms counterclockwise.

[0136] In one embodiment, there are two ties connected to the upper region.

[0137] In one embodiment, the two ties are connected to the structures on both sides of the body.

[0138] In one embodiment, the tie operates to receive a tensile load during an earthquake.

[0139] In one embodiment, since the body is substantially rigid, elastic deformation is minimized and plastic yielding does not occur during lateral movement of the structure.

[0140] In one embodiment, the body can be a multi-member truss system.

[0141] In one embodiment, the yielding connector (rotating unit) is intermediate the body and one selected from a vertical cord, a horizontal cord, and a foundation.

[0142] In one embodiment, the system includes a cable that holds the body to a vertical cord and / or a horizontal cord.

[0143] In one embodiment, the upper part of the body is constrained to the structure from substantially a single point.

[0144] In an alternative embodiment, the upper part of the body is constrained to the structure from laterally spaced regions.

[0145] In one embodiment, the deformable member within the rotating unit has at least two spaced anchor regions.

[0146] In one embodiment, an earthquake causes relative movement between a base and a body, and the movement creates relative movement between anchor regions of deformable members.

[0147] In one embodiment, the anchor allows at least one anchor region to move in a rotational arc direction away from another anchor region, and allows at least one anchor region to rotate about a rotation axis perpendicular to the lateral direction and parallel to the plane of the base.

[0148] In one embodiment, the deflection of the deformable member caused by plastic yielding is much greater than the deflection caused by elastic deflection.

[0149] In one embodiment, the deformable member is very flexible and / or ductile relative to the truss.

[0150] In a further aspect, the secondary bending member is positioned intermediate a rocker frame including a rotating unit with a primary bending member (plate) and a horizontal (e.g., base) or vertical (e.g., column) structural base.

[0151] The present invention relates to a control structure that helps manage and control the movement of connected force limiting and energy dissipating structural members (preferably plates) whose bending minor axes enable stable cycling high displacement elasto-plastic flexture.

[0152] With this plate, the control structure can form an elasto-plastic mechanism with stable cycling high displacement and high ductility having a constant resistance yield force in response to seismic ground motion input. The bending yield action of the plate at a constant resistance yield force limits the magnitude of forces that can occur within the control structure and within adjacent structures that the control structure can support seismically.

[0153] That is, the control structure including the rotating unit manages and controls the movement of the yielding plate, while the plate that yields with a certain resistance limits the forces generated within the structure.

[0154] The present invention is, as part of a substantially rigid pivot base control structure incorporating at least one yielding connector (rotating unit), (a) Transmit the forces due to ground motion from the storage rack or the upper region of the building structure to the foundation, (b) Incorporate rockers in order to limit the forces generated both within the control structure and in any adjacent structure that the control structure supports seismically, through the plastic yielding of the yielding member (plate) of the control structure intermediate the foundation and the superstructure. Incorporate rockers.

[0155] In a further aspect, the present invention utilizes a yielding connector (rotating unit) to absorb energy during the oscillatory motion between two structural members, the connector including a first anchor including the drum of the rotating unit, a second anchor including a peripheral pin fixed to the casing of the rotating unit, a bending member having a first region (preferably, the end region of the bending member) supported by the first anchor and a second region (preferably, the end region of the bending member) spaced from the first region and supported so as to be simply supported by the second anchor.

[0156] This preferably enables the bending member to yield in a bending mode when the first anchor and the second anchor move relative to each other in a direction (and the opposite direction) perpendicular to the plane of the bending member.

[0157] Preferably, in one of the first and second regions, the bending member can rotate and translate relative to its respective anchor, and in the other of the first and second regions, the bending member is cantilevered (rigidly fixed) relative to its respective anchor.

[0158] In a further aspect, the invention can be a control structure incorporated into a primary structure or a seismic-dependent structure (e.g., a building or storage rack) to limit forces within the primary structure and dissipate energy during an earthquake. The control structure is (a) a rocker frame pivotally supported directly or indirectly by a pivot connected to a horizontal or vertical structural base of a member, (b) at least one yielding connector (rotating unit) connected to the rocker frame at a location remote from the pivot of the rocker frame, the yielding connector (rotating unit) being capable of bending about its minor axis while bending and yielding about its major axis in response to relative displacement between a rocker structure (a first structural member) and a second structural member that is horizontal (e.g., a foundation) or vertical, to generate a stable constant resistance yielding force, and including at least one elongated bending member connected to the rocker frame by the yielding connector (rotating unit).

[0159] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0160] As used herein, the term "and / or" means "and" or "or" or both.

[0161] As used herein, "(s)" following a noun means the plural and / or singular of that noun.

[0162] As used herein, the term "comprising" (and in the claims) means "composed at least in part of". When interpreting a statement that includes the term in this specification (and in the claims), all features that come before that term in each statement need not be present, but other features may be present. Related terms such as "comprised of" are interpreted in the same way.

[0163] As used herein, the term "diagonal" and its derivatives mean any angle that is oblique to both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0164] "Single curvature" means not forming a plurality of lobe arch shapes. It includes a symmetrical form on either side of the intended attachment to a structure or rack from a fixed, inhibited, constrained, or similar adaptation or region.

[0165] The terms "plastic" or "ductile" as described in this specification are interchangeable with each other and relate to material deformation beyond elastic deformation. When sufficient stress is applied to permanently deform a material (such as a bending member), it is called plastic deformation or ductile deformation.

[0166] The present invention can be broadly said to be composed of the parts, elements, and features individually or collectively mentioned or shown in the specification of this application and all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements, or features. When a specific integer is mentioned in this specification, such known equivalents are considered to be incorporated herein as if individually described.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0167] The present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Figure 23

Figure 24

Figure 25

Figure 26

Figure 27

Figure 28

Figure 29

Figure 30

Figure 31

Figure 32

Figure 33

Figure 34

Figure 35

Figure 36

Figure 37

Figure 38

Figure 39

Figure 40

Figure 41

Figure 42

Figure 43

Figure 44

Figure 45

Figure 46

Figure 47

Figure 48

Figure 49

Figure 50

Figure 51

Figure 52

Figure 53

Figure 54

Figure 55

Figure 56

Figure 57

Figure 58

Figure 59

Figure 60

Figure 61

Figure 62

Figure 63

Figure 64

Figure 65

Figure 66

Figure 67

Figure 68

Figure 69

Figure 70

Figure 71

Figure 72

Figure 73

Figure 74

Figure 75

Figure 76

Figure 77

Figure 78

Figure 79

Figure 80

Figure 81

Figure 82

Figure 83

Figure 84

Figure 85

Figure 86

Figure 87

Figure 88

Figure 89

Figure 90

Figure 91

Figure 92

Figure 93

Figure 94

Figure 95

Figure 96

Figure 97

Figure 98

Figure 99

Figure 100

Figure 101

Figure 102

Figure 103

Figure 104

Figure 105

Figure 106

Figure 107

Figure 108

Figure 109

Figure 110

Figure 111

Figure 112

Figure 113

Figure 114

Figure 115

Figure 116

Figure 117

Figure 118

Figure 119

Figure 120

Figure 121

Figure 122

Figure 123

Figure 124

Figure 125

Figure 126

Figure 127

Figure 128

Figure 129

Figure 130

Figure 131

Figure 132

Figure 133

Figure 134

Figure 135

Figure 136

Figure 137

Figure 138

Figure 139

Figure 140

Figure 141

Figure 142

Figure 143

Figure 144

Figure 145

Figure 146

Figure 147

Figure 148

Figure 149

Figure 150

Figure 151

Figure 152

Figure 153

Figure 154

Figure 155

Figure 156

Figure 157

Figure 158

Figure 159

Figure 160

Figure 161

Figure 162

Figure 163

Figure 164

Figure 165

Figure 166

Figure 167

Figure 168

Figure 169

Figure 170

Figure 171

Figure 172

Figure 173

Figure 174

Figure 175

Figure 176

Figure 177

Figure 178

Figure 179

Figure 180

Figure 181

Figure 182

Figure 183

Figure 184

Figure 185

Figure 186

Figure 187

Figure 188

Figure 189

Figure 190

Figure 191

Figure 192

Figure 193

Figure 194

Figure 195

Figure 196

Figure 197

Figure 198

Figure 199

Figure 200

Figure 201

Figure 202

Figure 203

Figure 204

Figure 205

Figure 206

Figure 207

Figure 208

Figure 209

Figure 210

Figure 211

Figure 212

Figure 213

Figure 214

Figure 215

Figure 216

Figure 217

Figure 218

Figure 219

Figure 220

Figure 221

Figure 222

Figure 223

Figure 224

Figure 225

Figure 226

Figure 227

Figure 228

Figure 229

Figure 230

Figure 231

Figure 232

Figure 233

Figure 234

Figure 235

Figure 236

Figure 237

Figure 238

Figure 239

Figure 240

Figure 241

Figure 242

Figure 243

Figure 244

Figure 245

Figure 246

Figure 247

Figure 248

Figure 249

Figure 250

Figure 251

Figure 252

Figure 253

Figure 254

Figure 255

Figure 256

Figure 257

Figure 258

Figure 259

Figure 260

Figure 261

Figure 262

Figure 263

Figure 264

Figure 265

Figure 266

Figure 267

Figure 268

Figure 269

Figure 270

Figure 271

Figure 272

Figure 273

Figure 274

Figure 275

Figure 276

Figure 277

Figure 278

Figure 279

Figure 280

Figure 281

Figure 282

Figure 283

Figure 284

Figure 285

Figure 286

Figure 287

Figure 288

Figure 289

Figure 290

Figure 291

Figure 292

Figure 293

Figure 294

Figure 295

Figure 296

Figure 297

Figure 298

Figure 299

Figure 300

Figure 301

Figure 302

Figure 303

Figure 304

Figure 305

Figure 306

Figure 307

Figure 308

Figure 309

Figure 310

Figure 311

Figure 312

Figure 313

Figure 314

Figure 315

Figure 316

Figure 317

Figure 318

Figure 319

Figure 320

Figure 321

Figure 322

Figure 323

Figure 324

Figure 325

Figure 326

Figure 327

Figure 328

Figure 329

Figure 330

Figure 331

Figure 332

Figure 333

Figure 334

Figure 335

Figure 336

Figure 337

Figure 338

Figure 339

Figure 340

Figure 341

Figure 342

Figure 343

Figure 344

Figure 345

Figure 346

Figure 347

Figure 348

Figure 349

Figure 350

Figure 351

Figure 352

Figure 353

Figure 354

Figure 355

Figure 356

Figure 357

Figure 358

Figure 359

Figure 360

Figure 361

Figure 362

Figure 363

Figure 364

Figure 365

Figure 366

Figure 367

Figure 368

Figure 369

Figure 370

Figure 371

Figure 372

Figure 373

Figure 374

Figure 375

Figure 376

Figure 377

Figure 378

Figure 379

Figure 380

Figure 381

Figure 382

Figure 383

Figure 384

Figure 385

Figure 386

Figure 387

Figure 388

Figure 389

Figure 390

Figure 391

Figure 392

Figure 393

Figure 394

Figure 395

Figure 396

Figure 397

Figure 398

Figure 399

Figure 400

Figure 401

Figure 402

Figure 403

Figure 404

Figure 405

Figure 406

Figure 407

Figure 408

Figure 409

Figure 410

Figure 411

Figure 412

Figure 413

Figure 414

Figure 415

Figure 416

Figure 417

Figure 418

Figure 419

Figure 420

Figure 421

Figure 422

Figure 423

Figure 424

Figure 425

Figure 426

Figure 427

Figure 428

Figure 429

Figure 430

Figure 431

Figure 432

Figure 433

Figure 434

Figure 435

Figure 436

Figure 437

Figure 438

Figure 439

Figure 440

[0168] The present invention relates to a control structure that helps to direct and control the movement of connected force-limiting and energy-dissipating structural members (preferably the plates of the yield anchors (rotating units)) capable of stable repetitive high-displacement elastoplastic buckling about their bending minor axis or out-of-plane bending axis.

[0169] The present invention may include a pivot base control structure that includes an apparatus and mechanism or more specifically a pivot rocker frame assembly and a rotating unit, and that directs and manages the movement of a connected force-limiting and energy-dissipating structural plate. The plate is within and forms part of the rotating unit (yield connector). Due to its shape, the plate can yield and buckle plastically with high elastoplastic displacement and high ductility about its bending minor axis (or out-of-plane), while preferably not generating or generating no membrane force within itself, to generate a stable constant resistance yield force. The specific boundary conditions of the plate that generate a constant resistance yield force while buckling with high elastoplastic displacement will be described in more detail. The plate operation within the rotating unit causes the control structure of which it is a part to flow and cycle with high elastoplastic displacement and ductility at a constant resistance yield force in response to ground motion (base motion) input, while maintaining the internal forces within the control structure or any adjacent structure that it can support seismically, and forming a stable elastoplastic mechanism that can be limited to a maximum value that is a function of the yield force of the structural plate of which it is a part.

[0170] By internally controlling the movement of the yielding plate in a regulated manner, the control structure then modifies its own natural responses (displacement, velocity, acceleration) and the responses of masses or adjacent structures that the control structure can directly or indirectly support seismically.

[0171] Flowing as a stable, elastoplastic mechanism with a constant resistance yielding force that enables high displacement and high ductility, the control structure endures severe seismic ground motion (displacement, velocity, acceleration) inputs to limit the magnitude of accelerations and dynamic forces that can occur within the members of the control structure.

[0172] That is, while the control structure manages and controls the movement of the yielding plate, a plate that yields with a certain resistance (preferably, either enabling or without generating membrane forces within itself) limits the forces generated within the structure.

[0173] The plate effectively buffers the control structure's response to ground motion or base excitation.

[0174] The plate's limitation of forces within the control structure and any connected structures depends on its ability to stably maintain potentially high repeated elastoplastic displacements (deformations) and high plastic strains while maintaining a certain resistance yielding force.

[0175] The magnitude of peak elastoplastic displacement (and ductility) demands on the plate is a function of many variables including ground motion (acceleration) inputs, the mass seismically supported by the structure and its distribution, the elastic natural frequencies of the structure (including the plate), and the yielding strength of the plate.

[0176] The ability of the (multiple) plates to maintain repeated peak displacement demands on them while maintaining a stable, constant resistance yielding force further depends on their material stress-strain characteristics and structural form.

[0177] The lateral strength (i.e., the lateral yield strength) and ductility with respect to the elastic limit of the entire control structure depend only on the replaceable bending members (plates). Further, neither the control structure nor the plates that are part of it necessarily provide additional lateral strength and ductility to another structure having a predetermined lateral strength or ductility. Another structure (e.g., a structural frame) is not additionally provided with lateral strength or ductility. That is, the control structure is not a structure that seismically supports another structure, but can be a simply independent stand-alone structure (supporting or not supporting mass). Further, the control structure (and its bending members (plates)) can return to its original position only through lateral action after each cycle without assisting or depending on the "flattening" of the yielding plate due to gravity load.

[0178] Furthermore, the rotating unit can be used to resist / absorb a single acceleration pulse (e.g., a blast shock) and mechanical shock (e.g., train engine / station buffers).

[0179] During an earthquake, as described above, the storage rack and the building can sway in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0180] During an earthquake, the equivalent force applied to the structure can be approximated to act at about 70% of the height of the storage rack 3 or the load-bearing structure. This depends on the weight distribution of the articles supported by the rack 3.

[0181] The system of the present invention can be incorporated into a storage rack or a structure to modify and change the displacement, velocity, and acceleration responses of the structure and the mass supported by the structure to ground motion (earthquake acceleration) input, and to limit the forces generated among the members of the rack structure or the building structure and the control structure, those seismically supported, during an earthquake.

[0182] The present invention utilizes a system that is part of a structure or incorporated into a structure to suppress (not prevent) the movement of the structure during an earthquake and dissipate energy, and to limit the development of forces within the control structure or within the structure that the control structure supports seismically so that the control structure can withstand ground motion input. The present invention (a) transmits the forces due to ground motion from the upper part of the storage rack or building structure to the foundation, (b) between the foundation and the upper region, to limit the forces that can develop both within the control structure in the foundation and within adjacent structures (racks or buildings) that the control structure supports seismically, through the plastic yielding of a yielding member (plate) within the rotating unit of the control structure, incorporates a Rocker 2000 as part of a substantially rigid and pivoting base control structure in which at least one yielding connector (rotating unit) is incorporated.

[0183] The simple structural behavior of the yielding plate of the yielding connector (rotating unit) 230 enables both its performance load testing and accurate calculation. Its design is such that its yielding force and energy absorption performance remain predictable during each operating cycle of the control structure and the storage rack during an earthquake. The yielding connector (rotating unit) utilizes an elasto - plastic deformable bending member 100. The structural behavior or performance of the bending member 100 (plate) is easily defined by calculation and testing, and since the response of the rocker frame of the control structure is simple (virtually one - degree - of - freedom), the response of the entire control structure to ground motion input is easily established. It is important that the bending member 100 (plate) cannot generate tensile or compressive membrane forces within itself because it bends into a high - plastic displacement in the lateral direction during yielding. The membrane forces generated within the yielding member (plate) result in both an increase in the rigidity of the (plate) and an increase in the force resistance within the plate, increasing the deformation. This reduces its energy dissipation and force - limiting capabilities and results in the generation of higher forces in both the control structure and any adjacent structures that the control structure can support seismically.

[0184] Figures 1 - 6 illustrate various energy absorption systems 1000 (also referred to herein as control structures) that can be included in or form part of a storage rack or a general building structure. Figure 7 shows the case when they are incorporated into a storage rack or a building. Figure 3 includes a locker 2000 that includes a frame 280 and a pivot anchor 240. In the examples shown in Figures 1 - 6, the system can be directly connected to the foundation 4. In other embodiments described later herein, the system can be connected to other structures or other components.

[0185] The control structure (energy absorption system 1000) can include only a rotating unit as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or can include a rotating unit yielding cockta 230 (having a bending member 100) together with a locker 2000 (frame 280 and pivot 240) as shown in Figures 3 and 4, or the rotating unit can be part of a pivot - based locker frame assembly where it is located inside.

[0186] The pivot anchor 240 provides a dedicated pivot for the rotation of the frame 280 of the control structure which is part of it. The movement is at least partially restricted by yielding connectors (rotating units) 230 arranged longitudinally outward from each side of the pivot anchor 240. The pivot anchor 240 is preferably located at the center and intermediate between two spaced connectors 230A and 230B. The connectors 230A and 230B are preferably the same.

[0187] In some embodiments, the locker 2000 includes a frame 280 that engages two spaced-apart yield connectors 230 and a pivot anchor 240. The frame 280 can be part of or preferably incorporated into and extending from a storage rack and can be fixed (directly or indirectly) to the upper region 27 of the storage rack 3 or to each floor of a general building structure. A portion of the frame 280 that extends above the connection to the storage rack can transmit some or all of the forces from the rocking of the rack 3 or structure to the pivot anchor 240 and the yield plate of the yield connector (rotating unit) 230. The movement of the frame 280 is compatible with the movement of the rack 3 or structure. That is, the connection between the control structure and any other adjacent structure that the control structure supports seismically must be compatible with the operation of the control structure. For example, it is a vertically slotted pinned connection at the centerline of the frame pivot 240 or the codebase pivot 315. The frame 280 can be short as shown in FIG. 1 or tall as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The short frame 280 can be joined to the upper region by ties, struts, or cables 270 to provide force transmission during rocking as shown in FIG. 1. In this case, the control structure is composed of only the rotating unit (without a locker frame). The embodiment of the short frame shown in FIG. 1 can be utilized when the height of the rack is low. When the height of the rack 3 is high, an embodiment of a tall frame is desirable.

[0188] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment that may be most suitable when the height of the storage rack is low or when tie cables 270 are used. The tie cables 270 preferably do not exceed an angle of 45 degrees with the foundation. This helps to efficiently transmit the vertical forces from the storage rack 3 to the rotating unit.

[0189] The tension brace wire connected to the rotating unit is preferably maintained horizontally. This is achieved by using a cable guide in FIG. 48.

[0190] The energy absorption system 1000 (control structure) can be joined to the upper region 27 of the storage rack 3. This is at two-thirds of the height of the storage rack 3. This is a typical approximation of a location where equivalent forces applied from seismic activity can concentrate. One skilled in the art will recognize that the energy absorption system 1000 can be engaged to the storage rack or building at any height and any number of heights.

[0191] The energy absorption system 1000 preferably includes a top attachment portion 250. The top attachment portion 250 is configured to be attached to a member such as a brace 26 of the storage rack 3 (which in some cases is known in the industry as plan bracing). When the brace is a strut or other similar rigid member, it is preferred that the top attachment portion can pivot so as not to create torque or moment in the frame 280 or the rack 3.

[0192] The brace 26 is nothing more than a way to connect the top of the frame 280 or the top attachment portion 250 to the storage rack 3. When two racks are provided back to back, the brace is normally located in the middle of the racks as shown in FIG. 8. The plan brace and connection can also be located at the height of the beam below the top of the structure.

[0193] The plan brace 26 can span two or more racks. There is a gap 23 where the energy absorption system 1000 is located between the two racks. In an alternative embodiment, the energy absorption system 1000 is located on the front of the storage rack or on both the front and the back.

[0194] The frame 280 is preferably a relatively rigid structure compared to the flexibility of the bending member 100 (yield plate). The frame 280 is preferably of a truss type configuration. The truss can be of a number of designs and configurations suitable for the configuration of the energy absorption system 1000 and the required functional characteristics. In applications to general building structures, rigid flat reinforced concrete elements can also be used for the frame 280.

[0195] As briefly described above, the energy absorption system 1000 (control structure) can be connected to or can connect to the upper region 27 above the storage rack 3 or other structures or near it. It can be incorporated into the storage rack or other structures. Assuming that the rigid frame 280 has little internal displacement (strain) under the applied load, the rigid frame 280 swings or rotates about the pivot anchor 240. The role of the frame 280 is to transmit the force from the upper region 27 to the pivot 240 during the vertical movement. The swinging motion about the pivot anchor 240 is transmitted to the spaced-apart yield connectors 230. And the swinging motion is at least partially absorbed by them (within the rotation system and in part) because the bending members 100 (yield plates) bend plastically. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the vertical movement of the storage rack 3 to the right rotates the frame 280 clockwise about the pivot anchor 240. This moves the extension arm of the yield connector (rotation unit) 230A upward and the extension arm of the yield connector 230B downward. The vertical movement of the upper region 27 (caused by ground motion) is substantially converted into a rotational motion at the yield connector 230 (in one embodiment). The rotational displacement (motion) of the yield plate within the rotation unit is adjusted and controlled by the control structure of which the yield plate forms a part. The yield plates produce a certain resistance yield force when deforming (bending) beyond their yield deflections, due to certain free translation or free translation and free rotation end region boundary conditions, which limits the development of forces within the control structure and any adjacent structures that the restraint structure can support seismically.

[0196] FIGS. 9 and 10 show another embodiment of the energy absorption system 1000. FIG. 9 shows the control structure in the non-displaced state, and FIG. 10 shows the control structure in the displaced state.

[0197] This embodiment is referred to by reference numeral 300. That is, frame 280 is referred to as frame 380 and the like. In this example, energy absorption system 1000 substantially includes two pivot anchors connected by frame 380. Frame 380 pivots about each pivot anchor 340 and connects to a rotating unit (yield connector). Yield connectors 331-334 are rotating units, and the bending member (yield plate) is part of them. The control structures of FIGS. 9 and 10 are pivotable base rocker frame assemblies having rotating yield units.

[0198] Energy absorption system 1000 positions rocker 2000 midway between two substantially rigid vertical cords 310 (also known as vertical cords) that are swingable relative to the ground. Vertical cords 310 are pivotally connected to foundation 4 by pivot anchors 315. Vertical cord 310 is schematically shown in FIG. 5. Briefly, rocker 2000 includes frame 380 and two pivot anchors 340. Four yield connectors 331-334 engage respective vertical cords 310. Yield connectors 331-334 are rotating units connected to vertical cord 310 (having a yield plate). The extension lever arms of the rotating units are connected to rocker 2000 via pin-connected push rods.

[0199] Frame 380 is preferably of a rigid truss-like configuration to assist in the transfer of forces and operation between the two rigid vertical cords 310 as described above. The function of the two pivot rockers 2000 is substantially the same as that of rocker 2000 described above. Pivot rocker 2000 includes pivot anchor 240 that allows the frame to pivot relative to vertical cord 310. Yield connectors 331-334 and frame pivot 240 in this embodiment do not directly fix rocker 2000 or frame 380 to the foundation, but rather fix frame 380 to each vertical cord 310 pivotably fixed to foundation 4. Foundation 4 is the floor, foundation, beam or truss-type system of the structure.

[0200] The pivot anchor 315 engages with the foundation 4 and defines a rotational axis parallel to the foundation 4 and perpendicular to the vertical direction of the control structure. In a preferred embodiment, the upper region 312 of the rigid vertical cord 310 may or may not be connected / engaged with the upper region of the storage rack 3 or the building structure.

[0201] In a preferred embodiment, a first upper yielding connector 331 and a second upper yielding connector 332 are respectively connected to the aforementioned first rigid vertical cord 313 and second rigid vertical cord 314. Further, there are a first lower yielding connector 333 and a second lower yielding connector 334 respectively connected to the first vertical cord 313 and the second vertical cord 314. The extension arms of the upper yielding connectors 331, 332 are deflected in the operating direction of the storage rack 3 during the longitudinal movement of the storage rack 3, and the extension arms of the yielding connectors 333, 334 are deflected in the direction opposite to the lateral movement of the storage rack 3 during an earthquake.

[0202] The frame 380 remains substantially horizontal during operation and, together with the yielding connectors 331 - 334, enables the racking operation of the energy absorption structure but with resistance thereto.

[0203] FIG. 11 shows the displacement of the control structure in the case of differential vertical displacement between the vertical supports due to vertical ground acceleration. FIG. 12 shows the displacement due to a combination of horizontal and vertical displacements of the ground.

[0204] One type of yielding connector (rotating unit) 230 that can be used in many embodiments of the energy absorption system 1000 described herein is shown in FIGS. 13 - 17.

[0205] As described above, it is desirable that no tensile or compressive membrane forces occur in the bending member 100 (plate) of the rotating unit (yield connector). Briefly, the peripheral end region 232 of the bending member 100 should be able to translate freely without being subject to obstacles or restrictions or being constrained or bound during the yielding state. Preferably, the end region 232 can translate relatively freely during the yielding or bending of the bending member so that the bending member 100 can be pulled and deformed / deflected into a curved shape. That is, the plate of the yielding member 100 can freely simply bend and extend in the end region 232, as shown in FIG. 21, without generating any tensile or compressive membrane forces therein and for the plate itself, and can rotate freely at its end region so as not to generate unintended end moments.

[0206] In one embodiment, the peripheral edge of the bending member (plate) has translational and rotational end conditions as shown in FIGS. 17, 20, and 21. This particular boundary condition of being able to translate freely or translate and rotate freely is an extension of the plate itself. The deformed length of the plate can be changed (increased or decreased) between its reaction points when the plate is bent. Alternatively, the peripheral edge of the bending plate described herein can be a continuous boundary with free translation or a boundary with free translation and suppressed rotation, as shown in FIGS. 37 and 39.

[0207] FIGS. 35, 37, and 39 are yield plates defined herein as DELTA plates (specifically, DELTA4, DELTA5, and DELTA6). Their specific boundary conditions (e.g., sliding hinges) allow the yield plates to change (elongate / retract) in length along their (reaction conversion) deformation curves when the yield plates bend elastically plastically. The importance of this property / characteristic that allows the yield plate to maintain a constant resistance yield force when the yield plate bends elastically plastically to a high displacement is described in more detail.

[0208] The yielding connector must allow the end region of the bending member 100 to translate laterally relatively easily during yielding. This lateral translation during yielding enables the bending member 100 to deform, bend, and extend without stretching, without generating membrane forces within the bending member, or without separating at the end region. Next, due to the substantially lateral translation of the end region, the bending member 100 can be driven in the opposite direction without buckling or twisting during operational yielding in the opposite direction.

[0209] FIG. 13 shows the yielding connector 230 (rotating unit) in an undeflected state, and FIG. 14 shows the yielding connector 230 with the bending member 100 in a displaced configuration. In FIGS. 13 and 14, a system of pins 234 and slots 235 is utilized to allow for both translation and rotation at the end region 232. The slot or hinge is an extension of the plate itself. The deformed length of the plate along the bending line of the plate including the slot hinge increases or decreases as the plate bends. The pins remain fixed in space.

[0210] In the first embodiment (herein referred to as the BETA1 rotating unit or BETA1 rotor) (FIGS. 13 - 17), the rotating unit includes a first portion that is a relatively inflexible circular drum 600 placed between rotor plates 601, with each of its ends firmly connected to a rotor plate 601. Each of the rotor plates is provided with an integral arm 602 extending from the rotor plate, and the pins and slots are connected (using a return spring) to a tie 603 (or push rod) (a first structural member) of the control structure.

[0211] The bending member (plate) 100 has one end (first region) 100 firmly fixed to the drum (first anchor) 600 in the form of an impeller and is distributed around it. The first region of the plate moves in an arc together with the first anchor in the rotatable drum. The first part of the rotor unit includes the drum 600, the rotor 601 with the arm 602, and the bending plate 100. This assembly is supported offset from the rotation axis of the drum and the axis shaft 604 of the center of gravity. The axis shaft 604 rotatably connects the first part to the second part of the rotor unit. The second part includes the outer casing 605 or housing attached to the horizontal structural base 4 or the foundation (second structural member). The peripheral end (second region) 232 of the bending member (plate) (opposite to the first region of the plate 231 firmly fixed to the drum 600) has specific translational or translational and rotational boundary conditions 235, and the arc motion at their ends is suppressed by the pins (second anchors) 234. The pins 234 connect their translatable free ends or translatable and rotatable free ends (second region) 232 / 235 to the outer housing 605 of the rotor unit or the second part (the first and second parts of the rotor unit are pivotally connected by the axis shaft). By the rotation of the rocker frame 2000 of the control structure centered on the base pivot 250, the tie (or push rod) 603 with its ends connected by pins pushes and pulls the extension arm 602 of the rotor plate 601, and rotates the circular drum (first anchor) 600 of the rotor unit 230 to which the bending member 100 is fixed and distributed around. The end region (first region) 231 of the bending member (plate) is firmly fixed to the drum (first anchor) 600, is around it, and rotates and moves in an arc together with the drum. The opposite (peripheral) end (second region) 232 / 235 of the bending member has its arc-shaped movement suppressed by the pins (second anchors), so an inter-ring shear force is generated, elastically or elastoplastically bending the bending member (plate) 100.

[0212] In the second embodiment (referred to herein as the BETA2 rotating unit or BETA2 rotor) (Figs. 18 - 25), the rotating unit 230 includes a relatively non - flexible and rotatable inner circular drum (first anchor) 600, and the bending member 100 is firmly fixed and connected to the drum 600 in their first region 231 and is distributed around the periphery of the drum (first anchor) 600 in the form of an impeller.

[0213] The peripheral edges (second regions) 232 / 235 of the bending member (plate) 100 have their specific translational or translational and rotational boundary conditions 235, and the arcuate motion at their ends is suppressed by pins (second anchors) 234. The pins 234 connect the peripheral edges (second regions) 232 / 235 to a second (outer) annular part 607 (the second part of the rotating unit) in the form of a turbine case. The annular part 607 is concentric with the inner rotatable drum 600 (the first part of the rotating unit). The outer (case) 607 is fixed against movement and is fixed to the structural base 4 (the second structural member). The inner rotatable drum 600 is set between circular end plates (rotor plates), and the end plate 604 is firmly fixed and supported on a torque shaft 604 rotatably fixed to the structural base 609. The rigid arms 606 located outside the concentric drums 600, 607 are connected at right angles to the axis of the torque shaft 604 and extend at their opposite ends to a pin and slot connection 608 by a push rod 603 of the control structure (the first structural member) (using a return spring).

[0214] In the above - mentioned further embodiment, the inner rotatable drum 600 extends beyond the outer circular case 607 so as to function as both the first anchor 600 and the torque shaft.

[0215] Figures 22 to 25 show various arrangements of the rotating unit in plan views. Figure 22 shows a single rotating unit having a pair of symmetrically arranged arms. Figure 23 shows a single rotating unit eccentric with respect to the push rod of the locker frame 2000. Figure 24 shows a pair of rotating units formed horizontally or in parallel and generally located around the locker frame. Figure 25 shows a pair of rotating units arranged longitudinally or in series and generally located at the center of the locker frame 2000. Figures 24 and 25 can be combined to form an overall system having four rotating units. The horizontally extending arm 602 of Figures 13 and 18 can similarly extend vertically. When the rotating unit is a stand-alone control structure (Figures 1 and 2) without a locker frame, a plurality of units as in Figures 24 and 25 are similarly possible.

[0216] Details of the pivot anchor 340 that engages with the vertical cord 310 according to the configuration of Figure 9 are shown in the side view of Figure 26. A plan sectional view is shown in Figure 27. The pivot anchor 340 is preferably pinned to the vertical cord with a pin 342 through the centroid of the vertical cord 310. The pivot anchor 340 has a pivot axis 341, and the pin 342 allows the frame 280 to pivot about the pivot axis 341 on the vertical cord 310.

[0217] Figures 28 and 29 show two embodiments of the energy absorption system 1000. The system 1000 includes the two pivot lockers 2000 described above. Instead of engaging with two vertical cords in the middle as in Figure 9, the system 1000 engages between a base (such as the foundation 4 or the floor), a beam, a roof, a ceiling, or an upper region of the rack 2.

[0218] In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 29, there may be multiple energy absorption structures 1000. For example, a very tall (and / or heavy) storage rack 2 or structure may have 4 to 20 (or more) energy absorption structures 1000 spaced along its height. In a typical embodiment, each energy absorption structure 1000 is preferably configured identically and of the type described herein.

[0219] Alternatively, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 can be used between a top hat 500 such as a rigid beam or truss and the lower beam or foundation of the storage rack. In this case, the top hat 500 can be connected to the plumb place of the storage rack. The top hat 500 is connected to the upper pivot of the locker 2000. The top hat 500 increases the elastic stiffness of the control structure, reduces the elastoplastic displacement during an earthquake, and increases the strength and energy absorption capacity of the control structure. These lateral extensions of the system can be attached to the plumb place of the storage rack or structure, increasing the contact of the energy absorption structure 1000 with the rack 2 and the amount of this leverage. When the system is used at the end of the storage rack rather than on the side of the rack, ties 501 can also be used.

[0220] FIG. 296 shows a further embodiment where the top hat is joined to the energy absorption structure 1000. Since the energy absorption structures 1000 engage in their upper and lower regions, the effect of any lateral movement is moved through each yield connector as described in FIG. 9.

[0221] An example of the energy absorption structure 1000 (control structure) in the form of a general building structure is shown in FIG. 30. Here, a rigid vertical cord is shown as a truss. The yield connector (rotating unit) 230 having a plurality of bending members 100 (plates) joined to the frame 380 and a close-up view of the vertical cord 310 are as shown in FIGS. 13 and 18.

[0222] Further embodiments of an energy absorption system 1000 (shear type embodiment) having a "shear type" yielding connector 230 are shown in FIGS. 31 and 33.

[0223] Here, bending yielding in the plate is a reaction to the inter-story shear force and displacement that occur between the outer cord and the inner frame cord when the control structure of the pivot base sways in response to ground motion input.

[0224] FIG. 31 shows an energy absorption system 1000 (control structure) having a frame 280 pivotable about a pivot anchor 240. The frame 280 and the pivot anchor 240 are as described previously. The yielding connector (rotating unit) 230 is disposed on both sides of the frame 280. Two rigid vertical cords 310 are disposed on both sides of the frame 280 and are preferably pivotably fixed to a foundation (e.g., a floor or a beam) by vertical cord pivots 315. One or more yielding connectors 230 are provided between each vertical cord and the frame 280. In this embodiment, the yielding connector 230 transmits the inter-story shear force between the inner cord of the frame 280 and the outer cord 310. This shear force rotates the drum of the rotating unit relative to its case, causing bending in the plate (bending member 100). Those bending yieldings absorb energy and limit the forces in the control structure or any adjacent structure that the control structure can support seismically. The control structure generates a shear motion between the frame 280 and the rigid vertical cords 310 when the system sways, for example, due to an earthquake. This embodiment shares the same concept as the previously described energy absorption system 1000 in which the rocker 2000 affects the yielding connector (rotating unit) 230 on each side of the pivot anchor 240 from the upper region 27 by translating the lateral movement.

[0225] Examples of yielding plates within the rotating unit are shown in FIGS. 35 - 39 and will be described later.

[0226] In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 33, a “shear type” energy absorption system 1000 (control structure) can also be utilized in a horizontal configuration. In this embodiment, the energy absorption system 1000 is rotated horizontally. Two pivots 240 and a rocker 2000 are disposed intermediate two rigid horizontal cords 510.

[0227] Both the energy absorption system 1000 and the horizontal cords 510 are held and engaged intermediate two rigid pivot base vertical cords 310 as previously described. In this embodiment, the energy absorption system 1000 shares the same yielding connector (rotating unit) 230 as previously described. The horizontal cords 510 are pivotally attached at their respective ends to two spaced pivot base vertical cords 510.

[0228] Relative movement between the vertical cord 310 and the rocker 2000 causes relative rotational displacement between the housing and the drum of the rotating unit. This causes bending and yielding in the yielding plate (yielding member 100).

[0229] The yielding connector 230 used in the vertical or horizontal shear embodiments is shown in detail in FIGS. 35 (non-displaced state) and 36 (displaced state). FIGS. 37 and 39 show the case of flexurally continuous and rotationally restrained inter annular shear transfer flexural plates. The non-displaced state and the displaced state are shown. FIG. 35 shows a simple embodiment having only one bending member 100. In other embodiments, there are a plurality of bending members disposed and fixed around the surface of the drum of the rotating unit.

[0230] As previously stated, it was detailed that all of the yielding plates within and part of the control structure are free to translate at their peripheral regions to assist in avoiding self-generation of internal membrane forces when bent to high elastoplastic displacements.

[0231] The bending member 100 is preferably connected at its end regions 231 and 232. The end region of each bending member 100 is connected to or engaged with the circularly distributed pin restraining portions 234 fixed to the drum (inner annular portion) 600 and the housing 605 / 607 of the yielding connector (rotating unit). The yielding connector (rotating unit) 230 is a) the vertical cord 310 and the locker 2000 in the vertical embodiment, or b) the horizontal cord 510 and the locker 2000 in the horizontal embodiment engages in the middle of or is integrated along it.

[0232] In one embodiment shown in FIG. 35, each end region of the bending member 100 has a different engagement type. As shown in FIG. 35, one end region 231 of the bending member 100 has a firmly fixed connection and is firmly constrained by the drum of the rotating unit. The opposite end region 232 of the bending member 100 is in sliding and pivoting engagement with the pin restraining portion fixed to the outer housing of the rotating unit. The sliding engagement helps prevent the bending member 100 (plate) from generating direct tensile or compressive membrane forces within itself.

[0233] Since the connection between the rotor plate (extension arm) of the rotating unit and the cord is slotted (i.e., relatively slidable), the whole system has to be tied together. For this reason, a rigid but pin-ended motion control tie 400 should be used to connect the vertical cord 310 to the locker 2000. The tie 400 is preferably pin connected to the center line of the outer cord 310 and the center line of the frame 280. The non-displaced and displaced states of the tie 400 are shown in FIGS. 41 and 42 respectively. FIG. 43 shows the displaced state of the tie for the horizontal configuration system.

[0234] Here, more specifically, and as mentioned in the list of figures, a) A rocker frame (Figs. 3, 9, 28 - 30) having a pin - jointed push - rod connected to a rotary unit (yield connector) mounted horizontally or vertically is designated as an ALPHA1 rocker frame. b) A shear - type rocker frame (Figs. 31 and 33) having an outer code parallel to the inner integral code of the rocker frame, with rotary units positioned and distributed therebetween, is designated as an ALPHA2 rocker frame. c) A bending member 100 (plate) whose second end region is simply supported (Fig. 35), flexurally continuous (Fig. 37), or rotation - restrained (Fig. 39) is designated as a DELTA4, DELTA5, and DELTA6 plate, respectively. d) A rotary unit with side housings (Fig. 13) and a rotary unit with an annular (turbine - type) housing (Fig. 18) are designated as a BETA1 rotor and a BETA2 rotor, respectively.

[0235] Preferably, the entire system is substantially composed of metal, and more preferably, it is composed of steel. The pivotable anchors, cords, frames, and trusses are substantially rigid and strong so as not to bend or yield substantially during an earthquake. There are variations available to engineers in designing trusses, bodies, cords, etc. For example, the frame 280 may include a stiff planar reinforced concrete element. Thereby, a composite control structure of concrete / steel is obtained.

[0236] In a further embodiment, any of the above embodiments may utilize a secondary bending member for additional control and resistance (Figs. 44 and 45). In this case, the secondary bending member is intermediate the yielding connector (rotating unit) and an equivalent base (i.e., base 4 or vertical cord or ceiling). The secondary bending member is added to the second structural layer. In this case, the yield plate of the rotating unit can have a bending deflection (displacement) limiter (e.g., drum rotation brake) that stops the plastic buckling inside thereof at a predetermined limit. The double system can yield only after these limiters engage.

[0237] By adjusting the relative strength and elastic stiffness of the yield plate (rotating unit) and the secondary bending member, a bilinear elastic supplementary rigid system can be developed in which bending can occur in only one member (either the plate or the secondary member) or both.

[0238] The secondary bending member is such that it can change the elastic frequency of the control structure and any structure that the control structure can support seismically without changing the plate in the rotating unit or the control structure. As described above, this can also be used to provide a double ductility system.

[0239] FIG. 46 shows a load-displacement graph of the double ductility system. Line a represents the elastic response (elastic stiffness k 2 ) of the combined yield plate and the elastic response (elastic stiffness k 1 ) of the secondary bending member. Line b represents the plastic yield of the bending plate at a constant resistance yield force. Line c represents the continuous elastic response of only the secondary bending member after the bending displacement of the yield plate is stopped by a movement or displacement limiter, and line d represents the plastic yield of the second layer in the secondary bending member.

[0240] In FIGS. 55 to 61, the sliding or sliding and rotation of the end region of the plate is realized by slotting the rotating unit, the housing or the outer annular part. As will be explained in more detail later, the importance of these boundary conditions is that they provide free translation or free translation and rotation of the peripheral end region of the plate, but do not allow a certain resistance yielding force to be generated while the plate bends into high elastoplastic displacement. Here, in contrast to all the boundary conditions described above, the length along the bending line (curve) of the plate does not change with displacement, and no horizontal reaction occurs at the reaction point of the plate.

[0241] In a further embodiment shown in FIGS. 62 and 63, the sliding or sliding and rotating end of the plate is located at the opposite rotating internal anchor.

[0242] In a further embodiment, a spring or elastic structural component is added to the pin joint type connecting the frame 280 to the yielding connector with the ALPHA1 frame, or a spring is applied to the connection of the external code to the horizontal or vertical base of the shearing action ALPHA2 frame. This allows another independent adjustment of the natural elastic frequency of the control structure.

[0243] When the ground 2 is mentioned, it is also assumed that the ground can be part of the floor or ceiling of a building or structure, the floor or ceiling of a beam or truss, or a structure engaged with the anti-lacking system as described.

[0244] If all of these structures and systems described in this specification are symmetric, it can be seen that the system may be halved, doubled, and still be effective. For example, the energy absorption system 1000 may have only one yielding connector 232 on one side of the pivot anchor 240. Similarly, the energy absorption system of FIG. 41 may also be halved so that there is only a set of spaced yielding connectors 430 between the frame 400 and one rigid column 310.

[0245] The above-described embodiments may be modified and combined together to form further embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that these configurations can be adapted to many different purposes and functional characteristics of the structure or storage rack, such as the height of the structure or storage rack, the number of storage racks that should be made immovable, the weight of the structure or storage rack, the weight of the article or structure, the earthquake tendency, frequency and scale when the structure or storage rack is installed, etc. Further, these configurations can be adapted according to the materials used and the required safety factors.

[0246] Features, Advantages and Attributes 1) The control structure composed of a base pivot rocker frame assembly and a force-limiting and energy-dissipating bending member (plate) housed within a rotating unit is composed of a pivot base rocker frame assembly housed within the rotating unit and a force-limiting and energy-dissipating bending member, and can form a kinematically simple and stable elastoplastic mechanism that can maintain a certain resistance yield force while flowing and repeating cycles, and can maintain very high elastoplastic displacement and ductility. The elastoplastic mechanism can flow while maintaining a certain resistance yield force, can repeat cycles, and can maintain very high elastoplastic (deformation) displacement and ductility. The certain resistance yield force generated by the yield bending member, due to its specific translational or translational and rotational boundary conditions, the control structure of which the rotating unit forms a part can resist and withstand the input of the movement of the ground or base, so that it can limit the dynamic forces and response accelerations within itself, within its foundation, or within any mass or structure that the control structure can support seismically. 2) The form of the control structure mainly generates a simple elastoplastic dynamic response with a single degree of freedom. Therefore, its dynamic behavior is predictable and the analysis is simple. 3) The bending members (plates) within the rotating unit bend and yield about their bending minor axes and remain structurally stable while undergoing very large reversing elasto-plastic displacements (deformations). 4) Since the bending members (plates) translate or translate and rotate in detail at one of their end regions, they can bend (deform) so as to undergo very large elastoplastic displacements without generating membrane stresses within themselves. 5) The elastoplastic behavior of bending plates (with specific boundary conditions) is simply determined theoretically, and the limits of their performance under extreme repeated load requirements are easily established by load tests. 6) The bending members (plates) and the rotating units containing them have a high degree of consistency · Yield displacement (i.e., displacement at the elastic limit) · Yield strength · Elastic stiffness · Ductility while maintaining, the plates bend with very large elastoplastic displacements and very high ductility. 7) Due to the form of the overall control structure, all of the characteristics of the bending plates (high ductility, stability, toughness, constant resistance yield force, analytical simplicity, predictable response, and performance established by load tests) are converted into the characteristics of the entire control structure. 8) The grade and type of the material (e.g., steel) of the yield elements (plates) can be specified independently of the material (e.g., steel) used for the entire superstructure of the control structure. 9) Due to the form of the overall control structure, its basic structural and dynamic characteristics (e.g., yield strength, elastic natural frequency, ductility) can be adjusted simply by changing the characteristics of the bending yield elements (plates) of the rotating unit. 10) The constant resistance force generated by the rotating unit during yielding and the subsequent constant resistance yield force of the entire control structure can be adjusted simply by changing the length of the lever arm (extension arm) of the rotating unit, i.e., without changing the bending members of the rotating unit. 11) By adding a secondary bending base member integrated with the rotating unit together with the variable-length lever of the rotating unit, both the constant resistance yield force of the control structure and the elastic natural frequency of the control structure can be continuously and independently changed respectively without making any changes to the bending members of the rotating unit. 12) The elastoplastic yielding (deformation) within the control structure is limited to the bending yield of the plates within the rotating unit. These plates and units can be replaced while the overall structure is retained and aligned. 13) The yielding elements (plates) and rotating units upon which the structure and dynamic performance of the control structure and any other control structure that the control structure can support seismically depend can be produced independently using materials supplied independently in a quality-controlled environment (i.e., a factory). 14) Using a rotating unit and multiple plates within the multiple rotating units smooths out the effects of defects or variations in the material or structure (e.g., welding) in a particular plate or unit. That is, the rotating unit can provide a high degree of structural redundancy (backup) throughout the structure. 15) The rotating unit can include a plurality of bending yield members (plates) distributed around their rotatable drums (first part), and while being able to generate a combined high resistance yield force, the rotating unit can be made relatively compact. 16) The yield plates (by virtue of their specific boundary conditions that enable them to generate a constant resistance yield force while bending into large elastoplastic displacements) limit and control the internal (dynamic) forces within the control structure (or the structure that the control structure supports seismically) so that the control structure can resist and withstand the input. Since the internal forces are reduced, the superstructure of the control structure, the foundation that supports it, and any structure that the control structure supports seismically can be designed more economically.

[0247] Furthermore, due to a certain resistance yield force generated by the plate during buckling with very large elastoplastic displacements and very high ductility (plastic strain), it is possible to use a certain value of the yield strength in elastoplastic time history analysis. The accuracy and reliability of the analysis are maintained with very high ductility. In the analysis of conventional structures, a yield plateau gradient and strain hardening are allowed, but the accuracy and reliability of the analysis are rapidly lost as the ductility (plastic strain) increases. For example, assuming a bilinear material response with a simple 5% yield plateau, when the ductility is 20, a strength (used in the analysis) twice the initial yield strength is obtained, and when the ductility is 40, a strength three times the initial yield strength is obtained. These values lead to inaccurate and unsafe analyses.

[0248] All plates (bending members 100) described in this specification can be repeatedly bent with large elastoplastic displacements and high ductility while remaining stable and maintaining a certain resistance yield force.

[0249] As a result, the control structures of which they form a part can maintain a certain resistance yield, and since they withstand and respond to the input of the base motion (earthquake), they limit the forces generated within their structures. The specific boundary conditions of the plates that enable the generation of a certain resistance yield force while buckling with large elastoplastic displacements will be described in more detail.

[0250] The shape and strength along the bending direction of the bending member (plate) are configured such that bending yield (i.e., plastic flow, plastic strain, plastic bending) within the plate (see FIGS. 64, 67, 70) is limited to a specific finite “yield” zone 5000 within the end regions 5002, 5004 of the plate that are very close to the anchors 5003, 5005 of the plate. The plate preferably maintains elasticity 5001 between the yield region 5000 within the first region 5002 of the plate adjacent to the first anchor 5003 and the distal yield region 5000 within the second end region 5004 or between the yield region 5000 within the first end region 5002 of the plate (adjacent to the first anchor 5003) and the distal non-yielding second end region 5004 (adjacent to the second anchor 5005). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that restricting yielding within these regions can be achieved simply by using a rectangular plate having a constant cross-section and material properties (prismatic) along its bending direction.

[0251] The elastoplastic deflection profile shown in FIG. 64 is a direct trace taken from a repeatedly tested rectangular constant cross-section (prismatic) 8 mm plate. The test first performs 10 load reversals, towards an elastoplastic deflection ratio (ductility ratio) of 25 with respect to the elastic limit and then a final ratio (ductility ratio) set of 50. A constant yield load and no yield region were obtained in each cycle without failure (e.g., cracking or splitting) within the plate. The natural extent of the yield region obtained from such tests is further ensured and can be controlled or reduced by reducing (necking) the width (or thickness) of the plate in the region of the yield zone as shown in FIGS. 66, 69, 72.

[0252] In a further embodiment, the yield zone region of the plate may be tapered as shown in FIG. 73.

[0253] Figures 74 to 80 show that by simply changing only the length of the extension arm (lever arm) of the rotor plate of the rotating unit, the constant resistance yielding force of the control structure (overall) changes directly and proportionally. That is, while maintaining a constant resistance force R (Figs. 75 and 77) or torque T generated by the yield plate that bends elastically within the rotating unit, the subsequent constant resistance force of the control structure (equal to V in Figs. 78 and 79) with gears can be continuously adjusted (changed) by changing the lever arm length, for example, from a to b (Figs. 74 to 77). That is, the rotating unit has gear adjustment.

[0254] (While maintaining the structural (overall) displacement ductility capacity of the control structure) The elastic natural frequency of the entire control structure also continues to change by changing the lever arm length. By adding a secondary bending base member (Fig. 80) integrated with the rotating unit, both the constant resistance yielding force and the elastic natural frequency of the control structure can be adjusted (changed) continuously and independently. Thereby, without changing the upper structure of the control structure (e.g., the rocker frame) or the bending member of the rotating unit or any structure that the control structure can support seismically, it becomes possible to continuously change the elastic and elastoplastic displacements, velocities, and acceleration responses (response spectra) of the control structure.

[0255] Changes in the structural characteristics (shape, strength, rigidity, material) of the bending member (yield plate) within the rotating unit and changes in the relative ratio (dimensions) of the rotating unit itself enable further flexibility in adjustment.

[0256] Figure 81 shows a further embodiment of the rotating unit. Here, the force-limiting and energy-dissipating bending member (plate) is located on the outer periphery of the rotating unit. The DELTA1 yield plate within the BETA1 sleeve guide rocker described in International Application No. PCT / IB2017 / 056135 and International Application No. PCT / IB2017 / 056137 has one end connected to the second part of the rotating unit, and the push rod and rigid impeller of the sleeve guide rocker (length L 2) is pivotally connected to the first part (circular drum) of the rotating unit via

[0257] As described above, the push and pull of the double-pin push rod of the control structure rotates the circular drum on the extension lever arm (length L 1 ) of the drum end rotor plate.

[0258] The rigid impeller arms firmly connected around the circular drum (cylinder) rotate with the drum, and their peripheral pin ends move in a circular motion so as to describe an arc, causing the DELTA1 yield plate to be elastically or elastoplastically displaced by the (second) push rod of the sleeve guide BETA1 rocker unit, and similarly generating a constant resistance yield force R and a constant resistance torque T. As described above, the length L1 of the extension lever arm of the rotor plate (connected to the push rod of the control structure and integrated with the pin / slot (with a return spring)) can be continuously changed (or geared) to adjust the constant resistance yield force P of the push rod and the constant resistance force V of the entire control structure. Further, as described above, by integrating the secondary bending member base with the rotating unit, continuous and independent adjustment of both the resistance yield force and the elastic natural vibration frequency of the entire control structure can be provided.

[0259] In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 82, the bending member (DELTA1 yield plate) of FIG. 81 is replaced by another type or form of force limiter and energy dissipator.

[0260] FIG. 83 shows a displaced form of a part of FIG. 82.

[0261] Figure 84 shows the general force limiter and energy dissipator of Figure 82 as a fixed friction plate with a slotted center plate. In this case, the three plates do not (relatively) displace (slide) within the push rod of the BETA1 rocker until the threshold force R is reached. The threshold force R is the force required to overcome the resistive frictional force between the friction plates, and the friction plates are clamped together with a known and predetermined clamping force C by friction grip bolts (with or without spring washers). The force R required to slide the plates is preferably constant while the plates are sliding.

[0262] The friction unit assembly described herein typically consists of three friction blocks or friction plate elements. These include a slotted center or inner plate or block sandwiched between two outer or external plates. The clamping force from the tightened bolts or spring washers is applied directly only to the outer plates. That is, the bolt head, bolt nut or spring washer contacts only the outer plate or block. Only the inner plate has slots. The contact surface (friction surface) between the inner plate and the outer plate can be displaced (slid) without applying a lateral force to the clamping bolts.

[0263] Figure 85 shows a further embodiment of the rotating unit. Here, the extension arm of the rotating unit is rotated about its central axis (in the plane of the lever arm or parallel thereto) relative to the central circular plate by a pin (and the length L1 from center to center) connected to the push rod of the control structure. The rotatable plate is connected to the second part of the rotating unit (here, the annular rings on both sides of the central plate) by clamping friction grip bolts, regardless of the presence or absence of spring washers. Similar to Figure 84, the two parts of the rotating unit are rotatably displaced relative to each other when the frictional resistance of the plates is overcome, and the force R required to overcome this frictional resistance is preferably constant when the plates slide relative to each other.

[0264] Figure 86 shows the non-displaced and displaced forms of the clamping region of the plate.

[0265] Figure 87 shows a further embodiment of the rotating unit. Here, the length of the lever arm is a, and the resistance force in the push rod of the control structure is P 1 is.

[0266] The rotating unit shown in Figure 88 is similar to that in Figure 87, but the length of the lever arm is b, and the resistance force in the push rod of the control structure is P 2 is. Similar to the rotating units in Figures 74 to 77, by simply changing the length of the extension lever arm, the force P in the push rod of the control structure and the resistance force of the entire control structure can be adjusted. Similar to Figure 80, a secondary bending base member is added to the rotating unit of Figure 87 / 88 in Figure 94. As described above, this can continuously and independently adjust both the resistance force of the control structure and its elastic natural frequency. The (elastic) stiffness of the rotating units in Figures 87 and 88 is very high before the frictional force is overcome. By adding the secondary bending member base, this elastic stiffness is reduced, and the elastic response of the control structure can be improved.

[0267] Figure 89 shows the non-displaced and displaced forms of the clamping region of the rotating units in Figures 87 and 88.

[0268] Figure 90 shows the cross-section of Figures 87 and 88. Here, the continuous annular contact (friction) plates (rings) of the first and second parts of the rotating unit are shown together with the clamping force C and the force R generated at the contact point when the plates slide against each other.

[0269] Figure 91 shows a further embodiment where the friction plate of the first part of the rotating unit is an individual (shoe) plate.

[0270] Figure 92 shows the cross-section of Figure 91.

[0271] Figure 93 shows a schematic partial view of a tension bolt passing through the outer annular (first) portion of Figure 92 and through the slotted pad of the inner second portion.

[0272] Figure 95 shows a schematic cross-section similar to that of Figure 90, but the rotating unit has a flat inner disk and an outer lever arm, and the slotted inner disk rotates with the lever arm.

[0273] Figure 90 is similar to the case of Figure 95, but the outer plate rotates with the lever arm. The outer plate rotates with the lever arm relative to both the slotted inner plates (disks).

[0274] Figures 97, 98, and 99 show various schematic cross-sections of a rotating friction unit where the friction unit (e.g., a block) is centrally located, rotates with the lever arm, and both the friction unit and the lever arm are located between the outer plates.

[0275] Figure 100 shows a schematic plan view of Figure 97.

[0276] Returning to the bending yield plate, Figure 101 shows a rotating unit similar to the rotating unit of Figure 18, but here the bending member (plate) is located closer to the periphery of the (relatively) rotating unit, and the diameter of the circular drum of the first portion of the rotating unit is larger than the bending length of the bending member. In the case of this rotating unit, like the units of Figures 7A and 7B, the bending direction (direction of the main bend) of the plate is perpendicular (orthogonal) to the axis of rotation of the rotating unit.

[0277] Figure 102 shows a cross-section of Figure 101.

[0278] Figure 103 shows a further embodiment of a rotating unit having a DELTA4 yield plate. Here, the first part of the rotating unit includes a circular disk (single disk or double disk), and the bending member (plate) is fixed to the circular disk (the plane of the bending member is perpendicular (orthogonal) to the plane of the disk), and is distributed around the disk (first part). Similar to the rotating unit described previously, a lever arm (lying in the plane of the first part (disk) or parallel to the plane) is integrated with the first part, extends from the axis of rotation of the first part, and the pin / slot is connected to the first structural member (shown here as the push rod of the control structure).

[0279] Figure 104 shows a partial front view of the bending member with a reinforcing and fixing annular ring in the background (dotted line) and the outer circular edge of the first part (the bending member protruding from the page).

[0280] Figure 105 shows a side view of a bending member (plate) with one end fixed to the first part of the rotating unit (here, a double disk with a connecting annular ring that also provides fixation for the bending member). The opposite end of the bending member includes a sliding hinge that connects to the anchor pin (shaft) of the second part of the rotating unit as described above. The second part of the rotating unit is a circular disk firmly connected to a second structural member (shown here as the base). Pivotable connectors with the anchor pin (shaft) located inside are distributed around it and are pinned to the circular disk of the second part.

[0281] Figure 110 shows the first and second parts of the rotating unit, which are rotatably connected by their axes of rotation and are further connected at their peripheries via the connection between the bending member (plate) fixed to the first part of the rotating unit and the anchor pin pivotally connected to the second part of the rotating unit.

[0282] Figure 106 shows a plan view of FIG. 0105.

[0283] FIG. 107 shows an end view of a bending member that has not been displaced (similar to FIG. 104) along with the position of a pivotable connection anchor pin (shaft), all shown with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0284] FIG. 108 shows the displaced configuration of FIG. 107. Here, the bending member has rotated and translated both vertically and horizontally with respect to its non-displaced position, and the anchor pin to which it is connected pivots (rotates) with the bending member at the same angle as the rotation of the bending member. The sliding hinge of the bending member has also translated relatively along the axis of rotation of the anchor pin.

[0285] FIG. 109 shows a plan view of the displaced configuration of a bending member (plate) along the main axis of rotation, including the anchor pin (shaft). Here, the main buckling direction of the elastic or elastoplastic bending yield plate is parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating unit. This is in contrast to the rotating units of FIGS. 18, 101, and 102 where the main buckling direction of the yield plate is perpendicular (orthogonal) to the axis of rotation of the rotating unit. As described above, within the bending member, membrane forces (or torsional stresses) do not occur, and due to its specific free translation and free rotation boundary conditions, the bending member yields with a certain resistance yield force and undergoes large elastoplastic displacements. Next, the rotating unit rotates and yields with a certain resistance yield force (torque), and the control structure that forms part of it yields with a certain resistance yield force when resisting and enduring the ground (base) motion input.

[0286] FIGS. 111, 112, and 113 (similar to the rotational friction yield unit of FIG. 97) show various schematic cross-sections of a rotational yield unit, where the yield plate is connected (fixed) to the peripheral ends of two integrated disks (portion A) at the center of two outer disks (portion B).

[0287] FIG. 114 shows a schematic plan view of FIG. 111.

[0288] Similar to all the rotating units described above, by changing the length of the extension lever arm of the first part of the rotating unit, a certain resistance force within the control structure can be changed, and by adding a secondary base bending member, both the resistance yield force and the natural (elastic) vibration frequency of the control structure can be independently changed.

[0289] In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 115, the force limiters and energy dissipators in the specific or general form shown in FIGS. 81-84 are located around a rotating unit composed of a circular disk, similar to FIG. 103, and are pivotally connected.

[0290] FIG. 116 shows a plan view of FIG. 115. Here, the inner disk is the first part of the rotating unit (having the extension and integrated lever arms as described above), and the outer disk is the second part fixed to the second structural member.

[0291] FIG. 117 shows a partial schematic view in one case where the force limiter and energy dissipator are composed of friction plates within the rotating unit of FIG. 115, as described above.

[0292] In a further embodiment, FIG. 118 shows a schematic view of a rotating friction unit similar to FIG. 99, but in this case the elastic component is incorporated within the rotating unit in the form of a cantilever leaf spring (or plate). This is in contrast to the case of a secondary bending member that is integral with the above-described rotating unit but is on the outside.

[0293] FIG. 124 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 118. Here, a fixed or base-fixed center plate is located between two outer plates, and the outer plates rotate together with the lever arms of the rotating plates integrated with the outer circular plates. Clamped between the two outer plates is a slotted friction block. The large slots in the center plate allow the block to pass directly through them.

[0294] FIG. 119 shows a part of the rotating unit in the non-displaced (or original) position.

[0295] FIG. 120 shows the outer plate that is displaced (rotated) relative to the inner plate. Here, the inner friction block frictionally clamped to the outer circular disk (regardless of the presence or absence of the tension washer) moves with the outer plate. The outer plate and the displaced center friction block displace the elastic cantilever leaf spring fixed to the inner base fixing plate. Therefore, the movement of the friction block (shoe) clamped between the outer circular disks and moving with them is resisted (elastically) by the leaf spring, and this resistance force increases with the displacement of the friction pad (shoe) and the leaf spring until, as shown in FIG. 121, the friction pad (shoe) contacts the end of the slot in the inner fixing plate. At this stage, the movement of both the friction shoe and the elastic leaf spring stops (or ceases). For the outer plate to continue to be displaced (rotated), they (which have stopped moving) must overcome the frictional force between them and the inner friction pad. When this frictional force is overcome, the slotted friction pad (shoe / block) and the elastic cantilever leaf spring are fixed in a predetermined position with the base fixing center plate, while the outer plate continues to be displaced.

[0296] Figure 122 shows the outer plate that continues to displace with respect to the friction shoe. The clamp tension bolt fixed to the outer plate (regardless of the presence or absence of the tension washer) can displace (relatively) along the slot within the (inner) friction block. The frictional force overcome between the outer plate and the inner friction block is preferably maintained as a constant resistance force when the outer plate displaces from its position in Figure 122. When the clamping force between the inner block and the outer plate, that is, the frictional resistance force, is configured to match the elastic resistance force of the elastic cantilever plate spring at the limit of movement or displacement as shown in Figure 121, an elastic friction system equivalent to an elastoplastic system can be obtained. It is preferable that the constant resistance yield force generated by the yield plate having specific boundary conditions that plastically deform is equal to the constant resistance frictional force generated between the outer plate and the inner friction block when they displace (slip / slide) relative to each other.

[0297] Figure 123 schematically shows the elastic (yield equivalent) displacement component a and the frictional (or plastic) displacement component b of the system.

[0298] Figure 125 shows the clamp tension bolt fixedly positioned in place with respect to the outer plate and moving with respect to the other inner friction block.

[0299] Figure 126 shows the same case as above, where the clamp bolt does not pass through the friction block and is arranged adjacent to it outside the friction block. The rotating unit in Figure 126 is shown integrally with the secondary bending member.

[0300] Figure 127 shows a schematic cross-section of Figure 126.

[0301] Figure 128 shows the clamp bolt located within the outer plate and within the inner plate with slots (with or without a tension washer).

[0302] FIG. 129 shows the case where a friction block clamped between two outer plates contacts the end of a (large) slot in the inner plate and further movement is inhibited, the outer plate continues to displace (after overcoming the frictional resistance), the clamping bolt moves within a (small) slot in the inner plate together with the outer plate, and the frictional resistance when the outer plate displaces relative to the inner friction block is preferably constant.

[0303] FIG. 130 shows a schematic view of a rotational friction unit similar to FIGS. 118 and 126, where the inner plate rotates together with the lever arm of the unit.

[0304] FIG. 131 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 130. The friction blocks are clamped on both sides of the center disk. Similar to the above, the friction plate moves with the inner disk, while the elastic plate (contacting the friction plate) resists this movement but does not generate a force high enough to cause slippage between the friction block and the center plate. When the displaced friction plate (rotating with the inner plate) and the bending (spring) plate contact the movement limiters fixed to and spanning across the two outer base fixing plates, they and the elastic plate spring are inhibited from moving or stopped. The inner plate can continue to move after overcoming the frictional force between it and the currently stationary friction block, and its clamping bolt moves along the slot in the friction block. Therefore, the head of the inner plate can effectively slice through the friction block, while the friction block preferably generates a constant resistance to this movement.

[0305] FIGS. 132 and 133 show a rotational friction unit similar in form to FIG. 130, where the inner plate moves together with the lever arm while the inner plate is base-fixed. This is similar to the rotational unit of FIG. 118.

[0306] FIG. 133 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 132.

[0307] Figures 134 and 138 show the movement (linear movement) of the (inner and outer) friction blocks, plates, leaf spring, and lamp bolts of FIG. 130.

[0308] Figure 134 shows the case where all of the center friction block (with slots), outer plate, clamp bolt (with or without tension washers), leaf spring, and movement limiter are in their initial positions.

[0309] Figure 135 shows the outer plate displaced to the right (i.e., the first part of the rotating unit). The center friction block clamped between the outer plates moves with the outer plates when pressed against the elastic bending leaf spring. As the friction block and the connected (clamped) outer plates move further to the right, the elastic force generated by the leaf spring increases but is not sufficient to cause slippage between the friction block and the outer plates.

[0310] Figure 136 shows the case where the leaf spring contacts the movement limiter and both the bending of the leaf spring and the displacement of the friction block are stopped. At this moment, there is still no slippage between the friction block and the outer plates.

[0311] Figure 137 shows the outer plates moved further to the right. For the outer plates to achieve further displacement to the right from their positions shown in FIG. 136, they must first overcome the frictional force between them and the center friction block. Once this is achieved, the plates can move from their positions in FIG. 136 to their positions in FIG. 137 and effectively push against a certain resistance force (frictional force).

[0312] Figure 138 shows a schematic view of the clamp tension bolt fixed to the outer plate and fixed to the inner friction block.

[0313] Figures 139 and 140 show the same system as described above but located within a sleeve guide BETA rocker unit similar to that shown in FIG. 138.

[0314] Figure 141 shows a cross-sectional view of FIGS. 139 and 140, including a guide.

[0315] Friction blocks / plates / shoes / pads and their interfaces can be made of or configured from any number or type of material.

[0316] An elastic friction rotating unit that is a stand-alone unit or is located and distributed within a pivot base rocker structure can preferably generate a constant resistive (frictional) force when the clamped plates inside it pivot or slip relative to each other. The elastic component of the rotating (frictional) unit can be provided within the rotating unit by a leaf spring or the like, by a secondary bending member that is integrated with but outside the rotating unit, or by using both. The elastic component of the friction rotating unit can also be configured such that slippage occurs between the friction plates when the resistive elastic force within the elastic component (e.g., a leaf spring) is reached. That is, slippage at a constant resistive force can be achieved using only the elastic component, i.e., without the above-described motion limiter (motion block).

[0317] Therefore, an elastoplastic system is obtained.

[0318] The rotating friction unit of FIG. 130 can be configured to have an elastic component (e.g., a spanning plate) that can generate the same elastic response as the (elastoplastic) yield plate of the rotating yield unit of FIG. 112 or the like.

[0319] Similarly, the frictional yield (slip) force of the friction plate of FIG. 130 can be configured to generate the same (plastic) yield force as that generated by the yield plate of the rotating yield unit of FIG. 112 or the like.

[0320] Similarly, the secondary bending member can be applied to, for example, both the rotational yielding unit and the rotational friction unit of FIG. 112 or FIG. 130. Therefore, the elastoplastic responses of both rotational friction units can be configured to be effectively the same, each having an adjustable lever arm of the same length, and each being deployable in a two-layer ductility system.

[0321] Figures 142 - 156 show further rotational friction units, where the friction elements include continuous circular rings or circular curved pads / shoes / blocks. The interfacial displacement between the curved surfaces of the friction elements is tangential to the curved surfaces and tangential to the surface line with respect to both the rotational axis and the radial direction of the rotational unit.

[0322] Figure 142 shows a side view of a portion of an inner ring integrated with two disks and a lever arm. They are located within two outer disks, and the two outer disks either fix a friction shoe (fixed to the inner ring and extending laterally between the two outer disks), prevent it from moving in an arc, or fix the entire assembly to the structural base.

[0323] Figure 143 shows a schematic side view of two outer disks, with the friction shoe reaching them and being laterally constrained by them.

[0324] Figure 144 shows a cross-sectional view of two base-fixed outer disks, an inner rotatable disk, a continuous ring friction element, and two friction shoes. The two friction shoes reach the outer disks, and a continuous ring is slot clamped between the outer disks via slots.

[0325] Figure 145 shows a plan view of a (slotted) continuous ring, friction shoes, inner and outer disks.

[0326] Figure 146 shows a schematic front view of the rotating unit, which consists of two outer disks, each having a continuous circular friction ring, all of which are integrated and rotate together with the lever arm, and a slotted center disk that fixes the assembly to the structural base. The slots in the center disk and the base fixing disk allow the friction shoes to freely clamp onto each outer friction ring, while suppressing the friction shoes from moving in an arc again. The continuous friction ring is clamped between laterally (or arcuately) fixed friction shoes and is slotted. This means that the ring is rotated relative to the shoes, and the slotted friction elements are sandwiched between two outer friction shoes.

[0327] Figure 147 shows the details of the friction shoes, the slots in the inner plate, and the continuous friction ring.

[0328] Figure 148 shows a plan view of section 147.

[0329] Figure 149 shows a schematic view of a friction rotating unit similar to that of Figure 146, where the friction pads are prismatic. That is, as shown in Figure 150, they continuously pass through the holes in the inner disk and are arranged by guides to the inner plate.

[0330] Figure 151 shows a schematic view of the rotating friction unit. In the rotating friction unit, a large center curved shoe extends and is fixed between two outer disks that are integrated with the lever arm and are the rotatable part of the unit. The large (slotted) friction shoe is clamped between two small friction shoes. The two small friction shoes extend laterally between two inner disks that suppress the two small friction shoes from moving in an arc and fix the assembly to the structural base. The cutouts in Figures 151 and 152 are for the two inner disks. It allows the inner shoes to rotate while suppressing the small shoes from moving in an arc.

[0331] Figure 153 is a cross-sectional view of the plate assembly, and Figure 154 is a plan view.

[0332] Figure 155 shows an elevation view of some of the details similar to Figure 152, where an elastic plate is introduced as an internal elastic component of the rotating unit.

[0333] (The cantilever) plate contacts the small outer friction shoe when the large inner friction shoe rotates, and the clamped outer plate moves with it, but as shown in Figure 156, it is subjected to an increased elastic resistance (with displacement) from the cantilever plate. Similar to the rotational friction unit described above, the elastic plate can bend until it contacts the notch of the inner ring. At this stage, both the elastic displacement of the (spring) plate and the rotation / displacement of the two outer friction shoes are stopped, while the large inner curved shoe can preferably continue to displace against a constant resistive (frictional) force, which is an effective plastic phase of the displacement. Similar to the other rotational friction units described above, the rotational friction unit responds elastically-plastically. Also, as described above, a secondary bending member can be added to the rotating unit to provide an elastic component.

[0334] Next, consider the embodiment of the elastically responsive sliding friction device described in International Publication WO2016 / 185432. The friction contact surface of the device is inclined with respect to both the direction of the force applied thereto and the direction or line of the force that clamps both the contact surface. As described in the international publication, these clamping forces may be pretensioned. The pretension allows the two inclined surfaces to return or potentially return (i.e., slide back) to their original state after the load (e.g., from an earthquake) is removed.

[0335] (Where the dominant eye is placed) Compare further with the clamped friction inclined plane device referred to above the bending yield plate of the rotational yielding unit and the friction unit having an elastically clamped (flat or curved) surface that effectively provides an elastic component (e.g., an elastic bending plate) and another plastic component of the unit. This comparison also includes the waveform friction yielding blocks developed here. The waveform friction yielding blocks each include a clamped frictionless inclined plane and a clamped friction flat surface that generate independent elastic and plastic components. These serve to contrast the behavior and response of each unit to seismic input.

[0336] The device referred to above is an elastic device configured to return to its original state after the load is removed, but is configured to dissipate energy through frictional work in the process.

[0337] Here, a device having both a sliding contact surface and a flat contact surface is developed. This device has a frictionless (or very low friction) clamped inclined contact surface and a frictional flat (or horizontal) clamped contact surface. The frictionless inclined plane (which can also be in the form of a roller surface) provides the elastic component of the device, and separately, the flat clamped friction contact surface provides the plastic component of the device. The result is an elastoplastic system that responds with a similar ability or performance to the rotational friction unit described above.

[0338] Consider the mechanics of the inclined friction surface described in International Publication No. WO 2016 / 185432, and the mechanics of a displacement clamp contact surface having a frictionless inclined and flat (e.g., horizontal) friction contact surface. Such a system (elastic (only) or elastoplastic) can be compared with the rotational friction system described above. As described above, these rotating units include a yielding device in which an elastic component is provided by an elastic strain element (e.g., a bending plate and / or a secondary bending member), and a plastic component is provided by two conventional friction surfaces that are clamped together, and the line or direction of the clamping force is perpendicular to their (flat or curved) contact surfaces. Both the elastic strain component and the plastic or yielding friction component act separately (i.e., do not coincide).

[0339] An elastoplastic friction yielding block having a frictionless inclined surface and a flat friction contact surface (with respect to the clamping force) is shown in FIG. 157. Here, it is referred to as a corrugated block or a corrugated friction yielding block.

[0340] At the initial or non-displaced position in FIG. 157, only the inclined surface is in contact (clamped). The tension T at the time (with or without pre-tension) increases with the relative displacement (up the incline) of the inclined surface until it reaches a maximum value (e.g., T m ) at the top of each incline, and before further displacement begins between the two horizontal surfaces clamped together with a constant clamping force T m . The two horizontal surfaces shown in FIG. 159 preferably provide a constant resistance to displacement.

[0341] Figure 160 derives the basic force and equilibrium relationships between two clamped inclined friction surfaces that contact and displace relative to each other. In this case, the (slotted) center block moves to the left, and the inclined surfaces of the two outer clamp blocks move or slide upward relative to the inclined surface of the center block. The leftward displacement of the center block is resisted by both the horizontal component (total) of the direct force R orthogonal to the surface due to the lateral clamping force T and the frictional force μ that is horizontal with respect to the surface and due to the vertical force R. That is, both forces resist the leftward displacement of the center block, and the force P increases with displacement in this direction. Equation 1) relates to the force P, the angle of the contact surface, θ, and the coefficient of friction μ with respect to displacement in this direction for the clamping tension T(t) at any time t SL1 relates to

[0342] Figure 161 is similar to Figure 160, but here the center block moves to the right, and the force P decreases (or unloads) with displacement in this direction. In this case, the direction of the frictional resistance along the inclined surface switches, and its horizontal component is in the opposite direction to the horizontal component of the force R orthogonal to the surface. The currently decreasing force P, and again the clamping tension T(t), the angle of the surface, θ, and the coefficient of friction μ with respect to displacement in this direction SL2 relationship is derived as Equation 2 in Figure 161. Equations (1) and (2) describe the loading and unloading paths of the clamped inclined friction surfaces and are substantially the same as those described in the above-mentioned international publication

[0343] They (Equation 1 and Equation 2) generate a load path with three vertices as shown in Figure 162. Due to the pretensioned clamping force, they generate a load path with four vertices as shown in Figure 163. The dashed lines in each figure are the load paths for the case of clamped but frictionless inclined surfaces. Here, the loading and unloading paths extend along the same line as conventional linear elastic elements

[0344] Figure 164 shows an arbitrary normalized load path for an inclination angle of 30° and friction coefficients of 0.35 and 0.25 for loading and unloading, respectively.

[0345] Figure 165 shows again the same case of a clamped inclined friction surface, where now a pre - tension is applied to the clamp tie.

[0346] Figure 166 considers the case where two horizontal planes of the friction block are displaced relative to each other by a constant resistance force P y Here, P y can be directly established from Equation (1) of the first equation for the inclined plane, with θ = 0, T = Tm, μ SL = μ plateau being the case.

[0347] When there is no frictional resistance between the two inclined planes, each of Equations (1) and (2) gives P = 2T tan θ.

[0348] That is, as shown in Figures 167 and 168, regardless of whether the center block moves to the left (e.g., under loading) or to the right (e.g., under unloading), the relationship of the force P to the displacement angle is the same. The load path is on the same line as a conventional elastic strain system. This is simply because the clamp tension bolt is elastically strained. In this frictionless case, (while maintaining the clamp force T), by changing the inclination of the contact surface, the elastic stiffness k of the system changes as shown in Figure 169.

[0349]

Number

[0350] Figure 170 shows the force - displacement combination relationship of a corrugated system having a frictionless inclined plane and a horizontal or flat surface with a friction coefficient (e.g., μ plateau ). This is the same as the load - displacement relationship of a conventional ideal elastoplastic system.

[0351] When a friction surface (and force) is introduced to the inclined contact surface, for example, when the center block moves to the left as shown in Fig. 160, the load-displacement path is different from the path when the center block moves to the right as shown in Fig. 161. In the case of no friction, the response remains linear, but as shown in Fig. 171, the two load directions have different stiffnesses and different load paths respectively. Equation (1) shows that as the displacement increases, the load increases as shown on line (a). Line (b) is the result of the direction of the frictional force along the inclined plane being switched due to the change in the displacement direction, and line (c) is the case where the load decreases with the displacement for the inclined plane to return to its original position, as described by Equation (2). Line (d) in the same drawing shows the inclined plane without friction and the inclination angle of a similar surface.

[0352] Introducing frictional force to the inclined plane requires a greater force or work (i.e., the resistance of the system to the movement in this direction is greater) to displace the center block in Fig. 160 to the left compared to the case of a frictionless surface (although they are the same), and it means that when the center block returns to its original position, the movement of the system towards the load is less (compared to the case of a frictionless surface).

[0353] The mechanism of the system can be explained in a simple form by using a conventional elastic spring or elastic rod.

[0354] Fig. 172 shows an elastic rod that is gradually loaded and unloaded.

[0355] Fig. 173 shows its load path, and the load path follows the same straight line for loading and unloading. The rod is made of a linearly elastic material.

[0356] Fig. 174 shows another elastic rod that undergoes gradual loading and unloading. Here, the restriction on the displacement is located at about half of the total length of the rod. The rod first receives a force P A acting on the left side, and the right side of the initial length L shrinks by Δ A . Further, when a further load in the same direction (load magnitude P B) is applied, and the right side of the rod contracts (or is compressed) by Δ B and displaces.

[0357] Figure 175 shows the linear response along the upper line with respect to the load P B and the displacement Δ B . At this point, the central restraint is removed, and as a result, the displacement remains constant, but the elastic stiffness decreases, the system relaxes, and the load P B instantaneously or stepwise decreases from the load P C to the load P C . Next, the load P C further decreases (partial unloading) to the load P D . Then, the load P D further decreases to the load P E . Here too, the response is linear but along the lower line with a lower slope than the upper line (i.e., lower stiffness). The load further decreases until the rod returns to its original length (total length).

[0358] (In the direction opposite to the displacement) If the decrease (infinitesimal) of the load P B coincides with the removal of the central restraint, the system simply has two different linear stiffness values for loading and unloading. When loaded or unloaded as shown in Figures 176 and 177, different work is done by the load or the system.

[0359] The hatched area shown in Figure 178 is the difference between the work done on the system (or internally by the system) when the load increases and the work done on the system (or by the system) when the displacement is reversed and the load decreases and the elastic rod returns to its original length. This is not attenuation as a function of strain rate but merely the difference in work done by a system having two elastic stiffness values for loading and unloading.

[0360] Figure 179 shows the load (and unloading) path of the conventional elastic rod of FIGS. 172 and 173, bisecting the lines of the upper and lower load paths of the two stiffness systems of FIGS. 174 and 175. For this to occur, the length of the rod in FIG. 172 is intermediate between the limited length and the unlimited length of FIG. 174, which is 3 / 4 of the total length. The total work done in loading and unloading is the same for both systems. The elastic (strain) rod systems of FIGS. 174 and 175 are similar to the elastic (friction) systems of FIGS. 160 and 161. The load step δP in FIG. 175 B is equivalent to a decrease in load (or reversal of the displacement direction) at the inclined contact surface and a reversal of the friction force direction.

[0361] Figure 180 shows the case of a corrugated friction block with pretension applied to a clamp or clamp bolt. The blocks are internally strained but are in static equilibrium with the rotating unit. That is, when not displaced, they have no effect on the structure of which they are part. However, when the center block is displaced to the left and contact at the inclined surfaces c) and d) is lost, a force P as shown in FIG. 181 I is required to maintain equilibrium.

[0362] Figure 182 shows the elastic load-displacement curve for the case of a pretensioned corrugated block with a frictionless inclined plane, and FIG. 183 shows the elastic load-displacement curve for a device with frictional force along those inclined planes. At the initial force, there is little movement. This is equivalent to high initial stiffness and force resistance. As the load increases, the system shifts from rigid to linearly elastic and displaces along line (a) in FIG. 182 and line (b) in FIG. 183.

[0363] Figure 184 shows a further possible embodiment of this concept. Here, the frictional resistance of the inclined plane is directionally sensitive, similar to a Telemark ski.

[0364] Figure 185 shows a closed loop return to origin load path. This is an elastic system with continuously varying stiffness. It resists loads applied lower with higher stiffness (less displacement), but softens as the load from, for example, an earthquake increases. The softening or reduction in stiffness due to load reduces the natural frequency of the mass (and structure) it can support seismically, and thus the response acceleration of the mass supported by the control structure and the forces within the control structure.

[0365] Next, the differences in the clamped inclined planes in terms of the presence or absence of a friction component were considered. Figure 186 shows the closed loop load path of a clamped inclined plane with a friction component and the single-line load path of a clamped inclined plane with the same inclination angle but without a friction component. The elastic (frictionless) line is usually near the bisector of the closed loop path. From above, the system with friction and the frictionless system move to the same displacement and respond with similar total energy while returning to the origin. Statistically, the system produces a greater resistance load below the displacement than the frictionless system, but dynamically, because of its higher rigidity, it attracts a greater force.

[0366] Figure 187 shows the load paths of inclined planes with or without a friction component for various surface inclination angles and coefficients of friction. The stiffness under load of the system with a friction component (along line (b)) is about twice that of the inclined plane without a friction component (line a). As a result, the acceleration response (for the same input) of the mass directly connected to the inclined (friction) system and the forces when connecting the structure (and its foundation) are 40 - 50% greater than those of the frictionless (inclined) clamp system, but the response displacement is 770%. Therefore, the elastic strain energy of the frictionless (inclined) system is of the same order as that of the same inclined friction system.

[0367] Following Figure 187, Figure 188 physically shows the angles (44° and 49°) of the frictionless contact surfaces required to generate the same (increasing) load - displacement line as the friction surface.

[0368] Figure 189 shows the lower limit angles of friction surfaces with friction coefficients of 0.35 and 0.4 respectively. At an angle smaller than this, the surface does not return (does not slide back) to its original state (without external force) under the clamping force. This angle is simply tan -1 μ SL .

[0369] Figure 190 shows the load paths (lines (a), (b)) of a pretensioned frictionless inclined plane element and the load path (line (c)) of a non-pretensioned inclined plane element. Both have a common displacement Δ.

[0370] Figure 191 shows the increasing inclination or gradient of the load path of a clamped frictionless surface with an increasing inclination angle and a constant clamping force.

[0371] Figure 192 compares the load path of a frictionless inclined plane (30°) with that of a friction inclined plane with the same inclination angle (30°, μ SL = 0.35) and the same clamping force.

[0372] Figure 193 shows the influence of the pretension force on a frictionless inclined plane (θ = 30°). This can be compared with the influence of the increasing inclination angle in Figure 191.

[0373] Figure 194 shows the elastoplastic load-displacement curves of a clamped friction yield block having a frictionless inclined (elastic) surface and a friction flat (plastic) surface respectively. To form an ideal elastoplastic load-displacement curve, the angle of the frictionless inclined plane and the friction coefficient of the flat friction surface are further described. In a corrugated friction yield block, a frictionless clamped inclined plane (or a clamped roller surface) provides the elastic component of the system, and the (clamped) friction flat surface provides the plastic component of the system.

[0374] As described above, FIG. 195 shows the load path of a conventional linear elastic system. As above, the path is the same regardless of whether the applied load increases or decreases. The path represents any conventional linear elastic element or system, such as a bending plate (or a yielding plate in the elastic phase), a structure, or two frictionless inclined planes clamped together (diagonally) as described herein. The area below path (a) represents the energy (elastic strain) stored in the system or the work done on the system by the applied load, or the energy released by the system or the (reverse) work done by the applied load when the load is reduced. If a friction component is added in the case of a frictionless inclined plane, as shown in FIG. 196, the slope of the load path increases from line (a) for the frictionless case to line (b) for the case with friction. That is, the elastic stiffness of the system increases. The area below line (b) is larger than the area below line (a), but the elastic strain energy stored in each system is the same. The increase in work done and the higher force P1 are due to the frictional resistance along the inclined plane (which increases with displacement), and it is energy that cannot be recovered (or stored). Compared to a frictionless surface, the additional work done by the applied load to reach the same displacement Δ in a friction system is represented by the hatched area A1 in FIG. 196.

[0375] Figure 197 shows the load path of the same system for direction reversal and load reduction. The load path (line (a)) for a frictionless system is the same as that in Figure 196, but as described above, the load path (c) for a friction system is located below line (a). In this case, the energy effectively released by the system is lower than that in the case of a frictionless system. This is also due to the frictional force acting on the accumulated elastic force as the displacement decreases back towards the original. The combination of regions A1 and A2 (Figure 198) represents the irrecoverable or lost energy (due to frictional displacement) in the load cycle of the friction system. That is, energy dissipation. When compared with a frictionless system, with an increase in load, there is an increase in the resistance force associated with displacement, an increase in stiffness, and an increase in energy dissipation due to friction associated with displacement. The additional strength or resistance force exceeds the increased acceleration response with the stiffness of any connected mass (i.e., increased force). In the case of reversal of the displacement direction compared with the same frictionless system, the opposite occurs. The resistance force decreases (at the same displacement), the stiffness decreases, and the energy dissipation due to friction associated with displacement decreases.

[0376] Regions A1 and A2 are in the same order. That is, the increase in the amount of work (or internal force) done by displacement in one direction is of the same order as the decrease in the amount of work (or internal force) by displacement in the opposite direction. Both are for a frictionless (or neutral) inclined plane.

[0377] Figure 199 shows the case of a frictionless inclined plane (or a conventional elastic system) within an elastoplastic system with a yield strength P y The plastic component is provided, for example, by the frictional resistance of two clamped flat surfaces. This is an ideal elastoplastic response. The ideal elastoplastic response is the response of a rotational friction unit where the elastic component, as previously described, is provided by, for example, a bending plate, and the plastic or yield component is independently provided by two friction surfaces clamped together, and the line or direction of the clamping force is perpendicular to their (flat or curved) contact surfaces. Similarly, a rotational unit with bending yield (which is the subject of the present application) capable of generating a constant resistance yield force also generates the ideal elastoplastic response of Figure 199.

[0378] Figure 200 further illustrates (in linear form) the mechanism of a pretensioned clamp inclined friction surface through a combination of a spring and a flat friction surface. Here, both the spring and the friction surface resist the applied load. The outer block is fixed in a relatively predetermined position. There is no displacement of the spring (or the applied load) until the frictional resistance of the clamped plane is overcome. If there is displacement, both the spring and the clamped surface cooperate to resist the applied load. The increase in resistance associated with displacement occurs in both the spring and the friction surface. This is because as displacement occurs, the spring is elastically compressed and the clamping force on the plane increases. With a change in the direction of displacement (or unloading), the direction of the frictional resistance reverses, the spring force and the frictional force are in opposite directions, and their magnitudes decrease with displacement.

[0379] Figures 201 and 202 show the mechanism of the rotational friction unit described previously. Here, the spring (e.g., a bending plate) is first compressed without slippage between the friction surfaces. That is, while the three friction blocks move with the applied load, the spring force (and the resistance load P) on the two clamping plates increases. Frictional sliding occurs at the contact surface only when the frictional resistance force μ1R is exceeded. This occurs when the spring force increases to this value (i.e., k s Δ 1 =μ 1 R) or a physical limiter stops the displacement of the spring and the applied load reaches this force. At this stage, the resistance force is (preferably) constant when the (slotted) center plate displaces relative to the two outer plates that are now stationary. Once the load decreases or the direction of displacement changes, the slippage stops, the system returns to an elastic response, continues through (typically) two elastic limit displacements, and at this stage the system responds plastically again. This is also shown in the load path of Figure 199.

[0380] Figure 203 shows the clamped waveform friction yield block. The inclined surface at an angle θ has no friction component (or the friction component is very small). That is, the surface is frictionless. However, the flat surfaces have a friction component. That is, they are friction surfaces, and the coefficient of friction thereof is μ plateau is.

[0381] Figure 204 shows the inclined frictionless surfaces of Figure 203 displaced relative to each other. The clamping tie is under stress and provides a vertical clamping force T at the surface contact point. This is resolved as a horizontal resistance force Ttanθ.

[0382] As described above, as the inclination continues to displace, the clamping force increases to a maximum force Tm (along with the displacement). As shown in Figure 204, it is resolved horizontally, and this force Tm produces a horizontal resistance force T m Tanθ.

[0383] Figure 204 shows the system at its elastic limit. As the displacement continues in this direction, the two horizontal surfaces come into contact. As the displacement continues, the clamping force is maintained constant at T m and is perpendicular to the two displaced surfaces. This preferably produces a constant resistance force with the displacement, which is the plastic component of the system.

[0384] Figure 205 shows three elastoplastic load paths.

[0385] Figure 205a shows the case where the value of the tangent of the angle θ of the frictionless inclined surface is greater than the coefficient of friction μ of the flat surface plateau is greater.

[0386] Figure 205b shows the case where the value of the tangent is less than the coefficient of friction of the flat surface.

[0387] Figure 205c shows the case where the value of the tangent of the angle of the frictionless inclined surface is the same as the coefficient of friction μ plateau of the flat contact surface.

[0388] Figure 205c shows an ideal elastoplastic response. For example, if the friction coefficient μ plateau of a flat surface is 0.3, in this ideal case, the angle of the inclined frictionless surface is 16.67° (i.e., tan -1 0.3). Similarly, if μ plateau is 0.4, the required inclination is 21.80° as shown in Figure 206.

[0389] Figure 183 shows the load-displacement path of a pretensioned clamp friction inclined surface.

[0390] Figure 182 shows the load-displacement path of a pretensioned clamp frictionless surface. The load path to the pretension force P I (and thereafter) is that of a rigid elastic response. The ratio of the response acceleration to the base input acceleration is high in the rigid region. That is, when the ground motion acceleration is low, the response acceleration is high.

[0391] However, when a flexible structure connects the device to the mass, the device remains rigid at low demand, but the whole device is no longer rigid and has flexibility at all load stages as shown in Figure 207. This can be overcome by adding a secondary bending member.

[0392] The corrugated friction yield block having a frictionless inclined contact surface (elastic phase) and a friction flat contact surface (plastic phase) has the following characteristics. · Since the angle of the frictionless inclined surface can be adjusted to a wide range of practical angles, the elastic stiffness can be directly adjusted and the ability to return (slide back) (elastically) is not hindered by friction. · When in the elastic state (displacing along the frictionless inclined surface), it can be configured to maintain a low response acceleration within the mass it supports. · It can be configured to maintain elasticity (return as in all elastic structures) while receiving a high ground motion input. This can be obtained simply by increasing its flexibility (e.g., by decreasing the angle of the frictionless surface). ·When in a plastic state (displacing along the friction flat surface), it preferably generates a certain resistance yield force. ·Its ability to do work (i.e., dissipate energy) in the plastic state can be arbitrarily increased simply by increasing the length of the flat part of the friction contact surface. That is, the ability to withstand its high peak displacement requires its predetermined yield strength. ·The simple response of the system (i.e., certain natural frequency and yield strength) simplifies the elastoplastic dynamic analysis (time history).

[0393] Similar to all elastic systems, the waveform friction yield block returns to its original state only if it does not exceed its elastic strength or elastic yield displacement. It can be configured to maintain elasticity with a given seismic input (or a specific seismic record). However, when exceeding this magnitude, the friction yield block shifts to its plastic phase (i.e., shifts from the frictionless inclined contact surface to the friction flat surface), and in that case, it can be configured to withstand and resist a considerably high seismic input (e.g., PGA) with a certain resistance yield force. However, in this (plastic) stage, the waveform yield block does not return to its original state (without an external force).

[0394] As previously mentioned, FIG. 208 shows the load-displacement path for an elastic (returning) sliding friction device having a pretensioned clamp friction inclined contact surface. The hatched area represents energy dissipation (non-recoverable work done by the displacing friction surface).

[0395] FIG. 209 shows the load-displacement path of the above-described waveform friction yield block, including a frictionless inclined surface and a friction flat surface. The elastic path in FIG. 209 is drawn to match the maximum resistance force and displacement at which the device shown in FIG. 208 is configured. That is, up to the resistance force P, both systems are elastic and returnable. However, the waveform friction yield block has the ability for post-elastic displacement, and this ability can be enhanced simply by increasing the length of its flat contact surface.

[0396] Figure 210 shows the elastic-plastic load-displacement path of the bending yield plate described in this specification. The elastic displacement limit (yield point) of the plate is 1 mm, and it is shown that it yields so that the total displacement becomes 30 mm. This corresponds to a displacement ductility coefficient of 30. As described in this specification, the 8 mm and 12 mm yield plates have been repeatedly tested up to a ductility coefficient exceeding 40 while maintaining a constant resistance yield force. The load-displacement path of the corrugated friction yield block having a frictionless inclined plane and a friction flat surface has a similar load path as shown in Figure 214.

[0397] Figures 211, 212, and 213 show the elastic-plastic displacement curves of bending yield plates of different sizes (here 8 mm, 12 m, and 8 / 10 space / 8 composite) and different spans that generate different elastic stiffnesses (i.e., the load paths to the yield displacement are different). Overlaid on these paths are the load paths of various clamp inclined friction surfaces having similar elastic stiffnesses. From these load paths, the ductility coefficient of the yield plate can be derived (from an energy perspective) by determining the total area under the elastic-plastic curve and equating it to the area of the elastic component. The effective ductility can be similarly derived from the load path of the inclined friction surface having elastic and non-recoverable energy components.

[0398] The flexibility (elastic stiffness) of the bending yield plate (and the rotating unit) can be adjusted directly by changing the thickness and / or span of the yield plate, or indirectly by introducing a secondary bending member, or by both adjustments. The yield strength (elastic limit strength) and yield displacement of the bending yield plate can be adjusted by changing the span or thickness of the plate here as well, or by further changing the yield stress of the plate material (e.g., the type of steel), or by changing the width of the plate or the number of plates. Both the flexibility and yield strength, which are elastic parameters of the yield plate, can be configured relatively easily to be executable in the same way as other elastic systems. This is shown in FIGS. 6211 to 213, where the flexibilities and elastic strengths of various bending yield plates are effectively configured to match those of any number of elastic sliding friction devices having a clamp friction inclined plane, as described above. However, as shown in the figures, the bending yield plate also has the ability and capacity to continue to displace by at least more than 10 times the elastic displacement limit (which is the same for each system) beyond the elastic displacement limit (i.e., the yield displacement) while maintaining a certain resistance yield force. This means that a system with a bending yield plate and having the same elastic strength and stiffness as the friction inclined plane system can provide or generate an elastic strength equal to 10 times that of the inclined plane friction system while restricting and controlling the forces within itself and any mass it can support seismically when resisting the base motion input. That is, the bending yield plate system can (conventionally) resist and withstand ground motion inputs (i.e., earthquakes) that are (at least) 10 times the peak ground acceleration of an inclined friction system or any other equivalent system with the same elastic strength and stiffness while maintaining a certain resistance yield force. Furthermore, the bending yield plate system returns to its original state (i.e., remains elastic) when receiving the same maximum base motion input that a device (e.g., an inclined friction surface) can withstand.

[0399] In a conventional elastoplastic behavior involving deforming an elastoplastic material (e.g., ductile steel), when the (response) strain rate (here the plastic strain rate) reaches zero, it returns from the plastic state to the elastic state. At this stage, the material has been plastically (or permanently) deformed but retains its (potential) elastic properties. That is, it elastically responds while remaining in the plastically deformed state. This can be imagined from the typically small springback that occurs in a plastically deformed metal once the load is removed.

[0400] Figure 159 shows the case of two horizontal surfaces clamped (in the effective plastic phase). When the (plastic) displacement stops (i.e., the relative surface velocity is zero), these surfaces remain at this position. There is no springback or continuation to the elastic phase. At this time, the displacement must start directly from the plastic state or continue. This is a rigid-plastic response, in contrast to the initial elastoplastic response of the system. This system no longer mimics the elastoplastic response with a finite stiffness (or elastic frequency), but behaves as a rigid-plastic system at this point. This is shown by the vertical line to the right of the load-displacement in Figure 215.

[0401] A friction unit assembly with the above-described flat clamped surface (i.e., not corrugated) and having an elastic component behaves in the same manner as a conventional elastoplastic system involving elastically and plastically deforming a ductile material (e.g., steel). The elastic component of the friction unit includes conventional elastic strain, and the plastic component includes a preferably constant resistance force generated by the relative displacement of the two clamped friction surfaces.

[0402] Therefore, the ductility coefficient for the friction system can be obtained in the same manner as for the strain system. This is the ratio of the total displacement (elastic displacement + slip displacement) to the elastic (yield) displacement.

[0403] Furthermore, similar to the conventional elastoplastic strain system, in the case of strain rate or friction, the relative surface velocity approaches zero and becomes equal to zero, corresponding periodically to the base motion input. The system then (typically) returns to an elastic system, elastically strains and displaces in the opposite direction of movement over the magnitude of displacement of two yield (elastic) displacements (e.g., tensile yield and compressive yield displacements), and then continues in this direction as a plastic (or frictional) system.

[0404] However, the waveform friction system only behaves partially as a conventional elastoplastic system. As the frictionless inclined planes displace from their initial positions as they move relative to each other, the system behaves elastically. As the displacement increases, the tension in the clamp bolts (and, if any, spring washers) increases, increasing the resistance (force) to displacement, so that additional force is required for the inclined planes to continue to displace (upward) (the inclined planes return to their initial positions with a decrease in load). As described above, when the inclined planes reach their maximum relative (tilt) displacement, the force of the bolts (and, if any, spring washers as well) is at its maximum.

[0405] With further displacement (parallel to the load direction) along the current horizontal plane, the tension (clamping force) in the bolts preferably remains constant, similar to the resistance force, with respect to further displacement (or the force required to maintain surface displacement).

[0406] (In response to a change in base acceleration) When the plastic displacement between the horizontal planes stops, the first peak response displacement is reached. This typically involves (depending on the input) a reversal of the displacement direction, and in a conventional elastoplastic system, it is accompanied by a transition back to the elastic state over two elastic yield displacements and a continuation to the plastic displacement state in the opposite direction of the first plastic stage.

[0407] However, in the corrugated friction unit, at this stage, the horizontal friction surface effectively stays stuck on the plateau and does not return to the elastic phase due to typical reverse displacement. Further displacement in the (typically) reverse direction immediately involves the start from plasticity. At this stage, the friction unit is responding as a rigid-plastic system (rather than an elastoplastic system). The peak response displacement of the structure in this system is equal to or less than that of a comparable elastoplastic system.

[0408] The peak response acceleration of the mass supported by this system or by a conventional elastoplastic system is governed by the yield strength of the system, so there is no difference between two systems having the same yield strength.

[0409] The significance of having (or not having) an elastic component (either in the strain or friction system) is that, before plastic yield occurs in the plastic strain system or before sliding occurs in the friction system, i.e., before permanent deformation occurs in either system, either system (the elastic component) can withstand or endure a high base or ground motion input (acceleration).

[0410] That is, a rigid-plastic or near-rigid-plastic system or a rigid body friction system with a given yield strength or sliding resistance plastically displaces (plastically strains) or slides in the friction system at a lower base acceleration or ground acceleration than an elastoplastic system or an elastic friction system with the same yield strength or sliding resistance, but is configured to have sufficient flexibility within its elastic range.

[0411] By adding a secondary bending member to the rotating unit including the corrugated friction block, the system can behave as an elastoplastic system at all stages except where there are two elastic components. This is the flexibility of the secondary bending member when the friction surface is horizontal, and when the two contact surfaces are inclined planes, the secondary bending member is combined with an effective elastic component.

[0412] Figure 216 shows a schematic view of the DELTA1 yield plate within the sleeve guide rocker unit.

[0413] Figures 217 to 220 show schematic views of the friction yield unit within the sleeve guide rocker unit. Here, the elastic component is provided by the DELTA1 bending plate, and the separate plastic component is provided by the clamp friction plate. As described above, the friction plates move together with the elastic displacement plate until the frictional resistance between the friction surfaces is eliminated. At this stage, the friction plates slide (displace) relative to each other, while the displacement in the bending (DELTA1) plate stops. This is because their elastic resistance exceeds the frictional resistance of the plates or their bending is stopped by the movement restrictor.

[0414] Figures 221 to 224 show schematic views of the corrugated friction yield block within the sleeve guide rocker unit. The center block displaces together with the sleeve guide push rod, while the two clamped outer plates are configured not to displace in this direction (along the line of the push rod), but preferably to be freely displaceable or open laterally by a restrictor that does not produce resistance laterally.

[0415] In a further embodiment, the shear yield block (element) is located within the sleeve guide rocker unit as shown in Figure 225. The shear block is composed of a material with very high plasticity but relatively low yield strength (e.g., lead or its composite materials or alloys). When the confined or unconfined shear block plastically deforms (shears) as shown in Figure 226, the displacement of the push rod of the sleeve guide rocker unit preferably generates a constant yield resistance. The secondary bending member described earlier can be integrated with the rotating unit to provide an elastic component to the system (the preparation shown earlier in Figures 82 and 115, the sleeve guide rocker unit is the third component of the rotating unit).

[0416] Returning to the rotating unit having the bending yield plate, in a further embodiment, the BETA rotor and push rod to the rocker frame connection of the ALPHA1 control structure are configured such that when the rocker frame is displaced in one direction while withstanding the base input motion, the yield plate within the rotating unit plastically displaces mainly in the opposite direction or plastically displaces only in the opposite direction.

[0417] Figure 227 shows the DELTA4 yield plate within the rotating unit. The DELTA4 yield plate first plastically displaces downward under the action of the push rod displacement and rotation of the drum of the rotating unit, and then is pulled upward to approximately its initial state (with the change in the deflection direction of the rocker frame), and is pushed downward again after the rocker cycle returns. The sign of the elastoplastic curvature within the yield region of the yield plate is mainly only one (positive or negative).

[0418] Figure 228 shows a DELTA4 plate similar to that of Figure 227. After the plate is displaced downward in the vertical direction, it returns to a position just below a horizontal line with only one sign of curvature.

[0419] Figure 229 shows another case where the DELTA4 plate returns to a position just above a horizontal line with two signs of curvature (one curvature is much larger than the other).

[0420] Figure 230 shows an APLHA1 control structure having a yield plate within a rotating unit. As the frame rocks back and forth, the yield plate elastically plastically displaces mainly in only one direction (downward). To achieve this, the rotor arm fixed to the drum does not extend to pin connect with the push rod of the rocker frame. A separate lever arm is introduced and extends to be first connected to the free spin axis of the rotor drum, second to pin connect to the push rod, and third to be connected to the end rotor by a connector. This enables the lever arm and the rotor plate to be connected and pin connected as the rocker frame sways back and forth. Figure 230 shows the rocker frame first swaying to the left. The yield plate within the rotating unit on the left side of the base pivot bends while the yield plate on the right side of the base pivot does not bend and the lever arm and the end rotor plate rotate relative to each other. The rocker frame then sways to the right and the yield plate within the rotating unit on the left side of the base pivot is pulled up by the push rod to return to its original position (substantially flat or currently displaced) position while the yield plate within the rotating unit on the right side remains undisturbed. At this stage, as the rocker frame continues to sway to the right, the connection between the lever arm on the left side of the base pivot and the rotor plate (at the end of the drum) breaks and the left lever arm and the rotor plate rotate relative to each other while the connection between the lever arm on the right side of the base pivot and the rotor plate is reconnected and the bending plate on the right side of the base pivot is elastically plastically displaced while the bending plate on the left side remains without bending displacement (as the bending plate on the right side did in the previous half cycle).

[0421] Figures 231 to 235 show the schematic details of the connection between the drum end rotor plate and the lever arm. This means that when the rocker frame is displaced (swung) in one direction, two things happen: first, it presses (or elastically plastically displaces) the yield plate, and second, after the swing direction is reversed, it pulls up the bending plate to its initial relative horizontal position (corresponding to the rocker frame being in its initial position (not displaced)). Third, it disconnects or releases the connection between the rotor plate and the lever arm, allowing the rocker frame to continue to swing while re-engaging and displacing the yield plate on, for example, the right side of the frame pivot without affecting the yield plate on, for example, the left side of the frame pivot.

[0422] Figure 231 shows a connector where the yield plate on one side of the rocker frame base pivot is in a position equivalent to the position where it is elastically plastically displaced to its maximum displacement. As described in Figure 679, the lever arm and the rotor plate are in the lower position. At this stage, the frame (typically) reverses, the lever arm rotates, the square (pin) peg of the lever arm pulls up the drum end rotor plate, and a guide or track integral with the arm opens the connector.

[0423] Figure 232 shows a connector where the plate shown in Figure 237, where the positions of the lever arm and the rotor plate are horizontally aligned, is in a position equivalent to being pulled back to its original non-displaced (effectively flat) position. At this stage, depending on the structural response to ground motion, the lever arm is pushed down (i.e., the peg moves down), rotates and engages with the rotor plate that can elastically plastically displace the yield plate again, or is lifted to disconnect from the rotor plate, leaving the rotor plate and the yield plate not displaced on their sides of the base pivot.

[0424] Figure 233 shows a peg in the maximum free sliding position equivalent to the maximum rotation separation between the lever arm and the rotor plate, as shown in Figure 238.

[0425] Figure 234 shows a plan sectional view of a connector between a lever arm and a rotor plate. The connector, the rotating unit, and the bending plate are connected and disconnected in the same manner (except for a half-cycle difference) on the opposite side of the above-described unit.

[0426] The connector mainly enables one-way elastoplastic displacement within the yield plate of the rotating unit. As a result, the difference (between the maximum and minimum) of the elastoplastic displacement (or movement) of the yield plate is reduced by up to half, and the number and amplitude (half-cycle) of the displacements that can be endured increase.

[0427] Connection parts and cut-off joint details that enable the yield plate to be mainly elastoplastically bent and displaced only in one direction can also be incorporated into the ALPHA2 control structure. In the case of a rocker frame facing the vertical direction (tower), the connector can be located between the bottom of the external code and the foundation or structural base. In the case of a rocker frame facing the horizontal direction (span), it can be located between the end of the horizontal external code and the rigid vertical code.

[0428] In a further embodiment, the rotational energy dissipator and the force limiter are located within the brace frame control structure.

[0429] Figure 239 shows a rotating unit with a pinned joint diagonal push rod arranged within a brace frame. In this case, the DELTA4 yield plate is located within the rotating unit. The frame is a substantially eccentric brace frame. Thereby, the beam with the rotating unit fixed can be regarded as a secondary bending member in the same manner as described above. With this configuration, a two-layer (or two-stage) elastic ductility system can be developed as described above. Figure 239 shows the brace frame in an undeformed form.

[0430] Figure 240 shows a displaced form of the brace frame having an elastoplastically buckling DELTA4 yield plate.

[0431] Figure 241 shows a two-bay brace frame configuration that enables the use of the aforementioned connection / disconnection joint. As described previously, this mainly results in elasto-plastic displacement in one direction in the yield plate.

[0432] Figure 242 shows the brace frame of Figure 241 in a displaced form. Here, the connector between the lever arm and the rotor plate of the left bay's rotating unit is disengaged, and the yield plate within this side's rotating unit does not undergo elasto-plastic displacement. In contrast, the connector between the lever arm and the rotor plate of the right bay's rotating unit is engaged, and the yield plate within this rotating unit undergoes elasto-plastic displacement (yield).

[0433] Next, the specific free translation or free translation and free rotation boundary condition displacement mechanisms in the end regions of the above-described bending member 100 (yield plate) and the certain resistance yield force generated by the yield plate having these boundary conditions will be described in detail.

[0434] Figure 243 shows a schematic view of a bending member (DELTA1 plate) within a BETA1 rocker equipped with a sleeve guide. All parts of the control structure within the ALPHA1 rocker frame are as described in International Application No. PCT / IB2017 / 056135 and International Application No. PCT / IB2017 / 056137.

[0435] Figure 244 shows a schematic view of a bending member (DELTA4 plate) that is part of the control structure within the ALPHA2 rocker frame as described in International Application No. PCT / IB2017 / 056135 and International Application No. PCT / IB2017 / 05613.

[0436] Figure 245 shows a schematic view of the DELTA4 yield plate within the BETA rotor as described above and shown in Figures 243 and 244, and this yield plate is a force limitation and energy dissipation part of the control structure within the ALPHA1 or ALPHA2 rocker frame.

[0437] In all cases (i.e., Figures 243, 244, and 245), the free translation or free translation and free rotation boundary conditions of the end regions of the bending member (plate) are configured to be an extension of the plate itself. They are configured such that while the reaction points of the anchor (cylinder / pin) remain fixed in space, they can rotate / translate with the end regions of the plate (see Figures 246, 252, and 253). That is, while the (horizontal) span distance of the plate between the reaction points remains constant, the bending (deformation) length along the plate between the reaction points (including the sliding / rotating hinge) increases with the load (see Figure 246, a increases to b).

[0438] The resultant force R at the reaction point is orthogonal to the tangent of the limiting boundary surface (e.g., pin) in the plate and to the boundary surface contact point. In this case, while the plate slides and rotates at the reaction point, the resultant force R remains orthogonal to the plate at the reaction point. This is consistent with the absence of membrane forces in the line of the plate at this point. That is, the principal directions at the reaction point are orthogonal to the plate and parallel at the reaction point.

[0439] While the reaction points (e.g., pins) remain in a fixed position, as the bending length of the plate increases, a horizontal reaction R H is generated (see Figures 246 and 247). The ratio of the horizontal reaction R V to the vertical reaction R H increases with the displacement in this direction (see Figure 248). At large displacements, the plate is effectively squeezed (or pulled through) horizontally between the reaction points (Figure 246). In the case of a yield plate made of a material with a flat (zero gradient) yield plateau and no strain hardening, the effect of the movement-induced horizontal reaction is to reduce the resistance yield force (in the direction of the applied force) when the deflection of the plate becomes large (see Figure 249). This is because the internal work done within the yield plate is the product of the yield moment in the yield region (plastic hinge) and its rotation angle (an increase in rotation proportionally increases the yield work).

[0440] The internal work done in the yielding region must be balanced with the external work done on the plate. In this case, the external work done by the applied load can be set to two components of virtual work done by the vertical reaction (R V ) and the horizontal reaction (R H ).

[0441] The sum of these works is equal to the internal work generated in the yielding area.

[0442] (Half of the) span distance (i.e., the horizontal distance from the vertical reaction to the yielding region) remains constant, so the increase in work done by the horizontal reaction when the plate flows in the vertical direction must be offset by reducing the vertical reaction (R V ), and the total vertical reaction (i.e., 2×R V ) must be equal to the applied load in the opposite direction. That is, the resistance force generated by the plate at the load point decreases with the increase in displacement (see Fig. 249).

[0443] When the material used, such as a typical steel / aluminum material, has a positive-slope yield plateau and strain hardening, this decrease in resistance force is offset. That is, these properties of increasing yield strength offset the above-mentioned decrease in (vertical) force resistance. This simply results from the displacement mechanics of the plate, and the displacement mechanics of the plate is the result of its specific boundary conditions (e.g., a sliding hinge integrated with the end region of the plate).

[0444] Fig. 250 shows a more specific explanation of the mechanics of the deformed plate. When the plate is displaced, the distance from the yielding region (along the line of the deformed plate) to the resultant force R increases, and the separation angle between the resultant force R and its vertical component Rv also increases. Therefore, with the increase in the displacement of the plate (and the increase in the rotation angle θ through the yielding region), there is a combined effect on the order of cos 2 θ with respect to the load Py.

[0445] Figures 254 to 263 show further cases where the free translation and rotation end region anchor pins of the plate can move (slide) along the limiting boundary of a general curve.

[0446] As the plate is displaced, a horizontal reaction force is similarly generated. Here, while the length along the deformation line of the plate remains constant, the horizontal distance between the reaction points changes.

[0447] The effect of the development of the horizontal reaction force on the yield resistance to the applied load is similarly derived.

[0448] The equation (a) in Figure 254 reduces to the equation in Figure 249 when there is no movement of the anchor pin at the boundary.

[0449] The boundary curve tangent equation θ can be described as a function of the (anti)plastic hinge rotation θ’ of the yield plate.

[0450] The equations for P in Figures 254 and 255 are such that the boundary curve θ(θ’) exists, which generates a constant yield force P for all values of θ’ along with a predetermined yield moment function M(θ’) that can be determined from the load test.

[0451] Figure 256 shows a general boundary curve.

[0452] Figure 257 shows the boundary curve θ, which follows the plate plastic hinge rotation at all points along the curve (i.e., θ(θ’) = θ’).

[0453] In terms of the rectangular coordinates (x, y), this can be expressed as d y / d x = θ = θ’.

[0454] The integration with respect to x yields y = θ’x.

[0455] Figure 258 shows how θ’ can be expressed with respect to x. This results in a rectangular coordinate function that describes the boundary curve.

[0456] In this case, the equations (a) and (b) in FIGS. 254 and 255 become the equation (c) in FIG. 257.

[0457] FIG. 258 shows the same case as FIG. 257, but in a span format.

[0458] FIGS. 260 and 261 show two cases of a straight boundary where the tangent equation is θ(θ’) = C.

[0459] Regarding the rectangular coordinates of (x, y), it can be expressed as d y / d x = C.

[0460] The integration with respect to x produces a straight boundary y = Cx.

[0461] In each case, the plate is in a state of plastic flow, but for the same plastic hinge rotation (internal work), each of the plates has a different resistance yield force P 1 , P 2 generates. This indicates the influence on the resistance yield loads P 1 , P 2 by the different horizontal reactions generated by different boundaries (θ1c.wθ2).

[0462] Furthermore, in the second case, P 2 can move a further distance (Ac.wB) with the same rotation (work done) as in the first case in the yield region. This means that in the second case, a higher displacement ductility can be provided when the amount of yield is the same or the plastic curvature is the same (however, with a lower resistance force (P 2 < P 1 )) compared to the first case.

[0463] FIGS. 262 and 263 show similar cases, where here, the bending member 100 (yield plate) has an extension of length a in its end region. This can not only generate a horizontal boundary reaction force, but also (opposite to FIGS. 254 to 261 where the span distance decreases) enable the span distance to be increased or maintained constant when the plate displacement increases.

[0464] The arm extension enables a yield plate made of a material with a flat plateau of yield stress (no strain hardening) to maintain a constant effective span between the reaction points without the generation of horizontal reaction forces, and subsequently to maintain a constant resistance yield force when periodically buckling under large elastoplastic displacements.

[0465] Figures 243 to 264 show three cases where horizontal reaction forces occur at the boundary. That is, one has a constant horizontal span, one has a decreasing span, and one has an increasing span.

[0466] Figure 265 shows a further case where a horizontal reaction force occurs at the boundary, the length along the deformed plate increases, and the horizontal distance between the reaction points increases. In this case, a displacement / force compatible restraint (spring or guide) capable of accommodating additional displacements / forces is required to prevent the translational movement of the free body (non-yielding / sliding) in the vertical direction.

[0467] Figures 266 to 278 show the non-displaced and displaced forms of the above cases in a finite dimension. Here, the hinge end region is only used to provide allowance for the "growth" of any length of the plate during cycle reversal. Figures 272 and 273 show the non-displaced and displaced forms of a yield plate with a curved boundary within the BETA rotor. Here, the drum radius r and the length L of the yield plate are the same. By increasing the drum radius r without affecting the plastic hinge curvature, the drawback dr can be exponentially reduced.

[0468] When the value of r is small, the rotor produces the same effect as in the case of Figure 265. That is, when the horizontal reaction force due to displacement increases, the horizontal span of the plate increases (however, no secondary restraint / guide is required).

[0469] Figure 279 shows the stress-strain curves of a series of common steels produced in the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom. a) S235 b) S355 c) S460 plate d) S690 e) Hyster 460 f) A992 (Grade 50S) g) HPS70 (22 plate) h) HPS70 (51 plate) Figure 280 shows the ratio of the stress at a given strain to the yield stress of two steels. a) Hyster 460 made by ArcelorMittal (Europe) b) A992 (Grade 50S) steel made by Bethlehem Steel (USA) As described above, repeated load tests were carried out on 8 mm and 12 mm Grade 460 plates up to very large elastoplastic displacements.

[0470] Figure 281 shows the direct trace of the maximum cyclic displacement endured by the 8 mm plate.

[0471] Figure 282 shows the direct trace of the maximum displacement amplitude obtained by repeatedly testing a 12 mm Grade 460 plate. The requirements for both displacement and curvature ductility for the plate exceeded 40 (i.e., 40 times the (initial) full yield displacement or curvature). As described above, all plastic curvatures occurred within the yield region, and the plate remained elastic between the yield region adjacent to the first end region and the non-yielding second end region.

[0472] (Similar to Figure 280) Figure 283 shows the ratio of the stress at a given strain to the yield stress for steels (c), (e), (f), and adds the displacement and plastic rotation of the plate in Figure 281 equivalent to typical strain values to the horizontal axis. Furthermore, the reciprocals of the load reduction values derived in Figures 249 and 254, i.e., 1 + TAN 2 θ’ and (COSθ’ + SINθ’.TANθ’) are added to the graph in Figure 283 (where θ’ is the (half) plastic hinge rotation of the plate).

[0473] The second equation is for the case when θ = θ’, as derived earlier. That is, the boundary curve tangent follows the plastic hinge rotation of the plate.

[0474] Figures 284 to 290 show the stress-strain curves for steels (a) to (g). The effects of the plate displacement mechanics are superimposed in reverse. The yield stress of the plate is multiplied by (1 + TAN 2 θ’) or (COSθ’ + SINθ’.TANθ’). The ratio of these values to the change in strain, as a function of strain, gives the change in the resistance yield force provided by the plate at the point of the applied load.

[0475] Figures 291 to 297 show the resistance as a percentage of the initial yield resistance (force). A constant resistance yield force is obtained over a very high strain range for a wide range of steels.

[0476] The response of HPS70 in Figure 297 is an exception. This is a high-performance steel (HPS) produced mainly in the United States for bridge construction. It has a relatively high ratio of tension to yield stress.

[0477] The constant resistance yield force shown in Figures 291 to 296 is consistent with the (post-elastic) resistance yield force obtained from the high-displacement / high-repetition tests on the plate in Figure 281.

[0478] For HPS70 steel, the (more complex) boundary curve θ can be determined as required from the equations in Figures 254 to 264 that produce a constant resistance yield force.

[0479] Returning, Figure 251 shows the case when the load is reversed from positive to negative in the reversed elastoplastic bending direction (e.g., returning straight from a positive yield displacement). The (reverse) horizontal reaction acts to splay the plate as the plate returns to its original position (i.e., returns straight). This splaying action decreases with the return displacement.

[0480] Vertical reaction RV The horizontal reaction force R H ratio decreases (returns to zero) as the plate straightens and returns to its original state (see Fig. 251).

[0481] As the plate straightens, the horizontal reaction force again cancels out the strain hardening effect, and the Bauschinger effect adds a further softening effect upon return. Continuing displacement in this (negative) direction (after post origin), a (now sqeezing) horizontal reaction force is regenerated, canceling out the effect of the positive gradient yield plateau and the strain hardening effect again. As a result, a constant resistive (cycled) force is obtained in the negative direction.

[0482] A constant resistive cycling / reversing yield force was generated through 14 reversals of the plate in Fig. 281 without any strength degradation.

[0483] In contrast, FIG. 298 shows a plate made of a rotatable cylinder that has free translation and rotation boundary conditions, but is directly fixed to the end of the plate and can slide within a slotted anchor. Here, when the plate undergoes elastoplastic deformation under load, the length along the deformation line of the plate (the cylinder reduction points) remains constant, while the span distance of the plate between the cylinder reduction points decreases. In this case, no horizontal reaction force occurs at the end of the plate. If the plate is made of a material with a yield plateau gradient of 0 and does not strain harden (i.e., has a constant yield stress), the load resistance of the plate increases with deflection. This is because, for flow to continue as the span decreases, the applied load and the vertical reaction force must increase (the resistance force generated by the plate at the point where the load is applied is the sum of the vertical reaction forces). That is, the load resistance increases with displacement. This increased load resistance further increases when the effect of a material with a positive yield plateau gradient and strain hardening is added. That is, the load resistance is not constant and increases (significantly) with displacement. This is not a desirable effect when the purpose is to limit, maintain, and control the forces generated within a structure when the structure withstands an earthquake.

[0484] FIG. 300 shows that the strength decreases in the reverse cycle. When this displacement effect is combined with the reduction in material stiffness / strength due to the Bauschinger effect, the result is further softening.

[0485] In FIGS. 55 - 61, similar to FIG. 298, by slotting the housing or outer annulus of the rotating unit, sliding or sliding and rotation of the end region of the plate can be obtained. These boundary conditions provide free translation or free translation and rotation of the end region of the plate, but, similar to the plate shown in FIG. 298, they do not allow the plate or the rotating unit to generate a constant resistance yield force while bending under large elastoplastic displacements.

[0486] Figures 301 to 303 show a triangular plate described in U.S. Patent No. 553307, which has the same free translation and free rotation boundary conditions as the previous rectangular plate (Figs. 298 to 300). The plate is tapered towards its cylinder reaction point. The intention is to match the linearly increasing moment requirement along the bending direction of the plate with a linearly increasing cross-section (caused by the reaction load in the cylinder) in the case of elasticity, and thus the linearly increasing strength along the main buckling direction of the plate.

[0487] In the case of elasticity (i.e., before yielding in the plate), when the moment requirement along the plate is equal to the bending stiffness (EI) along the plate, a constant curvature occurs along the bending direction of the plate (shear displacement is ignored). That is, the plate buckles into a circular curve (Fig. 301), and the longitudinal stress at a given depth (or distance from the neutral axis) along the curve is constant.

[0488] In the case of elasticity, a curvature close to constant can be obtained by matching the moment requirement with the strength (i.e., EI).

[0489] In U.S. Patent No. 5533307, since the plate has a state where the stress is constant or nearly constant on its upper and lower surfaces (in the case of elasticity) and has a nearly constant curvature, it is assumed that this state will continue to develop into a state of constant plastic curvature (i.e., constant with depth and plastic strain) under the increased load after the plate has yielded.

[0490] The spread of yielding across the entire plate means that for a given displacement at the cylindrical reaction point, the plastic strain in the plate is at the minimum value that can be expected. For this to occur, the plate must, both theoretically and practically, be a nearly perfectly homogeneous / isotropic material where changes induced by the yielding cycle (e.g., the Bauschinger effect) or strain hardening remain in step across the whole, and the load position applied to maintain the match of requirements and strength in a given area moves with plastic buckling. That is, everything must be ideal. It is highly likely that this is not the case. Attempts to create a constant curvature and constant strain in the plastic phase, contrary to intention, create a plate according to Prager's (1959) plastic limit theorem and can locally yield the plate through any part of the plate according to Allen (1994). The closer the occurrence of yielding is to the load position, the lower the plastic displacement of the system, and the less work done (energy dissipation) and available displacement ductility (see Figure 303).

[0491] Figure 304 shows an X - shaped plate (where two triangles meet in the narrowest section) as described by Whittaker (1991). Due to relative displacement, the plate deflects (taking its inflection point under load as the effective point of free rotation). When local yielding occurs, the membrane force (tension) generated by the displacement spreads the yielding to other areas. The closer the occurrence of local yielding is to the center of the plate (the center of the X), the more effectively the membrane force strains and spreads the yielding region (see Figure 305). This does not apply to the triangular plate of Figure 302 with free translation and rotation boundary conditions that do not generate membrane forces. However, as mentioned earlier, in the case of the X - plate, the generation of membrane forces significantly increases the stiffness of the structure that the plate seismically supports and the forces within that structure without practical limits. The plate effectively changes from a bending element to a tension element.

[0492] Figure 306 shows the load - displacement response for the plate with free rotation and translation boundary conditions of Figure 298.

[0493] Curve (a) shows the increase in internal force associated with displacement due to the reduction of both span and strain hardening that can occur in the plate of FIG. 281 having the boundary conditions of FIG. 298.

[0494] Curves (b) and (c) show the effect of the existing membrane force. Curve (d) shows the load-displacement response of the plate having the boundary conditions of FIGS. 243 to 263, which is consistent with the test of the plate of FIG. 281. Here, the plate buckles at a very large elastoplastic displacement (strain), and the plate generates a constant resistance yield force.

[0495] FIG. 307 shows the hysteresis loop that can be obtained from the repeated load on the plate having the boundary conditions of FIG. 298. The load and internal force in the structure that it can support seismically typically increase to at least 1.6 times the yield force in the first cycle through region (a) due to the shortening of the span and strain hardening. Softening occurs in region (b) due to the Bauschinger effect and the increase in the span of the plate due to reverse displacement.

[0496] The force increases monotonically within the plate and within any structure that the plate can support seismically. Therefore, if the yield strength F of the plate is equal to the elastic design force requirement for a given seismic input and structural ductility, the force in the structure that it supports seismically increases to at least 1.6 times the force in that structure at the first yield. That is, the structure needs to be designed (or have sufficient strength) to resist a force that is at least 1.6 times the force within it at the initial yield. Similarly, if sensitive to acceleration / force, the articles supported by the structure need to withstand a force / acceleration that increases to 1.6 times the initial yield force / initial yield acceleration.

[0497] FIG. 308 shows the pinch effect on the hysteresis loop of FIG. 307 when the membrane force is generated in the structure.

[0498] Figure 309 shows the hysteresis loop obtained for the plate having the boundary conditions of FIGS. 243 to 265, and shows the hysteresis loop obtained from the repeated load of the plate of FIG. 298. A constant resistance force is generated through region (a). This means that both the force and acceleration within the control structure of which the plate is a part are maintained and limited to be constant.

[0499] In region (b), softening occurs due to the Bauschinger effect and the spreading action on the plate due to reverse displacement. The upper broken-line envelopes in FIGS. 307 and 309 are the same case but show those with repeated hardening.

[0500] FIGS. 310, 311, and 312 show the direct traces of the 8-mm plate of FIG. 281 at three displacement amplitudes at which the plate is repeatedly loaded.

[0501] FIGS. 313, 314, and 315 are enlarged views of the details of the plastic deformation in the yield region of the plate at each displacement stage. It should be noted that the range ds of the yield region remains constant even as the displacement increases. From the total rotation angle dθ of the yield region, this plastic curvature K at each stage can be obtained as follows. K = ds / dθ i) In FIG. 316, the yield regions of FIGS. 313 to 315 are superimposed on a series of concentric circles. It can be seen that the curvature is constant through the yield region, that is, the yield region is bent into an arc. From this figure, the radius of curvature ρ can be directly measured, and the curvature at each stage can be obtained as follows. K = 1 / ρ ii) The results of i) and ii) were the same. The plastic curvature is constant and is directly proportional to the rotation angle of the bending yield region.

[0502] In FIGS. 317 to 326, the strain changes linearly from the surface E S to the neutral axis (that is, the remaining part of the plane).

[0503] Figures 317 to 321 show the stress associated with a given linearly varying strain for Hi-Star 460 steel manufactured by ArcelorMittal.

[0504] Figures 322 to 326 show the stress associated with a given linearly varying strain for A992 (Grade 50S) steel manufactured by Bethlehem Steel. For each of these stress profiles, the yield moment, and thus the rotation angle, can be determined with respect to the change in surface strain (or plastic curvature change).

[0505] Figure 295 shows the change in the ratio of the yield force (or applied force or resistance force) to the initial yield force associated with the surface stress of Hi-Star 460 steel (i.e., a constant plastic stress profile).

[0506] Similarly, Figure 296 shows the change in the ratio of the yield force to the initial yield force associated with a constant (depth) stress profile of A992 steel.

[0507] Figures 327 and 328 show the change in the ratio of the yield moment to the initial yield moment for HiStar 460 and A992 steels (both from the perspective of surface strain), plotted on the linear strain graphs of Figures 295 and 296 for the same steels. All moment values are based on the assumption that the plane section remains plane after bending (i.e., linear deflection change with the depth of the section). The values of the composite plate shown in Figure 329 (again assuming that the plane section remains plane) are between the linear and bending values. The load tests (described above) on the planes of the 8 mm and 12 mm plates of Grade 460 shown in Figures 281 and 282 showed no change due to the load force. This is consistent with the curve strain change with depth (e.g., parabolic) obtained from an accurate strain analysis, at least in the elastic case, as opposed to the assumption of a (linear) linear change where the plane section remains plane.

[0508] For a given (or maximum) plastic curvature within the yield region of the plate, the displacement ductility derived therefrom (i.e., the ratio of its elastoplastic displacement to its elastic (yield) displacement) is a function of the span of the plate and decreases as the span of the plate increases (and increases as the span decreases). This is shown in FIG. 330.

[0509] With the increase in the natural frequency of the elastoplastic system at the same yield strength to connected mass ratio, when receiving the same base motion input (displacement, velocity, acceleration), the magnitude of the peak (elastoplastic) response displacement decreases, but the ductility requirement (exponentially) increases. However, with the increase in the rigidity of the bending yield plate due to the decrease in its span, their ductility capacity also increases accordingly. This means that the increase in the ductility demand in the structural system due to the stiffening of the yield element (e.g., due to the decrease in span) is naturally compensated by the increase in the displacement ductility capacity of the (span-decreased) plate.

[0510] FIG. 331 shows the load-displacement path of a linear elastic system. FIG. 331 shows the spring and mass system in its non-displaced form. Here, when the base moves to the right and displaces the spring by Δ1, the mass is fixed in position. The elastic force generated in the spring is F 1 which is the force applied to the mass with a fixed position. For the spring, F 1 is a compressive force here. When the base then moves to the left (but still to the right from the original position), the force F 2 is still in the same direction as F 1 . When the base returns to its original position, the force in the spring becomes zero again. When the base moves to the left of its original position, a force F 3 is generated in the spring, and the force on the spring is tensile, and the direction of the force F 3 is F 1 、F 2On the contrary. When the mass is not fixed at a certain position, the response motion (displacement / velocity / acceleration) of the mass and the response of the spring (internal displacement / strain rate / strain acceleration) when receiving the base input (displacement / velocity / acceleration) can be obtained by solving the piece - wise differential equations of motion.

[0511] Figure 332 shows a case similar to the spring - mass model of Figure 331, where the load - displacement curve of the spring has two stiffness values. One is larger than the value of Figure 331 when the load is increasing (or the base is moving to the right), and one is equally smaller when the base is moving to the left. The displacement Δ 1 results in a force F 1 + This produces a larger force on the mass (compared to the same displacement in Figure 331), and when the mass can move freely, the acceleration is larger (compared to F 1 in Figure 850). When the base moves to the left and the displacement decreases from Δ 1 to Δ 2 , the force F 2 - (still F 1 + and F in Figure 331 2The same direction) occurs. This movement coincides with the low-rigidity load path. And the base continues to return to its original position where the force in the spring is zero. The movement of the base that first moves to the right from the original position (displacement value Δ) and then moves to the left and returns to the original position produces both the same average force and the same internal energy in the spring in each case in the systems of FIGS. 331 and 332. If the mass can move freely, it is unclear which system produces a greater response acceleration for the mass or a greater response displacement for the spring. However, this can be easily determined, for example, by time history analysis as described above. The initial response of the increase in mass response acceleration and the decrease in structural (spring) displacement response related to the increase in rigidity for one-direction base movement may be invalidated by the decrease in rigidity due to base movement in the opposite direction. In a sliding friction system with a friction inclined plane, both the (horizontally) resolved direct force and the (horizontally) resolved frictional force increase with displacement. Therefore, the work done by the frictional force is non-recoverable (dissipated energy), but the frictional force in one direction increases the work (compared to a frictionless inclined plane that is also clamped) and decreases it in the other direction (FIG. 33).

[0512] FIG. 334 shows the elastoplastic load-displacement curves of two 12-mm bending yield plates with a 200-mm cantilever span. The total elastoplastic displacement is equivalent to the plastic curvature (or hinge rotation) shown in FIG. 282.

[0513] FIG. 335 shows the same load-displacement curves, but with the load paths of a sliding friction device having a clamped inclined friction surface superimposed. The upper load-displacement path (increasing load) of the sliding friction system is the same as that of the bending yield plate. That is, it has the same elastic stiffness and the same resistance load for the same displacement.

[0514] FIG. 336 shows the same elastoplastic load curves for the yield plates of FIGS. 334 and 335, where the displacement is the elastoplastic displacement Δ of the yield plate totShows the elastic response load path of a sliding friction system that is the same as [the previous one]. To reach this displacement, the forces within the sliding friction system, the forces applied to any masses directly connected to the device, and the forces within the foundation supporting the sliding friction device can be 14 times those of the yield plate system.

[0515] Figure 337 shows a system similar to Figure 336. The same (wider) yield plate generates a higher yield force at the same yield displacement (8 mm) as the currently pretensioned sliding friction system.

[0516] Figure 338, similar to Figure 336, shows the load path of a pretensioned inclined plane sliding friction system when its displacement is equal to the elastoplastic displacement Δ tot of the yield plate. At this displacement, the forces within the sliding friction system are 11 times greater than those of the (similarly) bent yield plate. The difference between Figures 336 and 338 between the clamped friction inclined plane device and the bent yield plate is the same as the difference that occurs between the clamped friction inclined plane device and the previously described rotational friction unit that includes an elastic strain (e.g., a bent plate) elastic component and a separate frictional plastic component. The difference between the device with a clamped friction inclined plane and the above-described corrugated yield block with a frictionless clamped inclined plane and a clamped friction flat surface is also the same.

[0517] Figure 339 shows a similar case but for a high pretension force.

[0518] The equal displacement theory, which forms the basis of most seismic design criteria, states that for a given base motion input, the maximum displacement response in an elastic response system with a given natural frequency (i.e., a function of mass and stiffness) is the same as that in a yielding elastoplastic system that is weaker but has the same natural frequency. That is, similar to FIGS. 336, 338, and 339, for a given same base motion input, the maximum displacement of a flexural yielding plate system is the same as that of a sliding friction system having a clamped inclined friction surface. However, the forces that occur within the structure of which the yielding plate is a part and within its foundation are at least 1 / 10 of the forces that occur within the same structure in which an inclined sliding friction device could be a part.

[0519] That is, when resisting the same base motion input (i.e., the same earthquake motion), the forces within the structure comprising the rotational yielding unit and flexural yielding plate described herein, the forces within the foundation of the structure, and the response acceleration (dynamic force) of the mass it can support are 1 / 10 of those of the same structure with the same natural frequency that utilizes an elastic sliding friction device or any other elastic device having the same stiffness, but the peak response displacement of the structure is the same. This is due to the rotational yielding unit being able to withstand high post-elastic displacements and ductility while enduring the earthquake. This also applies to the rotational friction yielding unit and the corrugated friction yielding block (having a clamped inner inclined friction surface and a clamped friction flat surface) described herein when compared to any elastic device of the same stiffness.

[0520] As described above, the flexibility (elastic stiffness) of the bending yield plate (and the rotating unit) can be adjusted directly by changing the thickness and / or span of the yield plate or indirectly by introducing a secondary bending member or by both adjustments. The yield strength (elastic limit strength) and yield displacement of the bending yield plate can also be adjusted here by changing the span or thickness of the plate or by further changing the yield stress of the plate material (e.g., the type of steel) or by changing the width of the plate or the number of plates. Both the flexibility and the yield strength, which are elastic parameters of the yield plate, can be set relatively easily, in fact, in the same way as any other elastic system. This is shown in FIGS. 211 to 213, which are configured such that the flexibility and elastic strength of various bending yield plates substantially match those of a number of arbitrary elastic slip friction devices having the clamped friction inclined surfaces described above. However, as shown in the figures, the bending yield plates also have the capacity and ability to continue to displace up to at least 10 times their elastic displacement limits (i.e., yield displacements) beyond their elastic displacement limits while maintaining a certain resistance yield force (the same in each system). This means that a system with a bending yield plate and having the same elastic strength and stiffness as a friction inclined surface system can provide or generate an elastic strength equivalent to 10 times that of the inclined surface friction system while limiting and controlling the force within itself and any mass it can support seismically when resisting a base motion input. That is, the bending yield plate system can withstand a base motion input (i.e., an earthquake) that is (at least) 10 times the peak ground acceleration (PGA) of an inclined friction system or any other equivalent system having the same elastic strength and stiffness while maintaining a certain resistance yield force. Further, the bending yield plate system returns to its original state (i.e., remains elastic) when subjected to the same maximum base motion input that a device (e.g., an inclined friction surface) can withstand.

[0521] Further variations of the system 1000 (control structure) are shown in FIGS. 47-51. In these variations, an energy absorption system 1000 can be used to hold down the storage rack 3 and dissipate the racking energy during an earthquake. The energy absorption system 1000 utilizes restraint ties 300 to secure itself to the rack. These ties 300 are connected to a control structure (energy absorption system 100) that consists only of rotating units.

[0522] During an earthquake, the force transmitted through the ties 300 is a tensile force. A plurality of ties 300 can be attached to the rotating units. The rotating units are preferably provided in the middle of two ties 300. In an alternative embodiment, the locker 2000 is at the end of the rack and is attached to only a single tie 300.

[0523] The ties 300 have low elasticity and minimal deformation during an earthquake. The ties 300 are preferably metal cables. However, the ties 300 can also be braided wires or solid bars, etc. Materials and geometric shapes with sufficient strength to withstand tensile forces with small deformations can be used for the ties 300.

[0524] The bending member 100 (plate) is part of a yielding connector (rotating unit). The bending member 100 (plate) can bend with large elasto-plastic displacements. The absorption of energy through elastic and plastic deformations of the plate at a certain yield force of the plate reduces and limits the internal forces that can occur within the control structure (rotating unit) or any adjacent structure that it supports seismically. Therefore, both structures can withstand earthquake activity with limited damage to the replaceable yielding members (plates).

[0525] It is preferable that the variables of the rotating unit, and more specifically the bending member 100, do not change significantly after each cycle. Among the variables, it is important that the yield strength and elastic stiffness of the bending member 100 remain substantially the same. The bending member 100 preferably has 1) a stable and constant cyclic yield strength and 2) a stable and constant cyclic elastic stiffness.

[0526] The structural behavior of the yield plate (bending member 100) can be easily calculated or verified by a load test, so their performance can be accurately evaluated. As a result, the performance of the control structure and any adjacent structures it supports seismically can also be accurately evaluated. For example, rigidity, deflection and deformation, vulnerability, stress concentration, etc. during operation can be easily calculated. Thereby, the rotating unit can be specifically designed. Therefore, since the design is simpler, the analysis can be made more accurate.

[0527] As described above, the energy absorption system 1000 (control structure) of the present invention utilizes a bending member 100 whose material properties do not change significantly throughout the entire vibration force.

[0528] Figs. 49 to 51 are schematic views of the finite dimensions of the tie restraint control structure.

[0529] These control structures seismically support a rack structure or a general building structure that bears the load. Generally, the connection of these structures to the control structure is made via inclined tension cables or rods.

[0530] Fig. 49 shows the control structure (rotating unit) described above. The rotating unit is connected to a base member whose flexibility can be adjusted independently.

[0531] Fig. 50 shows the displaced form of Fig. 20A under the action of the tensile force in the tie.

[0532] Fig. 50 shows the displaced form in the case of a rigid (non-flexible) base.

[0533] Fig. 51 is the same, but shows the case where the displacement is larger in the same case and there is a flexible base member.

[0534] The base member is i) Reducing the fixed (anchor) force on the base generated by the moment couple within the rotating unit by means of a leverage centered on its central pivot via the base member; ii) Independently adjusting the natural elastic vibration frequency and force / displacement characteristics of any other structure it seismically supports together with the control structure; iii) Developing a two - layer ductility system as described in the drawings above; makes it possible.

[0535] In most cases, the control structure is in the middle of the two types 300 of the rack system. In an alternative embodiment, the tie anchor is at the end of the rack system and is attached to only one type 300 (not shown). The examples shown from Figure 47 onwards show the tie anchor located in the middle of the type 300.

[0536] The desirability of having two types 300 acting in opposite directions is due to the cyclic response of the restraint structure during an earthquake.

[0537] Generally, the tie is in the form of a cable or rod and can only bear tensile loads. Therefore, only one tie is always involved in the load transfer from the main structure to the energy absorption system 1000 (control structure). The reversal of loads and movements between the main structure and the ground results in switching of the tensile load in the tie, rotation of the system 1000, and yielding of the bending member 100 (plate). With only one type 300 tie, after deformation in one direction, the lackening during the next cycle causes slack in the type 300 tie due to the previous deformation. However, although one tie is less effective than two ties, having one tie at the end of the rack can be better than having no tie at the tie anchor.

[0538] In an alternative embodiment, the bending member 100 can be replaced with a hydraulic energy absorption member. This is used to absorb the energy of the lever. In this embodiment, the tie anchor converts the substantially lateral force of the tie into a force with a substantially circular distribution.

[0539] Further embodiments of the rocker frame are shown in FIGS. 52 and 53. Here, the frame can directly support the gravity load without relying on the bending member (plate) within the rotating unit and provides vertical stability. To mitigate the rocking when the frame returns to the vertical (original) position in each cycle under the additional effect of the gravity load (GR), a unidirectional compressive load damper is applied to the base of the column bearing the vertical gravity load.

[0540] The entire rocker 2000 is preferably substantially composed of metal. The rocker 2000 is even more preferably composed of steel. The rocker, rocker arm, upstand, and anchor are substantially hard and rigid so as not to yield during an earthquake. There are many options for the design to manufacture a rigid rocker frame.

[0541] When the foundation 4 is mentioned, it is assumed that the ground can be part of the floor or ceiling of the building or structure, beam or truss, or structure engaging the anti-locking system as described.

[0542] If all of these structures and systems described herein are symmetric, it is understood that the system remains effective when halved or doubled, etc. For example, the energy absorption system 1000 can have only one yielding connector 230 on one side of the pivot anchor 240.

[0543] Figures 340 to 346 show a variety of pivot-based control structures, within all of which a rotational yielding unit is located. The rotational yielding unit generates a certain resistance yielding force (torque) while the yielding plate within them bends periodically into high elastoplastic displacement. As described above, the certain resistance yielding force (torque) generated by the rotational unit is utilized by the lever arm and transmitted to the control structure, enabling the formation of a (overall) stable elastoplastic mechanism. This mechanism can displace into high-cycle elastoplastic displacement and high ductility while maintaining a certain resistance yielding force when resisting and enduring the base motion input from an earthquake.

[0544] Figure 340 shows the ALPHA1 control structure, which is composed of a pivot-based rocker frame, a push rod pinned on both sides, and a rotational yielding unit located at the base, all of which form a pivot-based control structure (or a pivot-based cantilever wall) in a vertical (tower) mode.

[0545] Figure 341 shows a control structure composed of a rigid vertical cord of the pivot base, a rocker frame in a horizontal (spanning) mode pivotally connected to the vertical cord, a push rod pinned on both sides, and a rotational yielding unit, all of which form a control structure of the pivot-based control structure in a moment frame mode.

[0546] Figure 342 shows a control structure composed of a pivot-based rocker frame, an outer cord of the pivot base (parallel to the cord of the rocker frame), a pinned motion control tie, and rotational yielding units distributed along between the rocker frame and the outer cord, all of which form a control structure of the pivot-based control structure.

[0547] Figure 342 shows the ALPHA2 rocker frame assembly. One part of the rotational unit is connected to the outer cords of two (each side) rigid pivot bases by a lever arm, and the other part is connected to a secondary bending member connected to the rocker frame. The pinned motion control tie connects the center line of the rocker frame and the center line of the outer cord.

[0548] Figure 343 shows a control structure composed of a pivot base vertical code, a rocker frame in a horizontal (spanning) mode pivotally connected to the vertical code, an outer code pin-connected to a vertical code (parallel to the code of the rocker frame), and a rotational yielding unit distributed along between the rocker frame and the outer code, all of which form a control structure of the pivot base.

[0549] Figure 344 shows a control structure composed of a pinned beam and column, a push rod pinned on both sides, and a rotational yielding unit forming an eccentrically braced frame of the pivot base.

[0550] Figures 345 and 346 show a control structure of a pivot base in the form of a shear wall composed of wall elements of the pivot base connected to a rotational yielding unit located and connected between walls by pinned operating ties, all of which form a control structure of the pivot base.

[0551] The characteristics specific and common to the yielding plate, rotational unit, and control structure include the following. 1) The yielding plate has specific boundary conditions that allow for an increase (or decrease) in the bending or deformation length of the plate while keeping its span distance (or the distance between anchors or supports) substantially constant (test attained) when the plate buckles into a highly elastoplastic displacement periodically. 2) Plastic yielding (plastic curvature) occurs only in specific and fixed regions of the plate, and the plate maintains elasticity (non-yielding) between the yielding regions or between the yielding region and the non-yielding reaction points (test attained). 3) The extent (area...

Claims

Claim 1 A control structure including a pivot-based rocker frame assembly, wherein at least one rotational yielding unit is positioned and distributed within the pivot-based rocker frame assembly, and the at least one rotational yielding unit can generate a certain resistance yielding force and / or torque when rotationally displaced, whereby the control structure can form an elastoplastic mechanism that can repeatedly displace or flow with high elastoplastic displacement and high ductility while maintaining a certain resistance yielding force, whereby the control structure can resist and withstand ground motion or base motion from an earthquake with a certain resistance yielding force, and thereby control and limit the forces generated within itself, control and limit the forces generated within the foundation supporting the control structure, and control and limit the response acceleration generated within the mass seismically supported by the control structure. Claim 2 The control structure can limit the forces generated within itself or within the structures to which they are connected and seismically supported, dissipate energy, and the rotational or rocking motion about the base pivot of at least one of the rocker frame assemblies located and distributed within the control structure distal to the base pivot causes two portions of at least one rotational force limiting and energy dissipating yielding unit to rotate relative to the first portion and the second portion of the at least one rotational yielding unit respectively, elastically or elastoplastically bending or displacing at least one bending member located and distributed within the rotational yielding unit, the at least one bending member being fixed at one of its end regions to the first portion of the at least one rotational yielding unit and at the opposite second end to the second portion of the at least one rotational yielding unit, and the region of the second end being configured with specific forms of i) free translation or ii) free translation and free rotation boundary conditions, such that the at least one bending member can bend and yield with high elastoplastic displacement and high ductility about its bending minor axis while maintaining a certain resistance yielding force. The control structure according to claim 1. Claim 3 The at least one bending member within the at least one rotational yielding unit is configured with boundary conditions of i) free translation or ii) free translation and free rotation, and while the at least one bending member bends with high elastoplastic displacement and high ductility, the length along the bending curve of the at least one bending member can freely increase or decrease between its reaction points and / or a horizontal reaction force can be generated at the reaction points or interface surfaces of the at least one bending member, and while the bending member bends with high elastoplastic displacement and plastic curvature, it can stably and repeatedly bend and yield about its bending minor axis, and bend-yield through at least one specific yielding region with a constant range and a constant plastic curvature, and the boundary conditions are such that no or no membrane force is generated within the at least one bending member while a constant resisting yielding force is maintained across the at least one bending member and within the at least one bending member and between the first part and the second part of the at least one rotational yielding unit, and the vector sum of the constant resisting yielding forces caused by elastoplastic bending in at least one bending member within the at least one rotational yielding unit generates a constant resisting yielding torque within the at least one rotational yielding unit, and the constant resisting yielding torque can be transmitted as a direct constant resisting yielding force through a lever arm integrated with the first part of the at least one rotational yielding unit, the control structure according to claim 2.

4. The control structure includes only a rotational yielding unit in which a yielding plate is located inside, and the yielding plate can bend with high elastoplastic displacement and high ductility and has specific free translation or free translation and rotation boundary conditions, and since the yielding plate can freely increase or decrease the length along its bending curve and / or generate a parallel reaction force at its reaction points or interface surfaces, the yielding plate and the rotational yielding unit can maintain a constant resisting yielding force and torque when they resist and withstand the base motion or ground motion input from an earthquake, and the rotational yielding unit is configured to be used as a seismic isolation unit located between the foundation of a building and its superstructure, the control structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The bending member within the rotational yielding unit is at least one yielding plate within one rotational yielding unit, the control structure according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. The bending member or yield plate is - a first anchor directly fixed to a first part of the rotary yielding unit, the first part of the rotary yielding unit being directly or indirectly fixed to a first structural member of the control structure, the first anchor; - a second anchor fixed to a second part of the rotary yielding unit, the second part of the rotary yielding unit being directly or indirectly fixed to a second structural member or foundation of the control structure or yield plate, the second anchor, and includes The bending member or yield plate has a first region located along the first anchor and the second anchor respectively, and a second region spaced apart from the first region. The first anchor fixes the first region to the first part of the rotary yielding unit so that the first region can move relative to the second region and the second part of the rotary yielding unit while the rocker frame assembly swings during an earthquake together with the first part of the rotary yielding unit. Specific boundary conditions enable the second region to translate or translate and rotate relative to the second anchor during the swing of the rocker frame assembly, so that the bending member can bend and yield while maintaining a stable constant yield force. The control structure according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

7. In one of the second regions, the bending member can translate or translate and rotate relative to its respective anchor, and in the other of the first region or the second region, the bending member is cantilevered relative to its respective anchor. The control structure according to claim 6.

8. Having a gear adjustment through an adjustable length of a lever arm of the rotary yielding unit, by which a direct constant resistance yielding force obtained from a constant resistance yielding torque generated by the rotary yielding unit, and thus the overall constant resistance force of the control structure can be directly adjusted. The control structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Integrated with the secondary bending member, the rotational yielding unit, and the elastic stiffness formed by the combination of the rotational yielding unit and the secondary bending member can generate or produce a certain resistance force levered therefrom, so that the elastic natural frequency of the control structure can be adjusted independently of the yield plate in the rotational yielding unit. The rotational yielding unit with a lever arm according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The bending plate in the rotational yielding unit or the lever arm of the rotational yielding unit has a displacement or rotation limiter that enables the development of a two-layer elastically deformable elastoplastic system. The rotational yielding unit with a secondary bending member according to claim 9.

11. Having a rotor plate and a lever arm, both of which are connected to a rocker structure by the same rotation axis, and having a specific joint therebetween. When it is repeatedly displaced, the lever arm connected to the rocker frame assembly can be connected - disconnected - reconnected to the rotor plate. As a result, when the control structure sways and / or shakes and withstands against ground motion input or base motion input, Only a single curvature buckling or mainly a single curvature buckling is generated or brought about in the yield plate of the rotational yielding unit. The rotational yielding unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A joint according to claim 11, which can connect - disconnect - reconnect two structural members or elements when they repeatedly respond to ground motion input.

13. The bending member of the rotational yielding unit is not directly fixed to the first part or the second part of the rotational yielding unit, but is located within a third part that pivotally connects the peripheral edge or edge of the first part of the rotational yielding unit, intermediate the first part and the second part, to the second part of the rotational yielding unit. The third part is a pivot rocker unit comprising sleeve guide push rods located around and distributed around the periphery of the rotational yielding unit. The first part of the rotational yielding unit includes a circular drum from which 1) an integrally formed lever arm extends and a pin / slot connects to a first or second structural member, and 2) a rigid impeller blade fixed around the circular drum and extending to an annular ring is the second part of the rotational yielding unit, concentric with the drum axis of the first part. The end of the impeller blade of the first part is connected to the annular ring of the second part via a rocker unit distributed around the periphery. The peripheral edge of the impeller blade is pin-connected to one end of the push rod of the rocker unit including the third part, and the other end of the rocker unit is connected to the second part of the rotational yielding unit and to the second or first structural member. The rotation of the first part of the rotational yielding unit relative to the second part, caused by the relative movement of the first and second structural members, causes the push rod of the rocker unit to elastically or elastically plastically displace the bending member within the rocker unit, and due to their specific free translation or free translation and rotation boundary conditions, generates a certain resistance yielding force, and thus generates a certain resistance torque about the centroidal axis of the rotational yielding unit, which is transmitted as a direct certain resistance yielding force within the control structure when it resists and withstands the base motion input. A rotational yielding unit that is part of a control structure according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The elastic resistance or elastic component with respect to the displacement of the rotational yielding unit is provided by a bending member that elastically displaces or bends and is located within the rotational yielding unit, or by a secondary bending member that is integrated with but external to the rotational yielding unit, or by a combination of an internal bending member and a secondary bending member. The plastic resistance, or post-elastic or plastic component, with respect to the displacement generated by the rotational yielding unit is not due to the plastic buckling and distortion of the bending plate, but rather is due to the frictional resistance with respect to the displacement of two or more clamped friction plates or blocks. Their contact surfaces are configured to slide, glide, or displace relative to each other with a shear force between predetermined planes or surfaces. The friction plates / blocks are also located within the rotational yielding unit, and the frictional resistance is constant when the surfaces are relatively displaced. While the control structure, of which the structural member and the rotational friction unit are a part, resists and endures the base motion input of an earthquake with a constant resistance force, both the torque generated by the rotational yielding unit and the force between the structural members connected by the rotational yielding unit are constant. A control structure comprising the rotational yielding unit according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. One or more lever arms and secondary bending members enable gear adjustment of the resistance and natural frequency of its control structure. The first part of the rotational yielding unit includes a circular plate having a centroid axis, from which an integrated rigid lever arm extends for pin connection with a first structural member. The first part has a continuous peripheral band, either raised or not raised, at its circular periphery. The second part of the rotational yielding unit, which is a circular plate, also has a continuous peripheral band, either raised or not raised, at its periphery and is connected to a second structural member. The first and second parts of the rotational yielding unit have an interface connected and joined by tension bolts within a connecting band or in adjacent slots with their raised or non-raised bands around them, providing a clamping force perpendicular to the contact surfaces of the two bands and an interface sliding resistance due to interface friction verified in known tests. The relative rotational movement between the first and second parts of the rotational yielding unit is tangential and perpendicular to their radii of rotation, requiring torque to generate opposing forces between the two clamped peripheral bands of the parts, capable of eliminating the threshold resistance to the sliding force along the band between the bands. The equal and opposite forces generated along the interface of the rotating band are constant, the torque response about the axis of rotation is also constant, and the resistance of the control structure of which the rotational yielding unit is a part is also constant when it resists and withstands the base dynamic input. A rotational yielding unit that is part of the control structure according to claim 14.

16. A racking or building restraint system having at least one diagonal tie to resist racking of a seismically supported structure attached to a foundation or base, wherein said at least one tie is attached to a part of a tie anchor from said racking or building, said tie anchor comprising or not comprising a pivot rocker frame assembly, a control structure or a rotational yielding unit according to any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising a force limiting and energy dissipating rotational unit, wherein one end region of a bending member is fixed to a first part of said rotational yielding unit by a first anchor within said force limiting and energy dissipating rotational unit, connected to said diagonal tie, and a spaced second end region of said bending member is connected to a second part of said rotational yielding unit directly or indirectly connected to a foundation or structural base with specific forms of free translation or free translation and rotation boundary conditions, at least one anchor region being configured to move laterally towards and away from the other anchor region, and at least one anchor region being configured to rotate about a rotational axis perpendicular to said lateral direction and parallel to the plane of said foundation or base, a racking or building restraint system.

17. An assembly for absorbing energy from a structure, the assembly including the control structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3 attached to a foundation that sways in a lateral plane from an earthquake, the assembly further including a rigid and elongated body configured to sway about a pivot anchor located at a first end of the body during the earthquake, the pivot anchor having a pivot axis perpendicular to the lateral plane and parallel to the foundation, and having a rotational yielding unit with a deformable yielding member spaced apart from the pivot anchor at least in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis, depending on the body, the rotational yielding unit connecting the body to one first member selected from the foundation, a vertical cord connected to the foundation, and a horizontal cord connected to the vertical cord connected to the foundation, the pivot anchor being configured and arranged to effect relative movement between the body and the first member during swaying of the body, and one or more selected from the body and the vertical cord being configured to engage or be integrated with the structure such that movement of the structure is transmitted to one or more selected from the body and the vertical cord.

18. A force limiting and dissipating rotary device for absorbing energy during operation between a first structural member and a second structural member, which is the control structure according to any one of claims 2 to 6, the device comprising: - a first part of a rotary device fixed to the first structural member; - a second part of a rotary device fixed to the second structural member; - a rotatable or pivotable connection between the first part of the rotary device and the second part of the rotary device; - an elastically deformable bending member having a first region along each of a first anchor and a second anchor and a second region spaced apart from the first region; including The first anchor connects a first region of the yielding member to a first part of the rotating device such that during an earthquake, the first region of the yielding member can move with the first part of the rotating device relative to a second region of the yielding member fixed to a second part of the rotating device by the second anchor. The second anchor enables the second region to translate freely or translate and rotate freely in a specific manner relative to the second anchor and the second part of the rotating device during the vibration movement of the first structural member relative to the second structural member, so that the yielding member can bend and yield while maintaining a stable and constant resistance yielding force, and no internal membrane force is generated within the elastically deformable bending member. A force-limiting and energy-dissipating rotating device.

19. A rotational force-limiting and energy-dissipating unit including a first part and a second part that are rotatably connected and have yielding elements located and distributed therein, wherein when the two parts are rotationally displaced relative to each other, they can generate a constant resistance yielding force or a constant resistance yielding torque, and the torque can be transmitted as a direct constant resistance yielding force via a lever arm integrated with the first part of the rotational force-limiting and energy-dissipating unit. A rotational force-limiting and energy-dissipating unit.

20. Including a first part and a second part that are rotatably connected and have a yielding member and a plate located and distributed therein. By the rotation of the first part of the rotational force-limiting and energy-dissipating unit relative to the second part, the yielding member is elastically or elasto-plastically bent or displaced. The yielding member is fixed to the first part of the rotational force-limiting and energy-dissipating unit at one end or a first end region, and is fixed to the second part of the rotational force-limiting and energy-dissipating unit at the opposite second end region. The second end region is configured with i) free translation or ii) free translation and free rotation boundary conditions, so that a constant resistance yielding force can be maintained while the plate bends and yields with high elasto-plastic displacement about its minor bending axis. The rotational force-limiting and energy-dissipating unit according to Claim 19.

21. The bending member or plate is configured with i) free translation or ii) free translation and free rotation boundary conditions such that during the high elastoplastic displacement and high ductility bending of the plate, the length along its bending curve can freely increase or decrease between its reaction points and / or horizontal reaction forces can be generated at its reaction points or interface surfaces, such that, i.e., the yielding member or plate can stably and repeatedly bend and yield about its bending minor axis, and during the high elastoplastic displacement and high ductility bending, it bends and yields through the yielding region in a specific yielding region where the range, i.e., the width and length, is constant and the plastic curvature is constant, i.e., arc-shaped, and the boundary conditions are such that no in-plane forces are generated or generated within the bending member or plate while a constant resistance yielding force is maintained across the plate and within the plate and between the first and second parts of the rotation force limiting and energy dissipation unit, and the vector sum of the constant resistance yielding forces generated by the elastically-plastically bending plate generates a constant resistance yielding torque within the rotation force limiting and energy dissipation unit, and the constant resistance yielding torque can be transmitted as a direct constant resistance yielding force through a lever arm integrated with the first part of the rotation force limiting and energy dissipation unit, the rotation force limiting and energy dissipation unit according to claim 20.

22. A pivotable sleeve guide rocker yielding unit including a spanning yield plate having specific boundary conditions and located and connected internally to a pivotable unit or casing, the yield plate being also connected to a push rod guided through a sleeve integrated with the casing of the pivotable sleeve guide rocker yielding unit, in response to base motion input from an earthquake, the pivotable sleeve guide rocker unit pivots, and while the yield plate bends with high elastoplastic displacement and high ductility, the pivotable sleeve guide rocker yielding unit maintains both the orthogonal connection between the push rod and the yield plate and the axial alignment between the push rod and a pin or pivot of the pivotable sleeve guide rocker yielding unit, the yield plate maintaining a constant resistive yield force across and within itself and between the push rod and the pivot of the rocker unit, the opposite or distal end of the push rod being pin-connected to a first part or a first structural member of a rotating unit, and the pivotable sleeve guide rocker yielding unit being pin- or pivot-connected to a second part or a second structural member of the rotating unit.

23. A planar friction yielding block including a spanning yield plate providing an elastic component of the unit is located internally, and the pivotable sleeve guide rocker yielding unit maintains axial alignment between the push rod and the friction block to which it is connected and aligned, axial alignment of the push rod, the friction block and the pivot of the rocker unit, and orthogonal axial alignment between the push rod and the friction block orthogonal to the spanning yield plate, with displacement. The pivotable sleeve guide rocker yielding unit according to claim 22.

24. An elongate corrugated friction yielding block composed of laterally clamped corrugated plates or blocks having both inclined and flat contact surfaces is located internally, the inclined contact surface being frictionless or a roller surface, providing an elastic component of resistance to displacement of the block with relative displacement, the flat contact surface being frictional, providing a separate plastic component of resistance to displacement of the block with relative displacement, the frictional resistance to displacement of the flat frictional contact surface being a constant resistance force, and the rocker unit maintaining alignment along the axis of the push rod, the axis of the connected corrugated block, and the pivot of the rocker unit, the pivotable sleeve guide rocker yielding unit according to claim 22.

25. The pivotable sleeve guide rocker yielding unit according to claim 22, wherein a shear yielding block providing a constant resistance yielding force against shear displacement is located internally.

26. The assembly according to claim 17, wherein the first member includes a structural base or foundation or the first member includes a cord pivotally connected to a structural base or foundation, and the rotational yielding unit is directly or indirectly connected between the rocker frame assembly and the first member.

27. The assembly according to claim 17, wherein the rotational yielding unit is connected between the rocker frame assembly and a further structural member, the further structural member being pivotally connected to the first member.

28. The assembly according to claim 27, wherein the first member and the further structural member include cords.

29. The assembly according to claim 17, wherein the rocker frame assembly includes a vertical aspect, and the first member includes a horizontal structural base or foundation or the first member includes a vertical cord pivotally connected to a horizontal structural base or foundation.

30. The assembly according to claim 17, wherein the rocker frame assembly has a horizontal aspect and each end is pivotally connected to a vertical cord pivotally connected to a horizontal base or foundation.

31. The first member includes a cord pivotally connected to a structural base or foundation, the rotational yielding unit being directly or indirectly connected between the locker frame assembly and the first member, the cord being outside, in the same plane as, spaced from, parallel to, and connected to the locker frame assembly, the cord of the locker frame assembly, or other pivotable cord or sheet, the rotational yielding unit comprising a bending member being between the cords, located along the cords, connecting the cords, and during displacement of the control structure, the operating control tie maintains the cords in parallel, and the interlayer displacement between the cords along the cords is resisted by a constant interlayer shear force generated by the flexural yielding of the bending member within the rotational yielding unit, the assembly of claim 17.

Images