Steel damper

Abstract

To provide a steel damper which can sufficiently attenuate earthquake energy at the occurrence of an earthquake, can easily confirm a degree of elastic deformation, and can properly determine whether or not the damper is in a state capable of exerting a vibration control function.SOLUTION: A steel damper 10A is formed of first and second connection panels 11, 12, and a damper panel 13a extending between the connection panels 11, 12. The damper panel 13a has a first front-recessed curved face part to a fourth front-recessed curved face part 23a to 23d which are recessed toward a rear face from a front face, and extending in a circular shape in a center region of the front face while drawing a circular arc with a prescribed curvature radius toward a center, and a first rear-recessed curved face part to a fourth rear-recessed curved face part 25a to 25d which are recessed toward the front face from the rear face, and extending in a circular shape in a center region of the rear face while drawing a circular arc with a prescribed curvature radius toward a center, and at the occurrence of an earthquake, the first front-recessed curved face part to the fourth front-recessed curved face part 23a to 23d and the first rear-recessed curved face part to the fourth rear-recessed curved face part 25a to 25d are elastically deformed, thus exerting a vibration control function.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steel damper that exhibits a vibration-damping function by plastically deforming a damper panel when vibrations occur due to an earthquake or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] A support structure for a fixed bearing in a bridge is disclosed (see Patent Document 1), which is formed from a movable bearing installed between the upper and lower structures to support the vertical load of the superstructure, and a displacement restraint device installed between the upper and lower structures in combination with the movable bearing to restrain horizontal displacement of the superstructure and allow the movable bearing to function as a fixed bearing, the displacement restraint device comprising a steel damper made of low yield point steel installed on one of the upper and lower structures, and a pair of stoppers installed on the other of the upper and lower structures that are always in contact with both ends of the steel damper to fix the damper between the upper and lower structures.

[0003] The steel dampers used in this support structure are made from H-shaped steel and consist of a panel-shaped web of a specified thickness and a pair of flanges connected to both sides of the web to prevent deformation of the web. When an earthquake occurs and a horizontal load acts on it, the steel dampers undergo plastic deformation to exert their seismic control function, but because the web and flanges are difficult to plastically deform, they are unable to sufficiently attenuate vibration energy (earthquake energy) when vibrations caused by earthquakes, etc. occur.

[0004] In order to solve the problems of the steel damper disclosed in Patent Document 1, an improved variable thickness shear panel type control device for bridges made of low yield point steel has been disclosed (see Patent Document 2). This variable thickness shear panel type control device for bridges comprises a lower connecting section that is connected to the part of the bridge substructure that faces the bridge superstructure, an upper connecting section that is connected to the part of the bridge superstructure that faces the bridge substructure, a plastic deformation section that connects the lower connecting section and the upper connecting section, and curved recesses that are circular in front view and have an increasing recession amount toward the center that are recessed on both the front and back sides of the plastic deformation section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3755886 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-179950 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the variable thickness shear panel-type bridge control device disclosed in Patent Document 2, when an earthquake occurs and a horizontal load acts on it, the plastic deformation portion undergoes plastic deformation, providing a seismic control function and attenuating seismic energy during the earthquake. If the plastic deformation portion undergoes plastic deformation during an earthquake, the variable thickness shear panel-type bridge control device is replaced, but it is difficult to determine the degree of deformation of the plastic deformation portion, making it impossible to accurately determine whether the device is still in a state where it can perform its seismic control function. This can lead to missing the appropriate time to replace a panel-type control device that has lost its seismic control function. Furthermore, there are cases where the device is replaced even though it is still in a state where it can perform its seismic control function, resulting in the variable thickness shear panel-type bridge control device being wasted.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a steel damper that can adequately attenuate vibration energy (earthquake energy) when vibration occurs due to an earthquake or the like by reliably plastically deforming the damper panel when vibration occurs, thereby minimizing deformation and damage to buildings due to vibration, and that allows the degree of plastic deformation to be easily confirmed, making it possible to accurately determine whether the damper is in a state where it can perform its seismic control function. Another object of the present invention is to provide a steel damper that can accurately determine whether it should be continued to be used or replaced after vibration occurs due to an earthquake or the like, preventing unnecessary replacement and preventing wasteful disposal, as well as preventing a delay in the replacement period for a damper that has lost its seismic control function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The premise of the present invention to solve the above problem is a steel damper formed from a first connecting panel having a predetermined thickness, a second connecting panel having a predetermined thickness and located on the opposite side of the first connecting panel, and a damper panel having a predetermined thickness and extending between the first and second connecting panels, and which exhibits a seismic control function when vibration occurs by plastic deformation of the damper panel.

[0009] The feature of the present invention based on the above premise is that the damper panel has a front concave area molded in a central region of its front surface and recessed from the front surface toward the rear surface of the damper panel, and a rear concave area molded in a central region of the rear surface and recessed from the rear surface toward the front surface, the front concave area having first to nth front concave portions whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from its outer peripheral edge toward the center and form an arc in the central region of the front surface, and the rear concave area having first to nth rear concave portions whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from its outer peripheral edge toward the center and form an arc in the central region of the rear surface.

[0010] As one example of the present invention, the first to n-th front concave surface portions are first to n-th front concave curved surface portions that are concave from the front surface toward the rear surface, and arc toward the center with a predetermined radius of curvature, and are shaped to be circular, elliptical, or oval in the central region of the front surface; and the first to n-th rear concave surface portions are concave from the rear surface toward the front surface, and arc toward the center with a predetermined radius of curvature, and are shaped to be circular, elliptical, or oval in the central region of the rear surface. The first to nth rear concave curved surface portions are formed into a rectangular or oval shape, and in the steel damper, the first to nth front concave curved surface portions and the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-back direction of the damper panel, with the thickness dimension of the damper panel being largest between the first front concave curved surface portion and the first rear concave curved surface portion, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel being smallest between the nth front concave curved surface portion and the nth rear concave curved surface portion.

[0011] In another example of the present invention, the radial width dimensions of the first to nth anterior concave curved surface portions extending in a circular, elliptical or oval shape in the central region of the front surface are the same for the first to nth anterior concave curved surface portions, or are random for the first to nth anterior concave curved surface portions, or are gradually smaller from the first anterior concave curved surface portion to the nth anterior concave curved surface portion, or are gradually larger from the first anterior concave curved surface portion to the nth anterior concave curved surface portion. The radial width dimensions of the first to nth posterior concave curved surface portions, which extend in a circular, elliptical or oval shape in the central region of the posterior surface, are uniform from the first to nth posterior concave curved surface portions or random from the first to nth posterior concave curved surface portions, or gradually decrease from the first posterior concave curved surface portion to the nth posterior concave curved surface portion, or gradually increase from the first posterior concave curved surface portion to the nth posterior concave curved surface portion.

[0012] In another example of the present invention, the first to n-th front concave surface portions are first to n-th front concave flat surface portions that are concave from the front surface toward the rear surface and are formed in a circular, elliptical or oval shape in the central region of the front surface while being parallel to the front surface of the damper panel excluding the first to n-th front concave surface portions, and the first to n-th rear concave surface portions are concave from the rear surface toward the front surface and are formed in a circular, elliptical or oval shape in the central region of the rear surface while being parallel to the rear surface of the damper panel excluding the first to n-th rear concave surface portions. The first to nth rear concave flat surface portions are formed in a circular, elliptical or oval shape, and in the steel damper, the first to nth front concave flat surface portions and the first to nth rear concave flat surface portions have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-back direction of the damper panel, with the thickness dimension of the damper panel being largest between the first front concave flat surface portion and the first rear concave flat surface portion, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel being smallest between the nth front concave flat surface portion and the nth rear concave flat surface portion.

[0013] In another example of the present invention, the radial width dimensions of the first to nth front concave flat surface portions extending in a circular, elliptical or oval shape in the central region of the front surface are the same for the first to nth front concave flat surface portions, or are random for the first to nth front concave flat surface portions, or are gradually smaller from the first front concave flat surface portion to the nth front concave flat surface portion, or are gradually larger from the first front concave flat surface portion to the nth front concave flat surface portion. The radial width dimensions of the first to nth rear concave flat surface portions, which extend in a circular, elliptical or oval shape in the central region of the rear surface, are the same from the first to nth rear concave flat surface portions, or are random from the first to nth rear concave flat surface portions, or are gradually smaller from the first rear concave flat surface portion to the nth rear concave flat surface portion, or are gradually larger from the first rear concave flat surface portion to the nth rear concave flat surface portion.

[0014] In another example of the present invention, the first to n-th front concave surface portions are first to n-th front concave slope portions that are recessed from the front surface toward the rear surface, and slope downward from the outer periphery toward the center, and are formed into a circular, elliptical, or oval shape in the central region of the front surface; and the first to n-th rear concave surface portions are recessed from the rear surface toward the front surface, and slope downward from the outer periphery toward the center, and are formed into a circular, elliptical, or oval shape in the central region of the rear surface. The first to nth rear concave sloped portions are shaped into an oval or oval shape, and in the steel damper, the first to nth front concave sloped portions and the first to nth rear concave sloped portions are the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-back direction of the damper panel, with the thickness dimension of the damper panel being largest between the first front concave sloped portion and the first rear concave sloped portion, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel being smallest between the nth front concave sloped portion and the nth rear concave flat sloped portion.

[0015] In another example of the present invention, the radial width dimensions of the first to n-th front concave slopes extending in a circular, elliptical or oval shape in the central region of the front surface are the same for the first to n-th front concave slopes, or are random for the first to n-th front concave slopes, or are gradually smaller from the first to n-th front concave slopes, or are gradually larger from the first to n-th front concave slopes. The radial width dimensions of the first to nth rear concave slope portions, which extend in a circular, elliptical or oval shape in the central region of the rear surface, are the same from the first to nth rear concave slope portions or are random from the first to nth rear concave slope portions, or are gradually smaller from the first rear concave slope portion to the nth rear concave slope portion, or are gradually larger from the first rear concave slope portion to the nth rear concave slope portion.

[0016] In another example of the present invention, a first connecting panel is connected by a predetermined connecting means to the free end of a first mounting member extending from a first structural member that constitutes a building, a second connecting panel is connected by a predetermined connecting means to the free end of a second mounting member extending from a second structural member that constitutes the building and is opposite the first structural member in the vertical or width direction, and a damper panel is located in the space between the free end of the first mounting member and the free end of the second mounting member that are spaced apart in the vertical or width direction.

[0017] In another example of the present invention, a first connecting panel is connected by a predetermined connecting means to opposing sides of a first mounting member extending between a first structural member that constitutes a building and a second structural member that is spaced apart in the vertical direction from the first structural member, a second connecting panel is connected by a predetermined connecting means to opposing sides of a second mounting member that extends between the first structural member and the second structural member and is spaced apart in the width direction from the first mounting member, and a damper panel is located in the space between the opposing sides of the first mounting member and the opposing sides of the second mounting member that are spaced apart in the width direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The steel damper according to the present invention has a front concave area formed in a central region on the front surface of the damper panel and recessed from the front surface toward the rear surface of the damper panel, and a rear concave area formed in a central region on the rear surface of the damper panel and recessed from the rear surface toward the front surface of the damper panel, the front concave area has first to n-th front concave portions whose recess dimension increases stepwise from its outer periphery toward the center and forms an arc in the central region of the front surface, and the rear concave area has first to n-th rear concave portions whose recess dimension increases stepwise from its outer periphery toward the center and forms an arc in the central region of the rear surface. Therefore, when an external force acting during vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper as a shear force, an axial force, or a bending moment, the first to n-th front concave portions of the damper panel are gradually increased. The front concave portion and the first to nth rear concave portions undergo reliable plastic deformation, allowing the damper panel of the steel damper to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The vibration energy (earthquake energy) can be sufficiently attenuated by utilizing the plastic deformation of the first to nth front concave portions and the first to nth rear concave portions. Not only this, but also the deformation and damage to the building caused by vibration (earthquake) can be minimized.By forming the first to nth front concave portions and the first to nth rear concave portions on the damper panel, it is possible to easily find plastic deformation such as distortion, warping, bending, breakage, and damage that occurs in the front concave portions and rear concave portions after vibration due to an earthquake, etc., and the degree of deformation of the front concave portions and rear concave portions can be easily confirmed. With steel dampers, the degree of deformation of the first to nth front concave portions and the first to nth rear concave portions that have undergone plastic deformation after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like can be easily confirmed, making it possible to accurately determine whether or not the damper is in a state where it can perform its seismic control function, and to predict the energy absorption capacity of the panel damper until the end of its lifespan.This makes it possible to determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the panel damper against repeated earthquakes, and prevents unnecessary replacement, preventing unnecessary disposal and preventing delays in the replacement period of steel dampers that have lost their seismic control function.

[0019] In the case of a steel damper, when both side edges extending between the first and second connecting panels of the damper panel are constricted in an arc toward the center of the damper panel, the external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment) acting when vibrations due to earthquakes, etc. occur will not be concentrated at a specific point on both side edges of the damper panel, but the external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment) will be transmitted evenly to both constricted side edges of the damper panel and will be transmitted from both side edges of the damper panel to the first front concave portion to the nth front concave portion. The vibration energy (earthquake energy) is transmitted evenly to the concave portion and the first rear concave portion to the nth rear concave portion, and the first front concave portion to the nth front concave portion and the first rear concave portion to the nth rear concave portion are reliably plastically deformed, allowing the steel damper to efficiently absorb the vibration energy (earthquake energy).The vibration energy (earthquake energy) can be sufficiently attenuated by utilizing the plastic deformation of the first front concave portion to the nth front concave portion and the first rear concave portion to the nth rear concave portion, and deformation and damage to the building due to vibration (earthquake) can be minimized.

[0020] The first to n-th front concave curved surface portions are first to n-th front concave curved surface portions that are concave from the front surface toward the rear surface of the damper panel, and arc at a predetermined radius of curvature toward the center, and are formed into a circular, elliptical, or oval shape in the central region of the front surface; and the first to n-th rear concave curved surface portions are first to n-th rear concave curved surface portions that are concave from the rear surface of the damper panel toward the front surface, and arc at a predetermined radius of curvature toward the center, and are formed into a circular, elliptical, or oval shape in the central region of the rear surface. In a steel damper, the first to n-th front concave curved surface portions and the first to n-th rear concave curved surface portions are the same in shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-back direction of the damper panel, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel between the first front concave curved surface portion and the first rear concave curved surface portion is the largest, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel between the n-th front concave curved surface portion and the n-th rear concave curved surface portion is the smallest. When an external force acting during vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper as a shear force, axial force, or bending moment, the steel damper The first to n-th front concave curved surface portions and the first to n-th rear concave curved surface portions, which are the same shape and size, arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction, and formed into a circular, elliptical, or oval shape, are uniformly and reliably plastically deformed by external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment), and vibration energy (earthquake energy) can be efficiently absorbed by the damper panel of the steel damper, and vibration energy (earthquake energy) can be efficiently absorbed by utilizing the plastic deformation of the first to n-th front concave curved surface portions and the first to n-th rear concave curved surface portions. Not only can it sufficiently attenuate the vibrations (energy) and minimize deformation and damage to buildings due to vibrations (earthquakes), but by forming the first to nth front concave curved surface portions and the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions on the damper panel, it is possible to easily find plastic deformation such as distortion, warping, bending, breakage, and damage that occurs in these front concave curved surface portions and rear concave curved surface portions after vibrations due to an earthquake, etc., are generated, and the degree of deformation of these front concave curved surface portions and rear concave curved surface portions can be easily confirmed.With steel dampers, the degree of deformation of the first to nth front concave curved surface portions and the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions that have undergone plastic deformation after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like can be easily confirmed, making it possible to accurately determine whether or not the damper is in a state where it can exert its seismic control function, and to predict the energy absorption capacity of the panel damper until the end of its lifespan.This makes it possible to determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the panel damper against repeated earthquakes, and prevents unnecessary replacement, preventing unnecessary disposal and preventing delays in the replacement period of steel dampers that have lost their seismic control function.

[0021] The radial width dimensions of the first to nth front concave curved surface portions, which extend in a circular, elliptical or oval shape in the central region of the front surface of the damper panel, are the same from the first to nth front concave curved surface portions, or are random from the first to nth front concave curved surface portions, or are gradually smaller from the first front concave curved surface portion to the nth front concave curved surface portion, or are gradually larger from the first front concave curved surface portion to the nth front concave curved surface portion, A steel damper in which the radial width dimensions of the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions extending in a circular, elliptical or oval shape in the central region of the rear surface of the panel are the same for the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions, or are random for the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions, or are gradually smaller from the first rear concave curved surface portion to the nth rear concave curved surface portion, or are gradually larger from the first rear concave curved surface portion to the nth rear concave curved surface portion, is When the width dimensions in the direction are the same for the first front concave curved surface portion to the nth front concave curved surface portion and the same for the first rear concave curved surface portion to the nth rear concave curved surface portion, there will be no difference in the ease of plastic deformation due to the width dimension, and when external forces acting during vibrations due to earthquakes, etc. are transmitted to the steel damper as shear forces, axial forces, or bending moments, the first front concave curved surface portion to the nth front concave curved surface portion and the first rear concave curved surface portion to the nth rear concave curved surface portion, which are shaped into a circular, elliptical, or oval shape, of the damper panel, will reliably undergo plastic deformity due to the external forces (shear forces, axial forces, bending moments), allowing the damper panel of the steel damper to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The plastic deformation of the first front concave curved surface portion to the nth front concave curved surface portion and the first rear concave curved surface portion to the nth rear concave curved surface portion can be used to sufficiently attenuate the vibration energy (earthquake energy), minimizing deformation and damage to buildings caused by earthquakes.In the case where the radial width dimension of the steel damper is random (the width dimension can be arbitrarily set) in the first front concave curved surface portion to the nth front concave curved surface portion and random (the width dimension can be arbitrarily set) in the first rear concave curved surface portion to the nth rear concave curved surface portion, by arbitrarily setting the width dimension, it is possible to set a concave curved surface portion that is easy to elastically deform in any of the first front concave curved surface portion to the nth front concave curved surface portion or the first rear concave curved surface portion to the nth rear concave curved surface portion, and when an external force acting during vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper as a shear force, axial force, or bending moment, the circular or The first to nth front concave curved surface portions and the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions, which are shaped like an oval or ellipse, undergo plastic deformation as set by external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment), allowing the damper panel of the steel damper to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The plastic deformation of the first to nth front concave curved surface portions and the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions can be used to sufficiently attenuate vibration energy (earthquake energy), minimizing deformation and damage to buildings caused by earthquakes. In the case where the radial width dimension of a steel damper gradually decreases from the first front concave curved surface portion or the first rear concave curved surface portion toward the nth front concave curved surface portion or the nth rear concave curved surface portion, many of the front concave curved surface portions and rear concave curved surface portions are formed in the center of the damper panel, which is most susceptible to plastic deformation. When an external force acting upon vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper as a shear force, axial force, or bending moment, the first front concave curved surface portion to the nth front concave curved surface portion and the first rear concave curved surface portion, which are formed in a circular, elliptical, or oval shape, of the damper panel, are deformed. The rear concave curved surface portion to the nth rear concave curved surface portion undergo uniform and reliable plastic deformation due to external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment), allowing the damper panel of the steel damper to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The plastic deformation of the first front concave curved surface portion to the nth front concave curved surface portion and the first rear concave curved surface portion to the nth rear concave curved surface portion can be used to sufficiently attenuate vibration energy (earthquake energy), minimizing deformation and damage to buildings caused by earthquakes.In the case where the radial width dimension of the steel damper gradually increases from the first front concave curved surface portion or the first rear concave curved surface portion toward the nth front concave curved surface portion or the nth rear concave curved surface portion, the plastic deformation durability of the front concave curved surface portion or the rear concave curved surface portion toward the center of the damper panel can be increased, and when an external force acting upon vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper as a shear force, axial force, or bending moment, the first front concave curved surface portion to the nth front concave curved surface portion or the first front concave curved surface portion formed in a circular, elliptical, or oval shape of the damper panel can be increased. The rear concave curved portion to the nth rear concave curved portion are reliably plastically deformed from one of the concave curved portions by external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment), allowing the damper panel of the steel damper to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The plastic deformation of the first front concave curved portion to the nth front concave curved portion and the first rear concave curved portion to the nth rear concave curved portion can be used to sufficiently attenuate vibration energy (earthquake energy), minimizing deformation and damage to buildings caused by earthquakes. With steel dampers, the degree of deformation of the first to nth front concave curved surface portions and the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions that have undergone plastic deformation after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like can be easily confirmed, making it possible to accurately determine whether or not the damper is in a state where it can exert its seismic control function, and to predict the energy absorption capacity of the panel damper until the end of its lifespan.This makes it possible to determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the panel damper against repeated earthquakes, and prevents unnecessary replacement, preventing unnecessary disposal and preventing delays in the replacement period of steel dampers that have lost their seismic control function.

[0022] The first to n-th front concave surface portions are first to n-th front concave flat surface portions that are concave from the front surface of the damper panel toward the rear surface, and are formed in a circular, elliptical, or oval shape in the central region of the front surface while being parallel to the front surface of the damper panel excluding the first to n-th front concave surface portions, and the first to n-th rear concave surface portions are first to n-th rear concave surface portions that are concave from the rear surface of the damper panel toward the front surface, and are formed in a circular, elliptical, or oval shape in the central region of the rear surface while being parallel to the rear surface of the damper panel excluding the first to n-th rear concave surface portions. A steel damper having a rear concave flat surface portion to an n-th rear concave flat surface portion, the first front concave flat surface portion to the n-th front concave flat surface portion and the first rear concave flat surface portion to the n-th rear concave flat surface portion being the same shape and size as one another and arranged symmetrically in the front-to-back direction of the damper panel, the thickness dimension of the damper panel between the first front concave flat surface portion and the first rear concave flat surface portion being the largest, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel between the n-th front concave flat surface portion and the n-th rear concave flat surface portion being the smallest, when an external force is transmitted to the steel damper as a shear force, an axial force, or a bending moment during vibration due to an earthquake or the like, the damper The first to nth front concave flat surface portions and the first to nth rear concave flat surface portions of the panel, which are the same shape and size, arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction, and formed into a circular, elliptical, or oval shape, are uniformly and reliably plastically deformed by external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment), allowing the damper panel of the steel damper to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy), and the vibration energy (earthquake energy) is efficiently absorbed by utilizing the plastic deformation of the first to nth front concave flat surface portions and the first to nth rear concave flat surface portions. Not only can it sufficiently attenuate the vibration (earthquake energy) and minimize deformation and damage to buildings caused by vibrations (earthquakes), but by forming the first front concave flat surface portion to the nth front concave flat surface portion and the first rear concave flat surface portion to the nth rear concave flat surface portion on the damper panel, it is possible to easily find plastic deformation such as distortion, warping, bending, breakage, and damage that occurs in those front concave flat surface portions and those rear concave flat surface portions after vibrations caused by an earthquake, etc., and it is possible to easily confirm the degree of deformation of those front concave flat surface portions and those rear concave flat surface portions.Since the degree of deformation of the first to nth front concave flat surface portions and the first to nth rear concave flat surface portions of steel dampers that have undergone plastic deformation after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like can be easily confirmed, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the dampers are in a state where they can perform their seismic control function, and it is also possible to predict the energy absorption capacity of the panel dampers until the end of their lifespan, making it possible to determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the panel dampers against repeated earthquakes.This means that dampers will not be replaced unnecessarily, preventing unnecessary disposal and preventing delays in the replacement period of steel dampers that have lost their seismic control function.

[0023] The radial width dimensions of the first to nth front concave flat surface portions, which extend in a circular, elliptical or oval shape in the central region of the front surface of the damper panel, are the same for the first to nth front concave flat surface portions, or are random for the first to nth front concave flat surface portions, or are gradually smaller from the first front concave flat surface portion to the nth front concave flat surface portion, or are gradually larger from the first front concave flat surface portion to the nth front concave flat surface portion, A steel damper in which the radial width dimensions of the first to nth rear concave flat surface portions, which extend in a circular, elliptical or oval shape in the central region of the rear surface of the panel, are the same from the first to nth rear concave flat surface portions, or are random from the first to nth rear concave flat surface portions, or are gradually smaller from the first rear concave flat surface portion to the nth rear concave flat surface portion, or are gradually larger from the first rear concave flat surface portion to the nth rear concave flat surface portion. When the radial width dimensions are the same for the first front concave flat surface portion to the nth front concave flat surface portion and the same for the first rear concave flat surface portion to the nth rear concave flat surface portion, there is no difference in the ease of plastic deformation due to the width dimension, and when an external force acting during vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper as shear force, axial force, or bending moment, the first front concave flat surface portion to the nth front concave flat surface portion and the first rear concave flat surface portion to the nth rear concave flat surface portion, which are shaped into a circular, elliptical, or oval shape, of the damper panel, are reliably plastically deformed by the external force (shear force, axial force, bending moment), allowing the damper panel of the steel damper to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The plastic deformation of the first front concave flat surface portion to the nth front concave flat surface portion and the first rear concave flat surface portion to the nth rear concave flat surface portion can be used to sufficiently attenuate the vibration energy (earthquake energy), minimizing deformation and damage to buildings caused by earthquakes.In the case where the radial width dimension of the steel damper is random (the width dimension can be arbitrarily set) for the first front concave flat surface portion to the nth front concave flat surface portion and random (the width dimension can be arbitrarily set) for the first rear concave flat surface portion to the nth rear concave flat surface portion, by arbitrarily setting the width dimension, it is possible to set a concave flat surface portion that is easy to elastically deform to any of the first front concave flat surface portion to the nth front concave flat surface portion or the first rear concave flat surface portion to the nth rear concave flat surface portion, and when an external force acting during vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper as a shear force, axial force, or bending moment, the circular shape of the damper panel Alternatively, the first to nth front concave flat surface portions and the first to nth rear concave flat surface portions, which are shaped into an oval or oval shape, undergo plastic deformation as set by external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment), allowing the damper panel of the steel damper to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The plastic deformation of the first to nth front concave flat surface portions and the first to nth rear concave flat surface portions can be used to sufficiently attenuate vibration energy (earthquake energy), minimizing deformation and damage to buildings caused by earthquakes. In the case where the radial width dimension of a steel damper gradually decreases from the first front concave flat surface portion or the first rear concave flat surface portion toward the nth front concave flat surface portion or the nth rear concave flat surface portion, many of the front concave flat surface portions and rear concave flat surface portions are formed in the center of the damper panel, which is most susceptible to plastic deformation, and when an external force acting during vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper as a shear force, axial force, or bending moment, the first front concave flat surface portion to the nth front concave flat surface portion and the nth rear concave flat surface portion, which are formed in a circular, elliptical, or oval shape, of the damper panel, are deformed. The 1st to nth rear concave flat surface portions undergo uniform and reliable plastic deformation due to external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment), allowing the damper panel of the steel damper to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The plastic deformation of the 1st to nth front concave flat surface portions and the 1st to nth rear concave flat surface portions can be used to sufficiently attenuate vibration energy (earthquake energy), minimizing deformation and damage to buildings caused by earthquakes.When the radial width dimension of the steel damper gradually increases from the first front concave flat surface portion or the first rear concave flat surface portion toward the nth front concave flat surface portion or the nth rear concave flat surface portion, the plastic deformation durability of the front concave flat surface portion or the rear concave flat surface portion toward the center of the damper panel can be increased, and when an external force acting during vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper as a shear force, axial force, or bending moment, the first front concave flat surface portion to the nth front concave flat surface portion or the nth front concave flat surface portion, which are formed into a circular, elliptical, or oval shape, of the damper panel, can be increased. The 1st rear concave flat surface portion to the nth rear concave flat surface portion are reliably plastically deformed from one of the concave flat surface portions by external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment), allowing the damper panel of the steel damper to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The plastic deformation of the 1st front concave flat surface portion to the nth front concave flat surface portion and the 1st rear concave flat surface portion to the nth rear concave flat surface portion can be used to sufficiently attenuate vibration energy (earthquake energy), minimizing deformation and damage to buildings caused by earthquakes. Since the degree of deformation of the first to nth front concave flat surface portions and the first to nth rear concave flat surface portions of steel dampers that have undergone plastic deformation after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like can be easily confirmed, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the dampers are in a state where they can perform their seismic control function, and it is also possible to predict the energy absorption capacity of the panel dampers until the end of their lifespan, making it possible to determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the panel dampers against repeated earthquakes.This means that dampers will not be replaced unnecessarily, preventing unnecessary disposal and preventing delays in the replacement period of steel dampers that have lost their seismic control function.

[0024] The first to n-th front concave sloped portions are formed from the front surface of the damper panel toward the rear surface, and are inclined downward from the outer periphery toward the center, and are shaped like a circle, an ellipse, or an oval in the central region of the front surface. The first to n-th rear concave sloped portions are formed from the rear surface of the damper panel toward the front surface, and are inclined downward from the outer periphery toward the center, and are shaped like a circle, an ellipse, or an oval in the central region of the rear surface. In a steel damper having a sloped surface, in which the first front concave sloped surface portion to the nth front concave sloped surface portion and the first rear concave sloped surface portion to the nth rear concave sloped surface portion are the same in shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel between the first front concave sloped surface portion and the first rear concave sloped surface portion is the largest, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel between the nth front concave sloped surface portion and the nth rear concave sloped surface portion is the smallest, when an external force is transmitted to the steel damper as a shear force, axial force, or bending moment during vibration due to an earthquake or the like, the steel damper will bend the damper panels in the same direction. The first to n-th front concave slopes and the first to n-th rear concave slopes, which are the same size, arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction, and formed into a circular, elliptical, or oval shape, are uniformly and reliably plastically deformed by external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment), allowing the damper panel of the steel damper to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy), and the vibration energy (earthquake energy) is efficiently absorbed by utilizing the plastic deformation of the first to n-th front concave slopes and the first to n-th rear concave slopes. Not only can it sufficiently attenuate the vibrations (energy) and minimize deformation and damage to buildings due to vibrations (earthquakes), but by forming the first to nth front concave slopes and the first to nth rear concave slopes on the damper panel, it is possible to easily find plastic deformation such as distortion, strain, bending, breakage, and damage that occurs in these front concave slopes and rear concave slopes after vibrations due to earthquakes, etc., and it is also possible to easily check the degree of deformation in these front concave slopes and rear concave slopes.Since it is easy to check the degree of deformation of the first to nth front concave slopes and the first to nth rear concave slopes that have undergone plastic deformation after vibrations caused by an earthquake or other events occur, it is possible to accurately determine whether the steel damper is in a state where it can perform its seismic control function, and it is also possible to predict the energy absorption capacity of the panel damper until the end of its lifespan.This makes it possible to determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the panel damper against repeated earthquakes, and it is possible to prevent unnecessary replacement, prevent unnecessary disposal, and prevent delays in the replacement period of steel dampers that have lost their seismic control function.

[0025] The radial width dimensions of the first to n-th front concave slopes, which extend in a circular, elliptical or oval shape in the central region of the front surface of the damper panel, are the same from the first to n-th front concave slopes, or are random from the first to n-th front concave slopes, or are gradually smaller from the first to n-th front concave slopes, or are gradually larger from the first to n-th front concave slopes, and the damper panel A steel damper in which the radial width dimensions of the first to nth rear concave slope portions extending in a circular, elliptical or oval shape in the central region of the rear surface of the damper are the same for the first to nth rear concave slope portions, or are random for the first to nth rear concave slope portions, or are gradually smaller from the first rear concave slope portion to the nth rear concave slope portion, or are gradually larger from the first rear concave slope portion to the nth rear concave slope portion, is If the width dimensions of the first to nth front concave slopes are the same for the first to nth front concave slopes and the first to nth rear concave slopes, there will be no difference in the ease of plastic deformation due to the width dimensions. When external forces acting during vibrations caused by earthquakes or the like are transmitted to the steel damper as shear forces, axial forces, or bending moments, the first to nth front concave slopes and the first to nth rear concave slopes, which are shaped like a circle, ellipse, or oval, of the damper panel will reliably undergo plastic deformity due to the external forces (shear forces, axial forces, bending moments), allowing the damper panel of the steel damper to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy). The plastic deformation of the first to nth front concave slopes and the first to nth rear concave slopes will be used to sufficiently attenuate the vibration energy (earthquake energy), minimizing deformation and damage to buildings caused by earthquakes.In the case where the radial width dimension of the steel damper is random (the width dimension can be arbitrarily set) for the first front concave slope portion to the nth front concave slope portion and random (the width dimension can be arbitrarily set) for the first rear concave slope portion to the nth rear concave slope portion, by arbitrarily setting the width dimension, it is possible to set the concave slope portion that is easy to elastically deform to any of the first front concave slope portion to the nth front concave slope portion or the first rear concave slope portion to the nth rear concave slope portion, and when an external force acting during vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper as a shear force, axial force, or bending moment, the circular or The first to nth front concave slopes and the first to nth rear concave slopes, which are shaped like an oval or oval, undergo plastic deformation as set by external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment), allowing the damper panel of the steel damper to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The plastic deformation of the first to nth front concave slopes and the first to nth rear concave slopes can be used to sufficiently attenuate vibration energy (earthquake energy), minimizing deformation and damage to buildings caused by earthquakes. In the case where the radial width dimension of a steel damper gradually decreases from the first front concave slope portion or the first rear concave slope portion to the nth front concave slope portion or the nth rear concave slope portion, many of the front concave slope portions and rear concave slope portions are formed in the center of the damper panel, which is most susceptible to plastic deformation, and when an external force acting upon vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper as a shear force, axial force, or bending moment, the first front concave slope portion to the nth front concave slope portion and the first rear concave slope portion, which are formed in a circular, elliptical, or oval shape, of the damper panel, are deformed. The rear concave slope section to the nth rear concave slope section undergo plastic deformation evenly and reliably due to external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment), allowing the damper panel of the steel damper to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The plastic deformation of the first front concave slope section to the nth front concave slope section and the first rear concave slope section to the nth rear concave slope section can be used to sufficiently attenuate vibration energy (earthquake energy), minimizing deformation and damage to buildings caused by earthquakes.When the radial width dimension of the steel damper gradually increases from the first front concave slope portion or the first rear concave slope portion toward the nth front concave slope portion or the nth rear concave slope portion, the plastic deformation durability of the front concave slope portion or the rear concave slope portion toward the center of the damper panel can be increased, and when an external force acting during vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper as a shear force, axial force, or bending moment, the first front concave slope portion to the nth front concave slope portion or the first rear concave slope portion formed in a circular, elliptical, or oval shape of the damper panel can be increased. The rear concave slope section to the nth rear concave slope section are reliably plastically deformed from one of the concave slope sections due to external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment), allowing the damper panel of the steel damper to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The plastic deformation of the first front concave slope section to the nth front concave slope section and the first rear concave slope section to the nth rear concave slope section can be used to sufficiently attenuate vibration energy (earthquake energy), minimizing deformation and damage to buildings caused by earthquakes. Since it is easy to check the degree of deformation of the first to nth front concave slopes and the first to nth rear concave slopes that have undergone plastic deformation after vibrations caused by an earthquake or other events occur, it is possible to accurately determine whether the steel damper is in a state where it can perform its seismic control function, and it is also possible to predict the energy absorption capacity of the panel damper until the end of its lifespan.This makes it possible to determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the panel damper against repeated earthquakes, and it is possible to prevent unnecessary replacement, prevent unnecessary disposal, and prevent delays in the replacement period of steel dampers that have lost their seismic control function.

[0026] The steel damper is configured such that the first connecting panel is connected by a predetermined connecting means to the free end of a first mounting member extending from a first structural member that constitutes the building, the second connecting panel is connected by a predetermined connecting means to the free end of a second mounting member extending from a second structural member that constitutes the building and is spaced apart from the first structural member in the vertical or width direction, and the damper panel is located in the space between the free end of the first mounting member and the free end of the second mounting member that are spaced apart in the vertical or width direction. When vibrations occur due to an earthquake or the like, an external force acting on the building is transmitted from the building to the free ends of the first and second mounting members as shear force, axial force, and bending moment, and the external force (shear force, axial force, bending moment) is transmitted to the first and second mounting members. Since the external force is transmitted from the attachment member to the steel damper, external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment) can be reliably transmitted from the building to the steel damper, and the damper panel having the first front concave portion to the nth front concave portion (first front concave curved portion to the nth front concave curved portion, or first front concave flat portion to the nth front concave flat portion, or first front concave inclined portion to the nth front concave inclined portion) and the first rear concave portion to the nth rear concave portion (first rear concave curved portion to the nth rear concave curved portion, or first rear concave flat portion to the nth rear concave flat portion, or first rear concave inclined portion to the nth rear concave inclined portion) of the steel damper undergoes plastic deformation due to the external force (shear force, axial force, bending moment), allowing the damper panel of the steel damper to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy). Steel dampers smoothly transmit the axial force (vibration energy) caused by vibrations (earthquakes) from the building to the damper panel of the steel damper, and can sufficiently attenuate the vibration energy (earthquake energy) by utilizing the plastic deformation of the damper panel, thereby minimizing deformation and damage to buildings caused by vibrations (earthquakes).

[0027] The steel damper is configured such that the first connecting panel is connected by a predetermined connecting means to the opposing sides of the first mounting member that extends between a first structural member that constitutes the building and a second structural member that faces the first structural member and is spaced apart in the vertical direction, the second connecting panel is connected by a predetermined connecting means to the opposing sides of the second mounting member that extends between the first structural member and the second structural member and faces the first mounting member and is spaced apart in the width direction, and the damper panel is located in the space between the opposing sides of the first mounting member and the opposing sides of the second mounting member that are spaced apart in the width direction.When vibrations due to an earthquake or the like occur, an external force acting on the building is transmitted from the building to the opposing sides of the first and second mounting members as a shear force, an axial force, and a bending moment, and the external force (shear force, axial force, bending moment) is transmitted from the building to the opposing sides of the first and second mounting members. Since external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment) are transmitted from the first and second mounting members to the steel damper, external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment) can be reliably transmitted from the building to the steel damper, and the damper panel having the first to nth front concave surface portions (first front concave curved surface portion to nth front concave curved surface portion, or first front concave flat surface portion to nth front concave flat surface portion, or first front concave inclined surface portion to nth front concave inclined surface portion) and the first rear concave surface portion to nth rear concave surface portion (first rear concave curved surface portion to nth rear concave curved surface portion, or first rear concave flat surface portion to nth rear concave flat surface portion, or first rear concave inclined surface portion to nth rear concave inclined surface portion) of the steel damper undergoes plastic deformation due to the external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment), allowing the damper panel of the steel damper to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy). Steel dampers smoothly transmit the axial force (vibration energy) caused by vibrations (earthquakes) from the building to the damper panel of the steel damper, and can sufficiently attenuate the vibration energy (earthquake energy) by utilizing the plastic deformation of the damper panel, thereby minimizing deformation and damage to buildings caused by vibrations (earthquakes). [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of a steel damper shown as an example. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows similar to FIG. 2, showing another example. [Figure 4]FIG. 10 is a front view of a steel damper shown as another example. [Figure 5] BB line cross-sectional view of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view of a steel damper shown as another example. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a front view of a steel damper shown as another example. [Figure 9] DD line cross-sectional view of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view of a steel damper shown as another example. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a front view of a steel damper shown as another example. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a front view of a steel damper shown as another example. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a front view of a steel damper shown as another example. [Figure 15] 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 14 . [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a front view of a steel damper shown as another example. [Figure 17] 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG in FIG. 16A. [Figure 18] A partial enlarged view of Figure 17. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a front view of a steel damper shown as another example. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line HH in FIG. 19. [Figure 21] Enlarged view of a portion of Figure 20. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a front view of a steel damper shown as another example. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 22. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a front view of a steel damper shown as another example. [Figure 25] 25 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line JJ in FIG. 24. [Figure 26] FIG. 1 is a front view of an example of a seismic control structure that uses steel dampers. [Figure 27]Side view of the seismic isolation structure in Figure 23. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a front view of first and second steel brackets shown as an example. [Figure 29] Top view of the first and second steel brackets. [Figure 30] FIG. 2 is a front view of the steel damper shown in a state connected to first and second steel members. [Figure 31] FIG. 2 is a side view of the steel damper shown connected to first and second steel members. [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is a front view of another example of a seismic control structure using steel dampers. [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is a front view of another example of a seismic control structure using steel dampers. [Figure 34] FIG. 10 is a front view of another example of a seismic control structure using steel dampers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The steel damper according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings such as Fig. 1, which is a front view of a steel damper 10A shown as an example. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the same line as Fig. 2, which shows another example. In Figs. 1 to 3, the up-down direction is indicated by arrow X, the width direction (lateral direction) is indicated by arrow Y, and the front-rear direction is indicated by arrow Z.

[0030] Steel damper 10A (including steel dampers 10B to 10J) is made from low-yield-point steel, which has a lower yield strength than ordinary steel and a high plastic deformation function (low-yield-point steel dampers 10A to 10J). In addition, steel damper 10A (including steel dampers 10B to 10J) has a yield strength of 100 to 230 N / mm 2 The dampers 10A to 10J may be made of extremely soft iron or ordinary steel having a yield point of 0.15 mm or less (extra soft iron dampers 10A to 10J, ordinary steel dampers 10A to 10J).

[0031] The steel damper 10A is formed from a first connecting panel 11, a second connecting panel 12, and a damper panel 13a extending between the first and second connecting panels 11, 12. The first connecting panel 11 is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction and has a predetermined thickness, and is detachably connected to a first structural member (upper structural member or first side structural member) that constitutes a building by a predetermined connecting means. The second connecting panel 12 has the same shape and size as the first connecting panel 11, is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction and has a predetermined thickness, and is detachably connected to a second structural member (lower structural member or second side structural member) that constitutes the building by a predetermined connecting means. The first and second connecting panels 11, 12 have a front surface 14 and a rear surface 15, and the front surfaces 14 of the panels 11, 12 are flush with each other, and the rear surfaces 15 of the panels 11, 12 are flush with each other.

[0032] The minimum length dimension L2 of the damper panel 13a in the width direction is shorter than that of the first and second connecting panels 11, 12, and both side edges 16 thereof arc toward the center (inward in the width direction) of the damper panel 13a, and both side edges 16 are narrowed toward the inside in the width direction. Compared to when both side edges 16 of the damper panel 13a are connected in a line (flush) with both side edges 16 of the first and second connecting panels 11, 12 and both side edges 16 are not narrowed, the narrowed both side edges 16 of the damper panel 13a allow the external force acting when vibrations due to an earthquake or the like to act as shear force, axial force, and bending moment to be uniformly transmitted to the narrowed both side edges 16 of the damper panel 13a without being concentrated at specific points on the both side edges 16 of the damper panel 13a. The length L2 in the width direction of the damper panel 13a (including the damper panels 13b to 13l) may be the same as that of the first and second connecting panels 11, 12.

[0033] The damper panel 13a and the first and second connecting panels 11, 12 are molded integrally. The damper panel 13a has a front surface 17 and a rear surface 18. A front concave area 20 of a predetermined area is formed in a central region 19 of the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13a, recessed from the front surface 17 toward the rear surface 18. A rear concave area 21 of a predetermined area is formed in the central region 19 of the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13a, recessed from the rear surface 18 toward the front surface 17.

[0034] In the front concave area 20, first to fourth front concave surface portions 23a to 23d (first to n-th front concave surface portions) are molded (formed) in a circular (perfect circle) shape, with the recess dimensions gradually increasing from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center. The first to fourth front concave surface portions 23a to 23d are first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d (first to n-th front concave curved surface portions) that are recessed from the front surface 17 toward the rear surface 18 and describe arcs with a predetermined radius of curvature toward the center of the front concave surface area 20 (from the front surface 17 (front concave area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21)). The first to third front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23c extend in an annular (circular) shape while drawing concentric circles in the central region 19 (front concave area 20) of the front surface 17, and the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d extends in a circular shape while drawing concentric circles in the central region 19 (front concave area 20) of the front surface 17.

[0035] In the cross section of the steel damper 10A shown in Fig. 2, the first to third front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23c are formed in a shape in which the lower halves of circles are lined up from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center. In the cross section of the steel damper 10A shown in Fig. 3, the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d are formed in a shape in which the circumferences of spheres of different diameters are lined up from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center.

[0036] The first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d have the same radial width. Among the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d, the recess dimension of the first front concave curved surface portion 23a from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13a is the smallest, the recess dimension of the second front concave curved surface portion 23b from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13b is larger than that of the first front concave curved surface portion 23a, the recess dimension of the third front concave curved surface portion 23c from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13a is larger than that of the second front concave curved surface portion 23b, and the recess dimension of the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13a is larger than that of the third front concave curved surface portion 23c.

[0037] In the front concave surface area 20, the first front concave curved surface portion 23a, the second front concave curved surface portion 23b, the third front concave curved surface portion 23c, and the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d are arranged in this order from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center (inward in the width direction). Therefore, the first front concave curved surface portion 23a is annular (circular) and describes an arc with a predetermined radius of curvature toward the center of the front concave surface area 20 (from the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21)). The second front concave curved surface portion 23b is annular (circular) and describes an arc with a predetermined radius of curvature toward the center of the front concave surface area 20 (from the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21)). A circular (circular) third anterior concave curved surface portion 23c is adjacently arranged radially inward of the third anterior concave curved surface portion 23c and describes an arc with a predetermined radius of curvature toward the center of the anterior concave surface area 20 (from the anterior surface 17 (anterior concave surface area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21)), and a circular fourth anterior concave curved surface portion 23d is adjacently arranged radially inward of the third anterior concave curved surface portion 23c and describes an arc with a predetermined radius of curvature toward the center of the anterior concave surface area 20 (from the anterior surface 17 (anterior concave surface area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21)). Note that, although four anterior concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d are formed in the anterior concave surface area 20, there is no particular limitation on the number of anterior concave curved surface portions, and five or more anterior concave curved surface portions may be formed in the anterior concave surface area 20.

[0038] In the rear concave surface area 21, first to fourth rear concave surface portions 25a to 25d (first to n-th rear concave surface portions) are molded (formed) in a circular (perfect circle) shape whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center. The first to fourth rear concave surface portions 25a to 25d are first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d (first to n-th rear concave curved surface portions) that are recessed from the rear surface 18 toward the front surface 17 and describe arcs with a predetermined radius of curvature toward the center of the rear concave surface area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20)). The first to third concave rear curved surface portions 25a to 25c extend in an annular (circular) shape while describing concentric circles in the central region 19 (concave rear area 21) of the rear surface 18. The fourth concave rear curved surface portion 25d extends in a circular shape while describing concentric circles in the central region 19 (concave rear area 21) of the rear surface 18.

[0039] In the cross section of the steel damper 10A shown in Fig. 2, the first to third rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25c are formed in a shape in which the lower halves of circles are lined up from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center. In the cross section of the steel damper 10A shown in Fig. 3, the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d are formed in a shape in which the circumferences of spheres of different diameters are lined up from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center.

[0040] The first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d have the same radial width. Among the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d, the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a has the smallest recess dimension from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13a, the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b has a larger recess dimension from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13a than the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a, the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c has a larger recess dimension from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13a than the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b, and the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d has a larger recess dimension from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13a than the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c.

[0041] In the rear concave surface area 21, the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a, the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b, the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c, and the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d are arranged in this order from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center (inward in the width direction). Therefore, the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b, which is an annular (circular) shape and describes an arc with a predetermined radius of curvature toward the center of the rear concave surface area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20)), is arranged adjacent to the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a in the radial direction. A third concave rear curved surface portion 25c, which is an annular (circular) shape and describes an arc with a predetermined radius of curvature, is arranged adjacent to the center of the concave rear surface area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (rear concave surface area 20)), and a fourth concave rear curved surface portion 25d, which is a circular shape and describes an arc with a predetermined radius of curvature, is arranged adjacent to the center of the concave rear surface area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (rear concave surface area 20)). Although four concave rear curved surface portions 25a to 25d are formed in the concave rear surface area 21, there is no particular limitation on the number of concave rear curved surface portions, and five or more concave rear curved surface portions may be formed in the concave rear surface area 21.

[0042] The front concave surface area 20 and the rear concave surface area 21 are the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13a. Therefore, the first front concave curved surface portion 23a and the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a are the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13a, the second front concave curved surface portion 23b and the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b are the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13a, the third front concave curved surface portion 23c and the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c are the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13a, and the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d and the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d are the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13a.

[0043] In the damper panel 13a, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13a at the first front concave curved surface portion 23a and the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a is the largest, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13a at the second front concave curved surface portion 23b and the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b is smaller than that of the damper panel 13a at the first front concave curved surface portion 23a and the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a. The thickness dimension of the damper panel 13a at the third front concave curved surface portion 23c and the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c is smaller than that of the damper panel 13a at the second front concave curved surface portion 23b and the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13a at the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23c and the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25c is smaller than that of the damper panel 13a at the third front concave curved surface portion 23c and the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13a at the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d and the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d is the smallest.

[0044] In the steel damper 10A (including the steel dampers 10B to 10J), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13a at the first front concave curved surface portion 23a and the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a (the thickness dimension in the front-rear direction between the first front concave curved surface portion 23a and the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13a at the second front concave curved surface portion 23b and the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b (the thickness dimension in the front-rear direction between the second front concave curved surface portion 23b and the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13a at the third front concave curved surface portion 23c and the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c The thickness dimension of the damper panel 13a at the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d and the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d (the thickness dimension in the front-to-rear direction between the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d and the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d) can be freely set (for example, in the range of 5 mm to 50 mm), and the damping force (vibration (earthquake) resistance force) can be set arbitrarily, for example, in the range of 50 kN to 3000 kN.

[0045] When vibrations occur due to an earthquake or the like, the steel damper 10A exerts a seismic control function by plastically deforming the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d (first to nth front concave curved surface portions) formed into circular (perfect circles) shapes of the damper panel 13a due to relative displacement between the first structural member (upper structural member or first side structural member) and the second structural member (lower structural member or second side structural member) of the building. For example, when the vibration (earthquake) is small, the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d and the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d of the damper panel 13a with a small thickness undergo plastic deformation, and when the vibration (earthquake) is medium, in addition to the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d and the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d of the damper panel 13a with a small thickness undergo plastic deformation, the third front concave curved surface portion 23c and the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c and the second front concave curved surface portion 23b and the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b of the damper panel 13a with a medium thickness also undergo plastic deformation. When the vibration (earthquake) is large, the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d and the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d of the damper panel 13a with a small thickness dimension undergo plastic deformation, and the third front concave curved surface portion 23c and the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c and the second front concave curved surface portion 23b and the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b of the damper panel 13a with a medium thickness dimension undergo plastic deformation, and in addition, the first front concave curved surface portion 23a and the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a of the damper panel 13a with a large thickness dimension undergo plastic deformation.

[0046] Although not shown, a transparent plastic deformation confirmation sheet (not shown) is prepared in advance for the steel damper 10A, showing (modeling) the boundaries of the first front concave curved surface portion 23a (first rear concave curved surface portion 25a) through the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d (fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d) before the damper panel 13a of the steel damper 10A is plastically deformed. In the steel damper 10A, if the first front concave curved surface portion 23a through the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23a through 23d or the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a through 25d of the damper panel 13a are plastically deformed due to the occurrence of vibration (earthquake), the seismic damping function of the steel damper 10A may be lost depending on the degree of plastic deformation. After vibration (earthquake) occurs, the steel damper 10A that has undergone a large degree of plastic deformation and lost its seismic damping function is replaced. Even after vibration (earthquake) occurs, if the degree of plastic deformation is small and the steel damper 10A is still in a state where it can exert its vibration control function, it can be used continuously without being replaced.

[0047] Plastic deformation such as distortion, strain, bending, breakage, or damage of the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d of the damper panel 13a after vibration (earthquake) occurs is visually confirmed to determine the degree of plastic deformation, or when the first front concave curved surface portion 23a (first rear concave curved surface portion 25a) to fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d (fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d) are visually confirmed to determine the degree of plastic deformation. A transparent plastic deformation confirmation first sheet showing the boundary lines of the first front concave curved surface portion 23a (first rear concave curved surface portion 25a) to the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d (fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d) of the damper panel 13a is placed over the front concave surface area 20 (rear concave surface area 21) of the damper panel 13a, and the boundary lines shown on the plastic deformation confirmation first sheet are compared with the boundary lines of the first front concave curved surface portion 23a (first rear concave curved surface portion 25a) to the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d (fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d) of the damper panel 13a to determine the degree of plastic deformation. Note that the degree of plastic deformation may also be determined by photographing the damper panel 13a (including damper panels 13b to 13l) and analyzing the digital image.

[0048] When an external force acting upon the steel damper 10A during vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper 10A as a shear force, an axial force, or a bending moment, the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d (first to n-th front concave curved surface portions) formed into a circle (perfect circle) of the damper panel 13a and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d (first to n-th rear concave curved surface portions) formed into a circle (perfect circle) are evenly and reliably plastically displaced. The vibration energy (earthquake energy) can be sufficiently attenuated by utilizing the plastic deformation of the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d of the damper panel 13a, thereby minimizing deformation and damage to the building due to vibration (earthquake).

[0049] In the steel damper 10A, the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d, which are circular (perfect circles), are formed on the damper panel 13a, so that plastic deformation such as distortion, warping, bending, breakage, and damage that occurs in the front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d and the rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d after vibrations due to an earthquake or the like occur can be easily detected, and the degree of deformation of the front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d and the rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d can be easily confirmed.

[0050] The steel damper 10A can easily check the degree of deformation of the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d (first to nth front concave curved surface portions) which are formed into a circle (perfect circle) of the damper panel 13a that has been plastically deformed after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like have occurred, and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) which are formed into a circle (perfect circle).This makes it possible to accurately determine whether the steel damper 10A is in a state where it can exhibit its seismic control function, and to predict the energy absorption capacity of the steel damper 10A until the end of its lifespan.This makes it possible to determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the steel damper 10A against repeated earthquakes.The steel damper 10A will not be replaced unnecessarily, preventing unnecessary disposal and preventing the steel damper 10A that has lost its seismic control function from being replaced beyond its replacement period.

[0051] Fig. 4 is a front view of a steel damper 10B showing another example, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 4. In Figs. 4 and 5, the up-down direction is indicated by arrow X, the width direction is indicated by arrow Y, and the front-rear direction is indicated by arrow Z. The steel damper 10B shown in Fig. 4 differs from that shown in Fig. 1 in that the length dimension L1 in the up-down direction of the damper panel 13b is greater than the minimum length dimension L2 in the width direction of the damper panel 13b, and in that the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d (the first to nth front concave curved surface portions) are formed into ellipses that are elongated in the up-down direction, and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d (the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) are formed into ellipses that are elongated in the up-down direction. The other configurations are the same as those of the steel damper 10A shown in Fig. 1.

[0052] The steel damper 10B is formed from a first connecting panel 11, a second connecting panel 12, and a damper panel 13b extending between the first and second connecting panels 11, 12. In the steel damper 10B, the vertical length dimension L1 of the damper panel 13b is greater than the minimum width dimension L2 of the damper panel 13b. A front concave surface area 20 of a predetermined area recessed from the front surface 17 toward the rear surface 18 is formed in a central region 19 of the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13b. A rear concave surface area 21 of a predetermined area recessed from the rear surface 18 toward the front surface 17 is formed in the central region 19 of the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13b. The front concave surface area 20 and the rear concave surface area 21 are shaped (formed) into an elliptical shape that is elongated in the vertical direction, and have a major axis Z1 extending in the vertical direction and a minor axis Z2 extending in the width direction.

[0053] The front concave surface area 20 is formed with first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d (first to nth front concave curved surface portions) whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center. The first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d are shaped like ellipses that are long in the vertical direction. The rear concave surface area 21 is formed with first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center. The first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d are shaped like ellipses that are long in the vertical direction.

[0054] Although not shown, in the steel damper 10B, the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d may be formed into ellipses that are elongated in the width direction, and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d may be formed into ellipses that are elongated in the width direction. In this case, the minimum length dimension L2 in the width direction of the damper panel 13b is greater than the length dimension L1 in the up-down direction of the damper panel 13b, and the front concave surface area 20 and the rear concave surface area 21 are formed (formed) into ellipses that are elongated in the width direction, and have a major axis Z1 extending in the width direction and a minor axis Z2 extending in the up-down direction. Furthermore, as shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 3, the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d may be molded in the shape of spheres with different diameters lined up from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center, and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d may be molded in the shape of spheres with different diameters lined up from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center.

[0055] When an external force acting upon the steel damper 10B during vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper 10B as a shear force, an axial force, or a bending moment, the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d (the first to n-th front concave curved surface portions) formed in an elliptical shape that is long in the vertical direction of the damper panel 13b and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d (the first to n-th rear concave curved surface portions) formed in an elliptical shape that is long in the vertical direction are uniformly and uniformly aligned. Plastic deformation occurs reliably, allowing the damper panel 13b of the steel damper 10B to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The vibration energy (earthquake energy) can be sufficiently attenuated by utilizing the plastic deformation of the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d of the damper panel 13b, thereby minimizing deformation and damage to the building due to vibration (earthquake).

[0056] In the steel damper 10B, the damper panel 13b is formed with the elliptical first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d and the elliptical first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d, so that plastic deformation such as distortion, warping, bending, breakage, and damage that occurs in the front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d and the rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d after vibrations due to an earthquake or the like occur can be easily detected, and the degree of deformation of the front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d and the rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d can be easily confirmed.

[0057] The steel damper 10B can easily check the degree of deformation of the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d (first to nth front concave curved surface portions) which are formed into an ellipse that is long in the vertical direction of the damper panel 13b that has been plastically deformed after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like, and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) which are formed into an ellipse that is long in the vertical direction. This makes it possible to accurately determine whether the steel damper 10B is in a state where it can exhibit its seismic control function, and to predict the energy absorption capacity of the steel damper 10B until the end of its lifespan. This makes it possible to determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the steel damper 10B against repeated earthquakes. The steel damper 10B will not be replaced unnecessarily, preventing unnecessary disposal and preventing the steel damper 10B that has lost its seismic control function from being replaced beyond its replacement period.

[0058] Fig. 6 is a front view of a steel damper 10C showing another example, and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 6. In Figs. 6 and 7, the up-down direction is indicated by arrow X, the width direction is indicated by arrow Y, and the front-rear direction is indicated by arrow Z. The steel damper 10C shown in Fig. 6 differs from that shown in Fig. 1 in that the minimum length dimension L2 in the width direction of the damper panel 13c is greater than the length dimension L1 in the up-down direction of the damper panel 13c, and in that the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d (the first to nth front concave curved surface portions) are formed in oval shapes that are long in the width direction, and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d (the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) are formed in oval shapes that are long in the width direction. The other configurations are the same as those of the steel damper 10A shown in Fig. 1.

[0059] The steel damper 10C is formed from a first connecting panel 11, a second connecting panel 12, and a damper panel 13c extending between the first and second connecting panels 11, 12. In the steel damper 10C, the minimum length dimension L2 in the width direction of the damper panel 13c is greater than the length dimension L1 in the up-down direction of the damper panel 13c. A front concave area 20 of a predetermined area is formed in a central region 19 on the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13c, recessed from the front surface 17 toward the rear surface 18. A rear concave area 21 of a predetermined area is formed in the central region 19 on the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13c, recessed from the rear surface 18 toward the front surface 17. The front concave area 20 and the rear concave area 21 are shaped (formed) into an oval shape that is long in the width direction, and have opposite end edges 59 that extend straight in the width direction and opposite side edges 60 that extend in an arc in the vertical direction, as well as a long axis Z1 that extends in the width direction and a short axis Z2 that extends in the vertical direction.

[0060] The front concave surface area 20 is formed with first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d (first to nth front concave curved surface portions), the recess dimensions of which increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center. The first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d are formed in an oval shape that is long in the width direction. The rear concave surface area 21 is formed with first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions), the recess dimensions of which increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center. The first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d, which are oval-shaped, are formed in the width direction.

[0061] Although not shown, in the steel damper 10C, the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d may be formed into oval shapes that are long in the vertical direction, and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d may be formed into oval shapes that are long in the vertical direction. In this case, the vertical length dimension L1 of the damper panel 13b is greater than the minimum length dimension L2 of the damper panel 13b in the width direction, and the front concave surface area 20 and the rear concave surface area 21 are formed (formed) into oval shapes that are long in the vertical direction, have both end edges 59 extending in an arc in the width direction and both side edges 60 extending straight in the vertical direction, and have a major axis Z1 extending in the vertical direction and a minor axis Z2 extending in the width direction. Furthermore, as shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 3, the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d may be molded in the shape of spheres with different diameters lined up from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center, and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d may be molded in the shape of spheres with different diameters lined up from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center.

[0062] When an external force acting upon the steel damper 10C during vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper 10C as a shear force, an axial force, or a bending moment, the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d (first to nth front concave curved surface portions) formed in an oval shape elongated in the width direction of the damper panel 13c and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) formed in an oval shape elongated in the width direction are uniformly and securely moved. The steel damper 10C undergoes plastic deformation, allowing the damper panel 13c to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The vibration energy (earthquake energy) can be sufficiently damped by utilizing the plastic deformation of the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d of the damper panel 13c, thereby minimizing deformation and damage to the building due to vibration (earthquake).

[0063] In the steel damper 10C, the damper panel 13c is formed with the oval first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d and the oval first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d, so that plastic deformation such as distortion, warping, bending, breakage, and damage that occurs in the front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d and the rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like occur can be easily detected, and the degree of deformation of the front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d and the rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d can be easily confirmed.

[0064] The steel damper 10C can easily check the degree of deformation of the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d (the first to nth front concave curved surface portions) which are formed into oval shapes that are long in the width direction of the damper panel 13c that have been plastically deformed after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like, and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d (the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) which are formed into oval shapes that are long in the width direction.This makes it possible to accurately determine whether the steel damper 10C is in a state where it can exhibit its seismic control function, and to predict the energy absorption capacity of the steel damper 10C until the end of its lifespan.This makes it possible to determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the steel damper 10C against repeated earthquakes.The steel damper 10C will not be replaced unnecessarily, preventing unnecessary disposal and preventing the steel damper 10C that has lost its seismic control function from being replaced beyond its replacement period.

[0065] Fig. 8 is a front view of a steel damper 10D shown as another example, and Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in Fig. 8. In Figs. 8 and 9, the up-down direction is indicated by arrow X, the width direction is indicated by arrow Y, and the front-rear direction is indicated by arrow Z. The steel damper 10D shown in Figure 8 differs from that shown in Figure 1 in that the front concave surface area 20 has first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (first to sixth front concave surface portions), and the rear concave surface area 21 has first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (first to sixth rear concave surface portions), and the radial width dimensions of the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f gradually decrease from the first front concave curved surface portion 23a to the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f, and the radial width dimensions of the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f gradually decrease from the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a to the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f; the other configurations are the same as those of the steel damper 10A shown in Figure 1.

[0066] The steel damper 10D is formed from a first connecting panel 11, a second connecting panel 12, and a damper panel 13d extending between the first and second connecting panels 11, 12. The first connecting panel 11 and the second connecting panel 12 are the same as those of the steel damper 10A in Fig. 1. The minimum length dimension L2 of the damper panel 13d in the width direction is shorter than that of the first and second connecting panels 11, 12, and both side edges 16 thereof arc toward the center of the damper panel 13d (inward in the width direction), and like the damper panel 13a in Fig. 1, both side edges 16 are narrowed toward the inward in the width direction.

[0067] In the damper panel 13d, external forces acting during vibration (earthquake) are transmitted evenly to both narrowed side edges 16 of the damper panel 13d as shear force, axial force, and bending moment. The damper panel 13d has a front surface 17 and a rear surface 18. A front concave area 20 of a predetermined area is formed in a central region 19 of the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13d, recessed from the front surface 17 toward the rear surface 18. A rear concave area 21 of a predetermined area is formed in the central region 19 of the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13d, recessed from the rear surface 18 toward the front surface 17.

[0068] The front concave area 20 is formed with first to sixth front concave surface portions 23a to 23f (first to nth front concave surface portions) that are circular (perfect circles) and have recess dimensions that increase stepwise from the outer circumferential edge 22 toward the center. The first to sixth front concave surface portions 23a to 23f are first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (first to nth front concave curved surface portions) that recess from the front surface 17 toward the rear surface 18 and describe arcs with a predetermined radius of curvature toward the center of the front concave surface area 20 (from the front surface 17 (front concave area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21)). The first to fifth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23e extend in an annular (circular) shape while describing concentric circles in the central region 19 (front concave surface area 20) of the front surface 17, and the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f extends in a circular shape while describing concentric circles in the central region 19 (front concave surface area 20) of the front surface 17. As shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 3, the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f may be formed in the shape of spheres with different diameters lined up from the outer circumferential edge 22 toward the center.

[0069] Of the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f, the first front concave curved surface portion 23a has the smallest recess dimension from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13d, the second front concave curved surface portion 23b has a larger recess dimension from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13d than the first front concave curved surface portion 23a, and the third front concave curved surface portion 23c has a larger recess dimension from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13d than the second front concave curved surface portion 23b. The recess dimension of the fourth front concave curved portion 23d from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13d is larger than that of the third front concave curved portion 23c, the recess dimension of the fifth front concave curved portion 23e from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13d is larger than that of the fourth front concave curved portion 23d, and the recess dimension of the sixth front concave curved portion 23f from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13d is larger than that of the fifth front concave curved portion 23e.

[0070] The radial width dimensions of the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f gradually decrease from the first to sixth front concave curved surface portion 23a to 23f. Of the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f, the radial width dimension of the first front concave curved surface portion 23a is the largest, the radial width dimension of the second front concave curved surface portion 23b is smaller than that of the first front concave curved surface portion 23a, and the radial width dimension of the third front concave curved surface portion 23c is smaller than that of the second front concave curved surface portion 23b. The radial width dimension of the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d is smaller than that of the third front concave curved surface portion 23c, the radial width dimension of the fifth front concave curved surface portion 23e is smaller than that of the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d, and the radial width dimension of the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f is smaller than that of the fifth front concave curved surface portion 23e.

[0071] In the front concave surface area 20, the first front concave curved surface portion 23a, the second front concave curved surface portion 23b, the third front concave curved surface portion 23c, the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d, the fifth front concave curved surface portion 23e, and the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f are arranged in this order from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center (inward in the width direction). Therefore, the second front concave curved surface portion 23b, which is an annular (circular) first front concave curved surface portion 23a that describes an arc with a predetermined radius of curvature toward the center of the front concave surface area 20 (from the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21)), is arranged adjacent to the first front concave curved surface portion 23a in the radial direction, and the second front concave curved surface portion 23b, which is an annular (circular) first front concave curved surface portion 23a that describes an arc with a predetermined radius of curvature toward the center of the front concave surface area 20 (from the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21)), is arranged adjacent to the first front concave curved surface portion 23a in the radial direction. A circular (circular) third front concave curved surface portion 23c is adjacently arranged on the front side toward the center of the front concave area 20 (from the front surface 17 (front concave area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21)) and describes an arc with a predetermined radius of curvature, and a circular fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d is adjacently arranged radially inward of the third front concave curved surface portion 23c and describes an arc with a predetermined radius of curvature toward the center of the front concave area 20 (from the front surface 18 (front concave area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21)).

[0072] A fifth anterior concave curved surface portion 23e is arranged adjacent to the fourth anterior concave curved surface portion 23d in the radial direction toward the center of the anterior concave surface area 20 (from the front surface 17 (anterior concave surface area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21)), and a sixth anterior concave curved surface portion 23f is arranged adjacent to the fifth anterior concave curved surface portion 23e in the radial direction toward the center of the anterior concave surface area 20 (from the front surface 17 (anterior concave surface area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21)). Note that, although six anterior concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f are formed in the anterior concave surface area 20, there is no particular limitation on the number of anterior concave curved surface portions, and four or less or seven or more anterior concave curved surface portions may be formed in the anterior concave surface area 20.

[0073] The rear concave surface area 21 is formed with first to sixth rear concave surface portions 25a to 25f (first to nth rear concave surface portions) that are circular (perfect circles) and have recess dimensions that increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center. The first to sixth rear concave surface portions 25a to 25f are first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) that recess from the rear surface 18 toward the front surface 17 and describe arcs with a predetermined radius of curvature toward the center of the rear concave surface area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20)). The first to fifth concave posterior curved surface portions 25a to 25e extend in an annular (circular) shape while describing concentric circles in the central region 19 (concave posterior area 21) of the posterior surface 18, and the sixth concave posterior curved surface portion 25f extends in a circular shape while describing concentric circles in the central region 19 (concave posterior area 21) of the posterior surface 18. As shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 3, the first to sixth concave posterior curved surface portions 25a to 25f may be formed in the shape of spheres with different diameters lined up from the outer circumferential edge 24 toward the center.

[0074] Of the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f, the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a has the smallest recess dimension from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13d, the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b has a larger recess dimension from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13d than the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a, and the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c has a larger recess dimension from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13d than the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b. The recess dimension of the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13d is larger than that of the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c, the recess dimension of the fifth rear concave curved surface portion 25e from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13d is larger than that of the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d, and the recess dimension of the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13d is larger than that of the fifth rear concave curved surface portion 25e.

[0075] The radial widths of the first to sixth concave posterior curved surface portions 25a to 25f gradually decrease from the first to sixth concave posterior curved surface portion 25a to 25f. Among the first to sixth concave posterior curved surface portions 25a to 25f, the first concave posterior curved surface portion 25a has the largest radial width, the second concave posterior curved surface portion 25b has a smaller radial width than the first concave posterior curved surface portion 25a, and the third concave posterior curved surface portion 25c has a smaller radial width than the second concave posterior curved surface portion 25b. The radial width dimension of the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d is smaller than that of the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c, the radial width dimension of the fifth rear concave curved surface portion 25e is smaller than that of the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d, and the radial width dimension of the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f is smaller than that of the fifth rear concave curved surface portion 25e.

[0076] In the rear concave surface area 21, the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a, the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b, the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c, the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d, the fifth rear concave curved surface portion 25e, and the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25d are arranged in this order from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center (inward in the width direction). Therefore, the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b, which is an annular (circular) shape and describes an arc with a predetermined radius of curvature toward the center of the rear concave surface area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20)), is arranged adjacent to the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a. Adjacent to the center of the rear concave surface area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20)) is a third rear concave curved surface portion 25c having an annular (circular) shape and describing an arc with a predetermined radius of curvature, and radially inward of the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c, a fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d having a circular shape and describing an arc with a predetermined radius of curvature is arranged adjacent to the center of the rear concave surface area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20)).

[0077] Radially inward of the fourth posterior concave curved surface portion 25d, a circular fifth posterior concave curved surface portion 25e is adjacently arranged, the fifth posterior concave curved surface portion 25e describing an arc with a predetermined radius of curvature toward the center of the posterior concave surface area 21 (from the posterior surface 18 (posterior concave surface area 21) toward the anterior surface 17 (anterior concave surface area 20)), and radially inward of the fifth posterior concave curved surface portion 25e, a circular sixth posterior concave curved surface portion 25f is adjacently arranged, the sixth posterior concave curved surface portion 25f describing an arc with a predetermined radius of curvature toward the center of the posterior concave surface area 21 (from the posterior surface 18 (posterior concave surface area 21) toward the anterior surface 17 (anterior concave surface area 20)). Note that, although six posterior concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f are formed in the posterior concave surface area 21, there is no particular limitation on the number of posterior concave curved surface portions, and four or less or seven or more posterior concave curved surface portions may be formed in the posterior concave surface area 21.

[0078] The front concave surface area 20 and the rear concave surface area 21 have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13d. Therefore, the first front concave curved surface portion 23a and the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13d, the second front concave curved surface portion 23b and the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13d, and the third front concave curved surface portion 23c and the third rear concave curved surface portion 23d have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13d. The fourth front concave curved portion 23d and the fourth rear concave curved portion 25d have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-back direction of the damper panel 13d, the fifth front concave curved portion 23e and the fifth rear concave curved portion 25e have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-back direction of the damper panel 13d, and the sixth front concave curved portion 23f and the sixth rear concave curved portion 25f have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-back direction of the damper panel 13d.

[0079] In the damper panel 13d, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13d at the first front concave curved surface portion 23a and the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a is the largest, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13d at the second front concave curved surface portion 23b and the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b is smaller than that of the damper panel 13d at the first front concave curved surface portion 23a and the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13d at the third front concave curved surface portion 23c and the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c is smaller than that of the damper panel 13d at the second front concave curved surface portion 23b and the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13d at the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d and the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d is smaller than that of the damper panel 13d at the third front concave curved surface portion 23c and the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c. The thickness dimension of the damper panel 13d at the fifth front concave curved surface portion 23e and the fifth rear concave curved surface portion 25e is smaller than that of the damper panel 13d at the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d and the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13d at the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f and the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f is smaller than that of the damper panel 13d at the fifth front concave curved surface portion 23e and the fifth rear concave curved surface portion 25e, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13d at the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f and the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f is the smallest.

[0080] In the steel damper 10D, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13d at the first front concave curved surface portion 23a and the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a (the thickness dimension in the front-rear direction between the first front concave curved surface portion 23a and the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13d at the second front concave curved surface portion 23b and the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b (the thickness dimension in the front-rear direction between the second front concave curved surface portion 23b and the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13d at the third front concave curved surface portion 23c and the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c (the thickness dimension in the front-rear direction between the third front concave curved surface portion 23c and the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13d at the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d and the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d The thickness dimension of the damper panel 13d (the thickness dimension in the front-to-rear direction between the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d and the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13d at the fifth front concave curved surface portion 23e and the fifth rear concave curved surface portion 25e (the thickness dimension in the front-to-rear direction between the fifth front concave curved surface portion 23e and the fifth rear concave curved surface portion 25e), and the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13d at the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f and the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f (the thickness dimension in the front-to-rear direction between the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f and the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f) can be freely set (for example, in the range of 5 mm to 50 mm), and the damping force (vibration (earthquake) resistance force) can be set arbitrarily in the range of 50 kN to 3000 kN.

[0081] When vibrations occur due to an earthquake or the like, the steel damper 10D exhibits a seismic control function by plastic deformation of the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (first to nth front concave curved surface portions) formed into circular (perfect circles) shapes of the damper panel 13d due to relative displacement between the first structural member (upper structural member or first side structural member) and the second structural member (lower structural member or second side structural member) of the building. For example, when the vibration during vibration (earthquake) is small, the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f and the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f and the fifth front concave curved surface portion 23e and the fifth rear concave curved surface portion 25e of the damper panel 13d with a small thickness dimension undergo plastic deformation, and when the vibration during vibration (earthquake) is medium, in addition to the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f and the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f and the fifth front concave curved surface portion 23e and the fifth rear concave curved surface portion 25e of the damper panel 13d with a small thickness dimension undergo plastic deformation, the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d and the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d and the third front concave curved surface portion 23c and the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c of the damper panel 13d with a medium thickness dimension also undergo plastic deformation. When the vibration (earthquake) is large, the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f and the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f and the fifth front concave curved surface portion 23e and the fifth rear concave curved surface portion 25e of the damper panel 13d with a small thickness dimension undergo plastic deformation, and the fourth front concave curved surface portion 23d and the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 25d and the third front concave curved surface portion 23c and the third rear concave curved surface portion 25c of the damper panel 13d with a medium thickness dimension undergo plastic deformation.In addition, the second front concave curved surface portion 23b and the second rear concave curved surface portion 25b and the first front concave curved surface portion 23a and the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a of the damper panel 13d with a large thickness dimension undergo plastic deformation.

[0082] Although not shown, a transparent plastic deformation confirmation second sheet (not shown) is prepared in advance for the steel damper 10D, showing (modeling) the boundaries of the first front concave curved surface portion 23a (first rear concave curved surface portion 25a) through the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f (sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f) before the damper panel 13d of the steel damper 10D is plastically deformed. In the steel damper 10D, if the first front concave curved surface portion through the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23a through 23f or the first rear concave curved surface portion through the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25a through 25f of the damper panel 13d are plastically deformed due to the occurrence of vibration (earthquake), the seismic damping function of the steel damper 10D may be lost depending on the degree of plastic deformation. After vibration due to an earthquake or the like occurs, a steel damper 10D that has undergone a large degree of plastic deformation and lost its seismic damping function is replaced. Even after vibrations due to an earthquake or the like occur, if the degree of plastic deformation is small and the steel damper 10D is still in a state where it can exert its vibration control function, it can continue to be used without being replaced.

[0083] Plastic deformation such as distortion, warping, bending, breakage, or damage occurring in the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f of the damper panel 13d after vibration due to an earthquake or the like is visually confirmed to determine the degree of plastic deformation, or when the first front concave curved surface portion 23a (first rear concave curved surface portion 25a) to the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f (sixth rear concave curved surface portion In some cases, a transparent plastic deformation confirmation second sheet showing the boundary lines of the first front concave curved surface portion 23a (first rear concave curved surface portion 25a) to the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f (sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f) of the damper panel 13d is placed over the front concave surface area 20 (rear concave surface area 21) of the damper panel 13d, and the boundary lines shown on the plastic deformation confirmation second sheet are compared with the boundary lines of the first front concave curved surface portion 23a (first rear concave curved surface portion 25a) to the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f (sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f) of the damper panel 13d to determine the degree of plastic deformation.

[0084] The steel damper 10D has a radial width dimension that gradually decreases from the first front concave curved surface portion 23a to the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f (nth front concave curved surface portion) and gradually decreases from the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a to the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f (nth rear concave curved surface portion). As a result, many circular (perfect circle) front concave curved surface portions and rear concave curved surface portions are formed in the center of the damper panel 13d, which is most susceptible to plastic deformation. When an external force acting upon vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper 10D as a shear force, an axial force, or a bending moment, the first front concave curved surface portion to the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23a to 23f (first front concave curved surface portion) that are formed in a circular (perfect circle) shape of the damper panel 13d are deformed. The first to nth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) formed in a circular (perfect circle) shape undergo uniform and reliable plastic deformation, allowing the damper panel 13d of the steel damper 10D to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The vibration energy (earthquake energy) can be sufficiently attenuated by utilizing the plastic deformation of the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f of the damper panel 13d, thereby minimizing deformation and damage to the building due to vibration (earthquake).

[0085] In the steel damper 10D, the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f, which are circular (perfect circles), and the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f, which are circular (perfect circles), are formed on the damper panel 13d, so that plastic deformation such as distortion, warping, bending, breakage, and damage that occurs in the front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like occur can be easily detected, and the degree of deformation of the front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f can be easily confirmed.

[0086] The steel damper 10D can easily check the degree of deformation of the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (the first to nth front concave curved surface portions) which are formed into a circle (perfect circle) of the damper panel 13d that has been plastically deformed after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like have occurred, and the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) which are formed into a circle (perfect circle). This makes it possible to accurately determine whether the steel damper 10D is in a state where it can exhibit its seismic control function, and to predict the energy absorption capacity of the steel damper 10D until the end of its lifespan. This makes it possible to determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the steel damper 10D against repeated earthquakes. The steel damper 10D will not be replaced unnecessarily, preventing unnecessary disposal and preventing the steel damper 10D that has lost its seismic control function from being replaced beyond its replacement period.

[0087] Fig. 10 is a front view of a steel damper 10E shown as another example. The steel damper 10E shown in Fig. 10 differs from that shown in Fig. 8 in that the radial width dimensions of the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f gradually increase from the first front concave curved surface portion 23a to the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f, and the radial width dimensions of the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f gradually increase from the first rear concave curved surface portion 23a to the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f. The other configurations are the same as those of the steel damper 10D shown in Fig. 8.

[0088] The steel damper 10E is formed from a first connecting panel 11, a second connecting panel 12, and a damper panel 13e extending between the first and second connecting panels 11, 12. A front concave area 20 of a predetermined area is formed in a central region 19 on a front surface 17 of the damper panel 13e, the front concave area 20 being recessed from the front surface 17 toward the rear surface 18. A rear concave area 21 of a predetermined area is formed in the central region 19 on the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13e, the rear concave area 21 being recessed from the rear surface 18 toward the front surface 17.

[0089] The anterior concave surface area 20 is formed with first to sixth anterior concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (first to nth anterior concave curved surface portions) whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center. The radial width dimensions of the anterior concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f of the first to sixth anterior concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f gradually increase from the first anterior concave curved surface portion 23a to the sixth anterior concave curved surface portion 23f. The posterior concave surface area 21 is formed with first to sixth posterior concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (first to nth posterior concave curved surface portions) whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center. The radial widths of the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f gradually increase from the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f. As shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 3, the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f may be molded in the shape of spheres with different diameters lined up from the outer circumferential edge 22 toward the center, and the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f may be molded in the shape of spheres with different diameters lined up from the outer circumferential edge 24 toward the center.

[0090] The steel damper 10E has a radial width dimension that gradually increases from the first front concave curved surface portion 23a to the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f (nth front concave curved surface portion) and gradually increases from the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a to the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f (nth rear concave curved surface portion), thereby making it possible to increase the plastic deformation durability of the front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (first front concave curved surface portion to nth front concave curved surface portion) and the rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (first rear concave curved surface portion to nth rear concave curved surface portion) toward the center of the damper panel 13e, and when an external force acting during vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper 10E as a shear force, an axial force, or a bending moment, the plastic deformation durability of the damper panel Plastic deformation is reliably caused from any of the concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f, 25a to 25f of the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f of the damper panel 13e of the steel damper 10E, allowing the damper panel 13e of the steel damper 10E to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The vibration energy (earthquake energy) can be sufficiently attenuated by utilizing the plastic deformation of the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f of the damper panel 13e, and deformation and damage to the building due to vibration (earthquake) can be minimized.

[0091] The steel damper 10E has circular (perfect circles) first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and circular (perfect circles) first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f formed on the damper panel 13e, so that plastic deformation such as distortion, warping, bending, breakage, and damage that occurs in the front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like can be easily found, and the degree of deformation of the front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f can be easily confirmed.

[0092] The steel damper 10E can easily check the degree of deformation of the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (first to nth front concave curved surface portions) which are formed into a circle (perfect circle) of the damper panel 13e that has been plastically deformed after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like have occurred, and the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) which are formed into a circle (perfect circle). This makes it possible to accurately determine whether the steel damper 10E is in a state where it can exhibit its seismic control function, and to predict the energy absorption capacity of the steel damper 10E until the end of its lifespan. This makes it possible to determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the steel damper 10E against repeated earthquakes, and prevents unnecessary replacement, preventing unnecessary disposal, and preventing the steel damper 10E that has lost its seismic control function from being replaced beyond its replacement period.

[0093] Fig. 11 is a front view of a steel damper 10F shown as another example. The steel damper 10F shown in Fig. 11 differs from that shown in Fig. 8 in that the radial width dimensions of the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f are set randomly (arbitrarily) in the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f, and the radial width dimensions of the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f are set randomly (arbitrarily) in the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f. The other configurations are the same as those of the steel damper 10D shown in Fig. 8.

[0094] The steel damper 10F is formed from a first connecting panel 11, a second connecting panel 12, and a damper panel 13f extending between the first and second connecting panels 11, 12. A front concave area 20 of a predetermined area is formed in a central region 19 on the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13f, the front concave area 20 being recessed from the front surface 17 toward the rear surface 18. A rear concave area 21 of a predetermined area is formed in the central region 19 on the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13f, the rear concave area 21 being recessed from the rear surface 18 toward the front surface 17.

[0095] The anterior concave surface area 20 is formed with first to sixth anterior concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (first to nth anterior concave curved surface portions) whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center. The radial width dimensions of the anterior concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f are set randomly (arbitrarily) among the first to sixth anterior concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f. The posterior concave surface area 21 is formed with first to sixth posterior concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (first to nth posterior concave curved surface portions) whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center. The radial width dimensions of the first to sixth posterior concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f are set randomly (arbitrarily). As shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 3, the first to sixth anterior concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f may be molded in the shape of spheres with different diameters arranged from the outer circumferential edge 22 toward the center, and the first to sixth posterior concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f may be molded in the shape of spheres with different diameters arranged from the outer circumferential edge 24 toward the center.

[0096] In the steel damper 10F, the radial width dimensions are set randomly in the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (first to nth front concave curved surface portions), and the radial width dimensions are set randomly in the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions). This allows the concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f, 25a to 25f that are easy to plastically deform to be set in any of the first front concave curved surface portion 23a to the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f or the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a to the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f, and the external force acting when vibrations due to an earthquake or the like occur is transmitted to the steel damper as a shear force, an axial force, and a bending moment. When the vibration energy is transmitted to the 10F, it undergoes plastic deformation as set from any of the concave curved portions 23a to 23f, 25a to 25f of the damper panel 13f, among the first to sixth front concave curved portion 23a to 23f and the first to sixth rear concave curved portion 25a to 25f, and the vibration energy (earthquake energy) can be efficiently absorbed by the damper panel 13f of the steel damper 10F.The vibration energy (earthquake energy) can be sufficiently attenuated by utilizing the plastic deformation of the first to sixth front concave curved portion 23a to 23f and the first to sixth rear concave curved portion 25a to 25f of the damper panel 13f, and deformation and damage to the building due to vibration (earthquake) can be minimized.

[0097] The steel damper 10F has circular (perfect circles) first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and circular (perfect circles) first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f formed on the damper panel 13f, so that plastic deformation such as distortion, warping, bending, breakage, and damage that occurs in the front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like can be easily found, and the degree of deformation of the front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f can be easily confirmed.

[0098] The steel damper 10F can easily check the degree of deformation of the first to sixth front concave curved portions 23a to 23f (first to nth front concave curved portion) which are formed into a circle (perfect circle) of the damper panel 13f that has been plastically deformed after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like have occurred, and the first to sixth rear concave curved portions 25a to 25f (first to nth rear concave curved portion) which are formed into a circle (perfect circle). This makes it possible to accurately determine whether the steel damper 10F is in a state where it can exhibit its seismic control function, and to predict the energy absorption capacity of the steel damper 10F until the end of its lifespan. This makes it possible to determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the steel damper 10F against repeated earthquakes. This prevents unnecessary replacement, prevents unnecessary disposal, and prevents delays in the replacement period of steel dampers 10F that have lost their seismic control function.

[0099] Fig. 12 is a front view of a steel damper 10G showing another example, and Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in Fig. 12. In Figs. 12 and 13, the up-down direction is indicated by arrow X, the width direction is indicated by arrow Y, and the front-rear direction is indicated by arrow Z. The steel damper 10G shown in Fig. 12 differs from that shown in Fig. 8 in that the minimum length dimension L2 in the width direction of the damper panel 13g is greater than the length dimension L1 in the up-down direction of the damper panel 13g, and in that the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (the first to nth front concave curved surface portions) are formed into ellipses that are elongated in the width direction, and the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) are formed into ellipses that are elongated in the width direction. The other configurations are the same as those of the steel damper 10D shown in Fig. 8.

[0100] The steel damper 10G is formed from a first connecting panel 11, a second connecting panel 12, and a damper panel 13g extending between the first and second connecting panels 11, 12. In the steel damper 10G, the minimum length dimension L2 in the width direction of the damper panel 13g is greater than the length dimension L1 in the up-down direction of the damper panel 13g. A front concave area 20 of a predetermined area recessed from the front surface 17 toward the rear surface 18 is formed in a central region 19 on the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13g. A rear concave area 21 of a predetermined area recessed from the rear surface 18 toward the front surface 17 is formed in the central region 19 on the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13g. The front concave area 20 and the rear concave area 21 are shaped (formed) into an elliptical shape that is elongated in the width direction, and have a major axis Z1 extending in the width direction and a minor axis Z2 extending in the up-down direction.

[0101] The front concave area 20 is formed with first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (first to nth front concave curved surface portions) whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center. The first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f are formed in an elliptical shape that is elongated in the width direction, and the radial width dimensions of these front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f gradually decrease from the first front concave curved surface portion 23a to the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the elliptical first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d (first to nth front concave curved surface portions) may be formed in a shape in which the circumferences of spheres with different diameters are arranged from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center. Furthermore, similar to the steel damper 10E shown in FIG. 10, the radial width dimensions of the elliptical first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (first to nth front concave curved surface portions) may gradually increase from the first front concave curved surface portion 23a to the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f, and similar to the steel damper 10F shown in FIG. 11, the radial width dimensions of the elliptical first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (first to nth front concave curved surface portions) may be set randomly (arbitrarily) in the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f.

[0102] The rear concave surface area 21 is formed with first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions), the recess dimensions of which increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center. The first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f are formed in an elliptical shape that is elongated in the width direction, and the radial width dimensions of these rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f gradually decrease from the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a to the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the elliptical first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) may be formed in a shape in which the circumferences of spheres with different diameters are arranged from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center. Furthermore, similar to the steel damper 10E shown in FIG. 10, the radial width dimensions of the elliptical first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) may gradually increase from the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a to the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f, and similar to the steel damper 10F shown in FIG. 11, the radial width dimensions of the elliptical first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) may be set randomly (arbitrarily) in the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f.

[0103] Although not shown, the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (first to nth front concave curved surface portions) may be formed into ellipses that are elongated in the vertical direction, and the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) may be formed into ellipses that are elongated in the vertical direction. In this case, the vertical length dimension L1 in the width direction of the damper panel 13g is greater than the minimum length dimension L2 in the width direction of the damper panel 13g, and the front concave surface area 20 and the rear concave surface area 21 are formed (formed) into ellipses that are elongated in the vertical direction, and have a major axis Z1 extending in the vertical direction and a minor axis Z2 extending in the width direction.

[0104] The steel damper 10G has a radial width dimension that gradually decreases from the first front concave curved surface portion 23a to the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f (nth front concave curved surface portion), and gradually decreases from the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a to the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f (nth rear concave curved surface portion). As a result, many elliptical front concave curved surface portions and rear concave curved surface portions are formed in the center of the damper panel 13g, which is most susceptible to plastic deformation. When an external force acting upon vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper 10G as a shear force, an axial force, or a bending moment, the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (first front concave curved surface portion) formed in an elliptical shape of the damper panel 13g are gradually distorted. The first to nth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) which are elliptically shaped are plastically deformed, thereby allowing the damper panel 13g of the steel damper 10G to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The vibration energy (earthquake energy) can be sufficiently attenuated by utilizing the plastic deformation of the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f of the damper panel 13g, thereby minimizing deformation and damage to the building due to vibration (earthquake).

[0105] The steel damper 10G has elliptical first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and elliptical first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f formed on the damper panel 13g, making it easy to find plastic deformation such as distortion, warping, bending, breakage, and damage that occurs in the front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like occur, and making it easy to check the degree of deformation of the front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f.

[0106] The steel damper 10G allows for easy confirmation of the degree of deformation of the elliptical first to sixth front concave curved portions 23a to 23f (first to nth front concave curved portion) of the damper panel 13g that have been plastically deformed after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like, and the elliptical first to sixth rear concave curved portions 25a to 25f (first to nth rear concave curved portion) of the damper panel 13g. This makes it possible to accurately determine whether the steel damper 10G is in a state where it can exhibit its seismic control function, and to predict the energy absorption capacity of the steel damper 10G until the end of its lifespan. This makes it possible to determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the steel damper 10G against repeated earthquakes. This prevents unnecessary replacement, prevents unnecessary disposal, and prevents delays in the replacement period of steel dampers 10G that have lost their seismic control function.

[0107] Fig. 14 is a front view of a steel damper 10H showing another example, and Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in Fig. 14. In Figs. 14 and 15, the up-down direction is indicated by arrow X, the width direction is indicated by arrow Y, and the front-rear direction is indicated by arrow Z. The steel damper 10H shown in Fig. 14 differs from that shown in Fig. 8 in that the length dimension L1 in the up-down direction of the damper panel 13h is greater than the minimum length dimension L2 in the width direction of the damper panel 13h, and in that the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (the first to nth front concave curved surface portions) are formed in oval shapes that are long in the up-down direction, and the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) are formed in oval shapes that are long in the up-down direction. The other configurations are the same as those of the steel damper 10D shown in Fig. 8.

[0108] The steel damper 10H is formed from a first connecting panel 11, a second connecting panel 12, and a damper panel 13h extending between the first and second connecting panels 11, 12. In the steel damper 10H, the vertical length dimension L1 of the damper panel 13h is greater than the minimum width dimension L2 of the damper panel 13h. A front concave area 20 of a predetermined area is formed in a central region 19 of the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13h, recessed from the front surface 17 toward the rear surface 18. A rear concave area 21 of a predetermined area is formed in the central region 19 of the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13h, recessed from the rear surface 18 toward the front surface 17. The front concave area 20 and the rear concave area 21 are shaped (formed) into an oval shape that is long in the vertical direction, and have both end edges 59 that extend in an arc in the width direction and both side edges 60 that extend straight in the vertical direction, as well as a long axis Z1 that extends in the vertical direction and a short axis Z2 that extends in the width direction.

[0109] The front concave area 20 is formed with first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (first to nth front concave curved surface portions), the recess dimensions of which gradually increase from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center. The first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f are formed in an oval shape that is long in the vertical direction, and the radial width dimensions of these front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f gradually decrease from the first front concave curved surface portion 23a to the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the oval-shaped first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d (first to nth front concave curved surface portions) may be formed in a shape in which the circumferences of spheres with different diameters are arranged from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center. Furthermore, similar to the steel damper 10E shown in FIG. 10, the radial width dimensions of the oval-shaped first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (first to nth front concave curved surface portions) may gradually increase from the first front concave curved surface portion 23a to the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f, and similar to the steel damper 10F shown in FIG. 11, the radial width dimensions of the oval-shaped first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (first to nth front concave curved surface portions) may be set randomly (arbitrarily) in the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f.

[0110] The rear concave surface area 21 is formed with first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions), the recess dimensions of which increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center. The first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f are formed in an oval shape that is long in the vertical direction, and the radial width dimensions of these rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f gradually decrease from the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a to the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the oval-shaped first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) may be formed in a shape in which the circumferences of spheres with different diameters are arranged from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center. Furthermore, similar to the steel damper 10E shown in FIG. 10, the radial width dimensions of the oval-shaped first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) may gradually increase from the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a to the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f, and similar to the steel damper 10F shown in FIG. 11, the radial width dimensions of the oval-shaped first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) may be set randomly (arbitrarily) in the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f.

[0111] Although not shown, the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (the first to nth front concave curved surface portions) may be formed in an oval shape that is long in the width direction, and the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) may be formed in an oval shape that is long in the width direction. In this case, the minimum length dimension L2 in the width direction of the damper panel 13f is greater than the length dimension L1 in the up-down direction of the damper panel 13f, and the front concave surface area 20 and the rear concave surface area 21 are formed (formed) in an oval shape that is long in the width direction, have both end edges 59 extending straight in the width direction and both side edges 60 extending in an arc in the up-down direction, and have a major axis Z1 extending in the width direction and a minor axis Z2 extending up-down.

[0112] The steel damper 10H has a radial width dimension that gradually decreases from the first front concave curved surface portion 23a to the sixth front concave curved surface portion 23f (nth front concave curved surface portion), and gradually decreases from the first rear concave curved surface portion 25a to the sixth rear concave curved surface portion 25f (nth rear concave curved surface portion). As a result, many oval front concave curved surface portions and rear concave curved surface portions are formed in the center of the damper panel 13h, which is most susceptible to plastic deformation. When an external force acting upon vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper 10H as a shear force, an axial force, or a bending moment, the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f (first front concave curved surface portion) formed in an oval shape of the damper panel 13h are gradually distorted. The first to nth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the first to nth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) formed into an oval shape are plastically deformed reliably, allowing the damper panel 13h of the steel damper 10H to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The vibration energy (earthquake energy) can be sufficiently attenuated by utilizing the plastic deformation of the first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f of the damper panel 13h, thereby minimizing deformation and damage to the building due to vibration (earthquake).

[0113] The steel damper 10H has oval-shaped first to sixth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and oval-shaped first to sixth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f formed on the damper panel 13h, making it easy to find plastic deformation such as distortion, warping, bending, breakage, and damage that occurs in the front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like occur, and making it easy to check the degree of deformation of the front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23f and the rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25f.

[0114] The steel damper 10H can easily check the degree of deformation of the first to sixth front concave curved portions 23a to 23f (first to nth front concave curved portion) which are formed into an oval shape of the damper panel 13h that has been plastically deformed after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like, and the first to sixth rear concave curved portions 25a to 25f (first to nth rear concave curved portion) which are formed into an oval shape. This makes it possible to accurately determine whether the steel damper 10H is in a state where it can perform its seismic control function, and to predict the energy absorption capacity of the steel damper 10H until the end of its lifespan. This makes it possible to determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the steel damper 10H against repeated earthquakes. This prevents unnecessary replacement, prevents unnecessary disposal, and prevents the steel damper 10H that has lost its seismic control function from being replaced beyond its replacement period.

[0115] Fig. 16 is a front view of a steel damper 10I shown as another example, and Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG in Fig. 16. Fig. 18 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 17. In Figs. 16 and 17, the up-down direction is indicated by arrow X, the width direction is indicated by arrow Y, and the front-rear direction is indicated by arrow Z. The steel damper 10I differs from that shown in Fig. 1 in that first to fourth front concave slopes 26a to 26d (first to fourth front concave slopes) are formed in the front concave area 20, and first to fourth rear concave slopes 27a to 27d (first to fourth rear concave slopes) are formed in the rear concave area 21; the other configurations are the same as those of the steel damper 10A shown in Fig. 1.

[0116] The steel damper 10I is formed from a first panel 11, a second connecting panel 12, and a damper panel 13i extending between the first and second connecting panels 11, 12. The first connecting panel 11 and the second connecting panel 12 are the same as those of the steel damper 10A in Fig. 1. The minimum length dimension L2 of the damper panel 13i in the width direction is shorter than that of the first and second connecting panels 11, 12, and both side edges 16 thereof arc toward the center of the damper panel 13i (inward in the width direction), and like the damper panel 13a in Fig. 1, both side edges 16 are narrowed toward the inward in the width direction.

[0117] In the damper panel 13i, external forces acting during vibration (earthquake) are transmitted evenly to both narrowed side edges 16 of the damper panel 13i as shear force, axial force, and bending moment. The damper panel 13i has a front surface 17 and a rear surface 18. A front concave area 20 of a predetermined area is formed in a central region 19 of the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13i, recessed from the front surface 17 toward the rear surface 18. A rear concave area 21 of a predetermined area is formed in the central region 19 of the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13i, recessed from the rear surface 18 toward the front surface 17.

[0118] The front concave area 20 is formed with first to fourth front concave portions 26a to 26d (first to n-th front concave portions) whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center. The first to fourth front concave portions 26a to 26d are first to fourth front concave slope portions 26a to 26d (first to n-th front concave slope portions) that are recessed from the front surface 17 toward the rear surface 18 and slope downward at a predetermined angle from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center (from the front surface 17 (front concave area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21)). The first to third front concave slope portions 26a to 26c extend in an annular (circular) shape while describing concentric circles in the central region 19 (front concave area 20) of the front surface 17. The fourth front concave slope portion 26d extends concentrically in a circular shape in the central region 19 (front concave area 20) of the front surface 17.

[0119] The first to fourth front concave slope portions 26a to 26d have the same radial width. Among the first to fourth front concave slope portions 26a to 26d, the recess dimension of the first front concave slope portion 26a from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13g is smallest, the recess dimension of the second front concave slope portion 26b from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13g is larger than that of the first front concave slope portion 26a, the recess dimension of the third front concave slope portion 26c from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13g is larger than that of the second front concave slope portion 26b, and the recess dimension of the fourth front concave slope portion 26d from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13g is larger than that of the third front concave slope portion 26c.

[0120] In the front concave surface area 20, the downward inclination angles of the front concave inclined surface portions 26a-26d gradually decrease from the first front concave inclined surface portion 26a to the fourth front concave inclined surface portion 26d. Among the first to fourth front concave inclined surface portions 26a-26d, the downward inclination angle of the first front concave inclined surface portion 26a is the largest, the downward inclination angle of the second front concave inclined surface portion 26b is smaller than that of the first front concave inclined surface portion 26a, the downward inclination angle of the third front concave inclined surface portion 26c is smaller than that of the second front concave inclined surface portion 26b, and the downward inclination angle of the fourth front concave inclined surface portion 26d is smaller than that of the third front concave inclined surface portion 26c.

[0121] In the front concave surface area 20, the first front concave slope portion 26a, the second front concave slope portion 26b, the third front concave slope portion 26c, and the fourth front concave slope portion 26d are arranged in this order from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center (inward in the width direction). Therefore, the first front concave slope portion 26a is annular (circular) and slopes downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the front concave surface area 20 (from the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21)). The second front concave slope portion 26b is annular (circular) and slopes downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the front concave surface area 20 (from the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21)). Adjacent to the front concave area 20 is a third annular (circular) front concave slope portion 26c that slopes downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the front concave area 20 (from the front surface 17 (front concave area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21)), and adjacent to the front concave area 20 is a fourth annular (circular) front concave slope portion 26d that slopes downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the front concave area 20 (from the front surface 17 (front concave area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21)). Although four front concave slope portions 26a to 26d are formed in the front concave area 20, there is no particular limitation on the number of front concave slope portions, and five or more front concave slope portions may be formed in the front concave area 20.

[0122] The rear concave area 21 is formed with first to fourth rear concave surface portions 27a to 27d (first to n-th rear concave surface portions) whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center. The first to fourth rear concave surface portions 27a to 27d are first to fourth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27d (first to n-th rear concave slope portions) that are recessed from the rear surface 18 toward the front surface 17 and slope downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the rear concave surface area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20)). The first to third rear concave slope portions 27a to 27c extend in an annular (circular) shape while drawing concentric circles in the central region 19 (rear concave area) 21 of the rear surface 18, and the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d extends in a circular shape while drawing concentric circles in the central region 19 (rear concave area 21) of the rear surface 18.

[0123] The first to fourth rear concave slopes 27a to 27d have the same radial width. Among the first to fourth rear concave slopes 27a to 27d, the recess dimension of the first rear concave slope 27a from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13g is smallest, the recess dimension of the second rear concave slope 27b from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13g is larger than that of the first rear concave slope 27a, the recess dimension of the third rear concave slope 27c from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13g is larger than that of the second rear concave slope 27b, and the recess dimension of the fourth rear concave slope 27d from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13g is larger than that of the third rear concave slope 27c.

[0124] In the rear concave surface area 21, the downward inclination angles of the rear concave inclined surface portions 27a-27d gradually decrease from the first rear concave inclined surface portion 27a to the fourth rear concave inclined surface portion 27d. Among the first to fourth rear concave inclined surface portions 27a-27d, the downward inclination angle of the first rear concave inclined surface portion 27a is the largest, the downward inclination angle of the second rear concave inclined surface portion 27b is smaller than that of the first rear concave inclined surface portion 27a, the downward inclination angle of the third rear concave inclined surface portion 27c is smaller than that of the second rear concave inclined surface portion 27b, and the downward inclination angle of the fourth rear concave inclined surface portion 27d is smaller than that of the third rear concave inclined surface portion 27c.

[0125] In the rear concave surface area 21, the first rear concave slope portion 27a, the second rear concave slope portion 27b, the third rear concave slope portion 27c, and the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d are arranged in this order from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center (inward in the width direction). Therefore, the first rear concave slope portion 27a is annular (circular) and slopes downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the rear concave surface area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20)). The second rear concave slope portion 27b is annular (circular) and slopes downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the rear concave surface area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20)). A circular third rear concave slope portion 27c is arranged adjacent to the rear concave area 21 toward the center of the rear concave area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave area 20)) and slopes downward at a predetermined angle, and a circular fourth rear concave slope portion 27d is arranged adjacent to the rear concave area 21 toward the center of the rear concave area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave area 20)). Although four rear concave slope portions 27a to 27d are formed in the rear concave area 21, there is no particular limitation on the number of rear concave slope portions, and five or more rear concave slope portions may be formed in the rear concave area 21.

[0126] The front concave surface area 20 and the rear concave surface area 21 are the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13i. Therefore, the first front concave slope portion 26a and the first rear concave slope portion 27a are the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13i, the second front concave slope portion 26b and the second rear concave slope portion 27b are the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13i, the third front concave slope portion 26c and the third rear concave slope portion 27c are the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13i, and the fourth front concave slope portion 26d and the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d are the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13i.

[0127] In the damper panel 13i, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13i at the first front concave inclined surface portion 26a and the first rear concave inclined surface portion 27a is the largest, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13i at the second front concave inclined surface portion 26b and the second rear concave inclined surface portion 27b is smaller than that of the damper panel 13i at the first front concave curved surface portion 26a and the first rear concave curved surface portion 27a. The thickness dimension of the damper panel 13i at the third front concave curved surface portion 26c and the third rear concave curved surface portion 27c is smaller than that of the damper panel 13i at the second front concave curved surface portion 26b and the second rear concave curved surface portion 27b, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13i at the fourth front concave curved surface portion 26d and the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 27d is smaller than that of the damper panel 13i at the third front concave curved surface portion 26c and the third rear concave curved surface portion 27c, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13i at the fourth front concave curved surface portion 26d and the fourth rear concave curved surface portion 27d is the smallest.

[0128] In the steel damper 10I, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13i at the first front concave slope portion 26a and the first rear concave slope portion 27a (the thickness dimension in the front-rear direction between the first front concave slope portion 26a and the first rear concave slope portion 27a), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13i at the second front concave slope portion 26b and the second rear concave slope portion 27b (the thickness dimension in the front-rear direction between the second front concave slope portion 26b and the second rear concave slope portion 27b), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13i at the third front concave slope portion 26c and the third rear concave slope portion 27c The thickness dimension of the damper panel 13i (the thickness dimension in the front-to-rear direction between the third front concave slope portion 26c and the third rear concave slope portion 27c) and the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13i at the fourth front concave slope portion 26d and the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d (the thickness dimension in the front-to-rear direction between the fourth front concave slope portion 26d and the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d) can be freely set (for example, in the range of 5mm to 50mm), and the damping force (vibration (earthquake) resistance force) can be set arbitrarily in the range of 50kN to 3000kN.

[0129] When vibrations occur due to an earthquake or the like, the steel damper 10I exerts its seismic control function by plastically deforming the first to fourth front concave slopes 26a to 26d (first to nth front concave slopes) formed in a circular (perfect circle) shape of the damper panel 13i and the first to fourth rear concave slopes 27a to 27d (first to nth rear concave slopes) formed in a circular (perfect circle) shape of the damper panel 13i due to relative displacement between the first structural member (upper structural member or first side structural member) and the second structural member (lower structural member or second side structural member) of the building. For example, when the vibration during an earthquake is small, the fourth front concave slope portion 26d and the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d of the damper panel 13i having a small thickness dimension undergo plastic deformation, and when the vibration during an earthquake is medium, in addition to the fourth front concave slope portion 26d and the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d of the damper panel 13i having a small thickness dimension undergo plastic deformation, the third front concave slope portion 26c and the third rear concave slope portion 27c and the second front concave slope portion 26b and the second rear concave slope portion 27b of the damper panel 13g having a medium thickness dimension also undergo plastic deformation. When the vibration during an earthquake is large, the fourth front concave slope portion 26d and the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d of the damper panel 13i with a small thickness undergo plastic deformation, and the third front concave slope portion 26c and the third rear concave slope portion 27c and the second front concave slope portion 26b and the second rear concave slope portion 27b of the damper panel 13g with a medium thickness undergo plastic deformation, and in addition, the first front concave slope portion 26a and the first rear concave slope portion 27a of the damper panel 13g with a large thickness undergo plastic deformation.

[0130] Although not shown, a transparent plastic deformation confirmation sheet (not shown) is prepared in advance for the steel damper 10I, showing (modeling) the boundaries of the first front concave slope 26a (first rear concave slope 27a) through the fourth front concave slope 26d (fourth rear concave slope 27d) before the damper panel 13i of the steel damper 10I is plastically deformed. In the steel damper 10I, if the first front to fourth front concave slopes 26a to 26d or the first rear concave slopes 27a to 27d of the damper panel 13i are plastically deformed due to the occurrence of vibration (earthquake), the seismic damping function of the steel damper 10I may be lost depending on the degree of plastic deformation. After vibration due to an earthquake or the like occurs, a steel damper 10I that has undergone a large degree of plastic deformation and lost its seismic damping function is replaced. Even after vibration (earthquake) occurs, if the degree of plastic deformation is small and the steel damper 10I is still in a state where it can exert its vibration control function, it can continue to be used without being replaced.

[0131] Plastic deformation such as distortion, warping, bending, breakage, or damage occurring in the first to fourth front concave slope portions 26a to 26d and the first to fourth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27d of the damper panel 13i after vibration due to an earthquake or the like is visually confirmed to determine the degree of plastic deformation, or when the first front concave slope portion 26a (first rear concave slope portion 27a) to fourth front concave slope portion 26d (fourth rear concave slope portion In some cases, a transparent plastic deformation confirmation third sheet showing the boundary lines of the first front concave slope portion 26a (first rear concave slope portion 27a) to the fourth front concave slope portion 26d (fourth rear concave slope portion 27d) of the damper panel 13i is placed over the front concave area 20 (rear concave area 21) of the damper panel 13i, and the boundary lines shown on the plastic deformation confirmation third sheet are compared with the boundary lines of the first front concave slope portion 26a (first rear concave slope portion 27a) to the fourth front concave slope portion 26d (fourth rear concave slope portion 27d) of the damper panel 13i to determine the degree of plastic deformation.

[0132] When an external force acting upon the steel damper 10I during vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper 10I as a shear force, an axial force, or a bending moment, the first to fourth front concave slopes 26a to 26d (the first to n-th front concave slopes) formed in a circular (perfect circle) shape of the damper panel 13i and the first to fourth rear concave slopes 27a to 27d (the first to n-th rear concave slopes) formed in a circular (perfect circle) shape are uniformly and The steel damper 10I undergoes reliable plastic deformation, allowing the damper panel 13i to efficiently absorb earthquake energy, and the vibration energy (earthquake energy) can be sufficiently damped by utilizing the plastic deformation of the first to fourth front concave slope portions 26a to 26d and the first to fourth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27d of the damper panel 13i, thereby minimizing deformation and damage to the building due to vibration (earthquake).

[0133] The steel damper 10I has circular (perfect circles) first to fourth front concave slope portions 26a to 26d and circular (perfect circles) first to fourth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27d formed on the damper panel 13i, so that plastic deformation such as distortion, warping, bending, breakage, and damage that occurs in the front concave slope portions 26a to 26d and the rear concave slope portions 27a to 27d after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like can be easily detected, and the degree of deformation of the front concave slope portions 26a to 26d and the rear concave slope portions 27a to 27d can be easily confirmed.

[0134] The steel damper 10I allows for easy confirmation of the degree of deformation of the first to fourth front concave slope portions 26a to 26d (first to nth front concave slope portions) and the first to fourth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27d (first to nth rear concave slope portions) of the damper panel 13i that have been plastically deformed after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like. This makes it possible to accurately determine whether the steel damper 10I is in a state where it can perform its seismic control function, and to predict the energy absorption capacity of the steel damper 10I until the end of its lifespan. This makes it possible to determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the steel damper 10I against repeated earthquakes, and prevents unnecessary replacement, preventing unnecessary disposal, and preventing the replacement period of a steel damper 10G that has lost its seismic control function from being exceeded.

[0135] In the steel damper 10I, similar to the steel damper 10B shown in Figure 4, the first to fourth front concave slope portions 26a to 26d and the first to fourth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27d may be formed into oval shapes that are long in the vertical direction, or similar to the steel damper 10G shown in Figure 12, the first to fourth front concave slope portions 26a to 26d and the first to fourth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27d may be formed into oval shapes that are long in the width direction. Furthermore, similar to the steel damper 10C shown in Figure 6, the first to fourth front concave slope portions 26a to 26d and the first to fourth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27d may be formed into oval shapes that are long in the width direction, and similar to the steel damper 10H shown in Figure 14, the first to fourth front concave slope portions 26a to 26d and the first to fourth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27d may be formed into oval shapes that are long in the vertical direction.

[0136] Fig. 19 is a front view of a steel damper 10J shown as another example, and Fig. 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line HH in Fig. 19. Fig. 21 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 20. In Figs. 19 and 20, the up-down direction is indicated by arrow X, the width direction is indicated by arrow Y, and the front-rear direction is indicated by arrow Z. The steel damper 10J differs from that of Figure 1 in that the first to sixth front concave slope portions 26a to 26f (first to sixth front concave slope portions) are formed in the front concave area 20, and the first to sixth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27f (first to sixth rear concave slope portions) are formed in the rear concave area 21, and the radial width dimensions of the first to sixth front concave slope portions 26a to 26f gradually decrease from the first front concave slope portion 26a to the sixth front concave slope portion 26f, and the radial width dimensions of the first to sixth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27f gradually decrease from the first rear concave slope portion 27a to the sixth rear concave slope portion 25f; the other configurations are the same as those of the steel damper 10A of Figure 1.

[0137] The steel damper 10J is formed from a first connecting panel 11, a second connecting panel 12, and a damper panel 13j extending between the first and second connecting panels 11, 12. The first connecting panel 11 and the second connecting panel 12 are the same as those of the steel damper 10A in Fig. 1. The minimum length dimension L2 of the damper panel 13j in the width direction is shorter than that of the first and second connecting panels, and both side edges 16 thereof arc toward the center of the damper panel 13h (inward in the width direction), and like the damper panel 13a in Fig. 1, both side edges 16 are narrowed toward the inward in the width direction.

[0138] In the damper panel 13j, external forces acting during vibrations due to earthquakes or the like are transmitted evenly to both narrowed side edges 16 of the damper panel 13j as shear forces, axial forces, and bending moments. The damper panel 13j has a front surface 17 and a rear surface 18. A front concave area 20 of a predetermined area is formed in a central region 19 of the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13j, recessed from the front surface 18 toward the rear surface 17. A rear concave area 21 of a predetermined area is formed in the central region 19 of the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13j, recessed from the rear surface 18 toward the front surface 17.

[0139] The front concave area 20 is formed with first to sixth front concave portions 26a to 26f (first to nth front concave portions) whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center. The first to sixth front concave portions 26a to 26f are first to sixth front concave slope portions 26a to 26f (first to nth front concave slope portions) that are recessed from the front surface 17 toward the rear surface 18 and slope downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the front concave area 20 (from the front surface 17 (front concave area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21)). The first to fifth front concave slope portions 26a to 26e extend in an annular (circular) shape while drawing concentric circles in the central region 19 (front concave area) 20 of the front surface 17, and the sixth front concave slope portion 26f extends in a circular shape while drawing concentric circles in the central region 19 (front concave area 20) of the front surface 17.

[0140] Of the first to sixth front concave slope portions 26a to 26f, the first front concave slope portion 26a has the smallest recessed dimension from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13j, the second front concave slope portion 26b has a larger recessed dimension from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13j than the first front concave slope portion 26a, and the third front concave slope portion 26c has a larger recessed dimension from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13j than the second front concave slope portion 26b. The recess dimension of the fourth front concave slope portion 26d from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13j is larger than that of the third front concave slope portion 26c, the recess dimension of the fifth front concave slope portion 26e from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13j is larger than that of the fourth front concave slope portion 26d, and the recess dimension of the sixth front concave slope portion 26f from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13j is larger than that of the fifth front concave slope portion 26e.

[0141] The radial width dimensions of the first to sixth front concave slope portions 26a to 26f gradually decrease from the first to sixth front concave slope portion 26a to 26f. Among the first to sixth front concave slope portions 26a to 26f, the radial width dimension of the first front concave slope portion 26a is the largest, the radial width dimension of the second front concave slope portion 26b is smaller than that of the first front concave slope portion 26a, and the radial width dimension of the third front concave slope portion 26c is smaller than that of the second front concave slope portion 26b. The radial width dimension of the fourth front concave slope portion 26d is smaller than that of the third front concave slope portion 26c, the radial width dimension of the fifth front concave slope portion 26e is smaller than that of the fourth front concave slope portion 26d, and the radial width dimension of the sixth front concave slope portion 26f is smaller than that of the fifth front concave slope portion 26e.

[0142] In the front concave surface area 20, the downward inclination angles of the front concave inclined surface portions 26a to 26f gradually decrease from the first front concave inclined surface portion 26a to the sixth front concave inclined surface portion 26f. Among the first to sixth front concave inclined surface portions 26a to 26f, the downward inclination angle of the first front concave inclined surface portion 26a is the largest, the downward inclination angle of the second front concave inclined surface portion 26b is smaller than that of the first front concave inclined surface portion 26a, and the downward inclination angle of the third front concave inclined surface portion 26c is smaller than that of the second front concave inclined surface portion 26b. The downward inclination angle of the fourth front concave slope portion 26d is smaller than that of the third front concave slope portion 26c, the downward inclination angle of the fifth front concave slope portion 26e is smaller than that of the fourth front concave slope portion 26d, and the downward inclination angle of the sixth front concave slope portion 26f is smaller than that of the fifth front concave slope portion 26e.

[0143] In the front concave surface area 20, the first front concave slope portion 26a → the second front concave slope portion 26b → the third front concave slope portion 26c → the fourth front concave slope portion 26d → the fifth front concave slope portion 26e → the sixth front concave slope portion 26f are arranged in this order from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center (inward in the width direction). Therefore, the first front concave slope portion 26a is annular (circular) and slopes downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the front concave surface area 20 (from the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21)). The second front concave slope portion 26b is annular (circular) and slopes downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the front concave surface area 20 (from the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) toward the rear surface 17 (rear concave surface area 21)). A third annular (circular) front concave slope portion 26c is adjacently arranged, sloping downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the concave area 20 (from the front surface 17 (front concave area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21)), and a fourth annular (circular) front concave slope portion 26d is adjacently arranged radially inward of the third front concave slope portion 26c, sloping downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the front concave area 20 (from the front surface 17 (front concave area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21)).

[0144] Radially inward of the fourth front concave slope portion 26d, there is arranged adjacent to the center of the front concave area 20 (from the front surface 17 (front concave area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21)), a fifth front concave slope portion 26e having an annular (circular) shape and sloping downward at a predetermined angle, and radially inward of the fifth front concave slope portion 26e, there is arranged adjacent to the center of the front concave area 20 (from the front surface 17 (front concave area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21)). Note that, although six front concave slope portions 26a to 26f are formed in the front concave area 20, there is no particular limitation on the number of front concave slope portions, and four or less or seven or more front concave slope portions may be formed in the front concave area 20.

[0145] The rear concave area 21 is formed with first to sixth rear concave surface portions 27a to 27f (first to nth rear concave surface portions) whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center. The first to sixth rear concave surface portions 27a to 27f are first to sixth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27f (first to nth rear concave slope portions) that are recessed from the rear surface 18 toward the front surface 17 and slope downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the rear concave surface area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20)). The first to fifth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27e extend in an annular (circular) shape while drawing concentric circles in the central region 19 (rear concave area 21) of the rear surface 18, and the sixth rear concave slope portion 27f extends in a circular shape while drawing concentric circles in the central region 19 (rear concave area 21) of the rear surface 18.

[0146] Of the first to sixth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27f, the first rear concave slope portion 27a has the smallest recessed dimension from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13j, the second rear concave slope portion 27b has a larger recessed dimension from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13j than the first rear concave slope portion 27a, and the third rear concave slope portion 27c has a larger recessed dimension from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13j than the second rear concave slope portion 27b. The recess dimension of the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13j is larger than that of the third rear concave slope portion 27c, the recess dimension of the fifth rear concave slope portion 27e from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13j is larger than that of the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d, and the recess dimension of the sixth rear concave slope portion 27f from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13j is larger than that of the fifth rear concave slope portion 27e.

[0147] The radial widths of the first to sixth rear concave slopes 27a to 27f gradually decrease from the first to sixth rear concave slopes 27a to 27f. Among the first to sixth rear concave slopes 27a to 27f, the radial width of the first rear concave slope 27a is the largest, the radial width of the second rear concave slope 27b is smaller than that of the first rear concave slope 27a, and the radial width of the third rear concave slope 27c is smaller than that of the second rear concave slope 27b. The radial width dimension of the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d is smaller than that of the third rear concave slope portion 27c, the radial width dimension of the fifth rear concave slope portion 27e is smaller than that of the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d, and the radial width dimension of the sixth rear concave slope portion 27f is smaller than that of the fifth rear concave slope portion 27e.

[0148] In the rear concave surface area 21, the downward inclination angles of the rear concave inclined surface portions 27a to 27f gradually decrease from the first rear concave inclined surface portion 27a to the sixth rear concave inclined surface portion 27f. Among the first to sixth rear concave inclined surface portions 27a to 27f, the downward inclination angle of the first rear concave inclined surface portion 27a is the largest, the downward inclination angle of the second rear concave inclined surface portion 27b is smaller than that of the first rear concave inclined surface portion 27a, and the downward inclination angle of the third rear concave inclined surface portion 27c is smaller than that of the second rear concave inclined surface portion 27b. The downward inclination angle of the fourth rear concave inclined surface portion 27d is smaller than that of the third rear concave inclined surface portion 27c, the downward inclination angle of the fifth rear concave inclined surface portion 27e is smaller than that of the fourth rear concave inclined surface portion 27d, and the downward inclination angle of the sixth rear concave inclined surface portion 27f is smaller than that of the fifth rear concave inclined surface portion 27e.

[0149] In the rear concave surface area 21, the first rear concave slope 27a, the second rear concave slope 27b, the third rear concave slope 27c, the fourth rear concave slope 27d, the fifth rear concave slope 27e, and the sixth rear concave slope 27f are arranged in this order from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center (inward in the width direction). Therefore, the first rear concave slope 27a is annular (circular) and slopes downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the rear concave surface area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20)). The second rear concave slope 27b is annular (circular) and slopes downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the rear concave surface area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20)). A third rear concave slope portion 27c having an annular (circular) shape and sloping downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the concave area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave area 20)) is adjacently arranged, and a fourth rear concave slope portion 27d having an annular (circular) shape and sloping downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the rear concave area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave area 20)) is adjacently arranged radially inward of the third rear concave slope portion 27c.

[0150] Radially inward of the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d, there is adjacently arranged a fifth rear concave slope portion 27e having an annular (circular) shape and sloping downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the rear concave surface area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20)), and radially inward of the fifth rear concave slope portion 27e, there is adjacently arranged a sixth rear concave slope portion 27f having a circular shape and sloping downward at a predetermined angle toward the center of the rear concave surface area 21 (from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20)). Note that, although six rear concave slope portions 27a to 27f are formed in the rear concave surface area 21, there is no particular limitation on the number of rear concave slope portions, and four or less or seven or more rear concave slope portions may be formed in the rear concave surface area 21.

[0151] The front concave surface area 20 and the rear concave surface area 21 have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13j. Therefore, the first front concave slope portion 26a and the first rear concave slope portion 27a have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13j, the second rear concave slope portion 26b and the second rear concave slope portion 27b have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13j, and the third front concave slope portion 26c and the third rear concave slope portion 27c have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13j. The fourth front concave inclined surface portion 26d and the fourth rear concave inclined surface portion 27d have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the fore-and-aft direction of the damper panel 13j, the fifth front concave inclined surface portion 26e and the fifth rear concave inclined surface portion 27e have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the fore-and-aft direction of the damper panel 13j, and the sixth front concave inclined surface portion 16f and the sixth rear concave inclined surface portion 27f have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the fore-and-aft direction of the damper panel 13j.

[0152] In the damper panel 13j, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13j at the first front concave slope portion 26a and the first rear concave slope portion 27a is the largest, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13j at the second front concave slope portion 26b and the second rear concave slope portion 27b is smaller than that of the damper panel 13j at the first front concave slope portion 26a and the first rear concave slope portion 27a, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13j at the third front concave slope portion 26c and the third rear concave slope portion 27c is smaller than that of the damper panel 13j at the second front concave slope portion 26b and the second rear concave slope portion 27b, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13j at the fourth front concave slope portion 26d and the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d is smaller than that of the damper panel 13j at the third front concave slope portion 26c and the third rear concave slope portion 27c. The thickness dimension of the damper panel 13j at the fifth front concave slope portion 26e and the fifth rear concave slope portion 27e is smaller than that of the damper panel 13j at the fourth front concave slope portion 26d and the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13j at the sixth front concave slope portion 27f and the sixth rear concave slope portion 27f is smaller than that of the damper panel 13j at the fifth front concave slope portion 26e and the fifth rear concave slope portion 27e, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13j at the sixth front concave slope portion 26f and the sixth rear concave slope portion 27f is the smallest.

[0153] In the steel damper 10J, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13j at the first front concave slope portion 26a and the first rear concave slope portion 27a (the thickness dimension in the front-rear direction between the first front concave slope portion 26a and the first rear concave slope portion 27a), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13j at the second front concave slope portion 26b and the second rear concave slope portion 27b (the thickness dimension in the front-rear direction between the second front concave slope portion 26b and the second rear concave slope portion 27b), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13j at the third front concave slope portion 26c and the third rear concave slope portion 27c (the thickness dimension in the front-rear direction between the third front concave slope portion 26c and the third rear concave slope portion 27c), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13j at the fourth front concave slope portion 26d and the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d The thickness dimension of the damper panel 13j (the thickness dimension in the front-to-rear direction between the fourth front concave slope portion 26d and the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13j at the fifth front concave slope portion 26e and the fifth rear concave slope portion 27e (the thickness dimension in the front-to-rear direction between the fifth front concave slope portion 26e and the fifth rear concave slope portion 27e), and the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13j at the sixth front concave slope portion 26f and the sixth rear concave slope portion 27f (the thickness dimension in the front-to-rear direction between the sixth front concave slope portion 26f and the sixth rear concave slope portion 27f) can be freely set (for example, in the range of 5mm to 50mm), and the damping force (vibration (earthquake) resistance force) can be set arbitrarily in the range of 50kN to 3000kN.

[0154] When vibrations occur due to an earthquake or the like, the steel damper 10J exerts a seismic control function by plastically deforming the first to sixth front concave slopes 26a to 26f (the first to nth front concave slopes) formed into circular (perfect circles) shapes of the damper panel 13j due to relative displacement between the first structural member (upper structural member or first side structural member) and the second structural member (lower structural member or second side structural member) of the building. For example, when the vibration during vibration (earthquake) is small, the sixth front concave slope portion 26f and the sixth rear concave slope portion 27f and the fifth front concave slope portion 26e and the fifth rear concave slope portion 27e of the damper panel 13j, which has a small thickness, undergo plastic deformation, and when the vibration during vibration (earthquake) is medium, in addition to the sixth front concave slope portion 26f and the sixth rear concave slope portion 27f and the fifth front concave slope portion 26e and the fifth rear concave slope portion 27e of the damper panel 13j, which has a small thickness, undergo plastic deformation, the fourth front concave slope portion 26d and the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d and the third front concave slope portion 26c and the third rear concave slope portion 27c of the damper panel 13h, which has a medium thickness, also undergo plastic deformation. When the vibration (earthquake) is large, the sixth front concave slope portion 26f and the sixth rear concave slope portion 27f and the fifth front concave slope portion 26e and the fifth rear concave slope portion 27e of the damper panel 13j, which has a small thickness, undergo plastic deformation, and the fourth front concave slope portion 26d and the fourth rear concave slope portion 27d and the third front concave slope portion 26c and the third rear concave slope portion 27c of the damper panel 13h, which has a medium thickness, undergo plastic deformation.In addition, the second front concave slope portion 26b and the second rear concave slope portion 27b and the first front concave slope portion 26a and the first rear concave slope portion 27a of the damper panel 13h, which has a large thickness, undergo plastic deformation.

[0155] Although not shown, a transparent fourth plastic deformation confirmation sheet (not shown) is prepared in advance for the steel damper 10J, showing (modeling) the boundaries of the first front concave slope portion 26a (first rear concave slope portion 27a) through the sixth front concave slope portion 26f (sixth rear concave slope portion 27f) before the damper panel 13j of the steel damper 10J undergoes plastic deformation. In the steel damper 10J, if vibration (earthquake) occurs and the first front to sixth front concave slope portions 26a-26f or the first rear concave slope portions 27a-27f, both of which are circular (perfect circles), plastically deform, the seismic damping function of the steel damper 10J may be lost depending on the degree of plastic deformation. After vibration (earthquake) occurs, a steel damper 10J that has undergone a large degree of plastic deformation and lost its seismic damping function is replaced. Even after vibration (earthquake) occurs, if the degree of plastic deformation is small and the steel damper 10J is still capable of performing its vibration control function, it can continue to be used without being replaced.

[0156] Plastic deformation such as distortion, strain, bending, breakage, or damage occurring in the first to sixth front concave slope portions 26a to 26f and the first to sixth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27f of the damper panel 13j after vibration due to an earthquake or the like is visually confirmed to determine the degree of plastic deformation, or when the first front concave slope portion 26a (first rear concave slope portion 27a) to sixth front concave slope portion 26f (sixth rear concave slope portion In some cases, a transparent fourth plastic deformation confirmation sheet showing the boundary lines of the first front concave slope portion 26a (first rear concave slope portion 27a) to the sixth front concave slope portion 26f (sixth rear concave slope portion 27f) of the damper panel 13j is placed over the front concave area 20 (rear concave area 21) of the damper panel 13j, and the boundary lines shown on the fourth plastic deformation confirmation sheet are compared with the boundary lines of the first front concave slope portion 26a (first rear concave slope portion 27a) to the sixth front concave slope portion 26f (sixth rear concave slope portion 27f) of the damper panel 13j to determine the degree of plastic deformation.

[0157] The steel damper 10J has a radial width dimension that gradually decreases from the first front concave slope portion 26a to the sixth front concave slope portion 26f (nth front concave slope portion) and gradually decreases from the first rear concave slope portion 27a to the sixth rear concave slope portion 27f (nth rear concave slope portion). As a result, many front concave slope portions and rear concave slope portions are formed in the center of the damper panel 13j, which is most susceptible to plastic deformation. When an external force acting upon vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper as a shear force, an axial force, or a bending moment, the first front concave slope portion to the sixth front concave slope portion 26a to 26f (first front concave slope portion to The first to sixth rear concave slopes 27a to 27f (first to nth rear concave slopes) which are formed in a circular (perfect circle) shape undergo uniform and reliable plastic deformation, allowing the damper panel 13j of the steel damper 10J to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The plastic deformation of the first to sixth front concave slopes 26a to 26f and the first to sixth rear concave slopes 27a to 27f of the damper panel 13j can be used to sufficiently attenuate vibration energy (earthquake energy), thereby minimizing deformation and damage to buildings due to vibration (earthquakes).

[0158] The steel damper 10J has circular (perfect circles) first to sixth front concave slope portions 26a to 26f and circular (perfect circles) first to sixth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27f formed on the damper panel 13j, so that plastic deformation such as distortion, strain, bending, breakage, and damage that occurs in the front concave slope portions 26a to 26f and the rear concave slope portions 27a to 27f after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like can be easily detected, and the degree of deformation of the front concave slope portions 26a to 26f and the rear concave slope portions 27a to 27f can be easily confirmed.

[0159] The steel damper 10J can easily check the degree of deformation of the first to sixth front concave slopes 26a to 26f (first to nth front concave slopes) which are formed into a circle (perfect circle) of the damper panel 13j that has been plastically deformed after vibrations such as an earthquake have occurred, and the first to sixth rear concave slopes 27a to 27f (first to nth rear concave slopes) which are formed into a circle (perfect circle). This makes it possible to accurately determine whether the steel damper 10J is in a state where it can perform its seismic control function, and to predict the energy absorption capacity of the steel damper 10J until the end of its lifespan. This makes it possible to determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the steel damper 10J against repeated earthquakes. This prevents unnecessary replacement, prevents unnecessary disposal, and prevents the steel damper 10J that has lost its seismic control function from being replaced beyond its replacement period.

[0160] In the steel damper 10J, similar to the steel damper 10B shown in Figure 4, the first to sixth front concave slope portions 26a to 26f and the first to sixth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27f may be formed into oval shapes that are long in the vertical direction, and similar to the steel damper 10G shown in Figure 12, the first to sixth front concave slope portions 26a to 26f and the first to sixth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27f may be formed into oval shapes that are long in the width direction. Furthermore, similar to the steel damper 10C shown in Figure 6, the first to sixth front concave slope portions 26a to 26f and the first to sixth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27f may be formed into an oval shape that is long in the width direction, and similar to the steel damper 10H shown in Figure 14, the first to sixth front concave slope portions 26a to 26f and the first to sixth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27f may be formed into an oval shape that is long in the vertical direction.

[0161] In the steel damper 10J, similarly to the steel damper 10E shown in FIG. 10, the radial width dimensions of the first to sixth front concave slope portions 26a to 26f (first to nth front concave slope portions) may gradually increase from the first front concave slope portion 26a to the sixth front concave slope portion 26f, and the radial width dimensions of the first to sixth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27f (first to nth rear concave slope portions) may gradually increase from the first rear concave slope portion 27a to the sixth rear concave slope portion 27f. In the steel damper 10J, similarly to the steel damper 10F shown in FIG. 11, the radial width dimensions of the first to sixth front concave slope portions 26a to 26f (first to nth front concave slope portions) may be set randomly (arbitrarily) in the first to sixth front concave slope portions 26a to 26f, and the radial width dimensions of the first to sixth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27f (first to nth rear concave curved surface portions) may be set randomly (arbitrarily) in the first to sixth rear concave slope portions 27a to 27f.

[0162] Fig. 22 is a front view of a steel damper 10K shown as another example, and Fig. 23 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line II in Fig. 22. In Figs. 22 and 23, the up-down direction is indicated by arrow X, the width direction is indicated by arrow Y, and the front-rear direction is indicated by arrow Z. The steel damper 10K differs from that shown in Fig. 1 in that first to fourth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28d (first to fourth front concave surface portions) are formed in the front concave surface area 20, and first to fourth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29d (first to fourth rear concave surface portions) are formed in the rear concave surface area 21; the other configurations are the same as those of the steel damper 10A shown in Fig. 1.

[0163] The steel damper 10K is formed from a first connecting panel 11, a second connecting panel 12, and a damper panel 13k extending between the first and second connecting panels 11, 12. The first connecting panel 11 and the second connecting panel 12 are the same as those of the steel damper 10A in Fig. 1. The minimum length dimension L2 of the damper panel 13k in the width direction is shorter than that of the first and second connecting panels, and both side edges 16 thereof arc toward the center of the damper panel 13k (inward in the width direction), and like the damper panel 13a in Fig. 1, both side edges 16 are narrowed toward the inward in the width direction.

[0164] In the damper panel 13k, external forces acting during vibration (earthquake) are transmitted evenly to both narrowed side edges 16 of the damper panel 13k as shear force, axial force, and bending moment. The damper panel 13k has a front surface 17 and a rear surface 18. A front concave area 20 of a predetermined area is formed in a central region 19 of the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13k, recessed from the front surface 17 toward the rear surface 18. A rear concave area 21 of a predetermined area is formed in the central region 19 of the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13k, recessed from the rear surface 18 toward the front surface 17.

[0165] The front concave area 20 is formed with first to fourth front concave surface portions 28a to 28d (first to n-th front concave surface portions) whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center. The first to fourth front concave surface portions 28a to 28d are first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28d (first to n-th front concave flat surface portions) that are recessed from the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) and are parallel to the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13k excluding the first to fourth front concave surface portions 28a to 28d. The first to third front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28c extend in an annular (circular) shape while drawing concentric circles in the central region 19 (front concave area 20) of the front surface 17, and the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d extends in a circular shape while drawing concentric circles in the central region 19 (front concave area 20) of the front surface 17.

[0166] The first to fourth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28d have the same radial width. Among the first to fourth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28d, the first front concave flat surface portion 28a has the smallest recessed dimension from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13k, the second front concave flat surface portion 28b has a larger recessed dimension from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13k than the first front concave flat surface portion 28a, the third front concave flat surface portion 28c has a larger recessed dimension from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13k than the second front concave flat surface portion 28b, and the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d has a larger recessed dimension from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13k than the third front concave flat surface portion 28c.

[0167] In the front concave surface area 20, the first front concave flat surface portion 28a, the second front concave flat surface portion 28b, the third front concave flat surface portion 28c, and the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d are arranged in this order from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center (inward in the width direction). Therefore, radially inward of the first front concave flat surface portion 28a, which is annular (circular) and recessed from the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) and parallel to the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13k excluding the front concave surface portion, the second front concave flat surface portion 28b, which is annular (circular) and recessed from the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) and parallel to the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13k excluding the front concave surface portion, is arranged adjacent to the first front concave flat surface portion 28a, Adjacent to each other are third front concave flat surface portions 28c each having an annular (circular) shape that is recessed from the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) and parallel to the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13k excluding these front concave surface portions, and adjacent to each other are fourth front concave flat surface portions 28d each having a circular shape that is recessed radially inward from the third front concave flat surface portion 28c toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) and parallel to the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13k excluding these front concave surface portions. Note that, although four front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28d are formed in the front concave surface area 20, there is no particular limitation on the number of front concave flat surface portions, and five or more front concave flat surface portions may be formed in the front concave surface area 20.

[0168] The rear concave surface area 21 is formed with first to fourth rear concave surface portions 29a to 29d (first to nth rear concave surface portions) whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center. The first to fourth rear concave surface portions 29a to 29d are first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29d (first to nth rear concave flat surface portions) that are recessed from the rear surface 18 toward the front surface 17 and are parallel to the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13k excluding the first to fourth rear concave surface portions 29a to 29d. The first to third rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29c extend in an annular (circular) shape while drawing concentric circles in the central region 19 (rear concave area 21) of the rear surface 18, and the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d extends in a circular shape while drawing concentric circles in the central region 19 (rear concave area 21) of the rear surface 18.

[0169] The first to fourth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29d have the same radial width. Among the first to fourth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29d, the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a has the smallest recessed dimension from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13k, the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b has a larger recessed dimension from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13k than the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a, the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c has a larger recessed dimension from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13k than the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b, and the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d has a larger recessed dimension from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13k than the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c.

[0170] In the rear concave surface area 21, the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a, the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b, the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c, and the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d are arranged in this order from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center (inward in the width direction). Therefore, radially inward of the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a, which is annular (circular) and recessed from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) and parallel to the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13k excluding the rear concave surface portion, the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b, which is annular (circular) and recessed from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) and parallel to the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13k excluding the rear concave surface portion, is arranged adjacent to the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a, Third rear concave flat surface portions 29c are arranged adjacent to each other and are annular (circular) and recessed from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) and parallel to the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13k excluding these rear concave surface portions. Furthermore, a fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d is arranged adjacent to each other and is circular and recessed radially inward from the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) and parallel to the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13k excluding these rear concave surface portions. Although four rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29d are formed in the rear concave surface area 21, there is no particular limitation on the number of rear concave flat surface portions, and five or more rear concave flat surface portions may be formed in the rear concave surface area 21.

[0171] The front concave surface area 20 and the rear concave surface area 21 are the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13k. Therefore, the first front concave flat surface portion 28a and the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a are the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13k, the second front concave flat surface portion 28b and the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b are the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13k, the third front concave flat surface portion 28c and the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c are the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13k, and the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d and the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d are the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13k.

[0172] In the damper panel 13k, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13k at the first front concave flat surface portion 28a and the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a is the largest, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13k at the second front concave flat surface portion 28b and the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b is smaller than that of the damper panel 13k at the first front concave flat surface portion 28a and the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a. The thickness dimension of the damper panel 13k at the third front concave flat surface portion 28c and the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c is smaller than that of the damper panel 13k at the second front concave flat surface portion 28b and the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13k at the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d and the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d is smaller than that of the damper panel 13k at the third front concave flat surface portion 28c and the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13k at the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d and the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d is the smallest.

[0173] In the steel damper 10K, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13k at the first front concave flat surface portion 28a and the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a (the thickness dimension in the front-rear direction between the first front concave flat surface portion 28a and the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13k at the second front concave flat surface portion 28b and the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b (the thickness dimension in the front-rear direction between the second front concave flat surface portion 28b and the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13k at the third front concave flat surface portion 28c and the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c The thickness dimension of the damper panel 13k (the thickness dimension in the front-to-back direction between the third front concave flat surface portion 28c and the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c) and the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13k at the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d and the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d (the thickness dimension in the front-to-back direction between the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d and the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d) can be freely set (for example, in the range of 5mm to 50mm), and the damping force (vibration (earthquake) resistance force) can be set arbitrarily in the range of 50kN to 3000kN.

[0174] When vibrations occur due to an earthquake or the like, the steel damper 10K exerts a seismic control function by causing plastic deformation of the first to fourth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28d (first to nth front concave flat surface portions) and the first to fourth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29d (first to nth rear concave flat surface portions) of the damper panel 13k due to relative displacement between the first structural member (upper structural member or first side structural member) and the second structural member (lower structural member or second side structural member) of the building. For example, when the vibration during vibration (earthquake) is small, the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d and the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d of the damper panel 13k having a small thickness dimension undergo plastic deformation, and when the vibration during vibration (earthquake) is medium, in addition to the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d and the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d of the damper panel 13k having a small thickness dimension undergo plastic deformation, the third front concave flat surface portion 28c and the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c and the second front concave flat surface portion 28b and the second rear concave flat surface portion 28d of the damper panel 13i having a medium thickness dimension also undergo plastic deformation. When the vibration (earthquake) is large, the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d and the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d of the damper panel 13k with a small thickness dimension undergo plastic deformation, and the third front concave flat surface portion 28c and the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c and the second front concave flat surface portion 28b and the second rear concave flat surface portion 28d of the damper panel 13i with a medium thickness dimension undergo plastic deformation, and in addition, the first front concave flat surface portion 28a and the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a of the damper panel 13i with a large thickness dimension undergo plastic deformation.

[0175] Although not shown, a transparent plastic deformation confirmation sheet No. 5 is prepared in advance for the steel damper 10K, showing (modeling) the boundaries of the first front concave flat surface portion 28a (first rear concave flat surface portion 29a) through the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d (fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d) before the damper panel 13k of the steel damper 10K is plastically deformed. In the steel damper 10K, if the first front to fourth front concave flat surface portions 28a-28d or the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a-29d of the damper panel 13k are plastically deformed due to the occurrence of vibration (earthquake), the seismic damping function of the steel damper 10K may be lost depending on the degree of plastic deformation. After vibration (earthquake) occurs, a steel damper 10K that has undergone a large degree of plastic deformation and lost its seismic damping function is replaced. Even after an earthquake occurs, if the degree of plastic deformation is small and the steel damper 10K is still able to perform its seismic control function, it can continue to be used without being replaced.

[0176] After vibration due to an earthquake or the like occurs, plastic deformation such as distortion, warping, bending, breakage, or damage that occurs in the first to fourth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28d formed into a circle (perfect circle) of the damper panel 13k or the first to fourth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29d formed into a circle (perfect circle) is visually confirmed to determine the degree of plastic deformation, or when the first front concave flat surface portion 28a (first rear concave flat surface portion 29a) to fourth front concave flat surface portions A transparent fifth plastic deformation confirmation sheet showing the boundary lines of the first front concave flat surface portion 28a (first rear concave flat surface portion 29a) to the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d (fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d) may be placed over the front concave area 20 (rear concave area 21) of the damper panel 13k, and the degree of plastic deformation may be determined by comparing the boundary lines shown on the fifth plastic deformation confirmation sheet with the boundary lines of the first front concave flat surface portion 28a (first rear concave flat surface portion 29a) to the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d (fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d) of the damper panel 13i.

[0177] When an external force acting upon the steel damper 10K during vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper 10K as a shear force, an axial force, and a bending moment, the first to fourth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28d (the first to n-th front concave flat surface portions) formed into a circle (perfect circle) of the damper panel 13k and the first to fourth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29d (the first to n-th rear concave flat surface portions) formed into a circle (perfect circle) are uniformly and reliably aligned. The vibration energy (earthquake energy) can be efficiently absorbed by the damper panel 13k of the steel damper 10K by plastically deforming the first to fourth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28d and the first to fourth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29d of the damper panel 13k, and the vibration energy (earthquake energy) can be sufficiently attenuated by utilizing the plastic deformation of the first to fourth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28d and the first to fourth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29d of the damper panel 13k, thereby minimizing deformation and damage to the building due to vibration (earthquake).

[0178] The steel damper 10K has circular (perfect circles) first to fourth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28d and circular (perfect circles) first to fourth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29d formed on the damper panel 13k, so that plastic deformation such as distortion, warping, bending, breakage, and damage that occurs in the front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28d and the rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29d after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like can be easily found, and the degree of deformation of the front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28d and the rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29d can be easily confirmed.

[0179] The steel damper 10K can easily check the degree of deformation of the first to fourth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28d (the first to nth front concave flat surface portions) which are formed into a circle (perfect circle) of the damper panel 13k that has been plastically deformed after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like, and the first to fourth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29d (the first to nth rear concave flat surface portions) which are formed into a circle (perfect circle).This makes it possible to accurately determine whether the steel damper 10K is in a state where it can exhibit its seismic control function, predict the energy absorption capacity of the steel damper 10K until the end of its lifespan, and determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the steel damper 10K against repeated earthquakes.The steel damper 10K will not be replaced unnecessarily, preventing unnecessary disposal and preventing the steel damper 10I that has lost its seismic control function from being replaced beyond its scheduled replacement period.

[0180] In the steel damper 10K, similar to the steel damper 10B shown in Figure 4, the first to fourth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28d and the first to fourth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29d may be formed into oval shapes that are long in the vertical direction, and similar to the steel damper 10G shown in Figure 12, the first to fourth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28d and the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a to 29d may be formed into oval shapes that are long in the width direction. Furthermore, similar to the steel damper 10C shown in Figure 6, the first to fourth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28d and the first to fourth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29d may be formed into oval shapes that are long in the width direction, and similar to the steel damper 10F shown in Figure 14, the first to fourth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28d and the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a to 29d may be formed into oval shapes that are long in the vertical direction.

[0181] Fig. 24 is a front view of a steel damper 10L shown as another example, and Fig. 25 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line JJ in Fig. 24. In Figs. 24 and 25, the up-down direction is indicated by arrow X, the width direction is indicated by arrow Y, and the front-rear direction is indicated by arrow Z. The steel damper 10L differs from that of Figure 1 in that the front concave surface area 20 is formed with the first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f (first to sixth front concave surface portions), and the rear concave surface area 21 is formed with the first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f (first to sixth rear concave surface portions), and the radial width dimensions of the first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f gradually decrease from the first front concave flat surface portion 28a to the sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f, and the radial width dimensions of the first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f gradually decrease from the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a to the sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29f. The other configurations are the same as those of the low yield point steel damper 10A shown in FIG.

[0182] The steel damper 10L is formed from a first connecting panel 11, a second connecting panel 12, and a damper panel 13l extending between the first and second connecting panels 11, 12. The first connecting panel 11 and the second connecting panel 12 are the same as those of the steel damper 10A in Fig. 1. The minimum length dimension L2 of the damper panel 13l in the width direction is shorter than that of the first and second connecting panels, and both side edges 16 thereof arc toward the center of the damper panel 13l (inward in the width direction), and like the damper panel 13a in Fig. 1, both side edges 16 are narrowed toward the inward in the width direction.

[0183] In the damper panel 13l, external forces acting during vibrations due to earthquakes or the like are transmitted evenly to both narrowed side edges 16 of the damper panel 13l as shear forces, axial forces, and bending moments. The damper panel 13l has a front surface 17 and a rear surface 18. A front concave area 20 of a predetermined area is formed in a central region 19 of the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13l, recessed from the front surface 17 toward the rear surface 18. A rear concave area 21 of a predetermined area is formed in the central region 19 of the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13l, recessed from the rear surface 18 toward the front surface 17.

[0184] The front concave area 20 is formed with first to sixth front concave surface portions 28a to 28f (first to nth front concave surface portions) whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center. The first to sixth front concave surface portions 28a to 28f are first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f (first to nth front concave flat surface portions) that are recessed from the front surface 17 (front concave area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) and are parallel to the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13l excluding the first to sixth front concave surface portions 28a to 28f. The first to fifth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28e extend in an annular (circular) shape while drawing concentric circles in the central region 19 (front concave area 20) of the front surface 17, and the sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f extends in a circular shape while drawing concentric circles in the central region 19 (front concave area 20) of the front surface 17.

[0185] Of the first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f, the first front concave flat surface portion 28a has the smallest recessed dimension from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13l, the second front concave flat surface portion 28b has a larger recessed dimension from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13l than the first front concave flat surface portion 28a, and the third front concave flat surface portion 28c has a larger recessed dimension from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13l than the second front concave flat surface portion 28b. The recess dimension of the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13l is larger than that of the third front concave flat surface portion 28c, the recess dimension of the fifth front concave flat surface portion 28e from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13l is larger than that of the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d, and the recess dimension of the sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f from the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13l is larger than that of the fifth front concave flat surface portion 28e.

[0186] The radial width dimensions of the first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f gradually decrease from the first to sixth front concave flat surface portion 28a to 28f. Of the first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f, the radial width dimension of the first front concave flat surface portion 28a is the largest, the radial width dimension of the second front concave flat surface portion 28b is smaller than that of the first front concave flat surface portion 28a, and the radial width dimension of the third front concave flat surface portion 28c is smaller than that of the second front concave flat surface portion 28b. The radial width dimension of the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d is smaller than that of the third front concave flat surface portion 28c, the radial width dimension of the fifth front concave flat surface portion 28e is smaller than that of the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d, and the radial width dimension of the sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f is smaller than that of the fifth front concave flat surface portion 28e.

[0187] In the front concave surface area 20, from its outer peripheral edge 22 toward the center (inward in the width direction), the first front concave flat surface portion 28a → second front concave flat surface portion 28b → third front concave flat surface portion 28c → fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d → fifth front concave flat surface portion 28e → sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f are arranged in this order. Therefore, the first front concave flat surface portion 28a is annular (circular) and concaves from the front surface 17 (front concave area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21) and is parallel to the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13l excluding the front concave portions. The second front concave flat surface portion 28b ... adjacent to the first front concave flat surface portion 28a and is concave from the front surface 17 (front concave area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21). A third front concave flat surface portion 28c having a circular ring shape (circular) is arranged adjacent to the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13l, concave from the front surface 17 (front concave area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21) and parallel to the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13l excluding these front concave portions, and a fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d having a circular ring shape (circular) is arranged adjacent to the third front concave flat surface portion 28c, concave from the front surface 17 (front concave area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave area 21) and parallel to the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13l excluding these front concave portions.

[0188] Radially inward of the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d, there is adjacently arranged a ring-shaped (circular) fifth front concave flat surface portion 28e that is recessed from the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) and parallel to the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13l excluding these front concave surface portions, and radially inward of the fifth front concave flat surface portion 28e, there is adjacently arranged a circular sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f that is recessed from the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) toward the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) and parallel to the front surface 17 of the damper panel 13l excluding these front concave surface portions. Note that, although six front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f are formed in the front concave surface area 20, there is no particular limitation on the number of front concave flat surface portions, and four or fewer or seven or more front concave flat surface portions may be formed in the front concave surface area 20.

[0189] The rear concave surface area 21 is formed with first to sixth rear concave surface portions 29a to 29f (first to nth rear concave surface portions) whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center. The first to sixth rear concave surface portions 29a to 29f are first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f (first to nth rear concave flat surface portions) that are recessed from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) and are parallel to the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13l excluding the first to sixth rear concave surface portions 29a to 29f. The first to fifth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29e extend in an annular (circular) shape while drawing concentric circles in the central region 19 (rear concave area 21) of the rear surface 18, and the sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29f extends in a circular shape while drawing concentric circles in the central region 19 (rear concave area 21) of the rear surface 18.

[0190] Of the first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f, the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a has the smallest recessed dimension from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13l, the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b has a larger recessed dimension from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13l than the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a, and the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c has a larger recessed dimension from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13l than the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b. The recess dimension of the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13l is larger than that of the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c, the recess dimension of the fifth rear concave flat surface portion 29e from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13l is larger than that of the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d, and the recess dimension of the sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29f from the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13l is larger than that of the fifth rear concave flat surface portion 29e.

[0191] The radial widths of the first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f gradually decrease from the first to sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29a to 29f. Among the first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f, the radial width of the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a is the largest, the radial width of the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b is smaller than that of the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a, and the radial width of the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c is smaller than that of the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b. The radial width dimension of the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d is smaller than that of the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c, the radial width dimension of the fifth rear concave flat surface portion 29e is smaller than that of the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d, and the radial width dimension of the sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29f is smaller than that of the fifth rear concave flat surface portion 29e.

[0192] In the rear concave surface area 21, the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a → the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b → the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c → the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d → the fifth rear concave flat surface portion 29e → the sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29f are arranged in this order from the outer peripheral edge 24 toward the center (inward in the width direction). Therefore, the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a is concave from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) and is annular (circular) and parallel to the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13l excluding these rear concave surface portions. The second rear concave flat surface portion 29b is concave from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 19 (front concave surface area 20) and is ... A third rear concave flat surface portion 29c having a circular ring shape (circular) is arranged adjacent to the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13l, recessed from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) and parallel to the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13l excluding these rear concave portions, and a fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d having a circular ring shape (circular) is arranged adjacent to the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c, recessed radially inward from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) and parallel to the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13l excluding these rear concave portions.

[0193] Radially inward of the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d, there is adjacently arranged a fifth rear concave flat surface portion 29e having an annular (circular) shape that is recessed from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) and is parallel to the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13l excluding these rear concave surface portions, and radially inward of the fifth rear concave flat surface portion 29e, there is adjacently arranged a sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29f having a circular shape that is recessed from the rear surface 18 (rear concave surface area 21) toward the front surface 17 (front concave surface area 20) and is parallel to the rear surface 18 of the damper panel 13l excluding these rear concave surface portions. Note that, although six rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f are formed in the rear concave surface area 21, there is no particular limitation on the number of rear concave flat surface portions, and four or fewer or seven or more rear concave flat surface portions may be formed in the rear concave surface area 21.

[0194] The front concave surface area 20 and the rear concave surface area 21 have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13l. Therefore, the first front concave flat surface portion 28a and the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13l, the second rear concave flat surface portion 28b and the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13l, and the third front concave flat surface portion 28c and the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction of the damper panel 13l. The fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d and the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the fore-and-aft direction of the damper panel 13l, the fifth front concave flat surface portion 28e and the fifth rear concave flat surface portion 29e have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the fore-and-aft direction of the damper panel 13l, and the sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f and the sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29f have the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the fore-and-aft direction of the damper panel 13l.

[0195] In the damper panel 13l, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13l at the first front concave flat surface portion 28a and the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a is the largest, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13l at the second front concave flat surface portion 28b and the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b is smaller than that of the damper panel 13l at the first front concave flat surface portion 28a and the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13l at the third front concave flat surface portion 28c and the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c is smaller than that of the damper panel 13l at the second front concave flat surface portion 28b and the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13l at the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d and the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d is smaller than that of the damper panel 13l at the third front concave flat surface portion 28c and the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c. The thickness dimension of the damper panel 13l at the fifth front concave flat surface portion 28e and the fifth rear concave flat surface portion 29e is smaller than that of the damper panel 13l at the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d and the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13l at the sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f and the sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29f is smaller than that of the damper panel 13l at the fifth front concave flat surface portion 28e and the fifth rear concave flat surface portion 29e, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13l at the sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f and the sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29f is the smallest.

[0196] In the low yield point steel damper 10L, the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13l at the first front concave flat surface portion 28a and the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a (the thickness dimension in the front-to-rear direction between the first front concave flat surface portion 28a and the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13l at the second front concave flat surface portion 28b and the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b (the thickness dimension in the front-to-rear direction between the second front concave flat surface portion 28b and the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13l at the third front concave flat surface portion 28c and the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c (the thickness dimension in the front-to-rear direction between the third front concave flat surface portion 28c and the third rear concave flat surface portion 29c), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13l at the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d and the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d The thickness dimension of the damper panel 13l (the thickness dimension in the front-to-back direction between the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d and the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d), the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13l at the fifth front concave flat surface portion 28e and the fifth rear concave flat surface portion 29e (the thickness dimension in the front-to-back direction between the fifth front concave flat surface portion 28e and the fifth rear concave flat surface portion 29e), and the thickness dimension of the damper panel 13l at the sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f and the sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29f (the thickness dimension in the front-to-back direction between the sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f and the sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29f) can be freely set (for example, in the range of 5mm to 50mm), and the damping force (vibration (earthquake) resistance force) can be set arbitrarily in the range of 50kN to 3000kN.

[0197] When vibrations occur due to an earthquake or the like, the steel damper 10J exerts a seismic control function by plastically deforming the first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f (the first to nth front concave flat surface portions) which are formed into circular (perfect circles) shapes of the damper panel 13l and the first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f (the first to nth rear concave flat surface portions) which are formed into circular (perfect circles) shapes of the damper panel 13l due to relative displacement between the first structural member (upper structural member or first side structural member) and the second structural member (lower structural member or second side structural member) of the building. For example, when the vibration during vibration (earthquake) is small, the sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f and the sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29f and the fifth front concave flat surface portion 28e and the fifth rear concave flat surface portion 29e of the damper panel 13l, which has a small thickness, undergo plastic deformation, and when the vibration during vibration (earthquake) is medium, in addition to the sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f and the sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29f and the fifth front concave flat surface portion 28e and the fifth rear concave flat surface portion 29e of the damper panel 13l, which has a small thickness, undergo plastic deformation, the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d and the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d and the third front concave flat surface portion 28c and the third rear concave flat surface portion 29d of the damper panel 13l, which has a medium thickness, also undergo plastic deformation. When the vibration (earthquake) is large, the sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f and the sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29f and the fifth front concave flat surface portion 28e and the fifth rear concave flat surface portion 29e of the damper panel 13l with a small thickness dimension undergo plastic deformation, and the fourth front concave flat surface portion 28d and the fourth rear concave flat surface portion 29d and the third front concave flat surface portion 28c and the third rear concave flat surface portion 29d of the damper panel 13l with a medium thickness dimension undergo plastic deformation.In addition, the second front concave flat surface portion 28b and the second rear concave flat surface portion 29b and the first front concave flat surface portion 28a and the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a of the damper panel 13l with a large thickness dimension undergo plastic deformation.

[0198] Although not shown, a transparent plastic deformation confirmation sheet No. 6 is prepared in advance for the steel damper 10L, showing (modeling) the boundaries of the first front concave flat surface portion 28a (first rear concave flat surface portion 29a) through the sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f (sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29f) before the damper panel 13l of the steel damper 10L undergoes plastic deformation. In the steel damper 10L, if the first front to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a-28f or the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a-29f of the damper panel 13l undergo plastic deformation due to the occurrence of vibration (earthquake), the seismic damping function of the steel damper 10L may be lost depending on the degree of plastic deformation. After vibration (earthquake) occurs, steel dampers 10L that have undergone significant plastic deformation and lost their seismic damping function are replaced. Even after vibration (earthquake) occurs, if the degree of plastic deformation is small and the steel damper 10L is still capable of performing its seismic control function, it can continue to be used without being replaced.

[0199] After vibration due to an earthquake or the like occurs, plastic deformation such as distortion, warping, bending, breakage, or damage that occurs in the first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f, which are formed into a circular (perfect circle), and the first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f, which are formed into a circular (perfect circle), of the damper panel 13l, is visually confirmed to determine the degree of plastic deformation, or when the first front concave flat surface portion 28a (first rear concave flat surface portion 29a) to the sixth front concave flat surface portion A transparent sixth plastic deformation confirmation sheet showing the boundary lines of the first front concave flat surface portion 28a (first rear concave flat surface portion 29a) to the sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f (sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29f) may be placed over the front concave area 20 (rear concave area 21) of the damper panel 13l, and the degree of plastic deformation may be determined by comparing the boundary lines shown on the sixth plastic deformation confirmation sheet with the boundary lines of the first front concave flat surface portion 28a (first rear concave flat surface portion 29a) to the sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f (sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29f) of the damper panel 13l.

[0200] The steel damper 10L has a radial width dimension that gradually decreases from the first front concave flat surface portion 28a to the sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f (nth front concave flat surface portion), and gradually decreases from the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a to the sixth rear concave flat surface portion 29f (nth rear concave flat surface portion). As a result, many front and rear concave flat surface portions are formed in the center of the damper panel 13l, which is most susceptible to plastic deformation. When an external force acting upon vibration due to an earthquake or the like is transmitted to the steel damper 10L as a shear force, an axial force, or a bending moment, the first front concave flat surface portion to the sixth front concave flat surface portion 28a to 28f (first front concave flat surface portion), which are formed in a circular (perfect circle) shape of the damper panel 13l, are deformed. The first to nth front concave flat surface portions) and the first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f (first to nth rear concave flat surface portions) which are formed in a circular (perfect circle) shape are uniformly and reliably plastically deformed, allowing the damper panel 13l of the steel damper 10L to efficiently absorb vibration energy (earthquake energy).The vibration energy (earthquake energy) can be sufficiently attenuated by utilizing the plastic deformation of the first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f and the first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f of the damper panel 13l, thereby minimizing deformation and damage to the building due to vibration (earthquake).

[0201] The steel damper 10L has circular (perfect circles) first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f and circular (perfect circles) first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f formed on the damper panel 13l, so that plastic deformation such as distortion, warping, bending, breakage, and damage that occurs in the front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f and the rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f after vibrations caused by an earthquake or the like can be easily found, and the degree of deformation of the front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f and the rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f can be easily confirmed.

[0202] The steel damper 10L can easily check the degree of deformation of the first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f (the first to nth front concave flat surface portions) which are formed into a circle (perfect circle) of the damper panel 13l when the damper panel 13l is plastically deformed after vibrations such as an earthquake occur, and the first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f (the first to nth rear concave flat surface portions) which are formed into a circle (perfect circle). This makes it possible to accurately determine whether the steel damper 10L is in a state where it can perform its seismic control function, and to predict the energy absorption capacity of the steel damper 10L until the end of its lifespan. This makes it possible to determine the continued usability of the building and the durability of the steel damper 10L against repeated earthquakes. This prevents unnecessary replacement, prevents unnecessary disposal, and prevents the steel damper 10J which has lost its seismic control function from being replaced beyond its replacement period.

[0203] In the steel damper 10L, similar to the steel damper 10B shown in Figure 4, the first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f and the first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f may be formed into oval shapes that are long in the vertical direction, and similar to the steel damper 10G shown in Figure 12, the first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f and the first rear concave flat surface portion 29a to 29f may be formed into oval shapes that are long in the width direction. Furthermore, similar to the steel damper 10C shown in Figure 6, the first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f and the first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f may be formed into oval shapes that are long in the width direction, and similar to the steel damper 10H shown in Figure 14, the first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f and the first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f may be formed into oval shapes that are long in the vertical direction.

[0204] In the steel damper 10L, similarly to the steel damper 10E shown in Figure 10, the radial width dimensions of the first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f (first to nth front concave flat surface portions) may gradually increase from the first front concave flat surface portion 28a to the sixth front concave flat surface portion 28f, and the radial width dimensions of the first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 29a to 29f (first to nth rear concave flat surface portions) may gradually increase from the first rear concave flat surface portion 28a to the sixth rear concave flat surface portion 28f. In the steel damper 10L, similarly to the steel damper 10F shown in FIG. 11, the radial width dimensions of the first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f (first to nth front concave flat surface portions) may be set randomly (arbitrarily) in the first to sixth front concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f, and the radial width dimensions of the first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f (first to nth rear concave flat surface portions) may be set randomly (arbitrarily) in the first to sixth rear concave flat surface portions 28a to 28f.

[0205] Fig. 26 is a front view of an example of a seismic control structure 30A that uses steel dampers 10A to 10L, and Fig. 27 is a side view of the seismic control structure 30A of Fig. 26. Fig. 28 is a front view of first and second steel brackets 41, 49 that are shown as an example, and Fig. 29 is a top view of the first and second steel brackets 41, 49.

[0206] The vibration-damping structure 30A (including vibration-damping structures 30B to 30D) is constructed near the interior or exterior walls of buildings such as skyscrapers, high-rise buildings, mid-rise buildings, low-rise buildings, steel-, reinforced concrete- or SRC-construction apartment buildings, and reinforced concrete-construction detached houses, to protect these buildings from earthquakes. The vibration-damping structure 30A is made up of an upper structural member 31A (first structural member), a lower structural member 32A (second structural member), and a vibration-damping device 54.

[0207] The upper structural member 31A is formed from a ceiling beam 33 (first structural member) and a first stud 34 (first mounting member) that is connected to the ceiling beam 33 and extends downward from the ceiling beam 33. The lower structural member 32A is formed from a floor beam 35 (second structural member) and a second stud 36 (second mounting member) that is connected to the floor beam 35 and extends upward from the floor beam 35. The first and second studs 34, 36 are the same shape and size, and have the same dimensions in the vertical direction (length), width direction (width), and front-to-back direction (thickness). The first stud 34 and the second stud 36 are spaced apart (directly facing each other) in the vertical direction, and a space 37 is formed between the first stud 34 and the second stud 36.

[0208] The first stud 34 is formed from a first foundation stud 38 that is connected to a ceiling beam 33 (main beam or sub-beam) of the building and extends downward from the ceiling beam 33, and a first steel member 40 (connecting means) that is connected to the lower end 39 of the first foundation stud 38. The ceiling beam 33 and the first foundation stud 38 are made of prestressed concrete. The prestressed concrete that forms the first foundation stud 38 is constructed using a pretensioning method or a post-tensioning method. The first foundation stud 38 may also be made of reinforced concrete. The first stud 34 (first foundation stud 38 and first steel bracket 41) may also be precast concrete manufactured in a factory.

[0209] Although not shown, multiple reinforcing bars are arranged in the ceiling beams 33. The first steel material 40 (connecting means) is formed from a first steel bracket 41 connected to the lower end 39 (free end) of the first foundation stud 38, and a first H-shaped steel 42 (first shaped steel) fixed to the first steel bracket 41. The first steel bracket 41 is a plate-shaped steel material that has a predetermined thickness and extends in the width direction. It is also possible to use an I-shaped steel, T-shaped steel, angle steel, or channel steel as the first shaped steel.

[0210] The first H-shaped steel 42 is installed on the underside of the first steel bracket 41 so as to hang down vertically. The first H-shaped steel 42 is positioned at the widthwise center of the underside of the first steel bracket 41, and the flange 43 and web 44 are fixed to the underside of the first steel bracket 41 by welding, with the flange 43 and web 44 extending down vertically from the underside of the first steel bracket 41. The web 44 of the first H-shaped steel 42 is drilled (formed) with a plurality of bolt holes 45 arranged at equal intervals in the widthwise direction.

[0211] The second stud 36 is formed from a second foundation stud 46 that is connected to the floor beams 35 (main beams or sub-beams) of the building and extends upward from the floor beams 35, and a second steel member 48 (connecting means) that is connected to the upper end 47 of the second foundation stud 46. The floor beams 35 and the second foundation stud 46 are made of prestressed concrete. The prestressed concrete that forms the second foundation stud 46 is constructed using a pretensioning method or a post-tensioning method. The second foundation stud 46 may also be made of reinforced concrete. Alternatively, the second stud 36 (the second foundation stud 46 and the second steel bracket 49) may be precast concrete manufactured in advance in a factory.

[0212] Although not shown, a plurality of reinforcing bars are arranged in the floor beams 35. The second steel member 48 (connecting means) is formed from a second steel bracket 49 connected to the upper end 47 (free end) of the second foundation stud 46, and a second H-shaped steel 50 (second shaped steel) fixed to the second steel bracket 49. The second steel bracket 49 is a plate-shaped steel member that has a predetermined thickness and extends in the width direction. It is also possible to use an I-shaped steel, T-shaped steel, angle steel, or channel steel as the second shaped steel.

[0213] The second H-shaped steel 50 is installed so as to stand upright in the vertical direction on the upper surface of the second steel bracket 49. The second H-shaped steel 50 is positioned in the widthwise center of the upper surface of the second steel bracket 49, and the flange 51 and web 52 are fixed to the upper surface of the second steel bracket 49 by welding, and the flange 51 and web 52 extend upward in the vertical direction from the upper surface of the second steel bracket 49. A plurality of bolt holes 53 are drilled (formed) in the web 52 of the second H-shaped steel 50 and are arranged at equal intervals in the widthwise direction.

[0214] The vibration control device 54 is formed of a pair of first splice plates 55, a pair of second splice plates 56, and one of the steel dampers 10A-10J. The first and second splice plates 55, 56 are plate-shaped steel members of the same shape, size, and thickness, with the same vertical (length), width, and front-to-rear (thickness) dimensions. The first splice plate 55 and the second splice plate 56 face each other at a distance in the vertical direction and are disposed in the space 37 between the first partition 34 and the second partition 36. The upper end (upper half) and lower end (lower half) of the first splice plate 55 are drilled with a plurality of bolt holes spaced equally apart in the width direction, and the upper end (upper half) and lower end (lower half) of the second splice plate 56 are drilled with a plurality of bolt holes spaced equally apart in the width direction.

[0215] The first splice plates 55 are arranged on both sides of the web 44 of the first H-shaped steel 42 of the first steel bracket 41, and are connected by high-strength hexagonal bolts 57 for friction joints that are inserted into or screwed into bolt holes drilled in the upper ends of the first splice plates 56 and bolt holes 45 drilled in the web 44 of the first H-shaped steel 42, and by nuts 58 that are screwed onto the high-strength hexagonal bolts 57 for friction joints, so that the first splice plates 55 are firmly fixed to the web 44 (the first steel member 40 of the first stud 34) with the web 44 sandwiched between them. The first splice plates 55 face each other in the front-to-rear direction, and their lower ends extend downward in the up-down direction from the web 44 of the first H-shaped steel 42.

[0216] The second splice plates 56 are arranged on both sides of the web 52 of the second H-shaped steel 50 of the second steel bracket 49, and are connected by high-strength hexagonal bolts 58 for friction joints that are inserted into or screwed into bolt holes drilled in the lower ends of the second splice plates 56 and bolt holes 53 drilled in the web 52 of the second H-shaped steel 50, and nuts 58 that are screwed onto the high-strength hexagonal bolts 57 for friction joints, so that the second splice plates 56 are firmly fixed to the web 52 (the second steel member 48 of the second stud 36) with the web 52 sandwiched between them. The second splice plates 56 face each other in the front-to-rear direction, and their upper ends extend upward in the vertical direction from the web 52 of the second H-shaped steel 50.

[0217] Any one of the steel dampers 10A-10L is located in a space 37 between a first H-shaped steel 42 (first shaped steel) of a first steel member 40 of a first partition 34 (free end of a first attachment member) and a second H-shaped steel 50 (second shaped steel) of a second steel member 48 of a second partition 36 (free end of a second attachment member), which are spaced apart in the vertical direction, and is attached to first and second splice plates 55, 56. The first connecting panel 11 is drilled with a plurality of bolt holes spaced equally apart in the width direction, and the second connecting panel 12 is drilled with a plurality of bolt holes spaced equally apart in the width direction. The damper panels 13a-13l of the steel dampers 10A-10L are located in the space 37 between the first splice plate 55 and the second splice plate 56, which are spaced apart in the vertical direction.

[0218] Fig. 30 is a front view of the steel dampers 10A to 10L shown in a state where they are connected to the first and second steel members 40, 48, and Fig. 31 is a side view of the steel dampers 10A to 10L shown in a state where they are connected to the first and second steel members 40, 48. Figs. 30 and 31 omit illustration of the reinforcing bars arranged in the ceiling beam 33, the first foundation stud 38, the floor beam 35, and the second foundation stud 46. Any of the steel dampers 10A to 10L has its first connection panel 11 inserted between the first splice plates 55 and fixed to the first splice plates 55, and its second connection panel 12 inserted between the second splice plates 56 and fixed to the second splice plates 56.

[0219] The first connection panel 11 of the steel dampers 10A to 10L is connected to the first splice plate 55 by high-strength hex bolts 57 for frictional joints that are inserted or screwed into bolt holes drilled in the first connection panel 11 and bolt holes drilled in the first splice plate 55, and by nuts 58 that are screwed onto the high-strength hex bolts 57 for frictional joints. The first connection panel 11 is firmly fixed to the first splice plates 55 while being sandwiched between the first splice plates 55.

[0220] The second connection panel 12 of the steel dampers 10A to 10L is connected to the second splice plate 56 by high-strength hex bolts 57 for frictional joints that are inserted into or screwed into bolt holes drilled in the second connection panel 12 and bolt holes drilled in the second splice plate 56, and by nuts 58 that are screwed onto the high-strength hex bolts 57 for frictional joints. The second connection panel 12 is sandwiched between the second splice plates 56 and firmly fixed to the second splice plates 56. In the steel dampers 10A to 10L, the front concave area 20 and the rear concave area 21 of the damper panels 13a to 13l are located in the space 37 between the first and second studs 34, 36.

[0221] In the seismic control structure 30A shown in FIG. 26, for example, when an earthquake occurs and external forces acting on the building as shear force, axial force, and bending moment due to vibrations caused by the earthquake, the external forces (shear force, axial force, and bending moment) are transmitted from the building to the first and second foundation studs 38, 46 made of prestressed concrete (or reinforced concrete or precast concrete) and the first and second studs 34, 36 equipped with the first and second steel members 40, 48, and the external forces are transmitted from the first and second H-shaped steel members 42, 50 of the first and second steel members 46, 48 to the first and second splice plates 55, 56, and the external forces are transmitted evenly from the first and second splice plates 55, 56 to the steel dampers 10A to 10L.

[0222] 32 is a front view of a seismic control structure 30B, another example of the structure that utilizes steel dampers 10A to 10L. In FIG. 32, the vertical direction is indicated by arrow X, and the width direction (lateral direction) is indicated by arrow Y. The seismic control structure 30B is formed of a first side structural member 31B (first structural member), a second side structural member 32B (second structural member), and a seismic control device 54.

[0223] The first side structural member 31B is formed from a first pillar 61 (first structural member) extending in the vertical direction and a first beam 62 (first mounting member) (ceiling beam or floor beam) connected to the first pillar 61 and extending in the width direction from the first pillar 61. The second side structural member 32B is formed from a second pillar 63 (second structural member) extending in the vertical direction and a second beam 64 (second mounting member) (ceiling beam or floor beam) connected to the second pillar 63 and extending in the width direction from the second pillar 63. The first beam 62 and the second beam 64 are formed by dividing a ceiling beam or floor beam in half at its center. The first beam 62 and the second beam 64 face each other at a distance in the width direction (face each other at a distance), and a space 37 is formed between the first beam 62 and the second beam 64.

[0224] Any of the steel dampers 10A to 10L is disposed in a space 37 between a first beam 62 (first mounting member) and a second beam 64 (second mounting member) that are spaced apart and opposed in the width direction. The first connecting panel 11 of any of the steel dampers 10A to 10L is connected and fixed to the free end of the first beam 62 (the free end of the first mounting member) by a predetermined connecting means (for example, the connecting means shown in Figures 26 to 31), and the second connecting panel 12 of any of the steel dampers 10A to 10L is connected and fixed to the free end of the second beam 64 (the free end of the second mounting member) by a predetermined connecting means (for example, the connecting means shown in Figures 26 to 31). The damper panels 13a to 13l of any of the steel dampers 10A to 10L are located in the space 37 between the free end of the first beam 62 and the free end of the second beam 64 that are spaced apart and opposed (face each other) in the width direction.

[0225] In the seismic control structure 30B shown in Figure 32, for example, when an earthquake occurs and external forces acting on the building during earthquake vibrations act as shear forces, axial forces, and bending moments, the external forces (shear forces, axial forces, bending moments) are transmitted from the building to the first beam 62 (first mounting member) via the first column 61 (first structural member) and to the second beam 64 (second mounting member) via the second column 63 (second structural member), and the external forces are transmitted evenly from the first and second beams 62, 64 to the steel dampers 10A to 10L.

[0226] 33 is a front view of a seismic control structure 30C, showing another example of the use of steel dampers 10A to 10L. In FIG. 33, the vertical direction is indicated by arrow X, and the width direction (lateral direction) is indicated by arrow Y. The seismic control structure 30C is formed by a first side structural member 31B (first structural member), a second side structural member 32B (second structural member), and a seismic control device 54.

[0227] The first side structural member 31B is formed from a first pillar 61 (first structural member) extending in the vertical direction and a first wall 65 (first mounting member) connected to the first pillar 61 and extending in the width direction from the first pillar 61. The second side structural member 32B is formed from a second pillar 63 (second structural member) extending in the vertical direction and a second wall 66 (second mounting member) connected to the second pillar 63 and extending in the width direction from the second pillar 63. The first wall 65 and the second wall 66 are formed by dividing the wall in half at its center. The first wall 65 and the second wall 66 face each other at a distance in the width direction (face each other at a distance), and a space 37 is formed between the first wall 65 and the second wall 66.

[0228] Any one of the steel dampers 10A to 10L is disposed in a space 37 between a first wall 65 (first mounting member) and a second wall 66 (second mounting member) that are spaced apart and opposed in the width direction. The first connecting panel 11 of any one of the steel dampers 10A to 10L is connected and fixed to a free end of the first wall 65 (a free end of the first mounting member) by a predetermined connecting means (for example, a connecting means shown in Figures 26 to 31), and the second connecting panel 12 of any one of the steel dampers 10A to 10L is connected and fixed to a free end of the second wall 66 (a free end of the second mounting member) by a predetermined connecting means (for example, a connecting means shown in Figures 26 to 31). The damper panels 13a to 13l of any one of the steel dampers 10A to 10L are located in the space 37 between the free end of the first wall 65 and the free end of the second wall 66 that are spaced apart and opposed (face each other) in the width direction.

[0229] In the seismic control structure 30C shown in Figure 33, for example, when an earthquake occurs and external forces acting on the building during earthquake vibrations act as shear forces, axial forces, and bending moments, the external forces (shear forces, axial forces, and bending moments) are transmitted from the building to the first wall 65 (first mounting member) via the first column 61 (first structural member) and to the second wall 66 (second mounting member) via the second column 63 (second structural member), and the external forces are transmitted evenly from the first and second walls 65, 66 to the steel dampers 10A to 10L.

[0230] Fig. 34 is a front view of a seismic control structure 30D, showing another example using steel dampers 10A to 10L. In Fig. 34, the up-down direction is indicated by arrow X, and the width direction (horizontal direction) is indicated by arrow Y. The seismic control structure 30D is formed from ceiling beams 33 (first structural members) extending in the width direction, first studs 34 (first mounting members) extending in the up-down direction, floor beams 35 (second structural members) extending in the width direction, second studs 36 (first mounting members) extending in the up-down direction, and a seismic control device 54.

[0231] The first partition 34 is located between the ceiling beam 33 and the floor beam 35, and its upper end is connected and fixed to the ceiling beam 33 by a predetermined connecting means, and its lower end is connected and fixed to the floor beam 35 by a predetermined connecting means. The second partition 36 is located between the ceiling beam 33 and the floor beam 35, and faces (faces) the first partition 34 at a distance in the width direction. The upper end of the second partition 36 is connected and fixed to the ceiling beam 33 by a predetermined connecting means, and its lower end is connected and fixed to the floor beam 35 by a predetermined connecting means. A space 37 is formed between the first partition 34 and the second partition 36.

[0232] Any of the steel dampers 10A to 10L is disposed in a space 37 between a first partition stud 34 (first mounting member) and a second partition stud 36 (second mounting member) that are spaced apart and opposed in the width direction. The first connecting panel 11 of any of the steel dampers 10A to 10L is connected and fixed to the opposing sides of the first partition stud 34 (opposing sides of the first mounting member) by a predetermined connecting means (for example, the connecting means shown in Figures 26 to 31), and the second connecting panel 12 of any of the steel dampers 10A to 10L is connected and fixed to the opposing sides of the second partition stud 36 (opposing sides of the second mounting member) by a predetermined connecting means (for example, the connecting means shown in Figures 26 to 31). The damper panels 13a to 13l of any of the steel dampers 10A to 10L are located in a space 37 between the opposing sides of the first partition 34 and the opposing sides of the second partition 36, which are spaced apart (facing each other) in the width direction.

[0233] In the seismic control structure 30D shown in Figure 34, for example, when an earthquake occurs and external forces acting on the building during earthquake vibrations act as shear force, axial force, and bending moment, the external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment) are transmitted from the building to the first partition 34 (first mounting member) via the ceiling beam 33 (first structural member), and are also transmitted to the second partition 36 (first mounting member) via the floor beam 35 (second structural member), and the external forces are transmitted evenly from the first and second partition 34, 36 to the steel dampers 10A to 10L.

[0234] When an external force due to an earthquake (vibration) is transmitted as a shear force, an axial force, or a bending moment to the steel damper 10A of FIG. 1 that forms the seismic control device 54 of the seismic control structures 30A to 30D, the first to fourth front concave curved portions 23a to 23d and the first to fourth rear concave curved portions 25a to 25d are displaced from the center of the front area 20 and the rear concave area 21 of the damper panel 13a toward both side edges 16 (fillets). are plastically deformed, and earthquake energy (vibration energy) is attenuated by the plastic deformation of the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d, which are formed into circles (perfect circles), and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d, which are also formed into circles (perfect circles), and the damper panel 13a of the steel damper 10A absorbs external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment) (seismic energy) due to the earthquake (vibration).

[0235] When an external force due to an earthquake (vibration) is transmitted as a shear force, an axial force, or a bending moment to the steel damper 10B of FIG. 4 that forms the seismic control device 54 of the seismic control structures 30A to 30D, the first to fourth front concave curved portions 23a to 23d and the first to fourth rear concave curved portions 25a to 25d undergo plastic deformation from the center of the front concave area 20 and the rear concave area 21 of the damper panel 13b toward both side edges 16 (fillets). Earthquake energy (vibration energy) is attenuated by plastic deformation of the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d, which are shaped like ellipses that are long in the vertical direction, and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d, which are shaped like ellipses that are long in the vertical direction, and the damper panel 13b of the steel damper 10B absorbs external forces (shear force, axial force, bending moment) (earthquake energy) caused by the earthquake (vibration).

[0236] When an external force due to an earthquake (vibration) is transmitted as a shear force, an axial force, or a bending moment to the steel damper 10C of FIG. 6 that forms the seismic control device 54 of the seismic control structures 30A to 30D, the first to fourth front concave curved portions 23a to 23d and the first to fourth rear concave curved portions 25a to 25d of the damper panel 13c plastically deform from the center of the front concave area 20 and the rear concave area 21 toward both side edges 16 (fillets). The earthquake energy (vibration energy) is attenuated by the plastic deformation of the first to fourth front concave curved surface portions 23a to 23d, which are deformed and formed into oval shapes that are long in the width direction, and the first to fourth rear concave curved surface portions 25a to 25d, which are formed into oval shapes that are long in the width direction,...

Claims

1. A steel damper is formed from a first connecting panel having a predetermined thickness, a second connecting panel having a predetermined thickness and positioned on the opposite side of the first connecting panel, and a damper panel having a predetermined thickness and extending between the first and second connecting panels, and exhibits a seismic damping function by plastically deforming the damper panel when vibration occurs, the damper panel has a front concave surface area formed in a central region of its front surface and recessed from the front surface toward the rear surface of the damper panel, and a rear concave surface area formed in a central region of the rear surface and recessed from the rear surface toward the front surface, the anterior concave surface area has first to n-th anterior concave surface portions whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from the outer circumferential edge toward the center and form an arc in the central region of the anterior surface, and the posterior concave surface area has first to n-th posterior concave surface portions whose recess dimensions increase stepwise from the outer circumferential edge toward the center and form an arc in the central region of the posterior surface, the first to n-th front concave surface portions are first to n-th front concave inclined surface portions that are concave from the front surface toward the rear surface, slope downward from the outer circumferential edge toward the center, and are formed into a circular, elliptical, or oval shape in a central region of the front surface; and the first to n-th rear concave inclined surface portions are first to n-th rear concave inclined surface portions that are concave from the rear surface toward the front surface, slope downward from the outer circumferential edge toward the center, and are formed into a circular, elliptical, or oval shape in a central region of the rear surface, In the steel damper, the first front concave slope portion to the nth front concave slope portion and the first rear concave slope portion to the nth rear concave slope portion are the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically in the front-to-back direction of the damper panel, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel between the first front concave slope portion and the first rear concave slope portion is the largest, and the thickness dimension of the damper panel between the nth front concave slope portion and the nth rear concave slope portion is the smallest.

2. The radial width dimensions of the first to n-th front concave slope portions, which extend in a circular, elliptical or oval shape in the central region of the front surface, are the same from the first to n-th front concave slope portions, or are random from the first to n-th front concave slope portions, or are gradually smaller from the first to n-th front concave slope portions, or are gradually larger from the first to n-th front concave slope portions, and The steel damper of claim 1, wherein the radial width dimensions of the first rear concave slope portion to the nth rear concave slope portion, which extend in a circular, elliptical or oval shape, are the same for the first rear concave slope portion to the nth rear concave slope portion, or are random for the first rear concave slope portion to the nth rear concave slope portion, or gradually decrease from the first rear concave slope portion to the nth rear concave slope portion, or gradually increase from the first rear concave slope portion to the nth rear concave slope portion.

3. A steel damper as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first connecting panel is connected by a predetermined connecting means to the free end of a first mounting member extending from a first structural member that constitutes the building, the second connecting panel is connected by a predetermined connecting means to the free end of a second mounting member extending from a second structural member that constitutes the building and is opposite the first structural member in the vertical or width direction, and the damper panel is located in the space between the free end of the first mounting member and the free end of the second mounting member that are spaced apart in the vertical or width direction.

4. A steel damper as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first connecting panel is connected by a predetermined connecting means to opposite sides of a first mounting member extending between a first structural member constituting a building and a second structural member spaced apart in the vertical direction from the first structural member, the second connecting panel is connected by a predetermined connecting means to opposite sides of a second mounting member extending between the first structural member and the second structural member and spaced apart in the width direction from the first mounting member, and the damper panel is located in the space between the opposite sides of the first mounting member and the opposite sides of the second mounting member spaced apart in the width direction.

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