Bearing Wall with Concentric Circular Openings for Seismic Energy Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bearing walls in steel houses and pre-fabricated homes, such as those described in Japanese Patent No. 3737368, face difficulties in stabilizing and absorbing earthquake energy effectively.

Innovation Solution

A bearing wall design featuring a pair of vertical members joined to horizontal members, with a wall surface member having circular-shaped opening portions spaced apart in a single column, where the separation distance between adjacent opening portions is shorter than the distance between joint portions, concentrating stress and reducing shear stress on intermediate portions to absorb earthquake energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If circular opening portions are formed in the wall surface member, then earthquake energy absorption is improved, but structural strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveearthquake energy absorptionVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The wall surface member is segmented by forming multiple circular opening portions that divide the continuous steel sheet into multiple regions. These openings create stress concentration zones that facilitate controlled deformation and energy absorption during earthquakes, while the remaining solid portions maintain structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the wall surface member are given different properties through the strategic placement of opening portions. The regions around the openings have localized stress concentration capabilities for energy absorption, while other regions maintain full strength for structural support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the separation distance between opening portions is reduced, then shear stress on joint portions is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint portion strengthVSAvoidopening portion spacing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the separation distance parameter between opening portions to a specific range (shorter than the horizontal distance between joint portions) that simultaneously achieves stress distribution benefits and remains feasible for standard manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9758963B2Bearing wall and wall surface member for bearing wall

Publication Date: 2017.09.12 NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION

AI summary

A bearing wall includes a pair of vertical members that are joined to upper and lower horizontal members of a building so as to be spaced apart in a horizontal direction; and a wall surface member that includes a first joint portions joined to one of the vertical members, that includes a second joint portions joined to another of the vertical members, and that includes circular-shaped opening portions that are spaced apart in an up-down direction between the pair of vertical members so as to be disposed in a single column. A separation distance between a center of one opening portion and a center of an opening portion that is adjacent to the one opening portion in the up-down direction is shorter than a horizontal separation distance between the first joint portions and the second joint portions.