Multi-Stage Buckling-Restrained Brace With Sequential Core Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing buckling-restrained braces lack adaptability in meeting varying load-bearing capacity and energy dissipation demands under different load conditions, and require full replacement once they yield, leading to high economic costs.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage buckling-restrained brace device with a parallel core system, load-transfer system, and restrainer system, featuring adjustable gaps and sequential activation of core plates to adaptively adjust load-bearing and energy dissipation capacities under different levels of external excitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing buckling-restrained braces are used, then they provide stable energy dissipation performance, but they cannot adapt to varying load conditions and require full replacement after yielding
Solution Approach 1:
The energy dissipation component is divided into multiple core plates (first core plate and several high-stage core plates) arranged in parallel. Each core plate can be activated sequentially based on load intensity, allowing the brace to adapt to varying load conditions without requiring full replacement after yielding. The first core plate yields under moderate earthquakes while high-stage core plates activate under stronger earthquakes, providing progressive energy dissipation capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace device transitions from a static single-stage energy dissipation system to a dynamic multi-stage system. The adjustable gaps between core plates and supporting plates enable the system to dynamically activate different core plates based on the intensity of external excitation. This dynamic activation mechanism allows the brace to adapt its energy dissipation capacity in real-time according to loading conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing buckling-restrained braces are used, then they have simple structure, but they provide fixed performance parameters that do not meet varying energy dissipation demands
Solution Approach 1:
The energy dissipation component is segmented into multiple core plates with different activation thresholds. The first core plate is connected to supporting plates via first connecting components, while high-stage core plates are connected via second connecting components that engage only when needed. This segmentation enables varying energy dissipation capacities without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-stage core plates are pre-positioned in parallel with the first core plate but remain inactive due to adjustable gaps. The connecting components are pre-configured to engage automatically when the first core plate yields under excessive deformation. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for complex active control systems while still achieving adaptive energy dissipation performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing buckling-restrained braces are used, then they are easy to construct, but they cause high economic costs due to full replacement after yielding
Solution Approach 1:
The energy dissipation component is divided into a first core plate and multiple high-stage core plates that can be selectively activated. This segmentation allows the brace to withstand stronger earthquakes by activating additional core plates only when necessary, extending the service life and reducing the frequency of full replacements, thereby lowering long-term economic costs while maintaining ease of construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows the first core plate to yield and be replaced independently after moderate earthquakes, while the high-stage core plates remain intact and reusable for future stronger earthquakes. This selective replacement approach recovers the value of the remaining core plates and reduces material waste compared to full replacement, while the modular structure maintains ease of construction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides adaptive load-bearing and energy dissipation capabilities, enhancing structural adaptability and safety by allowing sequential activation of core plates, reducing maintenance costs, and ensuring continued performance under varying loads.
Implementation Method 1
the energy dissipation core plate yields under both tension and compression, dissipating energy through the yielding
Implementation Method 2
the restraining component only restricts the compressive buckling of the energy dissipation core plate
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a multi-stage buckling-restrained brace device. The device comprises the parallel cores system, load-transfer system, and restrainer system. The parallel cores system consists of the energy dissipation component, placed between the two supporting plates. The load-transfer system consists of the first and second supporting plates, which are spaced along a specific direction. The restrainer system consists of the restraining component, which prevents buckling of the energy dissipation component under compression. The restraining component includes a first sliding plate, a second sliding plate, a first connecting component and a second connecting component, while the energy dissipation component includes a first core plate and several high-stage core plates. The first sliding plate is fixedly connected to both the first core plate and the first supporting plate, and the second sliding plate is fixedly connected to both the first core plate and the second supporting plate. The two ends of the high-stage core plates are respectively spaced from the first supporting plate and the second supporting plate to form adjustable gaps. The present disclosure can adaptively meet both the load-bearing capacity and energy dissipation demands under different levels of external excitation.