Radially Perforated Beam-Column Damper for Seismic Energy Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing damping systems for beam-to-column connections in buildings are insufficient in mitigating seismic forces, leading to structural failures and poor seismic performance, particularly in ductility and energy dissipation.

Innovation Solution

A radially perforated damper with radially perforated damping plates connected to beams and columns, allowing for plastic deformation of radial strips to dissipate seismic energy and enhance ductility, stiffness, and connection strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing damping systems are used in beam-to-column connections, then the structure can resist seismic forces, but the ductility and energy dissipation are insufficient leading to structural failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseismic performanceVSAvoidenergy dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The damping plate is segmented into multiple radial strips that can independently deform, allowing each strip to contribute to energy dissipation through plastic deformation while maintaining overall connection integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The radial strips are designed with specific geometric parameters (width, length, thickness) that control their plastic deformation characteristics, enabling optimized energy dissipation through controlled changes in material state from elastic to plastic range

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If the radial strips undergo plastic deformation to dissipate energy, then energy dissipation is improved, but the damage concentrates in the damper components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy dissipationVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The radial strips act as intermediary elements that deliberately concentrate damage within the damper assembly, protecting the primary structural members (beam and column) from direct seismic damage through controlled plastic deformation of the sacrificial damping components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping plates with radial strips are designed as replaceable sacrificial components that absorb seismic energy through controlled damage, allowing the expensive primary structure to remain intact while the relatively simple damper components may require replacement after severe events

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Strength

If a rigid connection is used between beam and column, then connection strength is improved, but the ductility and rotation capacity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidductility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connection transitions from a purely rigid static connection to a dynamic system where the radial strips can progressively deform plastically under seismic loading, allowing the connection to adapt its stiffness and strength characteristics based on the applied load level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 damper improves ductility, energy dissipation, and reduces story drift, enhancing occupant safety and comfort by concentrating damage within the damper, while maintaining structural elements within their elastic limits.

Implementation Method 1

each radial strip of the plurality of radial strips experiences shear stress and undergoes plastic deformation, thereby damping relative movement between the central connecting portion and the continuous perimeter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

each radial strip of the plurality of radial strips experiences shear stress and undergoes plastic deformation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear stress: Shear Stress

Data Source

PatentUS12535116B1Radially perforated damper for beam to column damping

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 UNIVERSITY OF SHARJAH

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a radially perforated damper for damping relative movement between a beam and a column. The radially perforated damper comprises at least two radially perforated damping plates, each radially perforated damping plate comprising a central connecting portion configured to rigidly connect to the beam. Each damping plate also comprises a plurality of radial strips extending radially from the central connecting portion such that when an external force is applied to the beam or column, and a moment is applied to the central connecting portion, each radial strip of the plurality of radial strips experiences shear stress and undergoes plastic deformation, thereby damping relative movement between the beam and column.