Rocking Shear Wall Panel with Toe Crushers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building construction methods fail to effectively withstand frequent low-intensity seismic and wind events with minimal damage while allowing controlled damage during rare high-intensity events, and do not provide adequate protection against structural damage during such events.

Innovation Solution

The use of mass timber shear wall panels connected by tie-downs and inter-shear wall panel connectors, which allow for controlled rocking and energy dissipation through toe crushers, enabling the structure to absorb and distribute loads during loading events, with components designed for replacement after damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional rigid connection methods are used to strengthen structural stability, then strength and stability are improved, but damage occurs during seismic and wind events

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoiddamage during loading events

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system transitions from rigid static connections to dynamic connections that allow controlled rocking motion. The shear wall panels are connected through rockable connections with toe crushers that enable controlled damage mechanisms, allowing the structure to adapt its stiffness and strength characteristics during loading events while protecting critical structural elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention intentionally introduces controlled damage mechanisms through toe crushers that are designed to fail in a predictable manner during high-intensity events. This converts the harmful effect of seismic and wind loads into a beneficial controlled damage mechanism that dissipates energy while protecting the overall structural integrity and allowing for easier replacement of damaged components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Loss of energy

If controlled damage mechanisms are introduced to allow energy dissipation, then energy dissipation and damage control are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy dissipationVSAvoidconnection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: rockable connections for rotational movement, toe crushers for controlled compression failure and energy dissipation, and replaceable connectors for joining panels. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while achieving complex energy dissipation behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes parameter changes in material behavior and structural response to achieve energy dissipation. The toe crushers are designed with specific geometric parameters that cause them to crush at predetermined load levels, converting mechanical energy into deformation energy. The rockable connections change their rotational stiffness parameters during loading, providing nonlinear energy dissipation without complex active control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution enables buildings to withstand low-intensity events with minimal damage and high-intensity events with controlled damage, maintaining structural stability and reducing seismic demands by dissipating energy through rocking motion and connector deformation, allowing for easy replacement of damaged components.

Implementation Method 1

The shear wall panel and base support rock relative to one another during loading events, such as seismic events or high wind events

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRocking motion:

Implementation Method 2

dissipating energy through rocking motion and connector deformation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy dissipation: Damping

Implementation Method 3

energy dissipation through toe crushers, enabling the structure to absorb and distribute loads during loading events

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 4

enabling the structure to absorb and distribute loads during loading events

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLoad distribution:

Implementation Method 5

connector deformation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS10267053B2Method and apparatus to minimize and control damage to a shear wall panel subject to a loading event

Publication Date: 2019.04.23 MERCER MASS TIMBER LLC

AI summary

A building wall comprises a shear wall panel having a horizontal bottom edge, a bottom left corner, and a bottom right corner. The wall sits atop a horizontal base support located under the horizontal bottom edge of the shear wall panel. A tie-down couples the shear wall panel to the base support at a central point along the horizontal bottom edge of the shear wall panel such that the shear wall panel rocks under horizontal forces. Toe crushing elements are situated under the bottom corners of the shear wall panel. The bottom corners of the shear wall panel compress the toe crushing elements as the shear wall panel rocks about the tie-down under horizontal forces.