Seismic Fuse Plate for Moment-Resisting Frame Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Structural beam-to-column connections in moment-resisting frames are expensive to build and prone to failure during seismic events, with conventional connections often failing at the beam rather than the designed weak point, leading to costly repairs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a seismic fuse plate that is configured to experience shear forces during seismic events, allowing it to fail instead of the beam or column, thereby absorbing energy and preventing damage to the structural components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional beam-to-column connections with multiple parts and welding are used, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into distinct functional components: a connection plate attached to the beam, a seismic fuse plate with designated shear failure zones, and column continuity plates. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the connection plate provides structural continuity, the seismic fuse plate absorbs energy through controlled failure, and the column plates maintain column integrity. The modular design simplifies manufacturing and assembly while maintaining connection strength.
2Reliability
If conventional beam-to-column connections are used, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of repair after seismic events worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The seismic fuse plate is designed as a sacrificial component with predetermined weak zones that are intended to fail during seismic events. This disposable element absorbs the damage from earthquakes, protecting the expensive beam and column from damage. After a seismic event, only the relatively inexpensive seismic fuse plate needs to be replaced rather than the entire structural assembly, dramatically improving ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The seismic fuse plate acts as an intermediary element between the beam and column connection. It mediates the transfer of seismic forces by providing a controlled failure mechanism that protects the primary structural components. The fuse plate absorbs the harmful effects of seismic loading through its designated shear failure zones, preventing these forces from damaging the beam and column.
3Ease of repair
If seismic fuse plate with shear failure zones is used, then ease of repair is improved, but connection strength may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The seismic fuse plate incorporates local variations in thickness to create designated shear failure zones. These localized thin sections are strategically positioned to fail first under seismic loading, while the rest of the connection system maintains full strength. The local quality change in plate thickness allows the system to have both weak zones for controlled failure and strong zones for structural integrity.
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 seismic fuse plate system reduces the likelihood of buckling and deformation in beams and columns, allowing increased tilting without failure, making it easier and less expensive to replace the fuse plate rather than the entire structural components.
Implementation Method 1
the seismic fuse plate may be configured and positioned such that movement or tilting of the moment-resisting frame exerts shear forces on one or more portions of the seismic fuse plate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a beam-to-column connection systems for a moment-resisting frame as well as moment-resisting frames that include such connection systems.