Self-Aligning Ductile Anchor Fuse Plate for Seismic Load Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional anchoring devices lack a ductile yield mechanism, leading to brittle failures under seismic or lateral forces, and do not meet ACI and AISC requirements for ductile attachment, necessitating costly repairs.
Innovation Solution
The ductile anchor attachment (DAA) mechanism provides a controlled ductile yield mechanism to dissipate tension and compression forces, preserving the integrity of existing anchors and allowing easy replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional anchoring devices are used, then the anchoring load is concentrated on a single line, but the device lacks a ductile yield mechanism leading to brittle failures under seismic forces
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is divided into multiple strands (typically three strands) instead of a single concentrated anchor. Each strand contains multiple ductile elements (such as headed studs or rebar) that can independently yield and dissipate energy. This segmentation distributes the anchoring load across multiple lines while providing a ductile yield mechanism through the controlled deformation of individual elements, preventing catastrophic brittle failure.
2Ease of repair
If conventional anchoring devices are used, then the structure is simpler, but costly repairs are required after brittle failures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs replaceable ductile elements (such as headed studs, rebar, or other yieldable components) that are designed to undergo controlled ductile deformation and can be easily replaced after seismic events. These elements are positioned within the anchor strands and are intended to yield in a controlled manner, absorbing seismic energy while preserving the permanent anchor structure. After a seismic event, only the damaged ductile elements need replacement, significantly reducing repair costs compared to conventional anchors that require complete system replacement after brittle failure.
3Length of moving object
If conventional anchoring devices are used, then the embedment depth is greater, but the design flexibility to meet building code requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameters of the anchoring system by transitioning from single-line concentrated anchors to multi-strand distributed anchors with ductile elements. This parameter change allows the system to meet ACI and AISC building code requirements for ductile behavior and seismic resistance while reducing the required embedment depth. The ductile elements provide controlled deformation characteristics that enable compliance with code requirements for ductile yield mechanisms, thereby increasing design flexibility without requiring excessive embedment depth.
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 DAA mechanism enables flexible design to meet building code requirements, reduces embedment depth, and facilitates cost-effective replacement after seismic events, enhancing structural resilience and reducing repair costs.
Implementation Method 1
designed to provide a stable controlled ductile yield mechanism to dissipate tension forces
Implementation Method 2
dissipate tension forces, and in certain embodiments compression forces
Data Source
AI summary
A ductile anchor attachment (DAA) mechanism is disclosed. Example embodiments are directed to a DAA fuse plate including a bottom section configured to connect to an existing anchor; a tapered lower section; a narrowed neck forming a ductile yield mechanism; a tapered upper section; and a connection mechanism for direct removable coupling of the DAA fuse plate to a structure being anchored, the connection mechanism being in contact with the tapered upper section of the DAA fuse plate, the DAA fuse plate in combination with the connection mechanism being configured to not buckle under compression forces and to adjustably dissipate tension forces acting on the structure being anchored.