A seismic wave shield for protecting an area from seismic vibrations and a method of shielding an area from seismic waves by installing a seismic wave shield. The seismic wave shield comprises a set of columns embedded in regolith and in contact with bedrock. There is a material contrast between a material forming the columns and the regolith.

A seismic wave shield for protecting an area from seismic vibrations and a method of shielding an area from seismic waves by installing a seismic wave shield. The seismic wave shield comprises a set of columns embedded in regolith and in contact with bedrock. There is a material contrast between a material forming the columns and the regolith.

The invention relates to an assembly for damping vibrations of a structure (I), having a wall element (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) to be fitted in a upright position, a casing element (Sa, Sb, Sc, 8d) and a damping device (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d), which is connected to the casing element (Sa, Sb, Sc, 8d) and to the wall element (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) such that a relative movement between the wall element (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) and the casing element (Sa, Sb, Sc, 8d) is transmitted to the damping device (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d). The damping device (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) is designed to damp a vibrating movement of the wall element (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) in a damping direction and is arranged such that the damping device is oriented substantially parallel to a surface of the wall element (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d). The invention further relates to a method for damping vibrations of a structure.

The invention relates to an assembly for damping vibrations of a structure (I), having a wall element (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) to be fitted in a upright position, a casing element (Sa, Sb, Sc, 8d) and a damping device (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d), which is connected to the casing element (Sa, Sb, Sc, 8d) and to the wall element (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) such that a relative movement between the wall element (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) and the casing element (Sa, Sb, Sc, 8d) is transmitted to the damping device (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d). The damping device (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) is designed to damp a vibrating movement of the wall element (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) in a damping direction and is arranged such that the damping device is oriented substantially parallel to a surface of the wall element (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d). The invention further relates to a method for damping vibrations of a structure.

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.

The disaster-resistant structure secured to a body of cast material comprises at least one flexible cable to resist high loads, debris impact and other hazards that occur due to high winds, tornadoes, earthquakes, or other severe storms. The structure is secured to the body of cast material by at least one flexible cable passing through. At least one hollow tube imbedded into the body of cast material. The flexible cable is looped around the structure in a substantially vertical plane, passed through the tube, traveling inside the walls and ceiling. The ends of the flexible cable are connected using any conventional means for connecting cable ends. The structure is also secured by at least one other flexible cable that is looped around the room structure in a substantially horizontal plane located within the walls and secured using any conventional means for connecting cables. In the preferred embodiment, the walls are also secured together by at least one other flexible cable that is looped around the room in a substantially horizontal plane and secured to the structure's framing. The ends of the horizontally looped flexible cable are secured to the structure's framing such as the door framing with a connector, hook, or other means of securing the end of a cable to a framing member. The at least one horizontally looped flexible cable is located within the walls. The vertically looped and horizontally looped flexible cables form a network of cables around the structure, located within the walls of the structure. In the preferred embodiment, the network of flexible cables may be encased in a cast material placed into the wall cavities and above the ceiling panel.

Embodiments are directed to base connections, structures including base connections, kits for forming the base connections and/or structures, and method of repairing yielded base connections. In an embodiment, a base connection includes a base plate including a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. The top surface is configured to be adjacent to a terminal end of a column and the bottom surface adjacent to a foundation. The connection also includes one or more anchor rods attached to the base plate. The anchor rods are configured to secure the base plate to the foundation. The connection includes at least one structural fuse configured to be attached to the column and attached to the base plate. The fuse includes a plate with at least one cutout formed therein. The cutout is configured to form one or more yield regions that are configured to preferentially yield.

The disclosed technology provides a seismic yielding connector. The seismic yielding connector includes a U-shaped plate configured to connect a side stud of a panel to another component of a panel and a yielding plate located between the U-shaped plate and the side stud of the panel. A high-strength bolt connects the U-shaped plate, the yielding plate, and the side stud of the panel to a structural column. A bushing is located between the U-shaped plate and the structural column.

Method, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for damping the movements of structures undergoing dynamic forces. The disclosed dampers are a new type of steel plate dampers, intended to reduce the cost and improve the performance of structures subject to severe seismic loading. While in these dampers the metal plates undergo plastic deformation as a method of absorbing and dissipating energy, the disclosed designs do not allow the stress and strain in the metal plates to go above a predetermined design value and; therefore, the new dampers have long lives and do not need repair or replacement after a big earthquake or similar events. These dampers may be used for building and non-building structures. In such applications the required damping capacities are relatively high and different scales of sliding force and stroke are required.

Column-to-beam connection systems are disclosed herein, along with moment-resisting frames including the same and methods of repairing the same. An example column-to-beam connection system includes a shear component. The shear component includes abase plate that is connected to a column flange. The shear component also includes at least one vertical web extending from the base plate. The vertical web is connected to with a beam flange. The vertical web also defines one or more openings therein.