Embodiments of the present invention provides a unique building structure, and a method to manufacture such building structure that may be able to withstand powerful forces of nature and extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes, tornado, flood storm, high speed winds, forest fire, mud slide, tsunami, heavy snow, and the like. The building structure may comprise of a concrete anchor unit to which an assembly of structural compression modules and horizontal and vertical tension elements may be attached. The assembly of compression modules and tension elements effectively transfers the natural forces acting along the building structure, thereby resisting the forces by the tension elements. The building structure may be independent of foundation and can be placed anywhere there is solid bearing material that will support its weight. Further, the present invention aims at providing the unique building structure and the manufacturing method at competitive pricing rates.

A structural yielding link, particularly for use in an eccentrically braced frame arrangement or in a linked column frame arrangement having a first end having a means for connecting to a face of a first beam and a second end having a means for connecting to a face of a second beam; a first variable cross-section portion and a second variable cross-section portion extending from the first end and from the second end, respectively; and a constant cross-section portion joining the first variable cross-section portion and the second variable cross-section portion.

Embodiments of the present invention provides a unique building structure, and a method to manufacture such building structure that may be able to withstand powerful forces of nature and extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes, tornado, flood storm, high speed winds, forest fire, mud slide, tsunami, heavy snow, and the like. The building structure may comprise of a concrete anchor unit to which an assembly of structural compression modules and horizontal and vertical tension elements may be attached. The assembly of compression modules and tension elements effectively transfers the natural forces acting along the building structure, thereby resisting the forces by the tension elements. The building structure may be independent of foundation and can be placed anywhere there is solid bearing material that will support its weight. Further, the present invention aims at providing the unique building structure and the manufacturing method at competitive pricing rates.

A structural column includes a column body having a length L.sub.c and a cross-section having a depth d that is greater than a width b.sub.c, with the column body having two end portions at ends of the length of the column body, a first end cap positioned at the first end portion of the column body where the first end cap has a first width greater than the width b.sub.c of the column body and has a first central line of the first width, and a second end cap positioned at the second end portion of the column body where the second end cap has a second width greater than the width b.sub.c of the column body and has a second central line of the second width. Additionally, the first central line and the second central line are off-center from a central line of the width of the column body.

P.E.D.'s (Parapet Earth Dwellings) are pre-fabricated shelters designed to be attached to existing or new home and business structures for emergency evacuation. These structures will be designed with the latest polymers and compounds comparable to that of traditional metals being used today such as with smooth or corrugated metal pipes. P.E.D.'s will be primarily designed and encased with EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) technology to safeguard electronic devices that could potentially be inoperative during a manmade or cosmic energy pulse emission. These structures are designed to be installed underground at a minimum of 15 feet from the top of the structure varying in height and length based on a customer's needs. These structures will also have the ability to maintain warmth byway of geo-thermal penetrating technology. P.E.D. Shelters are the next generation of underground emergency evacuation shelters providing additional EMP protection, natural geo-thermal warmth, and structural flexibility during slight earth movements.

A self-adjusting floating environment (SAFE) system is described. The SAFE system can include a construction platform which floats on a buffer medium and a vertical motion isolation system. In an earthquake, a construction platform floating on a buffer medium may experience greatly reduced shear forces. In a flood, a construction platform floating on a buffer medium can be configured to rise as water levels rise to limit flood damage. The vertical motion isolation system can reduce the vertical motion of the construction platform induced from vertical ground movements during an earthquake.

A structural device includes a first deformable member configured to absorb at least a portion of a load resulting from relative displacement between structural members of a building. The first deformable member exhibits elastic deformation when subjected to tensile and/or compressive forces within a first range of forces, and exhibits plastic deformation when subjected to tensile and/or compressive forces within a second range of forces. A second deformable member is affixed to a portion of the first deformable member, and is configured to absorb at least another portion of the load resulting from the relative displacement between the structural members of the building. The second deformable member exhibits elastic deformation when subjected to tensile and/or compressive forces within a third range of forces, and exhibits plastic deformation when subjected to tensile and/or compressive forces within a fourth range of forces. Methods relate to forming structural devices.

The purpose of the invention is to reduce a cost and a construction period, secure measures for stability of the shelter main body against a tsunami, water pressure resistant performance against the tsunami generated by the Nankai Trough Great Earthquake, safety performance necessary for using the evacuation shelter, and good living comfort, and shorten evacuation time. The shelter main body 3 is connected to the concrete foundation 2 and has a structure with the frame 3a of a columnar structure, the ceiling 3b, and the internal space 9 of a columnar structure. The inner hatch 5 is attached to the periphery of the opening 4 provided in the ceiling 3b by a hinge in an openable and closable manner. A rising portion 6 rises upward from the peripheral edge of the opening 4. The outer hatch 7 is connected to the upper surface of the rising portion 6 by a hinge 7a in an openable and closable manner. A pair of rails 8 is arranged in the vertical direction on the inner wall surface of the frame 3a of a columnar structure of the shelter main body 3. The movable floor 10 is capable of moving up and down inside the internal space 9 along the rails 8.

A gusset connection that allows greater relative movement between connected structural members and simplifies erection in the field. The gusset connection can be a first gusset portion moveably connected to a vertical column and a second gusset connection moveably connected to a horizontal beam.

A truss for use in a staggered truss system in provided. The truss includes at least one slip joint for allowing relative movement between the top chord of the truss and the bottom chord of the truss. The staggered truss system may be suitable for use in seismic regions.