A rolling block restraint connector for forming a moment resisting connection at a joint intersection between a continuous column and at least a first continuous beam that intersects the continuous column is disclosed. The connector includes a first restraint assembly, a second restraint assembly, wherein the second restraint assembly is configured to be located diagonally across the joint intersection from the first restraint assembly, a first linkage that couples the first restraint assembly with the second restraint assembly, the first linkage including (i) a first saddle configured to couple with an exterior of a first end of a first tubular shaft of the first restraint assembly, and (ii) a second saddle configured to couple with an exterior of a first end of a second tubular shaft of the second restraint assembly, and a second linkage that couples the first restraint assembly with the second restraint assembly.

Disclosed is a seismic reinforcement structure and a seismic retrofitting method, including: a first bracket including a horizontal part extending in contact with the bottom surface of the building, and a vertical part formed in connection with the horizontal part and extending in contact with the wall surface of the building; a second bracket including a horizontal part extending in contact with the ceiling of the building, and a vertical part formed in connection with the horizontal part and extending in contact with the wall surface of the building; and a connecting support rod having a vertically long shape and vertically connecting the horizontal part of the first bracket and the second bracket, wherein the relative position to the bottom of the whole building is fixed, thereby preventing the building from collapsing.

A composite reinforced, optionally treated, wood stud for permanent wood foundations, above ground walls, floor joists, vertical support columns or headers for commercial and residential buildings has a first lumber section having a width and a depth and a second lumber section inverted with respect to the first lumber section having a width and a depth. A plurality of adjacent, aligned in a longitudinal row, mechanical fastening dowels angularly pass through the depth of the first lumber section and pass substantially through the width of the second lumber section. The dowels maintain a spatial relationship between the first and second lumber sections. The angularity of the dowels alternate vertically oppositely between adjacent dowels. From an end view, the dowel alternate in a cant relationship with adjacent dowels in a left and right manner.

A shearwall is disclosed for use in lightweight or other constructions to transmit lateral shear forces and dissipate energy on the construction. In examples, the shearwall includes a central panel formed of wood, and side plates formed of steel. The side plates may be affixed at lower corners of first and second opposed surfaces of the central panel. Each side plate may include a fastening plate for affixing the side plate to the central panel, and a restraint plate which fits within a reduced area section of the central panel between the first and second surfaces.

The present invention relates to using interlocking spacer braces between support members to construct wood and metal framed walls, floors and building trusses. Spacer braces have indentations, extensions, fingers that interlock horizontally, vertically or diagonally between support members. The spacer braces can form diagonal and lateral wall bracing, diagonal and vertical chords within building truss with either horizontally or vertical orientations, beams, hold-downs and shear walls. The spacer braces can be installed between wood or metal framing members.

A shear transfer system is provided. In the system a shear tie strap is attached to a first framing member, a second framing member, a third framing member, a fourth framing member, and a fifth framing member of a frame in a framed building. The second, third, fourth, and fifth framing members are orthogonal or oblique to the first framing member. More than one shear tie strap may be present in the framed building.

A metal reinforcement fitting for reinforcing a through hole penetrating through a wooden building component from one surface and the other surface thereof includes: a first plate member made of a metal plate, a cylindrical member made of a metal cylinder, and a second plate member made of a metal plate. The first plate member has a through hole adapted to receive a rod-like fastener therethrough, and is adapted to be disposed on the one surface of the wooden building component. The cylindrical member is adapted to receive the rod-like fastener therethrough and to be inserted and fitted in the through hole of the wooden building component so as to extend over an entire length thereof. The second plate member has a through hole adapted to receive the rod-like fastener therethrough, and is adapted to be disposed on the other surface of the wooden building component.

A reinforced stud-framed wall, including a bottom plate; first and second vertical studs; a member supported on the bottom plate, the member having a compression strength greater than a compression strength of the bottom plate; the first vertical stud having a bottom end supported on the member with a first contact area, whereby a load on the first contact area is spread over a first area on the bottom plate larger than the first contact area; and the second vertical stud having a bottom end supported on the member with a second contact area, whereby a load on the second contact area is spread over a second area on the bottom plate larger than the second contact area.

A reinforced building wall includes a foundation and an anchor rod anchored to the foundation; a first stud wall disposed above the foundation; the first stud wall having a first bottom plate, a first top plate and first and second vertical studs operably joined to the first bottom plate and the first top plate; a horizontal first bridge member disposed between the first stud and the second stud, the first bridge member having a first vertical opening; a rod post having one end operably connected to the anchor rod and operably connected to the first bridge member to transfer downward forces from the first bridge member and the second bridge member to the rod post; the anchor rod is attached to an anchor; and the anchor is disposed in an upper portion of the foundation.

A metal joint for joining, to a frame built by appropriately combining a horizontal structural member and a vertical structural member, a rectangular panel fitted into the frame includes a base member made of a rectangular metal plate, and cylindrical members which are each made of a metal cylinder, and are fixed onto opposite surfaces of the base member. The base member is adapted to be disposed between the frame and the panel. The cylindrical members are adapted to be fitted into circular holes formed in the frame and the panel.