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 member-to-member planar connection bracket that includes multiple repeated fuse element configurations that each provide a pre-determined inelastic load-carrying capacity and a reliable inelastic deformation capacity upon development of one or more inelastic hinge locations within the fuse elements. The fuse configurations are interconnected in series such that the total deformation accommodated between first end of the bracket and second end of the bracket is the sum of deformations accommodated by the individual fuse configurations. Multiple brackets are configured in laminar configurations and interconnected to create a connection assembly provides increased strength or increased deformation capacity as compared to an individual bracket. The connection assembly is used to connect a first structural member and second structural member. The pre-determined maximum inelastic load-carrying capacity of the assembly is less than the elastic load-carrying capacity of the first structural member and the second structural member.

The present invention is a modular structural building method consisting of prefabricated, precast, composite reinforced concrete raised floor and steel beam panels with adjustable levelling connection assemblies between panels, supported by columns. The system has the ability to accommodate the use of the floor by construction personnel during the on-site assembly process. The perimeter of the raised floor slab can be provided with ducts for a field installed conventional reinforcement means to create a continuous structural diaphragm for the floor panel.

A panel assembly for a building includes a panel configured to extend between a first surface and a second surface. The panel is movable along a predetermined path relative to the first surface and the second surface. A first pin and a second pin are coupled to the panel. A first bottom face plate is positioned on a first side and defines a first slot. A second bottom face plate is positioned on a second side and defines a second slot. A first top face plate is positioned on the first side and defines a third slot. A second top face plate is positioned on the second side and defines a fourth slot. The first pin is movable in the first slot and the second slot, and the second pin is movable in the third slot and the fourth slot for guiding movement of the panel along the predetermined path.

A seismic wave damping structure can include a structural arrangement including at least one pair of elements, each angled with respect to a vertical and extending into the earth and toward a protection zone. The elements thus form a tapered aperture, the structural arrangement defining the protection zone at an upper portion of the aperture. Each element defines an inner volume and contains a medium resistant to passage of an anticipated seismic wave in earth having a wavelength at least one order of magnitude greater than a cross-sectional dimension of the inner volume of each of the elements. The medium is at least one of air, gas, water, and viscous fluid. The structural arrangement is configured to attenuate power from the anticipated seismic wave within the protection zone relative to power from the anticipated seismic wave external to the protection zone.

A resetting semi-passive stiffness damper (RSPSD) triggering assembly and a RSPSD and method of use for damping movement of an object. Exemplary embodiments of a RSPSD triggering assembly include, for example, a rotatable disc and a spring-loaded lever arranged between the disc and a slotted channel. A sensor is provided and communicates with a bypass valve on the cylinder. A change in the direction of movement of the disc causes reciprocation of the lever in the channel, which causes the sensor to send open and close signals to the bypass valve. In some embodiments, a single disc may be replaced with two interacting discs. A RSPSD equipped with such a triggering assembly is usable to damp movement of an object of interest.

The present invention is a modular structural building system and method consisting of prefabricated, precast, composite reinforced concrete raised floor and steel beam panels with adjustable levelling connection assemblies between panels, supported by columns. The system has the ability to accommodate the use of the floor by construction personnel during the on-site assembly process. The perimeter of the raised floor slab can be provided with ducts for a field installed conventional reinforcement means to create a continuous structural diaphragm for the floor panel.

Described herein is a base isolation system utilising a pier-like assembly comprising intermediary elements such as pillars isolating a first member and a second member, the second member above the first member and the members in a spaced apart relationship with intermediary elements therebetween. In one aspect, a base isolation system is provided comprising a first member and a second member, the second member being above the first member, the members being in a spaced apart relationship separated by pillars; and wherein each pillar comprises a pillar fixed end and an opposing pillar movable end. In the event of relative movement between the first and second member, the pillars dampen transfer of movement between the members by the movable pillar end moving relative to a movable first or second member thereby reducing the degree of energy transfer between the members. A method of installing a base isolation system is also described herein.

A vibration control pad (5) comprises a gel elastic body (7) made of an elastic-viscous material and heavy-object support members (8) embedded in the gel elastic body (7). A protrusion (11) is formed only on either the top or bottom surface of the gel elastic body (7) or formed on each of the top and bottom surfaces of the gel elastic body (7) in such a manner as to cover part of the support bodies (8). The protrusion (11) securely contains the support bodies (8) in the gel elastic body (7) to prevent the support bodies (8) from being detached or separated from the gel elastic body (7) when the vibration control pad (5) is taken out of its packaging member for use.

A gap caulking device and a caulking method are provided, wherein the gap caulking device includes long plates, short plates, a dial plate, a three-way joint, a tensioner and a limit rod, and a closed quadrilateral structure with an adjustable angle is formed by two long plates hinged to each other and two short plates hinged to each other, a dial plate and a pointer are respectively provided on the two short plates, damping rods hinged on the two short plates to each other and a three-way joint matched with the two long plates are passed through by a limit rod to achieve connection limiting, and a shape memory alloy wire is connected to the three-way joint by a tensioner and is parallel to the limit rod. The problem is overcome that the original traditional wedge-shaped material that gaps rely on has a single filling function.