A seismic, water, or acoustic wave damping structure can include a structural arrangement of at least two elements, each with an inner volume and containing a medium resistant to passage of an anticipated wave. Example elements can be earth boreholes or water pylons. The structural arrangement can taper from an upper aperture to a lower aperture, the structural arrangement defining a protection zone at the upper aperture. The structural arrangement can be configured to attenuate power from the anticipated wave within the protection zone relative to power from the anticipated wave external to the protection zone. A grouping may include elements that form acute or obtuse angles with a direction of a wave to attenuate wave power. High-value buildings or other structure in a protection zone on land or in water can be substantially shielded from seismic or water waves.

A rigid substructure (12) tied to a restrained column (16) at different floors undergoes rigid body rotation due to lateral dynamic loading. Flexural members (18) that are connected to the substructure (12) and another anchor column (14) resist the rigid body rotation and undergo vertical deflections. Damped diagonals (20) connected to common nodes of the rigid substructure and flexural members, for one embodiment, receive amplified displacements and more effectively dissipate energy. Flexural members restore the structure to the unloaded position. The system does not require moment connections and can work with flexure induced in simply supported beams. The system is highly effective and may remain elastic under maximum considered earthquake ground motions.

A structure having at least one generally horizontal flexural member extending between a pair of spaced-apart, upright columns, is protected from seismic forces by connecting one end of an elongated damping member to a first structural node on one of the columns, and by connecting an opposite end to a nodal junction on the flexural member. An undamped, rigid body is connected to the nodal junction and to a second structural node on the other of the columns. In response to the seismic forces, the rigid body is turned about the second structural node, the flexural member is flexed, an amplified force is exerted, and the damping member is displaced along an amplified working stroke.

The present invention relates to a seismic reinforcing device capable of conveniently conducting reinforcement of a structure, the device includes an upper support installed on an upper horizontal portion configured to connect columns, a lower support disposed under the upper horizontal portion, installed on a lower horizontal portion configured to connect the columns, and disposed in a diagonal direction with respect to the upper support, and a damper coupled to the upper support and the lower support and configured to absorb a shock.

A three part foundation system for supporting a building is described. Three part foundation systems can include a containment vessel, which constrains a buffer medium to an area above the containment vessel, and a construction platform. A building can be built on the construction platform. In a particular embodiment, during operation, the construction platform and structures built on the construction platform can float on the buffer medium. 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.

A building structure having at least one storey including at least one column; at least one brace attached at one end to one side of at least one of the columns and at a second end to a fixed foundation surface; the brace attached to the at least one column at an incline; the at least one brace having a first portion and a second portion; wherein the at least one brace has a first in-use configuration in which the first portion is freely moveable with respect to the second portion such that a gap is formed in the brace preventing the transmission of force axially along the brace by preventing tensional forces from travelling axially along the brace, and a second in-use configuration in which the gap is closed by the first portion and the second portion being in contact to permit the transmission of forces axially along the brace; and wherein the second in-use configuration allows compressive forces to be transmitted along the brace such that the brace is activated when sufficient deformation occurs in the column in a direction that compresses the brace; and further comprising at least one damper functionally connected to one or both of the first and second portions and configured to provide damping as the at least one brace moves from the first in-use configuration to the second in-use configuration.

An actuator includes a piston, a relief valve in fluid communication with the piston, and an input shaft for moving fluid in a chamber near the piston. The relief valve determines an amount of force needed to move the piston to compress a fluid. The actuator also includes at least one check valve which allows the input shaft to move back to an equilibrium position with a much lower force than a force needed to compress the fluid. The actuator is a passive device that can be used to prevent motion or isolate a base. The actuator is also incorporated in tuned mass damping systems.

Energy transfer apparatus such as a viscous damper or hydraulic cylinder apparatus are described along with their use, the apparatus generating velocity dependent damping force between two spatially separate points. The apparatus may comprise a system with a piston coupled to a rod shaft, the piston and rod shaft moving in a fitted, or sealed cylinder with end caps and fluid sealing elements at either end of the cylinder, the system containing fluid in at least one cavity located between the piston and cylinder and an accumulator fluidly connected to the at least one cavity. The rod shaft and piston move relative to the cylinder in the event of an imposed dynamic force and the accumulator counteracts over or under pressure in the at least one cavity.

A vertical seismic isolation device includes: a fixed frame; a movable frame arranged on the fixed frame; a support guide mechanism which allows only vertical movement of the movable frame; and a restoration member which maintains a constant distance between the movable frame and the fixed frame. The support guide mechanism includes: a track rail provided on the fixed frame; a moving block assembled to the track rail through rolling elements; a support leg, which has one end coupled to the moving block and another end coupled to the movable frame, and converts vertical movement of the movable frame into a motion of the moving block; and an auxiliary leg, which is half as long as the support leg, and has one end coupled to the support leg at an intermediate position in a longitudinal direction of the support leg and another end coupled to the fixed frame.

The present invention is an arch/building support system comprising two (or more) opposing wedges, at least one located at the base of each side of the arch, with the bases of the opposing wedges facing each other, the opposing wedges connected to each other by a semi-rigid flexible rod or rods. In a building structure, the flexible member could be rebar(s) made of one or various materials (metal, plastic, nylon etc.) with various degree of elasticity. The rebars could envelop the structure (around the outside or shell) or reside within it, and may also incorporate some sort of spring mechanism. The rebar(s) are anchored to the upper wedge on each side of the arch, but need not be, and could instead be anchored to the ground.