Radially perforated damper for beam to column damping

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses a radially perforated damper for damping relative movement between a beam and a column. The radially perforated damper comprises at least two radially perforated damping plates, each radially perforated damping plate comprising a central connecting portion configured to rigidly connect to the beam. Each damping plate also comprises a plurality of radial strips extending radially from the central connecting portion such that when an external force is applied to the beam or column, and a moment is applied to the central connecting portion, each radial strip of the plurality of radial strips experiences shear stress and undergoes plastic deformation, thereby damping relative movement between the beam and column.

Claims

1. A damped structure comprising: a beam; a column; a radially perforated damper comprising at least two radially perforated damping plates, each radially perforated damping plate comprising: a central connecting portion rigidly connected to the beam; a continuous perimeter rigidly connected to the column; a plurality of radially elongated strips extending radially from the central connecting portion to the continuous perimeter, each radially elongated strip having a pair of longitudinal edges; such that when a moment is applied to a connection between the beam and the column, each radially elongated strip of the plurality of radially elongated strips experiences shear stress and undergoes plastic deformation, thereby damping relative movement between the beam and the column.

2. The damped structure according to claim 1, wherein the beam comprises an I shaped cross-section having a webbed portion and a pair of lateral portions, wherein the radially perforated damping plates are parallel to the webbed portion.

3. The damped structure according to claim 2, wherein the radially perforated damper comprises a vertical stiffener plate rigidly connected to the webbed portion.

4. The damped structure according to claim 1, wherein the radially perforated damper comprises a horizontal stiffener plate rigidly connected to the column and each radially perforated damping plate, the horizontal stiffener plate being oriented substantially orthogonally to each radially perforated damping plate.

5. The damped structure according to claim 4, wherein each horizontal stiffener plate is rigidly connected to the column via a pair of triangular plate stiffeners.

6. A method of damping a structure, the structure comprising a beam and a column, the method comprising: installing a radially perforated damper according to claim 1 on the structure, comprising: rigidly connecting the central connecting portion to the beam; and rigidly connecting the continuous perimeter to the column; such that when a moment is applied to a connection between the beam and the column, each radially elongated strip of the plurality of radially elongated strips experiences shear stress and undergoes plastic deformation, thereby damping relative movement between the beam and the column.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the installing comprises: rigidly connecting a shaft to the beam; and rigidly connecting the shaft to each central connecting portion; such that each central connecting portion is rigidly connected to the beam via the shaft.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein rigidly connecting comprises welding.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the method comprises retrofitting the radially perforated damper to a pre-existing structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The manner in which the above-recited features of the present disclosure is understood in detail, a more particular description of the present disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

(2) FIG. 1A shows a radially perforated damping plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(3) FIG. 1B shows a radially perforated damping plate showing shear forces according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(4) FIG. 1C shows a radially perforated damping plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(5) FIG. 2 shows a radial strip and resultant load model according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(6) FIG. 3 shows a radially perforated damper according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(7) FIG. 4 shows an exploded view and method for installing a radially perforated damper on a structure, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(8) FIG. 5 shows a radially perforated damper installed on a structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(9) FIG. 6 shows a radially perforated damper installed on a structure subject to an external load, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(10) FIGS. 7A to 7C show radially perforated damping plates with different numbers of radial strips, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(11) FIGS. 8A and 8B show radially perforated dampers with different numbers of radially perforated damping plates, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(12) FIGS. 9A and 9B show radially perforated damping plates with different widths of radial strips, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(13) FIG. 10 shows a hysteresis curve of the radially perforated damper connection.

(14) FIG. 11 shows the distribution of Von Mises in the radially perforated damping plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(15) The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the invention itself, will be more fully understood from the following description of preferred embodiments, when read together with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) The present disclosure relates to the field of damping, and more particularly to a radially perforated damper for damping relative movement between a beam and a column.

(17) The principles of the present invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 11. In the following detailed description of illustrative or exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosed embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. References within the specification to one embodiment. an embodiment. embodiments. or one or more embodiments are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

(18) FIG. 1A shows a radially perforated damping plate 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(19) The radially perforated damping plate 100 has a central connecting portion 102 and a continuous perimeter 104. The central connecting portion 102 has a hole, configured to receive a shaft (not shown) that is configured to be rigidly connected therein. The continuous perimeter 104 completely surrounds the central connecting portion 102.

(20) Connecting the central connecting portion 102 to the continuous perimeter 104 are a plurality of radial strips 106. Each radial strip 106 has a pair of longitudinal edges 108. The longitudinal edges 108 are substantially parallel to each other.

(21) Between each radial strip 106 is a gap 116. The gap 116 is a cut out section of the plate 100. By having gaps 116 between each radial strip 106, the radial strips are able to move relative to the continuous perimeter 104 and the central connecting portion 102.

(22) Each radial strip 106 has a webbed portion 110 at each of its proximal and distal ends. The webbed portions 110 strengthen the connection between the radial strip 106 and the central connection portion 102 and the continuous perimeter 104 respectively. The webbed portions 110 ensure that the radial strip 106 undergoes consistent deformation, and that the radial strip 106 does not have a point of failure under load, at the connection point between the radial strip 106 and either the central connecting portion 102 or the continuous perimeter 104.

(23) The continuous perimeter is square in shape, so that it matches the geometry of I beams.

(24) The moment 120 shows the resultant moment when a load vector is applied to a connection between the beam and the column (not shown here), connected to the damper.

(25) FIG. 1B shows a radially perforated damping plate 100 showing shear forces122 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(26) The shear forces 122 are in the opposite direction to the resultant moment 120 (because the force on the radial strip will be opposite to the direction of the force applied by the radial strips on the central connecting portion).

(27) The shear forces 122 are applied to the proximal end 112 of the radial strips 106. The result of this is that yielding occurs at both ends of the steel radial strips 106, effectively safeguarding the connection against brittle deterioration.

(28) The damper according to an embodiment of the present disclosure does not require regular maintenance, and if the damper requires replacement, the means of replacement is straightforward and simple, and does not require significant structural work to be done to the building structure.

(29) FIG. 1C shows a radially perforated damping plate 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(30) The continuous perimeter 104 is, in embodiments, substantially the area between the two dashed lines, completely enclosing the radial strips 106 and the central connecting portion.

(31) FIG. 2 shows a radial strip 106 and resultant load model according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(32) The radial strip 106 has a width 114. The radial strip 106 also has a plurality of webbed portions 110 that connect to the central connecting portion and the continuous perimeter.

(33) When the radial strip 106 experiences shear force/stress as a result of a resultant moment on the damping plate 100, the shear forces Vi are exhibited at the ends of the strips 106, as shown in the force diagram 124. The standardized/equivalent length of the pliable area of the strip 106 is shown as h.sub.e. The symbol denotes the difference in displacement from one end of the radial strip to the other.

(34) The moment diagram 126 shows the magnitude and direction of the moment vectors applied to the radial strip. M.sub.1 denotes the maximum moment vector applied to the strip, which occurs at the ends of the strip, while M.sub.x denotes the moment vector applied to the strip at a distance of x from the central point.

(35) FIG. 3 shows a radially perforated damper according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(36) The radially perforated damper has a pair of radially perforated damping plates 100. Each damping plate 100 is substantially the same in construction, having the same number of radial strips 106 and the same number of gaps 116, all being substantially the same size. The radial strips 106 are evenly circumferentially distributed around the central connecting portion, to ensure that the force is evenly distributed through the radial strips.

(37) Each of the damping plates 100 are oriented in parallel planes to each other.

(38) Each damping plate 100 is rigidly connected to a shaft 130 that extends through the hole in the central connecting portion 102. Also connected to both the shaft 130 and each plate 100 is a pair of welded washers 132. The washers 132 are welded to both the plate 100 and the shaft 130 so that the rigid connection between the plate 100 and the shaft 130 is secure, such that moments applied to the shaft 130 can effectively be transferred to the strips 106 within the plate 100.

(39) In embodiments, the damping plates 100 are also directly welded to the shaft 130.

(40) FIG. 4 shows an exploded view and method for installing a radially perforated damper on a structure, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(41) A hole (not shown) is made through the web (vertical section) of the beam 210. The beam 210 is an I beam 210.

(42) A vertical stiffener plate 140 is welded to flange of the beam 210 to provide additional strength and stiffness to the beam 210, so that the beam does not fail under load before the damper undergoes plastic deformation.

(43) Additional stiffener plates 212 are welded to the beam 210 to provide further strength and support to the beam 210.

(44) An upper horizontal stiffener plate 150 is welded to the column 220. A lower horizontal stiffener plate 154 is also welded to the column 220.

(45) The upper horizontal stiffener plate 150 is further welded to the column 220 by a pair of triangular stiffener plates 152. The triangular stiffener plates further secure the horizontal stiffener plates to the column 220. The lower horizontal stiffener plate 154 is further welded to the column 220 by a pair of triangular stiffener plate 156.

(46) The pair of radially perforated damping plates 100 are welded at their upper and lower edges to each of the two horizontal stiffener plates 150, 154. The horizontal stiffener plates 150, 154 provide additional support to the damping plates, ensuring that they remain aligned with the beam 210 for optimal transfer of force and energy into the damping plates 100.

(47) In embodiments, the distance between the two damping plates 100 is greater than the width of the beam 210.

(48) The shaft 130 is passed through the hole in the central connecting portion of the plate 100, through the hole in the vertical stiffener plate 140, through the hole made in the web of the beam 210, through a second stiffener plate 140 on an opposite side (not shown) of the beam 210, and through the hole in the central connecting portion of the second plate 100 (located on the opposite side of the beam 210.

(49) In embodiments, the shaft 130 is first fed through the hole in the web of the beam 210, with the shaft 130 being welded to the web of the beam 210. In embodiments, the vertical stiffener plates are then placed over each end of the shaft 130 and welded to the beam 210. In embodiments, the shaft is also welded to the vertical stiffener plates. This order of operations may be chosen so that the shaft can be welded to the beam without being obstructed by the vertical stiffener plates.

(50) A pair of washers 132 is passed over each end of the shaft 130, which is then welded to both the central connecting portion of each respective plate 100 and to the shaft 130. The shaft is also welded to the central connecting portion of each plate 100.

(51) In embodiments, neither the central connecting portion of the plate, nor the plate itself, is directly welded to the beam 210.

(52) There are additional stiffening plates 222 welded to the column 220, to ensure that the column does not fail before the damping plates 100 undergo plastic deformation.

(53) FIG. 5 shows a radially perforated damper installed on a structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For conciseness, duplicate features with the same reference numerals already described in preceding figures, such as FIG. 4, will not be repeated.

(54) This figure shows the assembled article, with the damper fully installed on the beam 210 and column 220. The damper, in embodiments, includes the damping plates 100, and the shaft 130.

(55) It can be seen that when fully installed, the damping plates 100 are positioned either side of the beam 210. The damping plates are welded to the shaft 130, with both the shaft and the damping plates welded to the washers 132. The shaft 130 is also welded to the web of the beam 210.

(56) FIG. 6 shows a radially perforated damper installed on a structure subject to an external load, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(57) A force load 128 applied to the end of the beam 210 during an excitation event such as seismic activity results in a moment 120 being generated at the connection between the beam 210 and the damping plate 100 (the central connecting portion). The moment 120 is the product of the force 128 and the distance 121 between the force 128 and the central connecting portion of the damping plates 100. This moment 120 is in turn converted into shear forces at the ends of the radial strips 106, as shown in FIG. 1B.

(58) The angle of deviation 123 of the beam 210 from its usual resting position as a result of the force 128 is shown.

(59) FIGS. 7A to 7C show radially perforated damping plates with different numbers of radial strips, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(60) The damping plates 100 may be customized to the load and force requirements of the specific structure within which they are intended to be installed.

(61) In embodiments, fewer than eight radial strips are chosen, such as in FIG. 7A. Here, the plate 100a has four radial strips 106.

(62) In embodiments, eight radial strips are chosen, such as in the plate 100 of FIG. 7B.

(63) In embodiments, greater than eight radial strips are chosen, such as in FIG. 7C. Here, the plate 100b has twelve radial strips 106. More radial strips may be chosen to increase the load bearing capacity of the damping plate 100b, for example when greater loads may be anticipated.

(64) FIGS. 8A and 8B show radially perforated dampers with different numbers of radially perforated damping plates, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(65) The number of damping plates may be chosen and customized according to the load and force requirements of the specific structure within which they are intended to be installed.

(66) In FIG. 8A, two damping plates 100 are used, where there would be one damping plate positioned on either side of the beam 210 (not shown).

(67) To increase the loadbearing capacity of the damper, more damping plates may be deployed, such as in FIG. 8B. Here, four damping plates 100 are used, where there would be two damping plates positioned on either side of the beam 210 (not shown).

(68) In embodiments, the multiple damping plates that are positioned on the same side of the beam would be directly adjacent each other. In embodiments, the central connecting portions of the adjacent plates are not welded to each other and are welded to the shaft extending therebetween. In embodiments, there is a washer between adjacent plates positioned on the same side of the beam, wherein the central connecting portion of each respective plate is welded to the respective intervening washer.

(69) There may be more than four plates in total. There may be six plates. There may be eight plates. There may be ten plates. There may be greater than ten plates. The number of plates may be an even number of plates to ensure even distribution of force and energy on both sides of the beam during an excitation event such as a seismic event.

(70) FIGS. 9A and 9B show radially perforated damping plates with different widths of radial strips, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(71) The widths of the radial strips may be chosen and customized according to the load and force requirements of the specific structure within which they are intended to be installed.

(72) FIG. 9A shows a first width 114 of the radial strips 106. Each of the radial strips 106 within the same plate 100 has the same width 114 to ensure even distribution of force and energy into the radial strips.

(73) FIG. 9B shows a second width 114a of the radial strips 106a. The width 114a is greater than the width 114. A smaller gap, and hence a wider strip 106a, may be chosen to increase the load bearing capacity of the plate and strips. Where greater force is anticipated, such an in areas of greater seismic activity, wider strips may be chosen so that the plates plastically deform when subjected to forces within an optimal predetermined range.

(74) FIG. 10 shows a hysteresis curve of the radially perforated damper connection.

(75) This illustrates a numerical assessment under a cyclic loading regimen devised to emulate the dynamic effects encountered during seismic episodes. The applied cyclic loading pattern is designed to encompass a spectrum of inter-story drift ratios-quantified as the lateral displacement per story height-ranging from 0.375% to an escalated scale of 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, and extending up to 3% to 7%. The derivation of hysteresis curves, as delineated in FIG. 10, illustrates exemplary numerical analysis conducted.

(76) The depicted hysteresis curve for the radially perforated damper connection illustrates the capability of the system to sustain lateral displacements within the tolerances prescribed for special moment-resisting frames, importantly, without manifesting any significant pinching phenomena or a decrement in stiffness or strength attributes. This phenomenon evidentially corroborates the structural integrity and resilience of the radially perforated damper system even amidst substantial displacements.

(77) FIG. 11 shows the distribution of Von Mises in the radially perforated damping plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(78) The image delineates the von Mises stress distribution within the damping plate subjected to a drift angle of 0.07 radians. Notably, the stress localization at the extremities of the strips does not precipitate any failure manifestations, thereby underscoring the robustness of the radially perforated damper in maintaining structural integrity under seismic loading conditions. It can also be seen from the figure that the stress has been evenly distributed across all of the strips in the plate, ensuring that plastic deformation occurs uniformly across the plate.

(79) This enhanced scrutiny and presentation of the numerical analysis elucidate the effectiveness and reliability of the radially perforated damper system in seismic mitigation applications, as validated through finite element simulation outcomes. The findings affirm the premise that the radially perforated damper-equipped connections exhibit exemplary performance in strength and deformation capacity, enhancing seismic resilience in structural engineering applications.

(80) It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. The disclosures and the description herein are intended to be illustrative and are not in any sense limiting the present disclosure, defined in scope by the following claims.

(81) Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings, which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications, which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is to be limited only by the claims which follow.