Abstract: In a multi-storied frame building, a controlled frame member having means to damp seismic forces of deformation. A first vertical wall column has a top connected to a horizontal wall girder overhanging the wall column. A second wall column is erected in vertical alignment beneath the tip end of the wall girder co-planar with, but spaced from, the first wall column. A seismic response control apparatus connected between the tip end of the wall girder and the top of the second wall column generates damping force when the tip end of the wall girder and the top of the second wall column are displaced relative to each other. Additional girders are arranged on lower stories of the building as required to further strengthen the building against seismic deformation.

Abstract: A high damping device combined with the frame of a building to protect the building from seismic shock. For seismic vibration up to a predetermined level corresponding to the permissible strength of the high damping device, a damping coefficient c of the high damping device is set so as to be c.sub.3 =c=c.sub.1 with respect to a damping coefficient c.sub.3 for giving the maximum value of a damping factor h.sub.3 corresponding to a tertiary mode of vibration of the structure and a damping coefficient c.sub.1 for giving the maximum value of a damping factor h.sub.1 corresponding to a primary mode of vibration. The maximum load on the high damping device is predetermined and means are provided to prevent the high damping device from being damaged in the event that the predetermined maximum load is exceeded. The inventive combination permits the stiffness factor of the building to be reduced from a factor of 1.0 down to a factor as low as 0.3, with a proportionate reduction in steel frame mass.

Abstract: An extra super multi-story building having one piece of extra super multi-story of about 200 story construction, two pieces of extra super multi-stories of about 150 story construction and one piece of extra super multi-story of about 100 story construction. Each extra super multi-story includes two through four pieces of tower-like super multi-stories of about 50 story construction and of about 50 m in diameter (floor area: about 200 m.sup.2 /story). A sky lobby is provided about every 50 stories connecting the extra super multi-stories. Four shuttle elevators lead from the ground to the sky lobbies, and a sightseeing tower and high-rise garden (sky dome) are provided at the rooftop of the extra super multi-story building. Main facilities such as offices, hotels and residences are arranged in each extra multi-story.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder type high damping device in which a cylinder member or a piston rod member is connected to the frame of a structure and the other member is connected to an earthquake-resisting element integrally secured to the frame. A plurality of passages through the piston connect hydraulic chambers on opposite sides of the piston. The passages are provided with pressure-governing valves which control the flow of oil between the hydraulic chambers. In addition, an accumulator system provides a bypass for oil to flow between the hydraulic cylinders in order to modulate the oil pressure in the damping device. Relief valves are provided in parallel with the pressure governing valves to provide a variable damping coefficient which protects the damping device from overloads caused by excessive seismic shock.

Abstract: A hydraulic variable damping device for installation in the frame of a structure to control vibrations while evaluating the damping property of the structure during seismic disturbances. Control means for this device include a command value judging circuit for comparing the plus or minus sign of a differential pressure value between hydraulic chambers within the device with that of a generated damping force command value to output a valve opening command value for fully opening a flow regulating valve when the signs of the command value and the differential pressure value are different from each other. A pressure controller is provided for making a correction based on the feedback of the pressure valve when the signs of the damping force command value and the differential pressure value are the same to generate a valve opening command value.

Abstract: A hydraulically-operated piston device installed between the frame of a structure and a vibration-resisting element provided separately from the frame varies the rigidity of the frame by changing the condition of connection between the frame and the vibration-resisting element. A valve controls the operation of the piston device and can be adjusted to change the coefficient of damping of the piston device. To obtain maximum rigidity of the frame, the piston is hydraulically locked in place. For maximum flexiblity of the frame, the piston can be hydraulically released from a locked position to move freely. Hydraulic resistance to movement of the piston can be graduated by metering the flow of oil into and out of the piston device. The coefficient of damping is a function of the metered flow of hydraulic fluid in the piston device.

Abstract: An active seismic response control system includes a variable damping device provided between posts, beams and braces of a structure, wherein the response of the frame is reduced by controlling the variable damping device when an earthquake or strong wind occurs to give a damping force to the frame. The response of the structure is determined by the steps of judging with a computer the optimal damping force or control force to be applied to the structure on the basis of information obtained from sensors in response to the disturbance, and then controlling the coefficient of damping of the variable damping device.

Abstract: An elasto-plastic damper is adapted to be used in a structure, such as a building and other facilities, for absorbing vibration energy created by earthquake tremors and other ground vibrations. The damper is a centrally bulged and generally cone-shaped hollow body of revolution so that its section modulus changes substantially porportional to a bending moment created in the damper body due to horizontal stresses, thus permitting a maximum degree of deformability. This elasto-plastic damper is compact in size and demonstrates a high degree of vibrational energy absorbability.

Abstract: A variable damping and stiffness structure is disclosed, which includes a variable damping device provided between posts, beams and braces of a structure or braces serving as variable stiffness elements and interconnecting a frame body and the variable stiffness element or the variable stiffness elements themselves. Not only the unreasonance property, but also the damping property of the structure are compositely judged by a computer on the basis of information obtained from sensors with respect to disturbances such as earthquake and wind to control the connecting condition of the variable damping device, whereby both the unresonance property and the damping property are controlled to reduce the response amount of the structure. Otherwise, the variable damping device is controlled by the judgement of only the damping property.

Abstract: A positive vibration suppression apparatus is disclosed, which suppresses vibrations of a building caused by earthquakes or winds by applying a control force to the building. The apparatus comprises a weight provided on the top of the building in a suspended form to reduce friction and an actuator provided between the weight and the building. The vibration suppression apparatus is controlled through sensing of the vibrations of the building and weight by a sensor, whereas for excessive vibrations of the building the vibrations of the weight are made close to the vibrations of the building to protect the apparatus, because the capacity of the vibration suppression apparatus is limited. Further, in an oil hydraulic system for obtaining a great control force, small and large size oil hydraulic pumps connected to respective small and large size electric motors and an accumulator are provided in parallel, so that the apparatus is warmed up at all time for oil hydraulic control with low power consumption.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a rigidity control system for a variable rigidity structure incorporating variable rigidity elements, such as braces, for making the connecting condition with the frame variable between the locked and unlocked conditions for example, in which the vibration of a structure caused by external vibrational forces of an earthquake, wind or the like is attenuated by varying the rigidity of the structure. The rigidity control of the present invention imitates the tension and relaxation of a muscle in the self-balancing function of a living body. The vibrational condition of a frame is considered to be separately four conditions, i.e., the process of increasing the deformation in one direction, the process of decreasing the deformaton following thereafter, the process of increasing the deformation in the opposite direction and the process of decreasing the deformation following thereafter.

Abstract: An elasto-plastic damper is disclosed which comprises either a metal block-like or a metal plate-like damper body, each having a plurality of spaced apart openings extending therethrough to provide elastic deformability to the damper body. The elasto-plastic damper is adapted to connect bifurcated axially aligned structural members in a building. When an earthquake tremor impacts upon the building, the vibrational energy transmitted to the bifurcated axially aligned structural members is attenuated by the interconnecting elasto-plastic dampers.

Abstract: A rigidity control device is provided to change the natural resonance of an entire building by varying the rigidity of selected structural members such as pillars, beams, braces or floor and pillar, wall and pillar or beam connection members, joints, and the like. The rigidity of a structural member is controlled by restraining or releasing a member from restraint or by applying a controlled force to the member. These processes are selectively combined so that the rigidity of the whole building and each section thereof is controlled by a computer according to earthquake forecast analysis. Thus, the proper rigidity of a building is determined and provided responsive to earthquake detection to prevent the building from destructive resonance caused by earthquake tremors.

Abstract: A rigidity control device is provided to change the natural resonance of an entire building by varying the rigidity of selected structural members such as pillars, beams, braces or floor and pillar, wall and pillar or beam connection members, joints and the like. The rigidity of a structural member is controlled by restraining or releasing a member from restraint or by applying a controlled force to the member. These processes are selectively combined so that the rigidity of the whole building and each section thereof is controlled by a computer according to earthquake forecast analysis. Thus, the proper rigidity of a building is determined and provided responsive to earthquake detection to prevent the building from destructive resonance caused by earthquake tremors.

Abstract: A method of controlling a building against an earthquake according to the present invention comprises the steps of analyzing instantly the earthquake on the basis of data observed by earthquake sensors disposed in the building and narrow and wide regions, varying the connecting conditions in the building on the basis of obtained earthquake response forecast to vary the rigidity of the building or giving counter force to a building with an exciter to control oscillation according to individual earthquake characteristics.