Abstract: The Active Beam Joint Brace (ABJB) is an improvement or a compliment to the current technology of protecting steel beam structured buildings such as tuned mass dampers near the top floors of sky scrapers and large shock absorbers to reduce sway due to high winds and earthquakes. The ABJB can be also used in any type of structure i.e. bridges. It is positioned near the joint of two of the beams and therefore does not interfere with the placement of doors and windows. There are two embodiments of the ABJB: 1. A basic ABJB 2. A smart ABJB The basic ABJB reacts to any distortion of the protected beam joint and applies a counter force to the two beams in than joint. The smart ABJB is also able to forecast some of the remaining wave forces in an earthquakes duration (from the first wave forms) and proactively apply counter forces (i.e. a Rayleigh Wave).

Abstract: Described is a system for transmitting a flexural wave acting on one structure to another structure. In one example, a system includes a first structure having a first property and a first end and a second structure having a second property and a second end connected to the first end of the first structure. The first property is different from the second property and may be related to the material and/or geometric properties of the first and second structures. A mechanical resonator is connected to the first structure at a distance from the first end of about a quarter-wavelength of the frequency of a flexural wave acting on the first structure. The mechanical resonator matches a first mechanical impedance of the first structure to a second mechanical impedance of the second structure to allow high transmission of the flexural wave acting on the first structure to the second structure.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a collection of photovoltaic modules, a base supporting the collection of photovoltaic modules, and a damper coupled between the collection of photovoltaic modules and the base. The damper resists movement of the photovoltaic modules relative to the base. The damper has a first damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a first rate relative to the base and a second damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a second rate relative to the base, and the damper passively transitions from the first damping ratio to the second damping ratio.

Abstract: A supporting and fixing structure and a photovoltaic tracking and mounting system. The supporting and fixing structure includes a main support rod, a mounting rod, a rotary power device and a plurality of auxiliary support rods. The mounting rod is rotatably mounted on the main support rod through the rotary power device. The auxiliary support rods are rotatably matched with the mounting rod. The auxiliary support rod is configured to support the mounting rod. It further includes a valve stem, a housing, an inner housing plate and a plunger rod. The inner housing plate is disposed in the housing, and separates a space in the housing to be two chambers. The plunger rod is movably installed on a housing wall of the housing, and is configured for blocking or communicating the first housing chamber. The valve stem is in sliding and sealing fit with the second housing chamber.

Abstract: A novel rotation vibration damper and to vibration absorbers having the damper for wind turbines or other high and, relative to the height thereof, narrow installations or buildings. The disclosure particularly relates to vibration absorbers comprising at least one oscillating mass on a pendulum cable or pendulum rod, wherein the mass is caused to vibrate by an excitation frequency which can be damped by a rotation damper and, in particular, a rotating eddy current magnet damper which forms part of the absorber.

Abstract: An active inertial damper system (100) and method for damping vibrations (V1,V2) in a structure (11). An inertial mass (2) is supported by a support frame (1) via spring means (3) to form a mass-spring system (2,3) having a resonance frequency (fn). A controller (6) is configured to control a force actuator (4) to adapt the driving force (Fd) as a function of measured vibrations (V1,V2). The controller (6) comprises a filter (H) determining a magnitude (M) of the driving force (Fd) as a function of frequency (f) for the measured vibrations (V1,V2) in the structure (11). The filter (H) is configured to provide an anti-resonance dip in the magnitude (M) of the driving force (Fd) at the resonance frequency (fn) of the mass-spring system (2,3) to suppress resonant behaviour of the mass-spring system (2,3) itself.

Abstract: A multi-story building is described, and includes a vertical support core disposed on a foundation, and a plurality of floor plates disposed on the vertical support core in a stacked arrangement. A plurality of sensors are disposed to monitor the vertical support core and the plurality of floor plates. A controller is in communication with the plurality of sensors, and includes a memory device including an instruction set that is executable to determine baseline inputs for the plurality of sensors, dynamically monitor in-use inputs for the plurality of sensors, evaluate the multi-story building based upon the baseline inputs and the in-use inputs from the plurality of sensors and communicate the evaluation to a second controller.

Abstract: A device for measuring liquid sloshing force of a ship transporting liquid. The device includes a first cuboidal frame; a second cuboidal frame; a rotating mechanism; a dynamometer; and a liquid tank disposed in the second cuboidal frame. The second cuboidal frame is pivotally connected to the first cuboidal frame via the rotating mechanism. The first cuboidal frame includes a first horizontal plane frame, a second horizontal plane frame, a plurality of upright tubes connecting the first horizontal plane frame and the second horizontal plane frame, and an X-shaped support rod disposed between the first horizontal plane frame and the second horizontal plane frame. The second cuboidal frame includes a third horizontal plane frame including two longitudinal beams and two transverse beams, a longitudinal U-shaped bar disposed between the two transverse beams, and a plurality of transverse U-shaped bars disposed between the two longitudinal beams.

Abstract: A self-resetting tuned mass damper is based on eddy current and shape memory alloy technology. The self-resetting tuned mass damper comprises a hollow box, a cover plate, a bolt, a mass block, gears a, gears b, gears c, copper sheets, permanent magnet groups, partition boards, balls, pins, levers, shape memory alloys, rotating shafts a, rotating shafts b, a supporting plate and rotating shafts c. The movement of the mass block causes the copper sheets to rotate and generate eddy current for energy consumption. The copper sheets are rotated and amplified by adjusting the sizes of the gears. The displacement of a small mass block can cause rotation of the copper sheets by a large angle, which greatly increases energy consumption efficiency. The elongation of the shape memory alloys is amplified by adjusting the ratio of long and short force arms of the levers.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: There is provided a translation-rotation hybrid vibration control system for buildings, which includes a translation control unit and a rotation control unit. The translation control unit is provided on an external building structure. The rotation control unit is provided above the translation control unit. The translation control unit includes a fixed base, a first track plate, a first movable plate, a second track plate and a second movable plate. The rotation control unit includes a force-transfer base, a drive, a reducer, an output shaft, a rotary plate and a flange.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide a compact vibration damper configured to be remotely-tunable and/or self-tuning. In various embodiments, a flywheel may be coupled to a shaft that spins a rotary damper. A linear actuator may operate a scissor assembly that moves the flywheel thereby changing the mass moment of inertia of the spinning flywheel without changing the actual mass of the flywheel. The linear actuator may move the scissor assembly and flywheel to tune the compact vibration damper. In additional embodiments, opposing rotary springs may be coupled to the shaft that spins the rotary damper.

Abstract: An exemplary building sway operation system (10) for an elevator includes an acceleration sensor (11), and a data receiving unit (12) for receiving a sensor output from the acceleration sensor (11). The acceleration sensor (11) is designed to be mounted on a movable mass (6) of an active vibration control device (5) for a building, in order to detect the reciprocating motion of the movable mass (6) of the active vibration control device (5) responsive to the occurrence of earthquakes or strong winds.

Abstract: A retrofitting structure includes a column fixed in the ground. A structural fuse is pivotally mounted to the retrofitting structure at two vertically offset locations. The structural fuse is further pivotally mounted at a third location above the column to a superstructure of a building. The structural fuse is designed to yield for loads for which the column only deforms elastically. The structural fuse may be a planar member captured between the column and a retention plate to prevent buckling of the structural fuse. The retention plate may include a channel beam in order to provide sufficient stiffness to prevent buckling. Desired yield properties are obtained by increasing width of the structural fuse with distance from the bottom of the column. The width is augmented with distance from the bottom of the column to account for friction with the column and retention plate.

Abstract: A structure vibration control device includes a hydraulic damper having damping force characteristics that vary in response to a magnitude of an earthquake and having characteristics that are maintained for a long period of time regardless of an environmental temperature change. The hydraulic damper includes a preload chamber into which a high-pressure gas is charged in series with a hydraulic chamber. The preload chamber absorbs a volume change of the hydraulic chamber caused by the environmental temperature change and a piston rod and balances a bias force of a spring within the hydraulic chamber and of the preload chamber. Piston valves have high damping force characteristics against a weak earthquake and low damping force characteristics against a strong earthquake. The piston valves may include an orifice beside a check valve function, by which the high damping force characteristics lie within a range of 150 to 800 kN/(m/sec).

Abstract: A liquid damper in a wind turbine is provided. A damper system of a direct driven wind turbine is disclosed, whereby the wind turbine comprises a nacelle, a rotor hub and an electric generator. The electric generator comprises a rotor and a non-rotating part. The rotor hub is connected to the rotor of the electric generator. The non-rotating part of the generator is connected to the nacelle. The wind turbine comprises a damper system to at least partially eliminate an unwanted movement of the wind turbine resulting from wind loads, whereby the damper system comprises a liquid damper. The damper system is arranged at a non-rotating part of the electric generator.

Abstract: In a slide structure, a support structure and a seismically isolated structure, a first sliding surface (25) of a sliding member (21) is formed of a sliding body (24) made of synthetic resin. A film (27) made of synthetic resin and having a Young's modulus more than twice as large as that of the first sliding surface (25) is formed on the second sliding surface (28) of the counter member (22). At the same time, fine irregularities having a maximum height Rz of 3 ?m or higher are formed on the surface of the film (27). As a result, the lubricant is trapped in small pits of the irregularities to prevent the lubricant from flowing out, and a stable low friction state can be maintained.

Abstract: Negative stiffness systems and methods for seismic protection of a structure is described. A system can include a negative stiffness device having a first linkage pivotably connected to an anchor frame at a first pivot point and pivotably connected the movement frame at a second pivot point. The negative stiffness device can include a spring having a first end operably coupled to the anchor frame and a second end operably coupled to a movement frame. In a rest state, the spring can be compressed to exert a preload force to the first linkage and the anchor frame and not displace the first linkage and the movement frame. In an engaged state, the spring can be configured to apply a force to the first linkage such that the movement frame is displaced in a same lateral direction of a seismic load. The spring force can be amplified by the first linkage.

Abstract: A fluid transport system for actively damping oscillations of a structure affixed to a ground surface is disclosed. The system includes a pipe defining a flow path, a driver in fluid communication with the pipe and configured to provide a fluid flow through the pipe, and a controller. The controller is programmed to send a fluid flow command signal in response to an event signal indicating an oscillation event.

Abstract: Disclosed is a buckling restrained brace which is a core plate inside a tube, with the plate prevented from buckling by being surrounded by the tube. The core plate is provided with a layer of discrete springs adjacent the core plate, with the interior of the tube otherwise filled with cement. The layer of discrete springs may be cardboard of other material. The layer of discrete springs defines a space between the core plate and the concrete, to allow for expansion of the core plate under compression from the ends.

Abstract: Disclosed are an earthquake-proof barrier for protecting a building against an earthquake, and more particularly, an earthquake-proof barrier using buried resonant cylinders capable of weakening seismic waves outside a building, instead of installing an earthquake-proof apparatus in a building. According to the earthquake-proof barrier using the buried resonant cylinders, buildings are not independently protected, but one district beyond the earthquake-proof barrier is protected. Thereby, magnitude of an earthquake can be reduced to a desired level without altering the building.

Abstract: A negative stiffness device and method for seismic protection of a structure is described. In one embodiment, the device has an anchor frame and a movement frame laterally translatable relative to the anchor frame. The anchor frame and movement frame have respective extension portions. A linkage is pivotably connected to the extension portion of the anchor frame. A compressed spring has a first end is attached to the extension portion of the movement frame and a second end attached to the linkage. The compressed spring has a spring force. In a rest state, the compressed spring does not apply a lateral force to the movement frame. In an engaged state, the compressed spring is configured to apply a lateral force to displace the movement frame in a lateral direction of a seismic load. The spring force is amplified by the linkage when the movement frame is laterally displaced to an amplification point.

Abstract: A tuned mass damper may be formed using one or more rotary magnetic dampers (108) coupled to a pendulous mass (102). The tuned mass damper thus formed may be used to suppress the motion of a man-made structure. The mass (308) of the tuned mass damper may be adjusted by adjusting the magnitude of the pendulous mass. The natural frequency of the tuned mass damper may be tuned by adjusting the distance from the mass center of the pendulous mass to the pivot point of the pendulum. The motion being suppressed may be generated by environmental factors such as waves, earthquakes, or wind, for example.

Abstract: Disclosed is a buckling restrained brace which is a core plate inside a tube, with the plate prevented from buckling by being surrounded by the tube. The core plate is provided with a layer of discrete springs adjacent the core plate, with the interior of the tube otherwise filled with cement. The layer of discrete springs may be cardboard of other material. The layer of discrete springs defines a space between the core plate and the concrete, to allow for expansion of the core plate under compression from the ends.

Abstract: An active dynamic vibration absorber 1 includes a weight 2; a frame 3 which is adjacent to the weight 2 in such a manner as to surround the weight 2 with clearances X1 and Y1; a holding mechanism 4 which is interposed between the weight 2 and the frame 3 and holds the weight 2 movably in an X direction with respect to the frame 3, while holding the weight 2 immovably in a Y direction and a vertical direction V; a detecting means 5 for detecting the relative vibration of a predetermined value in the X direction of the weight 2 with respect to the frame 3; and a moving means 6 for relatively moving the weight 2 in the X direction with respect to the frame 3 on the basis of a detection signal from the detecting means 5 such that the relative movement of the weight 2 in the X direction with respect to the frame 3 is allowed, while the vibrational displacement of the weight 2 in the X direction with respect to the frame 3 is reduced.

Abstract: Shape-shifting surfaces that retain their effectiveness as physical barriers while undergoing changes in shape. The shape changes include any motion that makes the surface more effective at performing its function, such as expansion, shrinkage, twisting, encircling, wiggling, swallowing or constricting. The shape-shifting surfaces include tiled arrays of polygonal cells, each cell including specifically-designed compliant flexures attached to specifically-shaped overlapping thin plates or shells. Applications for such surfaces include micro-scale cellular engineering and macro-scale biomedical applications, recreational uses, national security, and environmental protection.

Abstract: Multistable shape-shifting surfaces that retain their effectiveness as physical barriers while undergoing changes in shape and that can remain stable in the various shapes. The shape changes include any motion that makes the surface more effective at performing its function, such as expansion, shrinkage, twisting, encircling, wiggling, swallowing or constricting. The shape-shifting surfaces include tiled arrays of polygonal cells, each cell including specifically-designed compliant flexures attached to specifically-shaped overlapping thin plates or shells. The surfaces remain stable by leveraging them during deformation to an extent that they cannot spontaneously return to the unstressed shape. Applications for such surfaces include micro-scale cellular engineering and macro-scale biomedical applications, recreational uses, national security, and environmental protection.

Abstract: The invention is an energy absorbing system for safeguarding structures from disruptive forces, which may be implemented into structures or devices to provide protection from seismic motion, blasts or other disruptive forces, due to the system's displacement and damping characteristics. The system's performance can be better molded analytically to predict performance of the structure under earthquake and wind motions, for example. By utilizing cost effective materials and a simple design, the present invention provides a more efficient cost-effective system for absorbing unwanted energy, for example, a base isolation system.

Abstract: A method of installing distribution systems such as needed piping, ductwork, electrical wiring, and other systems in a new construction having a structural ceiling and floor, comprises the steps of: providing a frame module of main and cross frame members; assembling the modules on site directly below the final placement position; installing ductwork, piping, electrical wiring, and other distribution systems in the modules; fabricating and attaching upper wall portions to the modules; lifting modules with attached upper wall portions towards the structural ceiling; attaching support columns to the structural ceiling and floor; and mounting the modules onto the support columns, such that the support columns support the modules.

Abstract: A seismic coupler includes two coupling members each having an end receptacle for securing to a reinforcing bar of a column of reinforced concrete; and a flexible assembly comprising a cylindrical core formed of alloy, a plurality of steel first rings put on the core, a plurality of flexible second rings put on the core in an alternating fashion with respect to the first rings, a flexible sleeve put on the first and second rings to have both ends being flush with that of the core, two cup-shaped cap members engaged each other to conceal the core, the first and second rings, and the sleeve, and two sets of a plurality of fasteners driven through the coupling members and the cup-shaped cap members into the first rings.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a vibration control apparatus that can be installed in a small pace and can be produced at low cost, as well as a wind turbine generator equipped with the vibration control apparatus and a vibration control method. The vibration control apparatus 7 includes a first vibration system 10 of inverted-pendulum type, second vibration systems 20 of inverted-pendulum type which are provided on both sides of the first vibration system 10, a restraining unit 30 which restrains a first weight 11 of the first vibration system 10 and a second weight 21 of the second vibration system 20 and a damper which damps vibration of the first weight 11 and the second weight 21. The vibration control apparatus 7 is installed on an upper floor 8a of a plurality of floors 8.

Abstract: An active dynamic vibration absorber 1 includes a weight 2; a frame 3 which is adjacent to the weight 2 in such a manner as to surround the weight 2 with clearances X1 and Y1; a holding mechanism 4 which is interposed between the weight 2 and the frame 3 and holds the weight 2 movably in an X direction with respect to the frame 3, while holding the weight 2 immovably in a Y direction and a vertical direction V; a detecting means 5 for detecting the relative vibration of a predetermined value in the X direction of the weight 2 with respect to the frame 3; and a moving means 6 for relatively moving the weight 2 in the X direction with respect to the frame 3 on the basis of a detection signal from the detecting means 5 such that the relative movement of the weight 2 in the X direction with respect to the frame 3 is allowed, while the vibrational displacement of the weight 2 in the X direction with respect to the frame 3 is reduced.

Abstract: A pylon attachment device for coupling a pylon to a floor joist includes a bearing plate for fixed attachment to the floor joist. The pylon attachment device includes a plurality of biasing members, each having a first end operatively coupled to the pylon and a second end operatively coupled to the bearing plate to allow the bearing plate to move relative to the pylon in a direction generally perpendicular to an imaginary center axis of the pylon and then return to a predetermined position. The attachment device includes a cap lowerly adjacent the bearing plate. A shear pin extends from the cap to the bearing plate to maintain the bearing plate at the predetermined position until a predetermined amount of force shears the shear pin and allows the bearing plate to move relative to the pylon in a direction generally perpendicular to the imaginary center axis of the pylon.

Abstract: A reinforcement for buildings is provided. The reinforcement is composed of a mixture of a plurality of piezoelectric rods, a plurality of carbon fibers and cement material. The mixture imparts a vibration damping characteristic in the reinforcement.

Abstract: A tuned liquid damper comprising a housing with a hollow cavity within said housing and a first fluid which partially fills said hollow cavity. The inner surface of said hollow cavity is essentially spherical. The tuned liquid damper further comprises first fluid damping means arranged within the essentially spherical cavity of the housing. In this way, a tuned liquid damper is provided which has a response which is constant and independent of the orientation of the tuned liquid damper. Damping means are provided in order to be able to control the damping effect of the tuned liquid damper.

Abstract: Methods are provided for creating footings for structures proximate a wall face of a segmental retaining wall using a device that includes a sleeve and a reinforcing member having a base. The methods can include placing the device on a layer of backfill material behind the wall face so that the sleeve is located adjacent the wall face and the base of the reinforcing member extends away from the wall face, covering the base of the reinforcing member with at least one other layer of the backfill material, placing a bottom portion of the structure in the sleeve, and filling the sleeve with an anchoring material.

Abstract: The invention is a damper and a method for protecting buildings and similar structural systems from dynamic loading such as loading caused by earthquakes, strong winds or machine vibrations. More specifically, the damper is made from structural members being interconnected in frictional or visco-elastically dampened rotational joints. Due to the dampening of the joints, relative movement between the structural elements is dampened. In particular, the damper is useful for base isolation, e.g., in order to allow a building or a machine to move in a dampened movement relative to its foundation or in order to allow a cable stay of a cable stay bridge to move in a dampened movement relative to its fixation point on the bridge.

Abstract: A tuned mass damper comprises a mass (1) restrained to a structure (2) through supporting means (3) suitable to allow a pendulum motion of said mass (1) when said structure (2) is subject to an external force, as well as damping means suitable for absorbing a portion of the kinetic energy of the moving mass (1). The supporting means (3) comprise at least one bearing (3) provided with a concave cylindrical sliding surface (3a) and the damping means are made as a coating of a controlled friction material of said sliding surface (3a).

Abstract: A seismic energy damping system with plural redundancy for a building or structure subject to seismic perturbation (i.e., deflection of the building structure) includes a distributed plurality of seismic energy dampers, and a plurality of rigid shear panels cooperating with the building structure via the seismic energy dampers. The plural shear panels and plural seismic energy dampers distribute seismic energy absorption and dissipation throughout the building structure to avoid stress concentrations, and to dissipate significant seismic energy, thus limiting the amplitude of deflections of the building structure during a seismic event.

Abstract: Installed on a top of a structure (1) is a base stand (11) against which damping body (3) movably rests via a linear guide mechanism (12). Mounted between the damping body (3) and the structure (1) or between the damping body (3) and a top of a support housing (14) erected on the structure (1) is a characteristic-frequency adjusting spring or springs (13) with an initial tension being applied vertically. Movement of the damping body (3) causes the spring or springs (13) to be obliquely and longitudinally expanded to apply horizontal component to the damping body (3) upon restoring.

Abstract: A shock absorber utilizes an internal passage design and cooperates with at least one flow-restricting member and elastic member to change the flow speed and displacement during the extension and retraction of the shock absorber, so as to make the extending and retracting speeds of the shock absorber different for buffering the shake wave to the house, thus reducing the force shaking the house in the earthquake.

Abstract: A seismic energy damper includes a pair of structure members subject to relative motion during a seismic event, and a pair of friction washers each fixed to a respective one of the structure members and moving relative to one another during the seismic event. A tie bolt resiliently urges the pair of friction washers toward frictional cooperation, and a friction member cooperates with the pair of friction washers to dissipate seismic energy.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a device for creating a footing for a structure includes a reinforcing member having a base extending a first direction, and a leg extending in a second direction. The device also includes a sleeve defining a cavity for receiving the leg, a portion of the fence post, and an anchoring material for securing the leg to the structure.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a device for creating a footing for a structure includes a reinforcing member having a base extending a first direction, and a leg extending in a second direction. The device also includes a sleeve defining a cavity for receiving the leg, a portion of the fence post, and an anchoring material for securing the leg to the structure.

Abstract: A wide wall angle useful in locations of seismic activity to support ceiling tile and grid tees of a suspended ceiling comprising an assembly of an elongated base angle and an elongated extension strip, the base angle having generally perpendicular legs integral with one another and intersecting at a longitudinally extending corner, one leg being adapted to be fixed against a wall with the corner down, and the other adapted to project horizontally from the wall, the extension strip having a face with greater than the width of the horizontal leg, the extension strip having a multiple layer construction, two layers of the extension strip being held together in close parallel relation by an intermediate web integral with the layers, at least portions of the two layers being arranged to frictionally engage at least a part of the horizontal leg of the base angle spaced from the corner such that the strip can be assembled on and frictionally retained on the horizontal leg of the base angle, the horizontal leg of th

Abstract: The present invention relates to a damping structure which is capable effectively damping vibration of a structure. The damping structure includes a vibration controlling medium fixed at a structure and vibrating with an amplitude greater than that of the structure upon vibration and a damper vibrating separately from the vibration controlling medium as a result of being loosely fitted into the vibration controlling medium or a damper supporter extended therefrom, and thus having a vibration frequency different from that of the vibration controlling medium.

Abstract: A tuned liquid damper comprising a housing with a hollow cavity within said housing and a first fluid which partially fills said hollow cavity. The inner surface of said hollow cavity is essentially spherical. The tuned liquid damper further comprises first fluid damping means arranged within the essentially spherical cavity of the housing. In this way, a tuned liquid damper is provided which has a response which is constant and independent of the orientation of the tuned liquid damper. Damping means are provided in order to be able to control the damping effect of the tuned liquid damper.

Abstract: Provided are a seismic control bearing device capable of absorbing and/or blocking vibration energy transmitted to structures due to earthquakes, and so on, as well as actively controlling various dynamic behaviors generated from the structures with low power and without additional equipment, and a seismic control system including the same. The seismic control bearing device is installed between a ground base and a structure constructed on the ground base to reduce vibration energy applied to the structure, and includes a plurality of deposition members spaced apart from each other; and a plurality of magneto-sensitive members disposed between the deposition members and formed of a magneto-sensitive material. The properties including a stiffness coefficient and an damping coefficient of the magneto-sensitive material are varied depending on a variation of a magnetic field formed around the magneto-sensitive member.

Abstract: A buckling restrained brace includes an elongate, hollow sleeve, an elongate yielding core extending substantially through the length of the sleeve, and a buckling constraining element between the yielding core and the inner surface of the hollow sleeve and spaced apart from at least one surface of the yielding core, leaving a gap therebetween. The buckling constraining element may be spaced apart from and, thus, the gap may exist between two or more surfaces of the yielding core. Additionally, an inner sleeve, or liner, may be positioned between the buckling constraining element and the yielding core, with the liner being spaced apart from at least one surface of the yielding core. The buckling restrained brace is useful in absorbing loads, such as seismically induced loads, that are exerted upon a steel frame.

Abstract: Braces for bracing objects in structures against forces due to earthquakes are tested by subjecting components of the braces for attaching the braces to the object or structure to cyclic loading of approximately 15 cycles. The cyclic forces are applied to different samples of the components at differing angles, and a load rating is determined for each angle. Prior to cyclic testing, forces are applied monotonically to the components in both tension and compression, the flexible loading direction of the component is determined from the monotonic testing, and the deformation that the component can resist when a load is applied in cycles is estimated from the monotonic testing.