Abstract: Method, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for damping the movements of structures undergoing dynamic forces. The disclosed dampers are a new type of steel plate dampers, intended to reduce the cost and improve the performance of structures subject to severe seismic loading. While in these dampers the metal plates undergo plastic deformation as a method of absorbing and dissipating energy, the disclosed designs do not allow the stress and strain in the metal plates to go above a predetermined design value and; therefore, the new dampers have long lives and do not need repair or replacement after a big earthquake or similar events. These dampers may be used for building and non-building structures. In such applications the required damping capacities are relatively high and different scales of sliding force and stroke are required.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed to transfer forces on a damaged pile to the lower part of the pile, bypassing the damaged area. Rings of various materials are tightly wrapped around the pile or clamps are attached to the pile, above and below the damaged area, causing calculated friction between the pile and the rings and/or clamps. Subsequently the damaged area and the rings and/or clamps are encased in a curable substance, such as concrete. After curing, the rings and/or clamps above the damaged area will receive the stresses on the pile through the friction with the pile and will transfer them to the concrete which in turn will transfer the stresses to the lower part of the pile through the lower rings and/or clamps and their friction with the lower part of the pile. Nothing is welded to the pile and the pile is not altered in any way.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for damping the movements of structures undergoing dynamic forces. The disclosed dampers are a new type of steel plate dampers, intended to reduce the cost and improve the performance of structures subject to severe seismic loading. While in these dampers the metal plates undergo plastic deformation as a method of absorbing and dissipating energy, the disclosed designs do not allow the stress and strain in the metal plates to go above a predetermined design value and; therefore, the new dampers have long lives and do not need repair or replacement after a big earthquake or similar events. These dampers may be used for building and non-building structures. In such applications the required damping capacities are relatively high and different scales of sliding force and stroke are required.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for damping the movements of structures undergoing dynamic forces. The disclosed dampers are a new type of steel plate dampers, intended to reduce the cost and improve the performance of structures subject to severe seismic loading. While in these dampers the metal plates undergo plastic deformation as a method of absorbing and dissipating energy, the disclosed designs do not allow the stress and strain in the metal plates to go above a predetermined design value and; therefore, the new dampers have long lives and do not need repair or replacement after a big earthquake or similar events. These dampers may be used for building and non-building structures. In such applications the required damping capacities are relatively high and different scales of sliding force and stroke are required.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.