Abstract: A damper includes a vibration energy buffering transfer unit and a vibration energy dissipation unit. The vibration energy buffering transfer unit includes a plurality of piston transfer structures and connecting tubes, the piston transfer structures includes a cylinder and a piston arranged as a pair, the plurality of piston transfer structures surrounding the vibration energy dissipation unit, the connecting tubes inter-connecting the plurality of cylinders, the vibration energy dissipation unit includes a damping liquid accommodating cavity and damping liquid accommodated in the damping solution accommodating cavity, and one end of the cylinder or the piston being connected to the damping fluid accommodating cavity. The load-bearing enclosing structure provided with said damper can effectively suppress vibration.

Abstract: A pinned base connector affixing a structural member to a foundation at one or more levels of a construction. The pinned base connector includes a baseplate affixed to the foundation. A column support plate is affixed to the baseplate via a pivot block. The pivot block is affixed to the baseplate to allow rotation of the pivot block relative to the baseplate about a first axis. The column support plate is affixed to the pivot block to allow rotation of the column support plate relative to the pivot block about a second axis orthogonal to the first. A column or other structural member may then be affixed to a surface of the column support plate.

Abstract: A kinematic seismic isolation device for isolating a superstructure from the movement experienced by a substructure or foundation by providing lateral stability and resistance to stress having a rigid-structure helmet piece with the convex part facing upward and a radius of curvature R; and an intermediate rigid-structure body coupled to the underside of the helmet piece and extends to a bottom end of the device connected by a pivoting connection to the substructure or foundation, wherein the radius of curvature R is greater than or equal to the height H of the device; and wherein a tread plate, which is secured to the bottom surface of the superstructure, rests on the helmet piece.

Abstract: A system and method of isolating a building structure from ground movement including centering a building structure in a first position relative to a building foundation, securing a first portion of a super-elastic slider system (SSS) to the foundation, securing a second portion of the SSS to the structure. The SSS includes at least one shape metal alloy (SMA) element extending between the first portion and the second portion. The at least one SMA element having an initial shape. Moving the foundation during a ground movement and shifting the structure in at least one of a horizontal and a vertical direction to a second position, including flexing the at least one SMA element to a secondary shape, and automatically recentering the structure to the first position including retracting the at least one flexed SMA element to the initial shape.

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 spatial mass pendulum includes a pendulum mass and at least three, preferably four, pendulum rods. The pendulum rods are arranged distributed around the pendulum mass and are each coupled at a first coupling point to the object and at a second coupling point to a lower section of the pendulum mass. At least two pendulum rods are dimensioned and spread in such a way that the distance between their first coupling points is greater than the distance between their second coupling points, so that during a movement of the pendulum mass its center of gravity is guided by the pendulum rods on the surface of a virtual ellipsoid.

Abstract: Although Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRPs), as alternatives for the corrosive steel reinforcement in concrete structures, have shown promising performance under gravity loads, their performance under reversal cyclic loading is still one of the main concerns. The linear behavior of FRP reinforcement has a two-sided effect on the seismic performance of FRP-reinforced concrete (RC) moment-resisting frames. Although the linear nature of FRP reinforcement could be advantageous in terms of limiting the residual damage after an earthquake event, it lowers the energy dissipation of the structure which can compromise its seismic performance. Disclosed herein is the addition of steel plates at selected locations in moment-resisting frames to improve seismic performance of FRP-RC structures while still being able to take advantage of its linear behaviour (minimal residual damage after earthquake). The effectiveness of the proposed solution was tested both experimentally and analytically.

Abstract: Disclosed is a buttress assembly located outside side walls comprising non-bearing walls located in a long side direction of an existing building and comprising concrete, the buttress assembly including a plurality of reinforcing steel structures extending in a short side direction of the existing building, connected to the existing building by anchors, and arranged in a vertical direction of the side walls.

Abstract: A building earthquake resistance structure includes an integrally connected roof support frame, used for supporting a roof of a building independently from walls of the building; a plurality of support columns, fixedly connected to the roof support frame; an annular trench, arranged in the ground around the building; an annular damping frame, arranged within the annular trench, lower ends of the support columns being fixedly connected to the annular damping frame; a plurality of dampers, arranged between a bottom portion of the annular trench and the annular damping frame. An earthquake resistance method for the building earthquake resistance structure prevents damage caused by the roof collapsing during an earthquake by supporting the roof of the existing building in the ground via the support columns. The building earthquake resistance structure is easy to construct and suitable for transforming traditional old buildings.

Abstract: A system for damping seismic motions transmitted from a foundation to an architectural structure is disclosed. During a seismic event, the seismic damping system may permit bi-directional horizontal movement of the foundation relative to the architectural structure, while simultaneously providing the architectural structure with uplift restraint. The seismic damping system may include upper and lower rail members connected to each other via a bearing assembly. Respective concave surfaces may be formed in the upper and lower rail members to define first and second rolling or sliding paths for the bearing assembly. To limit vertical movement of the architectural structure during seismic motions, the bearing assembly may incorporate uplift restraint members for engaging the upper and lower rail members. Methods of assembling and operating such seismic damping systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved connection between supported and supporting structural members, particularly for use in structures where the supported member needs to move with respect to the supporting member. The connector has an anchoring leg that allows for the back of the anchoring leg on either side of the sliding leg.

Abstract: An anti-seismic device (1) for load-bearing structures or machines for example automated warehouses, comprises at least one supporting foot (3) suitable for being fixed to a load-bearing structure of the automated warehouse. The supporting foot (3) is configured for resting and sliding on a support and sliding surface (5), so as to allow relative movement of the automated warehouse with respect to the support and sliding surface (5). At least one abutment element (10) is suitable for being solidly constrained with the support and sliding surface (5). At least a spring device (12) is suitable for being interposed between the abutment element (10) and the automated warehouse. The spring device (12) is configured to generate a return action (force and/or torque) of the automated warehouse as a result of the relative movement of the automated warehouse with respect to the support and sliding surface (5). The spring device (12) has a non-linear, preferably progressive elastic characteristic.

Abstract: An improved connection between supported and supporting structural members, particularly for use in structures where the supported member needs to move with respect to the supporting member. The connector includes a mounting clip and one or more sliders receiving in one or more openings in the mounting clip.

Abstract: In a load-bearing concrete vertical building part, particularly a support, with an upper support area for a load-transferring connection to a concrete horizontal building part thereabove, in which the vertical building part includes reinforcements with reinforcement rods extending essentially vertically beyond the upper support area, an upper section of the vertical building part abutting the upper support area is embodied as a thermal insulation element for the thermal decoupling of the vertical building part from the horizontal building.

Abstract: A system for damping seismic motions transmitted from a foundation to an architectural structure is disclosed. During a seismic event, the seismic damping system may permit bi-directional horizontal movement of the foundation relative to the architectural structure, while simultaneously providing the architectural structure with uplift restraint. The seismic damping system may include upper and lower rail members connected to each other via a bearing assembly. Respective concave surfaces may be formed in the upper and lower rail members to define first and second rolling or sliding paths for the bearing assembly. To limit vertical movement of the architectural structure during seismic motions, the bearing assembly may incorporate uplift restraint members for engaging the upper and lower rail members. Methods of assembling and operating such seismic damping systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An earthquake resisting door has locking mechanisms between the door panel top, sides, and the bottom foundation. Included are self-contained limited uplift resisting end posts, one or more door panels made of wood, steel, or other suitable material that can act as a shear wall or brace frame, and segmented door panels that can be designed for roll-up or folding. The segments interlock to create one solid wall or arrangement of segments that creates brace frame action. An inter-locking mechanism engages adjacent door leaves in a casement arrangement and creates one panel.

Abstract: A stiffness-controllable earthquake-isolation support using negative gravity stiffness, which comprises an upper plate connected to an upper structure, a lower plate connected to a base structure at the bottom, K supporting columns arranged longitudinally between the upper and lower plates, with the supporting columns respectively connected with the upper and lower plates through a ball hinge, and L elastic connecting plates arranged laterally between the supporting columns, wherein K?3, L?N×K and N?1. The earthquake-isolation support, the supporting column and the ball hinges at both ends of the supporting column form, under the action of gravity of the upper structure, the negative gravity stiffness that causes the upper structure to deviate from the equilibrium position, and the frame structure restores the upper structure to the equilibrium position, with the stiffness of the earthquake-isolation support adjustable.

Abstract: A soil reinforcement system including angled soil reinforcement elements to resist seismic shear forces and methods of making same are disclosed. For example, the soil reinforcement system includes an array or grid of angled soil reinforcement elements installed within the ground, wherein the angled reinforcement elements are designed to absorb and/or resist earthquake-induced seismic shear forces by transferring the applied shear forces into axial compressive and tensile forces within each of the angled reinforcement elements.

Abstract: Bearing assemblies, bearing components and related methods are provided for heavy load applications. In one embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a first bearing apparatus having a base member and a first plurality of polycrystalline diamond compacts (PDCs) on a first surface of the base member, the first plurality of PDCs defining a first collective bearing surface. A second bearing apparatus is configured to engage and slide over the first collective bearing surface. the second bearing apparatus may include a second plurality of PDCs defining a second collective bearing surface. The collective bearing surfaces may be configured to be substantially planar or substantially arcuate. Such bearing assemblies may be implemented in, for example, bridges, roadways, buildings, railways and other structures and machines that may require heavy load bearing support.

Abstract: A sliding seismic isolator includes a first plate attached to a building support, and an elongate element extending from the first plate. The seismic isolator also includes a second plate and a low-friction layer positioned between the first and second plates, the low-friction layer allowing the first and second plates to move freely relative to one another along a horizontal plane. The seismic isolator also includes a lower support member attached to the second plate, with a biasing arrangement, such as at least one spring member or at least one engineered elastomeric element, which can include one or more silicone inserts, positioned within the lower support member. The elongate element extends from the first plate at least partially into the lower support member and movement of the elongate element is influenced or controlled by the biasing arrangement.

Abstract: A lever viscoelastic damping wall assembly includes a first wall, a second wall and a viscoelastic damper. The first and second walls are connected respectively to a first structural member and a second structural member. The viscoelastic damper includes a swing rod connected pivotally to the first and second walls, a first viscoelastic unit connected between the first wall and an end portion of the swing rod, and a second viscoelastic unit connected between the second wall and an opposite end portion of the swing rod. The swing rod is driven to pivot relative to the first and second walls, and to thereby generate shear deformations of the first and second viscoelastic units to damp a relative movement between the first and second structural members.

Abstract: Provided is a cassette-vibration isolation device that is easy to upkeep (maintain) and that can cause a heavy structure to rise during an earthquake. The device is provided with an upper base and a lower base that are arranged so that the bottom surface of the upper base faces the upper surface of the lower base; a cavity, which is formed between the upper base and the lower base, and the inside of which is filled with fluid; sealing members, which are provided in an attachable/detachable manner along the inner walls of the cavity, and which maintain the state wherein the cavity is filled with fluid; and a valve, which connects the cavity and a fluid-supply source, and which supplies fluid to the inside of the cavity. During an earthquake, the upper base can rise from the lower base due to the supply of fluid via the valve to the inside of the cavity.

Abstract: A pipeline repair apparatus for use with a pipe having a rupture includes a clamp member having a hemispherical first portion complementary to a hemispherical second portion being pivotally coupled to the first portion. The second portion is pivotally movable between an open configuration allowing the clamp member to be removed from the ruptured pipe and a closed configuration preventing the clamp member from being removed from the ruptured pipe. The clamp member defines an open top and bottom through which the ruptured pipe extends when the first portion and the second portion are attached thereto. The first portion and the second portion define a plurality of first portion apertures and second portion apertures, respectively, each first portion aperture being aligned in association with a second portion aperture. The apparatus includes a plurality of drill insertion rods, each rod having a configuration selectively received through first and second portion apertures.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to a methods and systems employing at least one seismic isolation bearing having a substantially polygonal shape in a top and/or bottom view. Preferably the polygonal shape is other than a square shape; preferably the shape is other than a rectangular shape. Such polygonal isolation bearings can be easily and securely joined to other components o the flooring or platform, and are of particular use in modular seismic isolation systems, in which the floor or platform can be assembled to suit the available space. In preferred systems the polygonal isolation bearings may be used in low profile systems, for example, in locations having restricted headroom.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter is directed to a building structural bracing apparatus having an inner core element sandwiched between an upper and a lower containment web. The brace frame being useful in the construction of earthquake and blast resistant structures where energy dissipation is desired.

Abstract: A seismic isolation system including a base plate having a textured top surface and a top plate positioned above the base plate having a non-textured bottom surface, wherein desired coefficients of static and kinetic friction between the top plate and the base plate prevent relative movement of the two plates with normal operation and yet allow the top plate to move relative to the base plate during a seismic event. In one example, the sliding surface has a coating such as a polyester (e.g., polyester triglycidyl isocyanurate) or a low surface energy coating (e.g., silicone-epoxy coating). In another example, the seismic isolation system further includes a damping system comprising internal dampers within a concrete slab resting on the top plate to provide displacement control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a damping and dissipation device (10) which can be used for limiting disturbances transmitted between two bodies, generated by forcing elements of a dynamic, seismic nature and by wave-motion in structures in general, which comprises two end elements (18, 14, 32) each destined for being respectively connected to one of the two bodies, the device (10) also comprising at least one disk (11) made of an elastomeric material and at least one elastic element (12) with a variable load, coaxially arranged along an axis A, the elastic element (12) with a variable load having an initial pre-compression degree and is characterized in that at least one of the end elements (18) is connected to the device (10) through a sliding coupling with a sliding direction within a plane tilted with respect to the axis (A), preferably by at least 60°.

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: The wooden building skeleton of the present invention has excellent quake resistance because the column of a rigid-frame structure joined to a cross member or the foundation so that a bending moment can be transferred therebetween and the load-bearing wall therein exhibit their load bearing ability. A foundation and a wooden column and the wooden column and a beam are respectively joined by two bolts so that a bending moment can be transferred therebetween. A load-bearing wall is also provided between the beam and the foundation. The length of the section of the bolts which undergoes elongation when inter-story deflection occurs between the beam and the foundation or the cross-sectional dimensions of the wooden column is set such that the inter-story deflection which is generated before the wooden column is fractured is almost equal to or greater than the inter-story deflection which is generated before the load-bearing wall is fractured.

Abstract: A building includes a connection between an engineered wood load bearing element of the building such as a column, beam, or load bearing panel, and another load bearing element or a foundation of the building. At least one tendon ties the load bearing elements or the load bearing element and the foundation together. One or more energy dissipaters, replaceably connected between the load bearing element and/or the foundation, absorb energy when a loading event causes relative movement of the connection. The engineered wood element may be a laminated veneer lumber element, a parallel strand lumber element, or a glue laminated timber element, for example. Typically all of the load bearing elements of the building will be engineered wood elements. The building may be single or multi-storey. The building system enables lightweight low cost buildings, with energy dissipaters which may be replaced after extreme loading. The building may be prefabricated.

Abstract: A building structure including a plurality of vertical elements extending from a ground surface with at least a first of the vertical elements connected to a second of the vertical elements by a coupling member, the coupling member includes a damping element for damping vibrations in the building structure resulting from relative movement between the first and second vertical elements due to lateral loads applied to the building structure. The damping element undergoes deformation due to the relative movement between the vertical elements causing the damping material to be activated in shear. At least one of a first and second fuse member is connected to at least one of first and second ends of the damping element respectively.

Abstract: A class of bearings, each of them can be used as a connector to connect two parts in a structural system and as a supporter to transfer loads from one part to another, for examples, gravity of a superstructure to a substructure in a bridge or a building, or that of a machine to its foundation. While performing load transmission, it is able to reduce the transmission of transient vibrations between connected two structural parts and preserve the integrity of entire structural system; for examples, to protect a bridge's structural integrity when either an earthquake strikes its pier and foundation or a tsunami hits its superstructure or both occur simultaneously.

Abstract: This seismic protection support comprises a lower supporting base that is intended to be rested or fixed on the ground, an upper table intended to carry an object to be protected against an earthquake, and a mechanical connection system between the supporting base and the table. The mechanical system comprises at least one pantographic arm, with a succession of inner links and outer links connected together by pin elements; the first link of the succession is hinged to the supporting base through a base pin element and the last link of the succession is hinged to the table through a table pin element. In such a way, the table is free to move with respect to the base between a predetermined initial position and a plurality of final positions. In the case in which there is an earthquake, while the supporting base is moved by the earthquake itself, the table tends to remain in its previous position.

Abstract: 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.

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: Provided are an isolating device, a method of replacing an isolating structure part, and a method of controlling a load of the isolating structure part. The isolating device disposed between an upper structure and a lower structure includes an isolating structure part for performing an isolating function, and a height-adjustable part disposed on at least one of positions between the isolating structure part and the upper structure and between the isolating structure part and the lower structure, the height-adjustable part being adjusted in height by supplying or discharging fluid therein or therefrom.

Abstract: A lateral bracing system having high initial stiffness and including yield links capable of effectively dissipating stresses generated within the lateral bracing system under lateral loads.

Abstract: A building is provided in which safety, comfort, and economic efficiency are improved by an enclosed structure and by shielding from an exterior. The building has a foundation 3, a wall 8 standing around the foundation 3 so as to be integrated with the foundation 3, a housing section 2 serving as an interior space arranged in a center of the foundation 3, a roof 30 covering an internal space surrounded by the wall 8, the roof 30 being supported by the wall 8 and not structurally combined with the housing section 2, and seismic isolation mechanisms 40 for suppressing vibration of the housing section 2 upon generation of earthquake. An interior of the building is formed as an enclosed space defined by the foundation 3, the wall 8, and the roof 30.

Abstract: A building's seismic isolation and snubber system for a seismic isolation mechanism instantly activated includes sensors, a processing unit, absorber systems, hydraulic oil pressure systems and multilayer sliding systems. In this regard, a sensor detecting any earthquake-induced strike and dip in a building's quadrant of operation could supply an oblique angle to the processing unit in which the oblique angle thereof is transferred to any hydraulic oil pressure system's coefficient of damping for the hydraulic oil pressure system's corresponding damping force generated to control and distribute a building's equilibrium, and any multilayer sliding system is used to yield or eliminate any seismic horizontal vibrations for the said elements developing all functions, substantially reducing and distributing earthquake-induced stresses, and delivering a building with seismic vibrations effectively isolated and prevented.

Abstract: An energy dissipation system for structural protection of buildings includes at least one structure with a base, a second base fixed to the ground, an energy dissipation device, and a lever mechanism. The structure opposes seismic actions by translating horizontal displacement into vertical displacement. The lever mechanism amplifies displacement of the energy dissipation device in response to vertical displacement of the structure.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an anti-seismic support for supporting a construction engineering structure, which comprises a support (14) having a concave sliding surface (17) and a sliding block (16) with a convex sliding surface (16d) in sliding contact with the concave sliding surface (17), the sliding block (16) being capable of sliding with pendulum motion relative to the concave surface (17) in response to an earthquake tremor or shock, the device (11) comprising a sliding material (19) between the concave sliding surface (17) and the convex sliding surface (16b), where the friction coefficient between the sliding surfaces (16b, 17) is above 10% when the device (11) is loaded with a pressure above 30 MPa and the sliding surfaces are caused to slide at a sliding speed of more than 50 mm/s at a temperature of 20° C. or more.

Abstract: The invention relates to a construction made of individual components which consist at least partially of wood-concrete composite elements (100) composed by at least one wood component (110) with a wood cross section and a concrete component (101) with a concrete cross section. The wood-concrete composite elements are at least partially prefabricated and then brought together at the factory or later at the construction site. The individual components are connected and/or assembled with the other components by a non-positive and/or positive and/or material connection, partially by transmitting force only via the wood cross section or partially only by transmitting force via the concrete cross section or partially by the wood cross section and the concrete cross section.

Abstract: Extreme event performance evaluation using real-time hysteresis monitoring. A structure is monitored using one or more sensors. One or more inter-story Hysteresis Loops for the structure are generated in real-time using data from the sensors, thus enabling rapid decision making regarding the structure's condition.

Abstract: An earthquake resisting apparatus includes a load transmitting member which has a surface area larger than an installation area of an installation object, a movement limiting member which is arranged between the load transmitting member and an installation floor, the movement limiting member being bonded to the load transmitting member and having a coefficient of static friction between the movement limiting member and the installation floor when a load acts on the installation object in a horizontal direction in a state in which the installation object is fixed to the load transmitting member, in which the coefficient is larger than or equal to a predetermined value, and a fastening part which connects the installation object and the earthquake resisting apparatus.

Abstract: An antiseismic supporting base body, which has a bearing platform on its upper surface and a main foundation below the bearing platform, wherein the main foundation has an antiseismic body, the surface area of the external surface of the antiseismic body is decreased continuously or discontinuously from top to bottom, and the strongest antiseismic strength of the antiseismic body is located in the central axis of the antiseismic body. By means of both the shape and the strength distribution of the antiseismic supporting base body, the impulse of the earthquake wave to the antiseismic body is dispersed so that the antiseismic ability increases. Also the friction between the antiseismic supporting base body and the stratum increases, and the ability of the antiseismic supporting base body to bear the external load and the stress resulted form the load raises.

Abstract: Seismic base isolation and energy dissipation device using a plurality of swing plate's that are placed on a central wall. This arrangement creates a strong load bearing swing beam that moves in true pendulum fashion. This system is placed between the structural load and its foundation. This seismic wave base isolation system has the purpose of absorbing seismic wave displacement energy in all directions. This unique design can scale up for very large and heavy loads or scale down to protect sensitive cargo and equipment from destructive motion. The swing plates inside the swing beam will provide support and absorption of motion by moving as a pendulum and therefore redirecting and dissipating seismic energy. This system has a simple design shape and is therefore inexpensive to construct, is easy to engineer and deploy, it requires no uncommon material and requires very little maintenance or advanced electronics.

Abstract: The invention relates to seismic protection (anti-seismic) devices and, in particular, to seismic hysteretic dampers, used to protect the structures against severe earthquakes. These devices are installed at points where large displacements are expected due to earthquake shakings, such as between a bridge deck and bearing points of said bridge (e.g. the pier cap beam).

Abstract: A vibration damping device for suppressing vibrations of a structure includes: a slide body mechanism having a concave slide body and a convex slide body which are fixed to the structure and are arranged so as to be slidable relative to each other in a reciprocating manner; and a biasing means which pushes the slide bodies to each other. Each slide body has: a first slide surface having a shape which increases a height of the slide body mechanism 2 along with the increase of a displacement amount of the slide body in one sliding direction from a neutral position relative to the counterpart slide body; and a second slide surface having a shape by which the height of the slide body mechanism is increased along with the increase of the displacement of the slide body in the other sliding direction from the neutral position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vibration damping construction system including a first construction body, a second construction body, and a damping unit. The first construction body includes a reaction surface. The second construction body is accommodated in the first construction body. The damping unit is disposed between the second construction body and the reaction surface of the first construction body for reducing the vibration transferred from the first construction body.