MOMENT FRAME LINKS WALL
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.
1 . A bracing system for use in constructions, the bracing system comprising:
a structural frame having a first structural support member and a second structural support member;
a mounting element having a first portion fixedly attached to the first structural support member, and having a second portion comprising a single pivot coupling pivotally coupling the second structural support member to the second portion of the mounting element, the second structural support member pivoting clockwise about a pivot point at the pivot coupling upon a first load exerted on the structural frame, and the second structural support member pivoting counterclockwise about the pivot point at the pivot coupling upon a second load exerted on the structural frame, the second load being opposite to the first lateral load, the first structural support member being spaced from the second structural support member, the space and the pivot coupling enabling rotation of the first structural support member relative to the second structural support member without damaging the first or second structural support members; and
a yield link affixed at a first end to the first structural support member and at a second end, opposite the first end, to the second structural support member, the yield link having a section between the first and second ends capable of yielding in tension and compression to dissipate stress within the frame upon a lateral load applied to the structural frame.
2 . A bracing system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a buckling restraint block affixed to the second structural support member, the buckling restraint block limiting buckling of the yield link.
3 . A bracing system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the section has a smaller width than the yield link at the first and second ends.
4 . A construction, comprising:
a first structural support member;
a second structural support member;
a mounting element having a first portion fixedly attached to the first structural support member, and having a second portion comprising a single pin joint pivotally coupling the second structural support member to the second portion of the mounting element, the mounting element allowing rotation of the first structural support element relative to the second structural support element without damage to the first or second structural support elements; and
a lateral bracing system affixed between the first and second structural support members, including:
a pair of yield links, each yield link including a first end affixed to the first structural support member, and a second end affixed to the second structural support member, a yield link of the pair of yield links having a middle section of smaller width than at the first and second ends, the middle section capable of yielding in tension and compression to dissipate stress within at least one of the first and second structural support members upon a lateral load applied to at least one of the first and second structural support members.
5 . A construction as recited in claim 4 , wherein the mounting element comprises a pair of brackets.
6 . A construction as recited in claim 4 , wherein the mounting element comprises a pair of plates.
7 . A lateral bracing system for use in constructions, the lateral bracing system comprising:
a structural frame having a column and a beam;
a pivot coupling for coupling the column to the beam, the pivot coupling comprising a single pin, the structural frame pivoting clockwise about a pivot point at the pivot coupling upon a first lateral load exerted on the structural frame, and the structural frame pivoting counterclockwise about the pivot point at the pivot coupling upon a second lateral load exerted on the structural frame, the second lateral load being opposite to the first lateral load; and
a pair of links, each link having a first end affixed to the column and a second end affixed to the beam, each link preventing pivoting of the beam relative to the column for lateral loads which do not cause yielding of the links, and each link capable of yielding in tension and compression to dissipate stress within the frame upon the first or second lateral loads applied to the structural frame. A lateral bracing system as recited in claim 2 , the framing member formed of a substantially rigid material including at least one of steel, wood and a polymer.
8 . A lateral bracing system as recited in claim 7 , the links including a portion capable of yielding under a stress at which the structural frame does not yield.
9 . A lateral bracing system as recited in claim 7 , the links comprising a first link, and a second link, the first and second links mounted to the structural frame on opposite sides of the beam.