Mitek Holdings, Inc.

Columbia Insurance Company

Jesse E Karns

David L Houghton

Enrique A Gallart

Jared J Adams

Andy Thao Tran

A joint connection structure of a building framework includes a column assembly including a column and a pair of gusset plates connected to the column on opposite sides of the column and extending laterally outward from the column. A full-length beams assembly includes a full-length beam having upper and lower flanges and an end portion received between the gusset plates. A connecting member is operatively attached by welding to at least one of the flanges of the full-length beam. The connecting member is bolted to at least one of the gusset plates of the column assembly to connect the full-length beam assembly to the column assembly.

Gusset plate connection of beam to column

A damper frame includes a structural frame and a damper assembly secured to the structural frame. The damper assembly includes a damper support secured to the structural frame. A damper is secured to the damper support. A diagonal link is secured to the structural frame. A lever is secured to the damper support and the damper. The lever is pivotally connected to the diagonal link so displacement of the diagonal link is amplified and transferred to the damper. The damper support includes a laterally-extending cantilevered portion and the damper is secured to the damper support at the cantilevered portion.

Damper frame

A joint connection structure of a building framework includes a column assembly including a column and a pair of gusset plates connected to the column on opposite sides of the column and extending laterally outward from the column. A full-length beam assembly includes a full-length beam having upper and lower flanges and an end portion received between the gusset plates. A connecting member is operatively attached by welding to at least one of the flanges of the full-length beam. The connecting member is bolted to at least one of the gusset plates of the column assembly to connect the full-length beam assembly to the column assembly.

A multi-story boxed wall frame system for reinforcement of multi-story structures includes first and second boxed wall frames disposed one on top of the other and connected together. Each boxed wall frame includes first and second columns, and first and second panel zones attached to the respective first and second columns at their top ends. Each of the panel zones includes yielding members and reinforcing structure at least partially bounding the yielding members. The reinforcing structure is configured to concentrate stresses to within the yielding member. A beam extends between the first and second panel zones in each of the boxed wall frames. The boxed wall frame is configured to resolve external forces into shear force in the yielding member such that the yielding members will yield prior to yielding of the beam and the columns.

Multi-story boxed wall frame with yielding panel zone

A beam-to-column joint includes a beam having first and second longitudinal ends and a column including a bottom end and a top end. A panel zone is located adjacent to the first end of the beam, and the top end of the column is attached to the panel zone. The panel zone includes a yielding member and reinforcing structure at least partially bounding the yielding member, the reinforcing structure being configured to concentrate stresses to within the yielding member. The panel zone is configured to resolve external lateral forces on the beam and column into shear force in the yielding member so that the yielding member will fail prior to failure of the beam and column.

Light gauge steel beam-to-column joint with yielding panel zone

A method of making and utilizing a column assembly module for a building framework includes providing an elongate column member for being vertically disposed as part of a vertically elongate column assembly of a building framework. And securing to the elongate column member a spaced apart pair of horizontally elongate and vertically and horizontally extending side plates. The step of securing includes locating an inner surface of at least one side plate member and an outside opposing vertical edge of the column member so that a vertical interface plane lies at an interface of the inner surface of the at least one side plate member and the outside opposing vertical edge. During erection of the building framework a full-length beam assembly is disposed at an end portion thereof between the pair of projecting side plates to be connected thereto providing a beam-to-column joint assembly of the building framework.

Building metal frame, and method of making, and components therefor including column assemblies and full-length beam assemblies

A building framework includes plural column assemblies interconnected by plural full-length beam assemblies, with the union of the column assemblies and beam assemblies forming beam-to-column joint assemblies according to this invention. The column assemblies include pairs of side plates spanning the column members of the column assemblies and projecting toward another column assembly of the plurality of such column assemblies. The full-length beam assemblies include beam members for being received between column assemblies to be interconnected and defining an end gap with respect to each column member. Additionally, the full-length beam assemblies include at each opposite end portion thereof a pair of cover plates, including an upper cover plate and a lower cover plate, which cover plates are sized and configured to be united with the side plates of a column assembly, as by welding applied at a construction site. The full-length beam assemblies may also include provisions for drawing together the side plates of a column assembly preparatory to welding, which side plates are sufficiently spaced apart to provide a 'rattle' space allowing entry of an end portion of a full-length beam assembly between the side plates as a step in the erection process for the framework.

Column assembly for a building framework

A building framework includes plural column assemblies supporting plural beams supporting floors of the building, with the union of the column assemblies and beams forming beam-to-column (or beam-to-column-to-beam) joint connection assemblies according to this invention. The joint connection assemblies inventively include novel features which remarkably and surprisingly improve the distribution of strain and plastic deformation in the joint connection structure when subjected to extreme load challenges to the building structure (as may occur during earthquake, explosion, progressive collapse load conditions, or massive impact.

Building structure, method of making, and components

An improved building structure and method for making steel frame buildings includes a beam-to-column or beams-to-column joint or connection which is most preferably shop fabricated (as opposed to on-site fabrication) and which offers a considerable savings in both steel requirements (i.e., material savings) and labor to make the joint connection. Also, because material utilization is improved in the connection, the new structure is more resistant to damage by seismic events (i.e., earthquake), by severe weather, and to damage from blast effects (i.e., terrorist attack or accident), than was the prior technology. The improved building structure also mitigates against progressive collapse of the building.

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Long Beach, CA, United States of America

Jesse E Karns