Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc.

Novel Structures, LLC

University of Wyoming

Patrick McManus

Jay Puckett

Jack Petersen

Homer R Hamilton, Iii

Mary Nunneley

Jack Peterson

A structural beam and deck assembly containing portions of beam members interconnected by a deck assembly. Beam members have horizontal top and bottom flange elements interconnected by one or more vertical web member. The top flange of the beam members is serrated such that a series of serrations protrude horizontally in at least one direction from a top of the one or more vertical web member or are cut-out from the flange of a rolled shape. Adjacent beam and deck assemblies are installed such that attachment of one portion of a beam member to another results in the completed cross section of the beam member. In one embodiment, the serrated top flange and at least a portion of the web member are intended to be encased by a horizontal concrete slab. The slab material is capable of encasing all exposed surfaces of and curing around each serration to transfer horizontal shear forces between the serrated top flange and the slab material such that the beam members and slab behave compositely.

Panelized serrated beam assembly

A lateral bracing system incudes a frame and a brace assembly. The brace assembly may include at least one diagonal brace affixed to the frame by gusset plates. The diagonal brace may be affixed to the gusset plates at one or both ends by a yield link assembly. The yield link assembly may include various numbers of stacked fuse plates, depending on the required design strength of the lateral bracing system. Each fuse plate may include first and second ends, bolted respectively to the diagonal brace and gusset plate, and a central yield region including one or more mechanical fuses. The mechanical fuses are configured to distribute the inelastic strains throughout the yield region.

Yield link brace connector

A structural member section is provided that may be comprised of horizontal top and bottom flange elements interconnected by one or more vertical web member. The top flange of the member is serrated such that a series of serrations protrude horizontally in at least one direction from a top of the one or more vertical web member or are cut-out from the flange of a rolled shape. In one embodiment, the serrated top flange and at least a portion of the web member are intended to be encased by a horizontal concrete slab or slab-on-deck assembly. The slab material is capable of encasing all exposed surfaces of and curing around each serration to transfer horizontal shear forces between the serrated top flange and the slab material such that the member and slab behave compositely without needing additional reinforcing located within the voids between serrations.

Serrated beam

A member-to-member planar connection bracket that includes multiple repeated fuse element configurations that each provide a pre-determined inelastic load-carrying capacity and a reliable inelastic deformation capacity upon development of one or more inelastic hinge locations within the fuse elements. The fuse configurations are interconnected in series such that the total deformation accommodated between first end of the bracket and second end of the bracket is the sum of deformations accommodated by the individual fuse configurations. Multiple brackets are configured in laminar configurations and interconnected to create a connection assembly that provides increased strength or increased deformation capacity as compared to an individual bracket. The connection assembly is used to connect a first structural member and second structural member. The pre-determined maximum inelastic load-carrying capacity of the assembly is less than the elastic load-carrying capacity of the first structural member and the second structural member.

Member-to-member laminar fuse connection

A structural member section comprised of horizontal top and bottom flange elements interconnected by one or more vertical web member. The top flange of the member is serrated such that a series of serrations protrude horizontally in at least one direction from a top of the one or more vertical web member or are cut-out from the flange of a rolled shape. In one embodiment, the serrated top flange and at least a portion of the web member are intended to be encased by a horizontal concrete slab or slab-on-deck assembly. The slab material is capable of encasing all exposed surfaces of and curing around each serration to transfer horizontal shear forces between the serrated top flange and the slab material such that the member and slab behave compositely.

A member-to-member connection bracket comprising a first connection member for coupling the connection bracket to a first structural member, a second connection member for coupling the connection bracket to a second structural member; and a fuse member disposed between the first connection member and the second connection member, the fuse member comprising at least one of hinge locations. The at least one hinge location provides inelastic deformation at a pre-determined load and the pre-determined load is less than the elastic yield load of a first structural member and a second structural member. The hinge locations may have a reduced thickness. The fuse member may have a tubular cross-section. A connection utilizing the member-to-member connection bracket is also included.

Member-to-member fuse connection

A mechanical damping system for a structure is provided. The mechanical damping system comprises a tubular impact frame secured to the structure. A support frame is secured to the structure with the support frame spaced from the impact frame. An elongated member is provided having a first end and a second end. The first end is secured within the support frame and the second end is free from connection and extends into the impact frame. At least one impact mass is secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass movable within and contactable with the impact frame.

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Timnath, CO, United States of America

Patrick McManus