Mechanical device for connecting construction elements, featuring energy dissipation capabilities, stable and symmetric hysteretic cycles, and the ability to limit maximum relative displacements.
| Patent title | Device for connecting construction elements |
|---|---|
| Thematic area | Industry, Digital and Security |
| Ownership | ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA' DI BOLOGNA, SISMO SOLUTION SRL |
| Inventors | LUCA PIRAZZINI, ANDREA POLLINI, Claudio Mazzotti, Nicola Buratti |
| Protection | Internationale (PCT) |
| Licensing status | Available for development agreements, option, license and other exploitation agreements |
| Keywords | Low structural damage, Seismic energy dissipation, Guided displacement, Stroke limitation mechanism, Stable hysteretic cycles |
| Filed on | 24 November 2021 |
Energy dissipation devices are used to absorb part of the energy that seismic ground-motions introduce in structures, and therefore to limit the negative effects of these events on constructions and their contents. These devices can be used either in new or existing buildings. There are different types of energy dissipation devices on the marker, viscous dampers, hysteretic dampers, buckling restrained braces, etc., each of which has specific areas of application. Some recent earthquakes, such as the 2012 Emilia Earthquake in Italy, have highlighted the high vulnerability of precast concrete buildings not designed against seismic actions, in particular because of the lack of mechanical connectors among their structural elements. Therefore, recently, many technical solutions have been proposed in order to strengthen these connections, i.e. steel plates, steel cables, viscous dampers, dissipaters based on controlled instability, etc.
The invented devices allow to create dissipative connections in structural and non-structural elements reducing the negative effect of seismic actions. Their main novelty elements are related to the optimization of the shape of its energy dissipation elements, which allows to dissipate a high amount of energy in a stable way. Furthermore, the devices feature a stroke limiter mechanism and a displacement guide. In comparison to the technical solutions currently available on the market there are also advantages in terms of cost effectiveness, ease of installation and replaceability.
Applications:
- Antiseismic devices
Advantages:
- Very good cost-performance ratio
- Easy and simple installation
- Rapid replacement