Patent ID: 7997042
Filing Date: 2011-08-16
Classification: E04H,F16F

Abstract:
1. A shear membrane for absorbing forces and dissipating energy in a shear structure under a shear force applied to the shear membrane in a plane of the shear membrane, the shear membrane comprising: two non-contacting structural elements; and an elastoplastically-deforming element having a top surface, bottom surface, pair of end surfaces, and pair of side surfaces, the top and bottom surfaces are larger in surface area than the side and end surfaces, the elastoplastically-deforming element has two planar portions separated by an out-of-plane portion, wherein the top surface within the two planar portions is in a common plane, the out-of-plane portion absorbing a portion of the shear force applied to the shear membrane and dissipating a portion of the energy of the shear force by elastoplastic deformation of the elastoplastically-deforming element under the shear force, wherein the elastoplastically-deforming element connects the two non-contacting structural elements with the out-of-plane portion located between the two non-contacting structural elements, and wherein at least a section of the top surface within the out of plane portion intersects the common plane at an obtuse angle.