Patent ID: 6012256
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: E04B,E04C

Abstract:
A method for making a structure having a frame resistant to severe damage from earthquakes and other episodic loads, the frame being formed of sustainers and members with moment-resistant connections there between, the method comprising:(a) estimating a strength capacity of the moment-resistant connections;(b) determining a maximum allowable demand to be allowed in the structure, which maximum allowable demand is less than the strength capacity of the moment-resistant connections; and(c) making one or more of the sustainers in the structure a web-deformable sustainer having two ends and a web, each sustainer having one or more voids in the web, the voids being of sufficient size, shape, and number such that the strength of the sustainer is less than the strength of a sustainer identical with the exception of having no such voids and such that the web deforms inelastically if and when the structure is subjected to an episodic load generating the maximum allowable demand;such that, if and when the structure is subjected to an earthquake or other episodic load generating the maximum allowable demand, the deformation of the webs of the web-deformable sustainers prevents the demand at the moment-resistant connections from exceeding their strength capacity.