Patent ID: 8082703
Filing Date: 2011-12-27
Classification: E04H,F16F

Abstract:
1. A force resisting device for transmitting forces and dissipating and absorbing energy in a shear wall or shear wall segment, the force resisting device comprising: at least one active element, the active element includes two planar regions separated by an out-of-plane region and is a single unitary component having first and second opposite surfaces joined by a pair of end surfaces and a pair of side surfaces, wherein the first surface within the two planar regions is in a common plane and at least a section of the first surface in the out-of-plane region is outside the common plane, wherein the at least one active element has a force versus deflection property under at least one cyclic load such that the shear wall or shear wall segment has at least one building code compliant parameter, the parameter selected from the group consisting of an equivalent response coefficient, R, a system overstrength coefficient, W, and a deflection amplification factor, C, wherein the at least one active element is configured and oriented within the shear wall or shear wall segment so that as a shear force is applied to the shear wall or the shear wall segment the active element flexes in different directions along its length.