Abstract:
Column-beam building frame structure, wherein columns and beams are interconnected to distribute and share all lateral loads through collars that encircle columns at the nodal points of attachments between columns and beams. Each collar includes inner and outer components which seat, and gravity-lock together, during frame construction, and which also to offer a certain amount of immediate moment resistance to lateral loads. Tension bolt and nut assemblies lock the inner and outer collar components together, and with these assemblies in place, the collars (which circumsurround the beams) function to deliver beam moment loads as plural-position, angularly distributed compression loads to different side regions of columns.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/943,711 filed on Aug. 30, 2001 by Simmons et al., incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention (structure and method) relates to building structure, and in particular to a novel column/beam/collar-interconnect structural organization (and related methodology) which functions to create an improved and very capable moment-resistant frame for a building. Featured in the practice of the invention is a unique, bearing-face collar-interconnect structure which joins adjacent columns and beams at nodes of intersection between them.  
         [0003]     In the ongoing effort to improve building frame structure, and particularly to improve such structure so that it can better handle severe lateral loads, such as earthquake loads, much attention has been focused on the manner in which upright columns and horizontal beams are connected. The present invention especially addresses this issue, and in so doing, offers a number of unique and important advantages in building-frame construction, and in ultimate building-frame performance.  
         [0004]     According to a preferred embodiment of, and manner of practicing, the present invention, the invention proposes a column-beam interconnect structural system and methodology wherein the ends of beams are joined to columns at nodes of intersection through unique collar structures that effectively circumsurround the sides and the long axes of columns to deliver, through confronting bearing faces, compressive loads which are derived from moment loads experience by the beams. In particular, the delivery through compression of moment loads carried from beams to columns involve the development in the columns of vertically offset reverse-direction compression loads which create related moments in the columns. With respect to each and every lateral load that is experienced by a building frame constructed in accordance with the invention, all lateral loads are essentially equally shared by all of the columns, and a consequence of this is that, in comparison to building frame structures built conventionally, a building frame structure constructed in accordance with this invention prevents any single column from carrying any more load than is carried by any other column. As will become apparent, this important feature of the invention, as it performs, enables a building to be constructed in such a way as to exceed minimum building code requirements in many instances, and thus open the opportunity for using a building frame in accordance with this invention in settings where conventional frame structure would not meet code requirements.  
         [0005]     The nodal connections which result from practice of the present invention function to create what is referred to as three-dimensional, multi-axial, moment-coupling, load transfer interconnection and interaction between beams and columns.  
         [0006]     Focusing on the specific load-delivery interaction which occurs between a given single column and a connected single beam that bears a moment load, this load is coupled compressively into the column by the associated, single, nodal collar structure at plural bearing-face regions which are angularly spaced about the column&#39;s long axis. Compressive load-transfer coupling is not constrained to just one plane of action, or to just one localized region of load delivery. Compression couplets are created to take fuller advantage of columns&#39; load-handling capabilities.  
         [0007]     The proposed nodal collar structures include inner components which are anchored, as by welding, to the outside surfaces of columns, and an outer collar which is made up of components that are suitably anchored, also as by welding, to the opposite ends of beams. The inner and outer collar components are preferably and desirably formed by precision casting and/or machining, and are also preferably pre-joined to columns and beams in an automated, factory-type setting, rather than out on the construction job site. Accordingly, the invented collar components lend themselves to economical, high-precision manufacture and assembly with columns and beams, which can then be delivered to a job site ready for accurate assembly.  
         [0008]     As will become apparent from an understanding of the respective geometries proposed by the present invention for the collar components, these components play a significant role during early building-frame assembly, as well as later in the ultimate performance of a building.  
         [0009]     At the regions of connection between beams and columns, and with respect to pairs of adjacent columns standing upright approximately correctly (vertically) in space on a job site, as beams are lowered into horizontal positions, the outer collar components that they carry at their opposite ends seat under the influence of gravity through special, angular, bearing-face geometry provided in them and in the confronting inner column components. This bearing-face geometry effectively guides and collects a lowered beam, and the associated two columns, into stabilized, gravity-locked conditions, with these now-associated beam and column elements then essentially correctly aligned and positioned in space relative to one another. Male/female cleat/socket configurations formed in and adjacent the confronting bearing-face portions of the inner and outer collar components function under the influence of gravity, during such preliminary building construction, not only to enable such gravity locking and positioning of the associated frame components, but also to establish immediate, substantial stability and moment resistance to lateral loads, even without further assembly taking place at the nodal locations of column-beam intersections.  
         [0010]     Following preliminary frame assembly, appropriate tension bolts are preferably introduced into the collar structures, and specifically into the components of the outer collar structures, effectively to lock the inner and outer collar structures in place against separation, and to introduce available tension load-bearing constituents into the outer collar structures. Such tension load bearing plays an important role in the way that the structure of the present invention gathers and couples beam moment loads multidirectionally into columns.  
         [0011]     Confronting faces between the inner and outer collar components function as bearing faces to deliver, or transfer, moment loads (carried in beams) directly as compression loads into the columns. In particular, these bearing faces deliver such compression loads to the columns at plural locations which are angularly displaced about the long axes of the columns (because of the axial encircling natures of the collars). Such load distribution takes substantially full advantage of the load-carrying capabilities of the columns with respect to reacting to beam moment loads.  
         [0012]     Accordingly, a building frame structure assembled in accordance with this invention results in a remarkably stable and capable frame, wherein all lateral loads transfer via compression multiaxially, and at distributed nodes, into the columns, and are born in a substantially relatively evenly and uniformly distributed fashion throughout the entire frame structure. Such a frame structure requires no bracing or shear walls, and readily accommodates the later incorporation (into an emerging building) of both outer surface skin structure, and internal floor structure.  
         [0013]     The nodal interconnections which exist between beams and columns according to this invention at least from one set of points of view, can be visualized as discontinuous floating connections—discontinuous in the sense that there is no uninterrupted (homogenous) metal or other material path which flows structurally from beams to columns and floating in the sense that beams and columns could, if so desired, be nondestructively disconnected for any particular purpose. Thinking about the latter consideration from yet another point of view, the connective interface that exists between a beam and a column according to this invention includes a portion which experiences no deformation during load handling, such portion being resident at the discontinuity which exists between beams and columns at the nodal interfaces.  
         [0014]     These, and various other, features and advantages which are offered by this invention will become more fully apparent as the description that now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a fragmentary, isometric view illustrating a building frame structure which has been constructed in accordance with the present invention, shown in a stage of assembly supported on top of an underlying, pre-constructed, lower building structure, referred to herein as a podium structure.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a fragmentary, isolated, isometric view illustrating collar structure employed at one nodal location in the building frame structure of  FIG. 1  in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIGS. 3, 4  and  5  are fragmentary, cross-sectional views taken generally along the lines  3 - 3 ,  4 - 4  and  5 - 5 , respectively, in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a fragmentary, angularly exploded, isometric view illustrating the structures of, and the operational relationship between, a pair of inner and outer collar components constructed and functioning in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are two different views stylized to illustrate a feature of the present invention involving how gravity lowering of a horizontal beam into place between pairs of adjacent columns functions to create, immediately, a moment-resistant, properly spatially organized, overall building frame structure.  
         [0020]      FIGS. 9 and 10  are employed herein to illustrate generally how collar components built in accordance with the present invention function to handle and distribute beam moment loads into columns. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]     Turning attention now to the drawings, and referring first of all to  FIG. 1 , pictured generally at  20  is a building frame structure which has been constructed in accordance with the present invention. This structure is also referred to herein as building structure, and as a structural system. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, frame structure  20  might be constructed on, and rise from, any suitable, underlying support structure, such as the ground, but in the particular setting illustrated in  FIG. 1 , structure  20  is shown supported on, and rising from, the top of a pre-constructed, underlying “podium” building structure  22 , such as a parking garage. One reason for illustrating structure  20  herein in the context of being on top of podium structure  22  is to point out an important feature offered by the present invention, and which will be discussed more fully shortly. One should note at this point, in relation to what is shown in  FIG. 1 , that podium structure  22  includes, among other structural elements, a distributed row-and-column array of columns, such as those shown at  22   a.  In the context of describing shortly the just-suggested feature and advantage of the structure of the present invention, reference will be made to the fact that the horizontally distributed row-and-column positions of columns  22   a  is different from that of the columns, now to be more fully discussed, which are present in frame structure  20 .  
         [0022]     Accordingly, included in frame structure  20 , and arranged therein in what has been referred to as a row-and-column array, are plural, upright, elongate columns, such as those shown at  24 ,  26 ,  28 . The long axes of columns  24 ,  26 ,  28 , are shown at  24   a    26   a,    28   a  respectively. At one elevation in frame structure  20 , connected to columns  24 ,  26 ,  28 , through collar structures, or collars (also referred to as collar-form interconnect structures),  30 ,  32 ,  34 , respectively, are elongate horizontal beams  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 . Collars  30 ,  32 ,  34 , as is true for (and with respect to) all of the other collars employed in frame structure  20 , are substantially alike in construction. Collar  30  accommodates the attachment to column  24  of beams  36 ,  38 . Collar  32  accommodates the attachment to column  26  of beams  38 ,  40 ,  42 . Collar  34  accommodates the attachment to column  28  of beams  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 .  
         [0023]     It should thus be understood that the particular embodiment of the invention now being described offers a system for connecting, at a single node of connection with a column, up to a total of four beams. As the description of this invention progresses herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications of the invention can be introduced and employed easily enough to accommodate an even greater number of connections, at a particular “node of connection”.  
         [0024]     The specific embodiment and methodology of the invention presented herein, is(are) shown and described with respect to a building frame structure wherein the columns are hollow in nature, are formed of steel, and possess a generally square cross-section, with four orthogonally associated, outwardly facing sides, or faces. Also, the invention is described herein in connection with employing conventional I-beam-configuration beams.  
         [0025]     These choices for column and beam cross-sectional configurations should be considered to be illustrative and not limiting with respect to the scope of utility, to advantages offered by, and to characteristics of, the present invention. Put another way the structure and methodology of the present invention accommodate wide ranges of beam and column configurations and materials.  
         [0026]     Continuing now with  FIG. 1 , one should note therein that the row-and-column array of columns in frame structure  20  is such that the long axes of the associated columns are not aligned on a one-to-one basis with the long axes of previously mentioned columns  22   a  in podium structure  22 . It should further be noted that the bases of the columns in structure  20  may be anchored in place near the top of the podium structure in any suitable manner, the details of which are neither specifically illustrated nor discussed herein, inasmuch as these anchor connections form no part of the present invention.  
         [0027]     Directing attention now to  FIGS. 1-6 , inclusive, the interconnection, or interface, region between a column and a beam according to the present invention is specifically discussed with respect to the region where column  28  connects with the adjacent ends of beams  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 . This region of connection, a nodal region (or node), is one which employs previously mentioned collar  34 . The description which now follows for collar  34  per se should be understood to be essentially a detailed description of all of the other collars employed in frame structure  20 . With respect to this description, four orthogonally associated, outwardly facing, planar faces  28   b    28   c    28   d    28   e  in column  28  are involved.  
         [0028]     As a note here regarding  FIG. 2 , shown in dashed lines at  46   a  is a representation of an optional conventional beam “fuse” which may be used in the beams in structure  20 , if so desired. The functionality of such a fuse, as a plastic yield protector is well understood. Representative fuse  46   a  appears only in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0029]     Collar  34  includes an inner collar structure (or column-attachable member)  50 , and an outer collar structure  52 . These inner and outer collar structures are also referred to herein as gravity-utilizing, bearing-face structures, or substructures. The inner collar structure is made up of four components shown at  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 . The outer collar structure is made up of four components (or beam-end attachable members)  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 . Each of these components in the inner and outer collar structures is preferably made off the job site by precision casting and/or machining, with each such component preferably being pre-assembled appropriately with a column or a beam, also at a off-site location. Inner collar components  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60  are suitably welded to faces  28   b    28   c    28   d    28   e,  respectively, in column  28 . Outer collar components  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68  are suitably welded to those ends of beams  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 , respectively, which are near column  28  as such is pictured in  FIGS. 2-6 , inclusive. Such precision manufacture, and pre-assembly with columns and beams, results in what will be recognized to be a very high-precision interconnect system between beams and columns in frame  20 .  
         [0030]     Each of the four components just mentioned above ( 54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ) which make up inner collar structure  50  is essentially identical to the other such components, and accordingly, only component  58  is now described in detail. Component  58  includes a somewhat planar, plate-like body  56   a , with an inner, planar face  58   b  which lies flush with column face  28   d.  Body  58   a  also includes a planar, outer face  58   c  which lies in a plane that slopes downwardly and slightly outwardly away from the long axis  28   a  of column  28  (see particularly  FIGS. 3 and 5 ). Face  58   c  is referred to herein as a bearing face.  
         [0031]     Projecting as an island outwardly from face  58   c  as illustrated is an upwardly tapered, wedge-shaped cleat  58   d  which extends, with generally uniform thickness, from slightly above the vertical midline of component  58  substantially to the bottom thereof. The laterally and upwardly facing edges of cleat  58   d  are underbeveled for a reason which will become apparent shortly. This underbeveling is best seen in  FIGS. 3, 4  and  6 . Cleat  58   d  is referred to herein also as cleat structure, and as gravity-effective, first-gender structure.  
         [0032]     In building structure  20 , inner collar component  58  connects, in a complementary manner which will now be described, with outer collar component  66  in outer collar structure  52 . Structure  52  constitutes a column-axis-circumsurrounding portion of collar structure  50 . The somewhat planar body of component  66  has an outer face  66   a  which is welded to beam  46 , and which is vertical in disposition in structure  20 . Component  66  also has a broad, inner face  66   b  which lies in a plane that substantially parallels the plane of previously mentioned component face  58   c  in inner collar component  58 . Face  66   b  is also referred to herein as a bearing face.  
         [0033]     Appropriately formed within the body of component  66 , and extending into this body from face  66   b  is an angular, wedge-shaped socket  66   c  which is sized to receive, snuggly and complementarily, previously mentioned cleat  58   d.  Cleat  58   d  and socket  66   c  are referred to herein collectively as gravity-mating cleat and socket structure. The three lateral walls of socket  66   c  are appropriately angled to engage (fittingly) three of the underbeveled edges in cleat  58   d.  Socket  66   c  is also referred to herein as gravity-effective, second-gender structure.  
         [0034]     Looking now at both of components  58 ,  66 , and completing descriptions of their respective constructions, formed at the two lateral sides of component  66  are four, counter-sunk, bolt-receiving bore holes, such as those shown at  66   d    66   e    66   f    66   g.  Formed in the lateral edges of component body  58   a  are three related notches, such as those shown at  58   e    58   f,    58   g.  Notches  58   e    58   f    58   g  align with bore holes  66   e    66   f    66   g,  respectively, when components  58 ,  66  are properly seated relative to one another as pictured in  FIGS. 1-5 , inclusive. Appropriate dash-dot lines and cross marks in  FIGS. 4, 5  and  6  illustrate the central axes of these (and other non-membered) boreholes, and how these axes (certain ones of them) align with the mentioned and illustrated notches, The notches herein are also referred to as bolt clearance passages.  
         [0035]     Returning now to a “larger” point of view regarding the nodal connection established at collar  34 , one can see that the four beams which here connect with column  28  do so through the components of the collar&#39;s inner and outer collar structures, both of which make up the entirety of collar  34 . In particular, one should note that collar  34  essentially circumsurrounds or encircles the outside of column  28 , as such is viewed along its long axis  28   a.  Outer collar structure  52  seats floatingly and discontinuously (as previously discussed) on inner collar structure  50 .  
         [0036]     Completing a description of what is shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , inclusive, sets of appropriate tension bolts and nuts are employed to lock together the components that make up the outer collar structures. With reference to the connections established through collar  34 , four sets of four nut and bolt assemblies join the sides of outer collar structure components  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 , extending at angles as shown across the corners of the resulting outer collar structure. Four such assemblies are shown generally at  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  in  FIG. 2 . Assembly  74 , as seen in  FIG. 4 , includes a bolt  74   a  with an elongate shank  74   b  that extends, inter alia, in the bolt-clearance passage created by notch  58   f  and by the counterpart notch present in adjacent component  56 .  
         [0037]     These nut and bolt assemblies effectively lock the outer collar structure around the inner collar structure, and impede vertical movement of the outer collar structure relative to the inner collar structure, The bolt and nut assemblies also perform as tension-transmitting elements between adjacent outer collar components with respect to moment loads that are carried in the beams which connect through collar structure  34  to column  28 . The bolt and nut assemblies assure a performance whereby each moment load in each beam is delivered by collar  34  in a circumsurrounding fashion to column  28 .  
         [0038]     Switching attention now to  FIGS. 7-10 , inclusive, these four drawing figures (herein new and different reference numerals are employed) help to illustrate certain assembly and operational features and advantages that are offered by the present invention.  FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate stabilizing, positioning, and aligning activities that take place during early building-frame assembly during lowering of beams into place for connection through the collars to the columns.  FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate generally how the apparatus of the present invention functions uniquely to handle moment loads that become developed in the beams, and specifically how these loads are handled by delivery through bearing face compression to and around the long axis of a column. As will become apparent, some of the moment-handling performance which is pictured in  FIGS. 9 and 10  also takes place during the events pictured in  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  
         [0039]     Beginning the discussion of what is shown in  FIG. 7 , here there are illustrated, fragmentarily and in solid lines (moved positions), two upright columns  100 ,  102 , and a not-yet-in-place, generally horizontal beam  104 . Column  100  is appropriately equipped, at a desired elevation, with an inner collar structure  106 , and column  102  with a similar inner collar structure  108 . For the purpose of explanation herein regarding what is shown in  FIG. 7 , two particular portions only inner collar structures  106 ,  108  are relevant. These include, in collar  106 , an inclined bearing face  106   a  and an associated cleat  106   b  and in collar  108 , an inclined bearing face  108   a  and a projecting cleat  108   b.    
         [0040]     Welded, as previously described, to the opposite ends of beam  104  are two outer collar structure components  110 ,  112 . As was true with regard to the just-mentioned inner collar structure components which are welded to columns  100 ,  102 , with regard to components  110 ,  112 , there are only two relevant structural features that should be identified and addressed specifically. These include an inclined bearing face  110   a  and a socket  110   b  in component  110 , and an inclined bearing face  112   a  and a socket  112   b  in component  112 .  
         [0041]     In solid lines, columns  100 ,  102  are shown inclined away from one another as pictured in the plane of  FIG. 7 , and specifically with their respective long axes,  100   a,    102   a,  occupying outwardly displaced angles c˜ and u 2 , respectively, relative to the vertical. Reference to these angular displacements being outward is made in relation to the vertical centerline of  FIG. 7 . It should also be noted that the angular vertical misalignment pictured in columns  100 ,  102  has been exaggerated for the purpose of exposition and illustration herein.  
         [0042]     Generally speaking, while there may often (or always) be some lack of true verticality in columns that have not yet been connected in accordance with the invention, the out-of-verticality condition (as a practical reality) will typically be modest enough so, that upon lowering of a beam into position for attachment, such as lowering of beam  110  for attachment (through collar components  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ) to columns  100 ,  102 , the confronting bearing faces and cleat and socket structure present in the opposite ends of the beam will be close enough to one another to cause the components to engage without special effort required to cause this to happen.  
         [0043]     Upon lowering of beam  104  as indicated by arrow  113 , and assuming that the angular misalignment condition which is exaggerated in  FIG. 7  is not quite so great, components  106 ,  110  begin to contact one another, as do also components  108 ,  112 . Very specifically, with progressive lowering of the beam, the respective confronting (and now engaging) cleats and sockets begin to nest complementarily. The underbeveled edges of the lateral sides of the cleats, in cooperation with the matching complementary lateral surfaces in the gathering sockets, to draw the two columns toward one another. In particular, the two columns are shifted angularly toward one another (see arrows  115 ,  117 ) into conditions of correct relative spacing, alignment and relative angular positioning, with beam  110  ending up in a true horizontal disposition. Such a true horizontal condition for beam  104  depends, of course, upon the columns having the correct relative vertical dispositions. Lowering of the beam, and urging of the columns into the positions just mentioned, effectively comes to a conclusion with gravity causing the beam to “lock” into a condition between the columns, with the cleats and receiving sockets fully and intimately engaged, and with the major bearing surfaces,  106   a,    110   a  and  108   a,    112   a,  confronting and in contact with one another.  
         [0044]     It should thus be apparent that the act of lowering the beam into place, causes gravity effectively to create a stabilized and positionally locked relationship between a pair of columns and a beam. In addition to this action, creates a situation wherein the bearing surfaces that confront one another near the opposite ends of the beam, and between the relevant inner and outer collar structure components, immediately self-position themselves (as influenced by gravity) to deal with certain moment loads that may be experienced by the beams immediately thereafter and during ongoing fabrication of the overall building frame structure.  
         [0045]     It should be apparent that, while  FIG. 7  has been employed to illustrate a specific condition in a single plane where two columns are effectively splayed outwardly away from one another, the columns might be in a host of different relative angular dispositions in relation to the vertical. For example, they could both effectively be leaning in the same direction as pictured in  FIG. 7 , or they could be leaning toward one another. Further, they could be leaning in either or all of those different kinds of conditions, and also leaning into and/or out of the plane of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 8  pictures schematically this more general, probable scene of column non-verticality. It does so in a somewhat three-dimensional manner. Here, single elongate lines are pictured to illustrate obvious representations of an array of columns (vertical lines) and a layer of beams (angled lines) interconnected to the columns through collars which are represented by ovate shapes that surround regions of intersection of the beams and columns. Black ovate dots, which are presented on certain regions of the lines representing beams, along with single-line dark arrows, suggest, in the case of the black dots, former non-vertical, angular positions for the upper regions of the adjacent columns, with the arrows indicating directions of adjustments that occur as various ones of the different beams are lowered into positions between the columns. This arrangement of black dots and dark arrows in  FIG. 8  clearly illustrates a very typical situation where, until a layer, so-to-speak, of beams is set into place (by gravity) at a particular elevation in a frame structure, the columns may have different conditions and angles of nonverticality.  
         [0047]     Still looking at  FIG. 8 , the black dot and the dark arrow which appear at the extreme left side of this figure, along with an open, small, ovate dot and an open stubby arrow somewhat below and to the right of the left side of  FIG. 8 , generally picture the situation which was described with reference to  FIG. 7  above.  
         [0048]     Turning attention now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , and beginning with  FIG. 9 , here there is shown a column  120  having an elongate axis  120 ˜, coupled through a collar  122  to four beams, only three of which are shown in  FIG. 9 —these being illustrated at  124 ,  126 ,  128 . Digressing for just a moment to  FIG. 10  which shows the same beam and column arrangement, here, the fourth beam  130  can be seen.  
         [0049]     In  FIG. 9 , beams  124 ,  128  are shown loaded with moments, such being represented by arrows  132 ,  134 , respectively. Focusing on just one of these moments, and specifically, moment  132 , this moment is coupled by bearing-face compression through the inner and outer components of collar  122 , as indicated by arrow  136 . It is thus through compression that the moment load experienced (as illustrated in  FIG. 9 ) by beam  124  is communicated, at least partially, by collar  122  to column  120 . Continuing because of the unique construction of collar  122  in accordance with the invention, and because of the presence of tension-transmitting nut and bolt assemblies in collar  122 , the outer collar structure within collar  122  also delivers compression through bearing faces that are present on the right side of collar  122  in  FIG. 9 . Such compression delivery is illustrated by arrow  138  in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0050]     It is thus the case that moment  132  is delivered through bearing-face compression to angularly spaced locations that are distributed around (at different angular locations relative to) the long axis  120   a  of column  120 . As a consequence, major load handling capability of column  120  is called upon and used immediately to deal with moment  132 .  
         [0051]     Moment  134  which has the direction indicated in  FIG. 9  creates a similar kind of reaction in the manner of being delivered by way of compression through bearing faces distributed at angularly-spaced locations around the axis of column  120 .  
         [0052]     It should thus be seen how, because of the unique structure of the nodal interconnections which exist in the relationship between a beam, a column and a collar structure according to the invention, moment loads are offered substantially the full-load handling resources of columns. And because of the fact that an overall frame structure which is constructed in accordance with the present invention is made up of an interconnected network of collar-form nodes, constructed and operating as described herein, essentially every lateral load delivered into such a building frame structure is distributed completely throughout the structure, and handled quite uniformly throughout, and by all of, the involved and associated columns,  
         [0053]      FIG. 10  illustrates how lateral loads may come into existence in the beams so as to create, in a particular plane of beams, horizontal moment loads such as those illustrated by arrows  140 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146 . If such moment loads come into existence, each one of them is effectively delivered as bearing-face compression through collar structure to plural, angularly distributed sides of columns, such as column  120 . Such plural-location compression delivery of moment loads  140 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146  is represented by arrows  148 ,  150 ,  152 ,  154 .  
         [0054]     Because of the manner just generally described in which the structure of the present invention performs to handle moment loads in beams, a frame constructed according to the invention can be employed as pictured in  FIG. 1 —, i.e., on top of a podium structure, with respect to which columns in the super structure do not align axially with the columns in the podium structure. An important reason for this advantage is that the structure of the present invention distributes loads in such a fashion that all columns in the row and column array of columns, interconnected through collar form nodes constructed according to the invention, share relatively equally in bearing lateral loads delivered to the superstructure frame. Specifically all of the columns share loads in such a fashion that they can be employed without requiring that they be aligned with underlying structure columns, at least up to certain superstructure building dimensions which are larger than any which would be typically permitted today under currently applicable building codes.  
         [0055]     Another important feature of the invention which has already been suggested earlier is that the components of the collar structures lend themselves to precise pre-manufacture in a factory-like setting, and even under automated control, all with the result that a building frame can be constructed with a high degree of on the job simplicity and accuracy. Not only that, but the particular configurations proposed for the inner and outer collar components that interconnect beams and columns cause a frame, during assembly, and just under the influence of gravity, to lock in a stabilized and quite capable moment-load carrying condition, even before tension-carrying bolt assemblies are introduced to lock outer collar structures into rigidity relative to their various internal components, and to impede separation of inner and outer collar components.  
         [0056]     A further obvious advantage of the invention is that the components proposed by it are extremely simple in construction can be manufactured economically.  
         [0057]     The existence, according to the invention, of nodal interconnections which have the floating and discontinuous natures mentioned earlier herein results in a frame structure wherein, after a severe lateral load event, essentially “resettles” to its pre-load condition.  
         [0058]     Accordingly, while a preferred embodiment of the invention, and a manner of practicing it, have been illustrated and described herein, it is understood that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.