Abstract:
The present invention relates to a seismic reinforcing device capable of conveniently conducting reinforcement of a structure, the device includes an upper support installed on an upper horizontal portion configured to connect columns, a lower support disposed under the upper horizontal portion, installed on a lower horizontal portion configured to connect the columns, and disposed in a diagonal direction with respect to the upper support, and a damper coupled to the upper support and the lower support and configured to absorb a shock.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2015-0163801, filed on Nov. 23, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a seismic reinforcing device, and more particularly, to a seismic reinforcing device capable of being conveniently installed in an existing structure and improving seismic strength of the existing structure. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of Related Art 
         [0005]    Generally, a seismic reinforcing method of a structure is classified into a method which improves strength (a resisting force) of a structure (strength resistance type) and a method which improves deformation capacity of a structure (ductility resistance type). 
         [0006]    A feature of the strength resistance type of seismic reinforcing method is that a plane of a structure is mainly reinforced by additionally installing bearing walls, increasing a thickness of an existing wall, installing steel braces, or the like. 
         [0007]    The ductility resistance type of seismic reinforcing method is a method of mainly reinforcing individual members such as columns and beams. The ductility resistance type of seismic reinforcing method, steel frame bracings are installed on outer walls of an existing structure. Steel plates are installed either on columns or beams, and bracings are attached to the steel plates to install the bracings. 
         [0008]    However, when a bracing is installed at a structure in which a seismic reinforcing member is provided with a steel frame and an electric power structure (an electric substation, a hydroelectric power plant, a thermoelectric power plant, and a nuclear power plant) by being field welded, there are problems in that existing electric or electronic devices and the like that are already installed may be influenced, and it is difficult to ensure and verify the field welding. In addition, an existing seismic reinforcement member has a problem in that thermal deformation and damage occurs on a base metal due to a residual stress generated by the field welding. Accordingly, it is necessary to address the problems. 
         [0009]    The prior art of the present invention is disclosed in Korean Laid-open Patent Application No. 2011-0121312 (published on Nov. 7, 2011, title of the invention: The hysteresis damper for the earthquake-proof). 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is directed to a seismic reinforcing device capable of being conveniently installed at an existing structure and seismically reinforcing the structure. 
         [0011]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seismic reinforcing device including: an upper support installed on an upper horizontal portion configured to connect columns; one or more lower supports installed on a lower horizontal portion, which is disposed under the upper horizontal portion and connects the columns, and disposed in a diagonal direction with respect to the upper support; and dampers coupled to the upper support and the lower supports and configured to absorb a shock. 
         [0012]    The upper support may include side supports respectively installed on both ends of the upper horizontal portion; and a central support installed on the upper horizontal portion and disposed between the side supports, wherein the lower supports may be disposed between the side supports and the central support in a horizontal direction. 
         [0013]    The dampers may be disposed between the upper support and the lower supports in a zigzag shape. 
         [0014]    The dampers may be disposed between the columns to have a “W” shape. 
         [0015]    The upper horizontal portion may include an upper horizontal bar configured to connect the columns and an upper slab configured to cover the upper horizontal bar, and the upper support may include: an upper steel plate disposed on a bottom surface of the upper horizontal bar; an upper protruding plate extending downward from the upper steel plate; an upper damper fixing portion configured to fix the damper to the upper protruding plate by adjusting a rotation angle of the damper; and an upper steel plate fixing portion configured to fix the upper steel plate to the upper horizontal bar. 
         [0016]    The upper steel plate fixing portion may include one or more upper fixing heads seated on the upper slab; an upper fixing penetrator configured to extend from the upper fixing head, configured to pass through the upper slab and the upper steel plate, and disposed on an outside of the upper horizontal bar; and an upper fixing coupler screw-coupled to the upper fixing penetrator and configured to press the upper steel plate. 
         [0017]    The lower horizontal portion may include: a lower horizontal bar configured to connect the columns and a lower slab configured to cover the lower horizontal bar; and the lower support may include: a lower steel plate disposed on a top surface of the lower slab; a lower protruding plate configured to extend upward from the lower steel plate; and a lower damper fixing portion configured to fix the damper to the lower protruding plate by adjusting a rotation angle of the damper. 
         [0018]    The lower support may further include a lower steel plate fixing portion configured to fix the lower steel plate to the lower horizontal bar. 
         [0019]    The damper may include: a damper upper coupler coupled to the upper support; a damper lower coupler coupled to the lower support; a damper hydraulic portion configured to connect the damper upper coupler and the damper lower coupler and having a length adjusted by hydraulic pressure; and a damper elastic portion configured to elastically support the damper upper coupler and the damper lower coupler. 
         [0020]    The damper may further include a corrugated damper cover configured to connect the damper upper coupler and the damper lower coupler, configured to cover the damper elastic portion, and having a corrugated shape such that a length thereof varies. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing exemplary embodiments thereof in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating a seismic reinforcing device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating an upper support of the seismic reinforcing device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view illustrating a lower support of the seismic reinforcing device according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view illustrating a damper of the seismic reinforcing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    Hereinafter, a seismic reinforcing device according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Thicknesses of lines or sizes of components illustrated in the accompanying drawings may be exaggerated and illustrated for the sake of convenience and clearness in the description. In addition, some terms described below are defined in consideration of functions thereof in the invention, and meanings may vary depending on, for example, a user or operator&#39;s intentions or customs. Therefore, the meanings of terms should be interpreted based on the scope throughout this specification. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating a seismic reinforcing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a seismic reinforcing device  1  according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an upper support  10 , lower supports  20 , and dampers  30 . The seismic reinforcing device  1  is installed at an existing structure. 
         [0028]    Meanwhile, components forming a framework of the structure include a plurality of columns  70 , upper horizontal portions  80  configured to connect the columns  70 , and lower horizontal portions  90  disposed under the upper horizontal portions  80 . Each of the upper horizontal portions  80  may include an upper horizontal bar  81  disposed between the columns  70  and having both ends connected to the columns  70 , and an upper slab  82  configured to cover the upper horizontal bar  81 . Each of the lower horizontal portions  90  may include a lower horizontal bar  91  disposed between the columns  70  and having both ends connected to the columns  70 , and a lower slab  92  configured to cover the lower horizontal bar  81 . Conventionally, a ceiling portion of each floor of the structure may correspond to the upper horizontal portion  80  and a floor thereof may correspond to the lower horizontal portion  90 . 
         [0029]    The upper support  10  is installed on the upper horizontal portion  80 , and the lower supports  20  are installed on the lower horizontal portion  90 . Here, one or more upper supports  10  are disposed in a longitudinal direction of the upper horizontal portion  80 , and one or more lower supports  20  are disposed in a longitudinal direction of the lower horizontal portion  90 . The upper support  10  and the lower supports  20  are disposed in a diagonal direction (see  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0030]    The damper  30  is coupled to the upper support  10  and the lower support  20  and absorbs a shock. For example, an upper end of the damper  30  may be coupled to the upper support  10 , and a lower end of the damper  30  may be coupled to the lower support  20 . 
         [0031]    The upper support  10  is divided into side supports  61  respectively installed at both ends of the upper horizontal portion  80  and a central support  62  installed on the upper horizontal portion  80  and disposed between the side supports  61 . For example, the side supports  61  may be respectively disposed adjacent to the pair of columns  70 , and the central support  62  may be disposed at a central portion of the upper horizontal portion  80 . 
         [0032]    The lower supports  20  are disposed between the side supports  61  and the central support  62 . That is, one side support  61 , one lower support  20 , the central support  62 , the other lower support  20 , and the other side support  61  may be sequentially disposed between one column  70  and the other column  70  spaced apart from the one column  70  in a right direction. One damper  30  may be installed at the side support  61 , and two dampers  30  may be installed at the central support  62  and the lower support  20 . Accordingly, when four obliquely disposed dampers  30  are connected by a virtual line, the four dampers  30  have a zigzag or “W” shape. 
         [0033]    Accordingly, even which a seismic force having a horizontal seismic acceleration acts on a structure, the force acts in an axial direction of each of the dampers  30  and the structure endures such a seismic load. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating an upper support of the seismic reinforcing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the upper support  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an upper steel plate  11 , an upper protruding plate  12 , upper damper fixing portions  13 , and upper steel plate fixing portions  14 . 
         [0035]    The upper steel plate  11  is disposed on a bottom surface of the upper horizontal bar  81 . For example, the upper steel plate  11  may have a shape of a square plate and may be formed to have a width greater than that of the upper horizontal bar  81 . 
         [0036]    The upper protruding plate  12  extends downward from the upper steel plate  11 . Upper protrusion holes  121  may be formed in the upper protruding plate  12  for coupling with the dampers  30 . For example, one upper protrusion hole  121  may be formed in the side support  61  for coupling with one damper  30 , and two upper protrusion holes  121  may be formed in the central support  62  for coupling with two dampers  30 . 
         [0037]    The upper damper fixing portion  13  fixes the damper  30  to the upper protruding plate  12  by adjusting a rotation angle of the damper  30 . For example, the upper damper fixing portion  13  may be formed with a bolt and a nut, may pass through the damper  30 , and may pass through the upper protrusion hole  121 . Accordingly, the rotation angle of the damper  30  may be adjusted after a clamping force of the upper damper fixing portion  13  is relaxed, and when the angle adjusting of the damper  30  is completed, a state in which the damper  30  is installed may be maintained by reinforcing the clamping force of the upper damper fixing portion  13 . 
         [0038]    Each of the upper steel plate fixing portions  14  fixes the upper steel plate  11  to the upper horizontal bar  81 . For example, four or six upper steel plate fixing portions  14  may be coupled to the upper steel plate  11  in a state of being installed at the upper slab  82 . 
         [0039]    The upper steel plate fixing portion  14  includes an upper fixing head  141 , an upper fixing penetrator  142 , and an upper fixing coupler  143 . The upper fixing head  141  supports a bottom surface of the upper steel plate  11 . The upper fixing penetrator  142  extends from the upper fixing head  141  and passes through the upper slab  82  and the upper steel plate  11 . The upper fixing penetrator  142  is disposed on the outside of the upper horizontal bar  81 . The upper fixing coupler  143  is screw-coupled to an end of the upper fixing penetrator  142  and seated on the upper slab  82 . For example, a pair of upper fixing penetrators  142  may be disposed on each of one and the other side surfaces of the upper horizontal bar  81  to be spaced apart from each other and may pass through a corner portion of the upper steel plate  11 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view illustrating a lower support of the seismic reinforcing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the lower support  20  according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a lower steel plate  21 , a lower protruding plate  22 , and lower damper fixing portions  23 . 
         [0041]    The lower steel plate  21  is disposed on a top surface of the lower slab  92 . For example, the lower steel plate  21  may have a shape of a square plate and may be seated on the lower slab  92  which covers the lower horizontal bar  91 . 
         [0042]    The lower protruding plate  22  extends upward from the lower steel plate  21 . Lower protrusion holes  221  may be formed in the lower protruding plate  22  to be coupled with the dampers  30 . For example, two lower protrusion holes  221  may be formed in the lower protruding plate  22  to be coupled with two dampers  30 . 
         [0043]    Each of the lower damper fixing portion  23  fixes the damper  30  to the lower protruding plate  22  by adjusting the rotation angle of the damper  30 . For example, the lower damper fixing portion  23  may be formed with a bolt and a nut, may pass through the damper  30 , and may pass through the lower protruding hole  221 . Accordingly, the rotation angle of the damper  30  may be adjusted after a clamping force of the lower damper fixing portion  23  is relaxed, and when the angle adjusting of the damper  30  is completed, a state in which the damper  30  is installed may be maintained by reinforcing the clamping force of the lower damper fixing portion  23 . 
         [0044]    The lower support  20  according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include lower steel plate fixing portions  24 . Each of the lower steel plate fixing portions  24  fixes the lower steel plate  21  to the lower horizontal bar  91 . For example, the lower steel plate fixing portion  24  may be a bolt which passes through the lower slab  92  and may be inserted into the lower horizontal bar  91 , and may be various other fixing units for fixing objects. The lower steel plate fixing portion  24  may be installed at the lower horizontal portion  90  of every floor, and particularly, may fix the lower steel plate  21  by being effectively used as a first or basement floor which has no lower floors. When the lower steel plate  21  is fixed to the lower horizontal bar  91  as described above, strength of a structure may be increased against vertical directional force of an earthquake. 
         [0045]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view illustrating a damper of the seismic reinforcing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the damper  30  according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a damper upper coupler  31 , a damper lower coupler  32 , a damper hydraulic portion  33 , and a damper elastic portion  34 . 
         [0046]    The damper upper coupler  31  is coupled to the upper support  10 . For example, the damper upper coupler  31  may include an upper coupling plate  311 , an upper coupling protrusion  312 , and an upper coupling hole  313 . The upper coupling protrusion  312  may protrude from the upper coupling plate  311 , may have a shape of a plate, may overlap the upper protruding plate  12 , and may be fixed by the upper damper fixing portion  13  through the upper coupling hole  313  formed to correspond to the upper protrusion hole  121 . 
         [0047]    The damper lower coupler  32  is coupled to the lower support  20 . For example, the damper lower coupler  32  may include a lower coupling plate  321 , a lower coupling protrusion  322 , and a lower coupling hole  323 . The lower coupling protrusion  322  may protrude from the lower coupling plate  321 , may have a shape of a plate, may overlap the lower protruding plate  22 , and may be fixed by the lower damper fixing portion  23  through the lower coupling hole  323  formed to correspond to the lower protruding hole  221 . 
         [0048]    A damper hydraulic portion  33  connects the damper upper coupler  31  and the damper lower coupler  32 , and a length thereof is adjusted by hydraulic pressure. For example, the damper hydraulic portion  33  may include a cylinder  331  coupled to the upper coupling plate  311  and a piston  332  coupled to the lower coupling plate  321 . One side of the cylinder  331  may be open and oil may be stored therein, and the piston  332  may be inserted through an open portion of the cylinder  331 . 
         [0049]    One end of the damper elastic portion  34  is coupled to the damper upper coupler  31 , the other end is coupled to the damper lower coupler  32 , and the damper elastic portion  34  elastically supports the damper upper coupler  31  and the damper lower coupler  32 . For example, the damper elastic portion  34  may have a shape of a coil spring which surrounds the damper hydraulic portion  33 . The one end of the damper elastic portion  34  may be coupled to the upper coupling plate  311 , and the other end may be coupled to the lower coupling plate  321 . 
         [0050]    The damper  30  according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a corrugated damper cover  35 . The corrugated damper cover  35  connects the damper upper coupler  31  and the damper lower coupler  32 , covers the damper hydraulic portion  33  and the damper elastic portion  34 , and has a corrugated shape such that a length thereof varies. The corrugated damper cover  35  may protect the damper hydraulic portion  33  and the damper elastic portion  34 . 
         [0051]    An installation process of the seismic reinforcing device having the above structure according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. 
         [0052]    The upper support  10  is disposed on the upper horizontal portion  80  positioned between the columns  70 , and the lower support  20  is disposed on the lower horizontal portion  90  disposed below the upper horizontal portion  80 . 
         [0053]    Here, three upper supports  10  are installed at the central portion of the upper horizontal portion  80  and both of the ends of the upper horizontal portion  80 , respectively. Although the upper support  10  is fixedly installed on the upper slab  82  which covers an upper portion of the upper horizontal bar  81 , the upper support  10  is not inserted into the upper horizontal bar  81 , and thus cracking of the upper horizontal bar  81  is prevented and an installation process is facilitated. 
         [0054]    The lower supports  20  are positioned between the three upper supports  10 , and the upper support  10  and the lower supports  20  are diagonally disposed. Accordingly, four dampers  30  whose upper and lower ends are respectively coupled to the upper supports  10  and the lower support  20  are obliquely disposed and have a “W” shape. 
         [0055]    Meanwhile, in a case of a basement or first floor which has no lower floors, the lower supports  20  are fixedly installed at the lower horizontal bar  91  by the lower steel plate fixing portions  24 . 
         [0056]    When a seismic force is transferred to a structure in a state in which the seismic reinforcing device  1  is installed at the structure, a load is transferred in the axial direction of each damper  30 , and the dampers  30  relieve the load. That is, when a seismic force is transferred to the dampers  30  by a horizontal seismic force, the damper hydraulic portions  33  and the damper elastic portions  34  relieve the seismic force. 
         [0057]    The seismic reinforcing device  1  according to one embodiment of the present invention can relieve a seismic force because the upper support  10  is installed on the upper horizontal portion  80 , the lower supports  20  are installed on the lower horizontal portion  90 , and the dampers  30  are disposed in a “W” shape and coupled to the upper support  10  and the lower supports  20 . 
         [0058]    In the seismic reinforcing device  1  according to one embodiment of the present invention, processability can be improved because the upper support  10  is fixed to the upper slab  82  without passing through the upper horizontal bar  81 . 
         [0059]    In the seismic reinforcing device  1  according to one embodiment of the present invention, a seismic force can be offset by the dampers  30  due to a hydraulic pressure of the damper hydraulic portions  33  and a spring force of the damper elastic portions  34 . 
         [0060]    While the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the embodiments should be considered in a descriptive sense only, and it should be understood that various alterations and equivalent other embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.