Buckling restrained brace

Abstract

A buckling restrained brace is for connection between two connecting plates of a framework, and includes a restraining unit and an axial member. The axial member includes a middle section surrounded by the restraining unit, two first coupling sections, and two second coupling sections. The first coupling sections are connected respectively and perpendicularly to opposite longitudinal end portions of the middle section. Each first coupling section has a portion exposed from a respective one of longitudinal ends of the restraining unit, and is formed with a first coupling groove for engaging a respective one of the connecting plates. The second coupling sections are connected respectively and perpendicularly to the opposite longitudinal ends of the middle section. Each second coupling section has a portion exposed from a respective one of the longitudinal end portions of the restraining unit, and is formed with a second coupling groove for engaging a respective one of the connecting plates.

1 . A buckling restrained brace adapted to be connected fixedly between two connecting plates of a framework of a building, said buckling restrained brace comprising:
 a rigid restraining unit extending in an axial direction and having opposite longitudinal ends; and   an axial member including
 a middle section that extends in the axial direction and that is surrounded by said restraining unit, 
 a pair of first coupling sections that are connected respectively and perpendicularly to opposite longitudinal end portions of said middle section, each of said first coupling sections extending in the axial direction, having at least a portion exposed from a respective one of said longitudinal ends of said restraining unit, and being formed with a first coupling groove adapted for engaging a respective one of the connecting plates, and 
 a pair of second coupling sections that are connected respectively and perpendicularly to said opposite longitudinal end portions of said middle section, each of said second coupling sections extending in the axial direction, being spaced apart from a corresponding one of said first coupling sections in a first transverse direction transverse to the axial direction, having at least a portion exposed from a respective one of said longitudinal ends of said restraining unit, and being formed with a second coupling groove adapted for engaging a respective one of the connecting plates. 
   
     
     
         2 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said middle section of said axial member is formed as an elongated plate, said elongated plate being formed with first and second side surfaces that are opposite to each other in a second transverse direction transverse to the axial direction and the first transverse direction; and   each of said first and second coupling sections of said axial member has
 a first coupling segment that is connected to said first side surface of said middle section, and that has an exposed part exposed from a corresponding one of said longitudinal ends of said restraining unit, and 
 a second coupling segment that is connected to said second side surface of said middle section, and that has an exposed part exposed from a corresponding one of said longitudinal ends of said restraining unit, and cooperating with said exposed part of said first coupling segment to define a corresponding one of said first and second coupling grooves. 
   
     
     
         3 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in claim  2 , wherein each of said first and second coupling segments of said first and second coupling sections of said axial member further has a connecting part connected to said exposed part of a corresponding one of said first and second coupling segments and surrounded by said restraining unit. 
     
     
         4 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said connecting part of each of said first and second coupling segments of said first and second coupling sections of said axial member has an end surface opposite to said exposed part of a corresponding one of said first and second coupling segments in the axial direction and inclining toward said exposed part of the corresponding one of said first and second coupling segments. 
     
     
         5 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said end portions of said middle section of said axial member are exposed respectively from said longitudinal ends of said restraining unit. 
     
     
         6 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said middle section of said axial member further has a main portion disposed between said end portions, and two converging portions, one of said converging portions interconnecting said main portion and one of said end portions, the other one of said converging portions interconnecting said main portion and the other one of said end portions, each of said converging portions converging from a corresponding one of said end portions toward said main portion. 
     
     
         7 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said restraining unit includes a rigid surrounding member surrounding said axial member and having an inner surrounding surface that faces said axial member, each of said first and second coupling segments of said first and second coupling sections of said axial member being in contact with said inner surrounding surface of said surrounding member. 
     
     
         8 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said restraining unit has a rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         9 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said middle section of said axial member has an intermediate segment and first and second lateral segments connected respectively to opposite lateral ends of said intermediate segment in the first transverse direction, said first lateral segment interconnecting integrally said first coupling sections to form a first plate, said second lateral segment interconnecting integrally said second coupling sections to form a second plate. 
     
     
         10 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein:
 each of said first coupling sections of said axial member has a maximum width in a second transverse direction transverse to the axial direction and the first transverse direction that is larger than that of said first lateral segment of said middle section of said axial member, and includes a converging part that is connected integrally to said first lateral segment and that converges toward said first lateral segment; and   each of said second coupling sections of said axial member has a maximum width in the second transverse direction that is larger than that of said second lateral segment of said middle section, and a converging part that is connected integrally to said second lateral segment and that converges toward said second lateral segment.   
     
     
         11 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each of said first and second lateral segments of said middle section of said axial member is connected perpendicularly to said intermediate segment of said middle section of said axial member such that said middle section has an H-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         12 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said intermediate segment of said middle section of said axial member is formed with an elongated slot extending in the axial direction. 
     
     
         13 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said restraining unit includes a rigid surrounding member surrounding said axial member and having an inner surrounding surface that faces said axial member, each of said first and second coupling sections of said axial member having opposite distal edges in the second transverse direction that are in contact with said inner surrounding surface of said surrounding member. 
     
     
         14 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said middle section of said axial member has a first lateral segment interconnecting integrally said first coupling sections to form a first plate, and a second lateral segment spaced apart from said first lateral segment in the first transverse direction and interconnecting integrally said second coupling sections to form a second plate. 
     
     
         15 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein:
 each of said first coupling sections of said axial member has a maximum width in a second transverse direction transverse to the axial direction and the first transverse direction that is larger than that of said first lateral segment of said middle section of said axial member, and a converging part that is connected integrally to said first lateral segment and that converges toward said first lateral segment; and   each of said second coupling sections of said axial member has a maximum width in the second transverse direction that is larger than that of said second lateral segment of said middle section, and a converging part that is connected integrally to said second lateral segment and that converges toward said second lateral segment.   
     
     
         16 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said restraining unit includes a rigid surrounding member surrounding said axial member and having an inner surrounding surface that faces said axial member, each of said first and second coupling sections of said axial member having opposite distal edges in the second transverse direction that are in contact with said inner surrounding surface of said surrounding member. 
     
     
         17 . An axial member adapted for use in a buckling restrained brace, the buckling restrained brace to be connected fixedly between two connecting plates of a framework of a building and including a rigid restraining unit that extends in an axial direction and that has opposite longitudinal ends, said axial member comprising:
 a middle section extending in the axial direction and adapted to be surrounded by the restraining unit;   a pair of first coupling sections connected respectively and perpendicularly to opposite longitudinal end portions of said middle section, each of said first coupling sections extending in the axial direction, having at least a portion adapted to be exposed from a respective one of the longitudinal ends of the restraining unit, and being formed with a first coupling groove adapted for engaging a respective one of the connecting plates; and   a pair of second coupling sections that are connected respectively and perpendicularly to said opposite longitudinal end portions of said middle section, each of said second coupling sections extending in the axial direction, being spaced apart from a corresponding one of said first coupling sections in a first transverse direction transverse to the axial direction, having at least a portion adapted to be exposed from a respective one of the longitudinal ends of the restraining unit, and being formed with a second coupling groove adapted for engaging a respective one of the connecting plates.   
     
     
         18 . The axial member as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein:
 said middle section is formed as an elongated plate, said elongated plate being formed with first and second side surfaces that are opposite to each other in a second transverse direction transverse to the axial direction and the first transverse direction; and   each of said first and second coupling sections has
 a first coupling segment that is connected to said first side surface of said middle section, and that has an exposed part to be exposed from a corresponding one of the longitudinal ends of the restraining unit, and 
 a second coupling segment that is connected to said second side surface of said middle section, and that has an exposed part adapted to be exposed from a corresponding one of the longitudinal ends of the restraining unit, and cooperating with said exposed part of said first coupling segment to define a corresponding one of said first and second coupling grooves. 
   
     
     
         19 . The axial member as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein each of said first and second coupling segments of said first and second coupling sections further has a connecting part connected to said exposed part of a corresponding one of said first and second coupling segments and to be surrounded by the restraining unit. 
     
     
         20 . The axial member as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said connecting part of each of said first and second coupling segments of said first and second coupling sections has an end surface opposite to said exposed part of a corresponding one of said first and second coupling segments in the axial direction and inclining toward said exposed part of the corresponding one of said first and second coupling segments. 
     
     
         21 . The axial member as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said end portions of said middle section are opposite to each other in the axial direction and are to be exposed respectively from the longitudinal ends of the restraining unit. 
     
     
         22 . The axial member as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said middle section further has a main portion disposed between said end portions, and two converging portions, one of said converging portions interconnecting said main portion and one of said end portions, the other one of said converging portions interconnecting said main portion and the other one of said end portions, each of said converging portions converging from a corresponding one of said end portions toward said main portion. 
     
     
         23 . The axial member as claimed in  claim 18 , the restraining unit including a rigid surrounding member to surround said axial member, the surrounding member having an inner surrounding surface to face said axial member, wherein each of said first and second coupling segments of said first and second coupling sections is adapted to be in contact with the inner surrounding surface of the surrounding member. 
     
     
         24 . The axial member as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said middle section has an intermediate segment and first and second lateral segments connected respectively to opposite lateral ends of said intermediate segment in the first transverse direction, said first lateral segment interconnecting integrally said first coupling sections, said second lateral segment interconnecting integrally said second coupling sections. 
     
     
         25 . The axial member as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein:
 each of said first coupling sections has a maximum width in a second transverse direction transverse to the axial direction and the first transverse direction that is larger than that of said first lateral segment of said middle section, and a converging part that is connected integrally to said first lateral segment and that converges toward said first lateral segment; and   each of said second coupling sections has a maximum width in the second transverse direction that is larger than that of said second lateral segment of said middle section, and a converging part that is connected integrally to said second lateral segment and that converges toward said second lateral segment.   
     
     
         26 . The axial member as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein each of said first and second lateral segments of said middle section is connected perpendicularly to said intermediate segment of said middle section such that said middle section has an H-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         27 . The axial member as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said intermediate segment of said middle section is formed with an elongated slot extending in the axial direction. 
     
     
         28 . The axial member as claimed in  claim 24 , the restraining unit including a rigid surrounding member to surround said axial member, the surrounding member having an inner surrounding surface to face said axial member, wherein each of said first and second coupling segments of said first and second coupling sections is adapted to be in contact with the inner surrounding surface of the surrounding member. 
     
     
         29 . The axial member as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said middle section has a first lateral segment interconnecting integrally said first coupling sections, and a second lateral segment spaced apart from said first lateral segment in the first transverse direction and interconnecting integrally said second coupling sections. 
     
     
         30 . The axial member as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein:
 each of said first coupling sections has a maximum width in a second transverse direction transverse to the axial direction and the first transverse direction that is larger than that of said first lateral segment of said middle section, and a converging part that is connected integrally to said first lateral segment and that converges toward said first lateral segment; and   each of said second coupling sections has a maximum width in the second transverse direction that is larger than that of said second lateral segment of said middle section, and a converging part that is connected integrally to said second lateral segment and that converges toward said second lateral segment.   
     
     
         31 . The axial member as claimed in  claim 29 , the restraining unit including a rigid surrounding member to surround said axial member, the surrounding member having an inner surrounding surface to face said axial member, wherein each of said first and second coupling sections of said axial member has opposite distal edges in the second transverse direction that are adapted to be in contact with the inner surrounding surface of the surrounding member. 
     
     
         32 . A method of making a buckling restrained brace, comprising the steps of:
 (A) preparing a hollow surrounding member;   (B) preparing an axial member that extends in an axial direction and that includes
 a middle section formed as an elongated plate and having opposite longitudinal end portions and first and second side surfaces that are opposite to each other in a transverse direction transverse to the axial direction, and 
 two pairs of first coupling segments, each pair of the first coupling segments extending in the axial direction and being connected to the first side surface of the middle section at a respective one of the longitudinal end portions of the middle section, each of the first coupling segments having an exposed part, and 
 two pairs of second coupling segments, each pair of the second coupling segments extending in the axial direction, and being connected to the second side surface of the middle section at a respective one of the longitudinal end portions of the middle section, each of the second coupling segments having an exposed part that cooperates with the exposed part of a corresponding one of the first coupling segments to define a coupling groove therebetween; and 
   (C) extending the axial member through the surrounding member such that the exposed parts and the coupling grooves of the first and second coupling segments are exposed from the surrounding member.   
     
     
         33 . The method as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein:
 each of the first and second coupling segments further has a connecting part connected to the exposed part of a corresponding one of the first and second coupling segments in step (B); and   in step (C), the connecting parts of the first and second coupling segments are surrounded by and are in contact with an inner surrounding surface of the surrounding member.   
     
     
         34 . The method as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein, in step (B), each of the first coupling segments is connected perpendicularly to the first side surface of the middle section, and each of the second coupling segments is connected perpendicularly to the second side surface of the middle section. 
     
     
         35 . The method as claimed in  claim 32 , further comprising the step of:
 (D) filling a curable material between the surrounding member and the axial member.   
     
     
         36 . A method of making a buckling restrained brace, comprising the steps of:
 (A) preparing a hollow surrounding member;   (B) preparing an axial member that includes
 an intermediate segment extending in an axial direction, and 
 first and second plates connected perpendicularly and respectively to opposite lateral ends of the intermediate segment in a first transverse direction transverse to the axial direction, each of the first and second plates having an axial length longer than that of the intermediate segment, and including two coupling sections formed respectively at opposite ends thereof in the axial direction, each of the coupling sections of the first and second plates being formed with a coupling groove; and 
   (C) extending the axial member through the surrounding member such that a portion of each of the coupling sections and the coupling grooves of the first and second plates are exposed from the surrounding member.   
     
     
         37 . The method as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein, in step (B), the intermediate segment of the axial member is formed with an elongated slot extending in the axial direction. 
     
     
         38 . The method as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein, in step (C), the surrounding member has an inner surrounding surface that faces the axial member, each of the coupling sections of the axial member having opposite distal edges in a second transverse direction transverse to the axial direction and the first transverse direction that are in contact with the inner surrounding surface of the surrounding member. 
     
     
         39 . The method as claimed in  claim 36 , further comprising the step of:
 (D) filling a curable material between the surrounding member and the axial member.   
     
     
         40 . A method of making a buckling restrained brace, comprising the steps of:
 (A) preparing a hollow surrounding member;   (B) preparing an axial member that includes first and second plates extending in an axial direction and spaced apart from each other in a first transverse direction transverse to the axial direction, each of the first and second plates including two coupling sections formed respectively at opposite ends thereof in the axial direction, each of the coupling sections of the first and second plates being formed with a coupling groove; and   (C) extending the axial member through the surrounding member such that a portion of each of the coupling sections and the coupling grooves of the first and second plates are exposed from the surrounding member.   
     
     
         41 . The method as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein, in step (C), the surrounding member has an inner surrounding surface that faces the axial member, each of the coupling sections of the axial member having opposite distal edges in a second transverse direction transverse to the axial direction and the first transverse direction that are in contact with the inner surrounding surface of the surrounding member. 
     
     
         42 . The method as claimed in  claim 40 , further comprising the step of:
 (D) filling a curable material between the surrounding member and the axial member.