Buckling restrained brace

Abstract

A buckling restrained brace includes an axial member, a plurality of restraining members, and a plurality of securing units. The axial member includes a middle section extending in an axial direction, and a pair of coupling sections extending respectively from opposite ends of the middle section and that are adapted to be coupled fixedly to two connecting plates of a framework of a building, respectively. The restraining members extend in the axial direction, and are disposed around and contact the axial member. Each securing unit secures an adjacent pair of the restraining members together. Each restraining member cooperates with an adjacent one of the restraining members to define an opening therebetween through which a portion of the axial member is exposed for viewing.

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:
 an axial member including a middle section that extends in an axial direction and that has opposite ends in the axial direction, and a pair of coupling sections that extend respectively from said opposite ends of said middle section and that are adapted to be coupled fixedly to the connecting plates, respectively;   a plurality of restraining members that extend in the axial direction, and that are disposed around and contacting said axial member; and   a plurality of securing units, each of which secures an adjacent pair of said restraining members together;   wherein each of said restraining members cooperates with an adjacent one of said restraining members to define an opening therebetween through which a portion of said axial member is exposed for viewing.   
     
     
         2 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of said securing units includes:
 a pair of connecting components extending in the axial direction, located adjacent to said opening of the adjacent pair of said restraining members, and connected respectively to the adjacent pair of said restraining members; and   a plurality of fastening units spaced apart from each other in the axial direction and fastening said connecting components together.   
     
     
         3 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein each of said fastening units of each of said securing units is configured as a solder fitted between a corresponding pair of said connecting components. 
     
     
         4 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein each of said fastening units of each of said securing units includes a bolt extending through a corresponding pair of said connecting components, and a nut secured threadedly to said bolt. 
     
     
         5 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein each of said securing units further includes a plurality of spaced-apart reinforcing members spaced apart from said fastening units in the axial direction and fitted between a corresponding pair of said connecting components. 
     
     
         6 . The buckling restrained brace as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of said securing units includes a bolt extending through the adjacent pair of said restraining members, and a nut secured threadedly to said bolt. 
     
     
         7 . A building comprising:
 a wall structure including a pair of spaced-apart wall plates, one of said wall plates being formed with a through hole; and   a framework disposed between said wall plates, and including a pair of connecting plates and a buckling restrained brace that is connected fixedly between said connecting plates, and that comprises   an axial member including a middle section that extends in an axial direction and that has opposite ends in the axial direction, and a pair of coupling sections that extend respectively from said opposite ends of said middle section and that are adapted to be coupled fixedly to the connecting plates, respectively,   a plurality of restraining members that extend in the axial direction, and that are disposed around and contacting said axial member, and   a plurality of securing units, each of which secures an adjacent pair of said restraining members together,   wherein each of said restraining members cooperates with an adjacent one of said restraining members to define an opening therebetween, one of said openings being registered with said through hole of said one of said wall plates so that a portion of said axial member is exposed for viewing.