Moment frame links wall

Abstract

A lateral bracing system having high initial stiffness and including yield links capable of effectively dissipating stresses generated within the lateral bracing system under lateral loads.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lateral bracing system for use in constructions, the lateral bracing system comprising:
 a structural frame having a beam and a column; and   a yield link affixed at a first end to the beam and at a second end, opposite the first end, to the column, the yield link having a section between the first and second ends capable of yielding in tension and compression to dissipate stress within the frame upon a lateral load applied to the structural frame.   
     
     
         2 . A lateral bracing system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a buckling restraint block affixed to the beam, the buckling restraint block limiting buckling of the yield link. 
     
     
         3 . A lateral bracing system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the buckling restraint block and yield link between the beam and column allows omission of a lateral-torsional buckling restraint system on the beam. 
     
     
         4 . A construction including a beam and a column, the construction comprising:
 a yield link including a first end affixed to the column, and a second end affixed to the beam, the yield link lying parallel to the beam and including a middle section between the first and second ends having a lower strength the yield link and the first and second ends, the middle section capable of yielding in tension and compression to dissipate stress within the construction upon a lateral load applied to the beam and/or column.   a buckling restraint block affixed to the beam in a configuration sandwiching the yield link between the buckling restraint block and the beam.   
     
     
         5 . A construction as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the middle section has a smaller diameter than the yield link at the first and second ends. 
     
     
         6 . A construction, comprising:
 a column;   a beam;   a shear tab affixed between the column and beam; and   a lateral bracing system affixed between the column and beam, including:
 a pair of yield links, each yield link including a first end affixed to the column, and a second end affixed to the beam, a yield link of the pair of yield links having a middle section of smaller diameter than at the first and second ends, the middle section capable of yielding in tension and compression to dissipate stress within the frame upon a lateral load applied to the beam and/or column. 
 a pair of buckling restraint blocks, one each on a top and bottom flange of the beam sandwiching the pair of yield links between the pair of buckling restraint blocks and the top and bottom flanges of the beam. 
   
     
     
         7 . A method of assembling a frame having a beam, column and lateral bracing system therebetween, comprising the steps of:
 (a) affixing a yield link to the beam, lying against the beam, the yield link including a middle section having a reduced strength relative to first and second ends on either side of the middle section;   (b) affixing the yield link to the column; and   (c) sandwiching the yield link between the beam and a buckling restraint block affixed over the middle section of the yield link.   
     
     
         8 . A method as recited in  claim 7 , said step (c) of affixing a buckling restraint block to the beam comprising the step of affixing the buckling restraint block by one of gluing or welding. 
     
     
         9 . A method as recited in  claim 7 , said step (a) of affixing the yield link to the beam comprising the step of affixing the yield link to one of the beam prior to the beam and column arriving at a worksite. 
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 7 , the yield link affixed in said steps (a) and (b), and the buckling restraint block affixed in said step (c) together resisting lateral deflection of the beam relative to the column, but yielding at the middle section of the yield link upon loads above a threshold level.