Braced frame force distribution connection

Abstract

A structural framework that includes a column, a beam, a brace beam coupled at an angle to the column and the beam, and a gusset plate to connect the brace beam with the column and the beam. The framework also includes a shear plate with horizontally slotted holes to couple to the column to the beam. The structural framework may also include double framing angles or a flex plate coupled to the gusset plate and to the beam via spacer plates to provide for a semi-rigid connection.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A structural framework comprising:
 a column;   a beam coupled at an angle to the column;   a brace beam coupled at an angle to the column and the beam;   a gusset plate connecting the brace beam with the column and beam, wherein the gusset plate includes a front face and a back face;   a first framing angle that comprises a first leg and a second leg at an angle to each other, wherein the first leg is coupled to the front face of the gusset plate and the second leg is coupled to the beam; and   a second framing angle that comprises a first leg and a second leg at an angle to each other, wherein the first leg is coupled to the back face of the gusset plate and the second leg is coupled to the beam.   
     
     
         2 . A structural framework according to  claim 1 , wherein the column includes a first column flange, a second column flange and a column web, wherein the column web connects the first column flange to the second column flange; and wherein the beam includes a first beam flange, a second beam flange, and a beam web, wherein the beam web connects the first beam flange to the second beam flange, wherein the first beam flange is coupled at an angle to the first column flange; and wherein the gusset plate connects the brace beam with the first column flange and the first beam flange. 
     
     
         3 . A structural framework according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a shear plate coupled to the first column flange and coupled to the beam web, wherein the shear plate comprises one or a plurality of horizontally slotted recesses to receive a respective bolt such that the shear plate is bolted to the beam web.   
     
     
         4 . A structural framework according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first spacer plate coupled to the second leg of the first framing angle and coupled to the first beam flange; and   a second spacer plate coupled to the second leg of the second framing angle and coupled to the first beam flange.   
     
     
         5 . A structural framework according to  claim 4 , wherein the first spacer plate and the second spacer plate each comprise one or a plurality of spacer recesses, wherein the first framing angle and the second framing angle each comprise one or a plurality of framing recesses, wherein the first framing angle and the second framing angle are bolted through the respective framing recesses and the respective spacer recesses to the gusset plate and to. the first beam flange. 
     
     
         6 . A structural framework according to  claim 4 , wherein the first spacer plate and the second spacer plate are welded to the respective first. framing angle or second framing angle and the first spacer plate and the second spacer plate are welded to the first beam flange, and wherein the first framing angle and the second framing angle are welded to the gusset plate. 
     
     
         7 . A structural framework according to  claim 2 , wherein the gusset plate is coupled to the first column flange. via a column plate, the column plate including one or a plurality of recesses, wherein the column plate is welded to the first column flange and the column plate is bolted to the gusset plate through the recesses of the column plate. 
     
     
         8 . A structural framework according to  claim 2 , wherein the first beam flange is coupled approximately orthogonal to the first column flange. 
     
     
         9 . A structural framework according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a slot in the beam web adjacent and parallel to the first beam flange; and   a slot in the column web adjacent and parallel to the first column flange.   
     
     
         10 . A method of extending the useful life of a structural frame, comprising:
 connecting a column web to a first column flange and a second column flange to form a column;   connecting a beam web to a first beam flange and a second beam flange to form a beam;   coupling the first beam flange at an angle to the first column flange;   coupling a brace beam at an angle to the column and the beam;   selecting a gusset plate to connect the brace beam with the first column flange and the first beam flange, wherein the gusset plate comprises a front face and a back face;   coupling a first framing angle to the front face of the gusset plate, wherein the first framing angle includes a first leg and a second leg at an angle to each other; and   coupling a second framing angle to the back face of the gusset plate, wherein the second framing angle includes a first leg and a second leg at an angle to each other.   
     
     
         11 . A method of extending the useful life of a structural frame according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 coupling a shear plate to the first column flange and to the beam web, wherein the shear plate includes one or a plurality of horizontally slotted recesses such that the shear plate is bolted to the beam web via the recesses;   coupling a first spacer plate to the second leg of the first framing angle and to the first beam flange, and   coupling a second spacer plate to the second leg of the second framing angle and to the first beam flange.   
     
     
         12 . A method of extending the useful life of a structural frame, comprising:
 connecting a column web to a first column flange and a second column flange to form a column;   connecting a beam web to a first beam flange and a second beam flange to form a beam;   coupling the first beam flange at an angle to the first column flange;   coupling a brace beam at an angle to the column and the beam;   selecting a gusset plate to connect the brace beam with the first column flange and the first beam flange, wherein the gusset plate comprises a front face and a back face; and   coupling a flex plate to the first side of the gusset plate and to the beam, wherein the flex plate comprises a top side and a bottom side.   
     
     
         13 . A method of extending the useful life of a structural frame according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 coupling a shear plate to the first column flange and to the beam web, wherein the shear plate is bolted to the beam web via one or a plurality of horizontally slotted recesses of the shear plate;   coupling a first spacer plate to couple to the bottom side of the flex plate and the first beam flange; and   coupling a second spacer plate to the bottom side of the flex plate and the first beam flange.   
     
     
         14 . A method for reducing the moment and shear forces in columns and beams of braced frames when the braced frame is subjected to lateral loads such as wind and seismic loads, comprising utilizing the structural framework of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A method for eliminating buckling of a gusset plate in a braced frame when the braced frame is subjected to lateral loads, limiting the damage a column and a horizontal beam of a braced frame, reducing a size of a beam and a column in a braced frame by reducing a moment frame action in the braced frame, and/or reducing the cost of repair of braced frames when damaged by lateral loads, comprising utilizing the structural framework of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A method for designing braced frames so that columns and horizontal beam remain elastic under lateral loading and a frame brace acts plastically so that a plurality of any damage occurs in the braces, comprising utilizing the structural framework of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A method for reducing the moment and shear forces in columns and beams of braced frames when the braced frame is subjected to lateral loads such as wind and seismic loads, comprising utilizing a structural framework, comprising:
 a column;   a beam coupled at an angle to the column;   a brace beam coupled diagonally to the column and the beam;   a gusset plate connecting the brace beam with the column and beam, wherein the gusset plate includes a first side and a second side; and   a flex plate comprising a top side and a bottom side, wherein the top side of the flex plate is coupled to the first side of the gusset plate and the bottom side of the flex plate is coupled to the beam.   
     
     
         18 . A method for eliminating buckling of a gusset plate in a braced frame when the braced frame is subjected to lateral loads, limiting the damage a column and a horizontal beam of a braced frame, reducing a size of a beam and a column in a braced frame by reducing a moment frame action in the braced frame, and/or reducing the cost of repair of braced frames when damaged by lateral loads, comprising utilizing a structural framework, comprising:
 a column;   a beam coupled at an angle to the column;   a brace beam coupled diagonally to the column and the beam;   a gusset plate connecting the brace beam with the column and beam, wherein the gusset plate includes a first side and a second side; and   a flex plate comprising a top side and a bottom side, wherein the top side of the flex plate is coupled to the first side of the gusset plate and the bottom side of the flex plate is coupled to the beam.   
     
     
         19 . A method for designing braced frames so that columns and horizontal beam remain elastic under lateral loading and a frame brace acts plastically so that a plurality of any damage occurs in the braces, comprising utilizing a structural framework, comprising:
 a column;   a beam coupled at an angle to the column;   a brace beam coupled diagonally to the column and the beam;   a gusset plate connecting the brace beam with the column and beam, wherein the gusset plate includes a first side and a second side; and   a flex plate comprising a top side and a bottom side, wherein the top side of the flex plate is coupled to the first side of the gusset plate and the bottom side of the flex plate is coupled to the beam.   
     
     
         20 . A structural framework according to  claim 3 , wherein the horizontally slotted recesses comprise a two to one dimension in a longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         21 . A method of extending the useful life of a structural frame according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 coupling the first edge of the flex plate to the first column flange wherein the flex plate has a first edge and a second edge.