Structural protection system for buildings

Abstract

An energy dissipation system for structural protection of buildings includes at least one structure with a base, a second base fixed to the ground, an energy dissipation device, and a lever mechanism. The structure opposes seismic actions by translating horizontal displacement into vertical displacement. The lever mechanism amplifies displacement of the energy dissipation device in response to vertical displacement of the structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An energy dissipation system comprising:
 a first base of a structure configured to oppose seismic actions by translating horizontal displacement into vertical displacement;   a second base fixed to the ground;   an energy dissipation device; and   a lever mechanism configured to multiply travel of the energy dissipation device in response to vertical displacement of the structure.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lever mechanism comprises:
 a first lever pivoted at a fulcrum at the second base; and   a second lever, each of the second lever and the energy dissipation device having a first end pivoted at the first base and a second end pivoted at the first lever.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the fulcrum is in the center of the first lever such that travel of the energy dissipation device is twice the vertical displacement of the structure. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 a first distance is the distance along the first lever from the fulcrum to the second lever;   a second distance is the distance along the first lever from the fulcrum to the energy dissipation device;   the lever mechanism is further configured such that travel of the energy dissipation device relative to vertical displacement of the structure is a function of the ratio of the second distance to the first distance.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy dissipation device comprises an energy dissipation means disposed between two rigid rods. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the energy dissipation means is a chamber with fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein translating horizontal displacement into vertical displacement is achieved by a spherical joint mounted on the second base. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein translating horizontal displacement into vertical displacement is achieved by a planar hinge mounted on the second base. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is a tower internal to a building, the tower rigidly fixed to at least one internal wall of the building. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is a tower external to a building, the tower rigidly fixed to at least one external wall of the building. 
     
     
         11 . A structural protection system of buildings comprising:
 a first bearing structure rigidly connected with a first wall of a building, the first bearing structure comprising:   a first base;   a second base fixed to the ground;   a spherical joint mounted on the second base and arranged on the vertical axis of the first bearing structure; and   an energy dissipation system disposed between the first base and the second base, the energy dissipation system comprising a first energy dissipation device and a first lever mechanism positioned peripherally to the spherical joint, the first lever mechanism configured to multiply travel of the first energy dissipation device in response to vertical displacement of the first bearing structure.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first lever mechanism comprises:
 a first lever pivoted at a fulcrum at the second base; and   a second lever, each of the second lever and the first energy dissipation device having a first end pivoted at the first base and a second end pivoted at the first lever.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the fulcrum is in the center of the first lever such that travel of the first energy dissipation device is twice the vertical displacement of the first bearing structure. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein:
 a first distance is the distance along the first lever from the fulcrum to the second lever;   a second distance is the distance along the first lever from the fulcrum to the first energy dissipation device;   the first lever mechanism is further configured such that travel of the first energy dissipation device relative to vertical displacement of the first bearing structure is a function of the ratio of the second distance to the first distance.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first energy dissipation device comprises an energy dissipation means disposed between two rigid rods. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the energy dissipation system further comprises a second energy dissipation device and a second lever mechanism positioned peripherally to the spherical joint opposite the first energy dissipation device and the first lever mechanism, the second lever mechanism configured to multiply travel of the second energy dissipation device in response to vertical displacement of the first bearing structure. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first bearing structure is rigidly connected with the building by rigid rods, each rod having a first end connected to the first wall of the building and a second end connected to the first bearing structure. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the rigid rods are arranged in horizontal planes corresponding to floors of the building. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a second bearing structure rigidly connected with a second wall of the building. 
     
     
         20 . A structural protection system of buildings comprising:
 a bearing structure rigidly connected with a wall of a building, the bearing structure comprising:   a first base;   a second base fixed to the ground;   a spherical joint mounted on the second base and arranged on the vertical axis of the bearing structure; and   an energy dissipation system disposed between the first base and the second base, the energy dissipation system comprising:
 a first energy dissipation device and a first lever mechanism positioned peripherally to the spherical joint, the first lever mechanism configured to multiply travel of the energy dissipation device in response to vertical displacement of the bearing structure; and 
 a second energy dissipation device and a second lever mechanism positioned peripherally to the spherical joint opposite the first energy dissipation device and the first lever mechanism, the second lever mechanism configured to multiply travel of the second energy dissipation device in response to vertical displacement of the bearing structure, 
 wherein compression of the first energy dissipation device corresponds to elongation of the second energy dissipation device and elongation of the first energy dissipation device corresponds to compression of the second energy dissipation device.