Ductile anchor attachment mechanism self-aligning fuse plate system

Abstract

A ductile anchor attachment (DAA) mechanism is disclosed. Example embodiments are directed to a DAA fuse plate including a bottom section configured to connect to an existing anchor; a tapered lower section; a narrowed neck forming a ductile yield mechanism; a tapered upper section; and a connection mechanism for direct removable coupling of the DAA fuse plate to a structure being anchored, the connection mechanism being in contact with the tapered upper section of the DAA fuse plate, the DAA fuse plate in combination with the connection mechanism being configured to not buckle under compression forces and to adjustably dissipate tension forces acting on the structure being anchored.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 : A ductile anchor attachment (DAA) system comprising a DAA fuse plate including:
 a base section configured to connect to an existing anchor;   a central fuse section adjacent to the base section and having a lesser cross-sectional area than the base section, such that the central fuse section supports lesser tension and compression loads than the base section, along a load line extending through the base section and the central fuse section;   an attachment section on a side of the central fuse section opposite the base section; and   a connection mechanism for direct removable coupling of the DAA fuse plate to a structure being anchored, the connection mechanism being in contact with the attachment section of the DAA fuse plate, the DAA fuse plate in combination with the connection mechanism being configured to not buckle under compression forces and to adjustably dissipate tension forces acting on the structure being anchored.   
     
     
         2 : The DAA system of  claim 1  wherein the central fuse section includes:
 a tapered lower section connected to the base section; 
 a narrowed neck forming a ductile yield mechanism; and 
 a tapered upper section connected to the attachment section. 
 
     
     
         3 : The DAA system of  claim 1  wherein the connection mechanism includes a singular attachment hole in the attachment section of the DAA fuse plate and an elongate member passing through the hole and adapted to be connected to the structure being anchored. 
     
     
         4 : The DAA system of  claim 3  wherein the elongate member includes a cylindrical shaft. 
     
     
         5 : The DAA system of  claim 4  wherein the cylindrical shaft is part of a bolt, the bolt sized to pass through a hole in the structure being anchored. 
     
     
         6 : The DAA system of  claim 5  wherein the attachment hole and the bolt have a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to a centerline along which the attachment section is spaced from the base section by the central fuse section. 
     
     
         7 : The DAA system of  claim 6  wherein the base section has a base hole with a base elongate member passing therethrough, the base elongate member also passing through a hole structurally associated with the existing anchor. 
     
     
         8 : The DAA system of  claim 7  wherein the base elongate member includes a cylindrical shaft forming a portion of a base bolt, the base bolt sized to pass through the base hole and through a hole in the existing anchor, and with the base bolt having a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to a centerline along which the attachment section is spaced from the base section by the central fuse section. 
     
     
         9 : The DAA system of  claim 6  wherein said central fuse section includes at least one cut out causing said central fuse section to have a lesser cross-sectional area than said base section and a lesser cross-sectional area than said attachment section. 
     
     
         10 : The DAA system of  claim 1  being configured to undergo a ductile yield while preserving the integrity of a remaining structural anchoring system to which the DAA fuse plate is attached. 
     
     
         11 : The DAA system of  claim 1  being configured to be conveniently replaced after a yield event without costly and extensive repairs to an existing structural anchoring system to which the DAA fuse plate was attached. 
     
     
         12 : The DAA system of  claim 1  wherein the connection mechanism is a beam to a supporting member moment connection. 
     
     
         13 : The DAA system of  claim 1  wherein the connection mechanism is a supporting member to foundation connection. 
     
     
         14 : The DAA system of  claim 1  wherein the connection mechanism is coupled to a brace or bracket. 
     
     
         15 : The DAA system of  claim 1  wherein the connection mechanism is coupled to a wide flange beam. 
     
     
         16 : The DAA system of  claim 1  wherein the DAA fuse plate is composed of a flat steel composite or three dimensional (3D) printed composite plate or bar. 
     
     
         17 : The DAA system of  claim 1  wherein the DAA fuse plate is configured to be stacked for redundancy. 
     
     
         18 : The DAA system of  claim 1  wherein the connection mechanism is configured for coupling to a flange, web, or any portion of a supporting member. 
     
     
         19 : The DAA system of  claim 1  wherein the connection mechanism includes a connector plate resting freely on a base plate. 
     
     
         20 : The DAA system of  claim 1  wherein the DAA is sandwiched between a pair of support plates to enhance resistance to buckling of the DAA.