Patent attributes
Precast construction elements are described suitable for use in high seismic areas. The precast construction elements can be precast, pre-topped double tees. The precast construction elements incorporate a passive energy dissipation device in a flange. The energy dissipation device provides a ductile connection having a deformation capacity of larger than 0.6″. Adjacent elements are connected to one another at joints that include the passive energy dissipation device. Passive energy dissipation devices can be passive hysteretic dampeners, such as U-shaped flexural plates. Passive energy dissipation devices can be bar dissipaters (e.g., grooved dissipaters). Also described are passive hysteretic dampers that include U-shaped flexural plates held in conjunction with a reinforcement element that defines a circle around which the flexural plate can bend.
