Background

Buckling restrained braces and other energy dissipation devices are used in many areas of construction to help structures withstand loads and movement, such as may be experienced during seismic activity and wind loading. Many of these dissipation devices are heavy, bulky and do not adopt well to a multiple building and non-building constructions including timber construction and cross-laminated timber.

Technology Overview

Researchers at Portland State University have created a unique energy dissipation device that can be modified easily and with short design period in order to accommodate multiple construction and architecture requirements. Load is transferred to the elements, which are designed to yield, deform and otherwise dissipate.

In the case of a building, two or more of these elements are generally positioned between two building members that are expected to come under different loading conditions due to seismic activity or wind. In practice, the dissipators may be employed at multiple different locations between the two building members, as well at multiple other locations within the building.

State of Development:

This technology has been tested in full scale and in varied designs.

Applications

These elements can be used in a variety of different applications, including buckling restrained braces, hold-downs, dampers and other similar devices where wind, seismic activity and earthquake require energy dissipation.

Revolutionizing approach and solution in the field of energy dissipation devices.
More varied flexibility for designs and construction applications and can be used with existing structure solutions.

Opportunity

Portland State University is looking for commercialization partners.

Unique Building and Construction Energy Dissipation Device

Patents

IP Status

Seeking