초록 ▼

A system and method is described by which the structural integrity of a building or other structure can be increased and made more resistant to earthquake damage. A structural member may be incorporated into a building structure. At least a portion of the structural member is made of a material that

A system and method is described by which the structural integrity of a building or other structure can be increased and made more resistant to earthquake damage. A structural member may be incorporated into a building structure. At least a portion of the structural member is made of a material that undergoes a shape or phase transformation in response to energy applied. This member can alter the natural frequency of the building structure from a first natural frequency to a second natural frequency when the material undergoes the transformation to make destructive resonance less likely to occur.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus comprising:at least one structural member coupled to a building structure, said at least one structural member comprising a material which is at least one of shape and phase transformable in response to external energy actively applied thereto;said at least o

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus comprising:at least one structural member coupled to a building structure, said at least one structural member comprising a material which is at least one of shape and phase transformable in response to external energy actively applied thereto;said at least one structural member being arranged to actively alter dynamic characteristics of the building structure, wherein a stiffness of the building structure is altered by application of external energy to said at least one structural member; anda controller which monitors a frequency of vibration in the building structure and which applies the external energy to said at least one structural member.