Grace under Pressure

摘要

The performance of coupled wall systems depends primarily on the stiffness and strength of the coupling beams, and improvements in the constructability and performance of these systems are being explored in a study at the University of Cincinnati. A repairable or replaceable central "fuse" beam, in which the inelastic deformations are concentrated, has been developed in an effort to protect the wall piers from local damage imparted by the coupling beams.