WO2018151692A1

WO2018151692A1 - Mechanical connection system providing connection between a wall element and a load-bearing element

Info

Publication number: WO2018151692A1
Application number: PCT/TR2017/050407
Authority: WO
Inventors: Levent AKGERMAN; Ali Şükrü KAHYAOĞLU; Uğur UZGAN; Utku TIRIC; Barış BİNİCİ; Koray BÜLBÜL; Zafer ERYURTLU; Erdem CANBAY; Kamuran KAHYAOĞLU; Osman YAVAŞOĞLU; Mustafa Kagan OGDU; Halil Ibrahim ALTUN
Original assignee: Akg Gazbeton İşletmeleri̇ San. Ve Ti̇c. A.Ş.
Priority date: 2017-02-15
Filing date: 2017-08-25
Publication date: 2018-08-23
Also published as: TR201702219A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mechanical connection system providing connection between a wall element and a load-bearing element for preventing the wall from cracking and overturning during an earthquake and based on the capability of the wall element to move in both directions relative to the load-bearing element under the influence of in-plane and out-of-plane seismic loads, enabling the building to experience a swaying motion, as well as to a wall system wherein said system is used.

Description

MECHANICAL CONNECTION SYSTEM PROVIDING CONNECTION BETWEEN A WALL

ELEMENT AN D A LOAD- BEARING ELEMENT

Field of I nvention

The present invention relates to a mechanical connection system providing connection between a wall element and load-bearing elements to prevent the wall from cracking and overturning under the influence of in-plane and out-of-plane seismic loads affecting a building comprising said wall element and load-bearing element element during an earthquake, and based on the capability of the wall element to move in both directions with respect to the load-bearing element, enabling the building to experience a swaying motion, as well as to a wall system wherein said system is used.

Background of I nvention

Bays in the load-bearing framework of concrete constructions are generally filled with infill walls made of blocks bound together with mortars, adhesives. Since the walls, however, are not load- bearing, they are coupled to columns and beams of a construction that make up the load- bearing framework. Gaps left between the wall and a column or a beam , in turn, are generally filled with mortar.

When the wall is subjected to seismic loads affecting the wall in-plane and out-of-plane, it offers resistance against these loads. The strength of the wall against out-of-plane loads is its compressive strength and depends on factors such as the strength of the blocks and mortar in the wall, thickness of the mortar in horizontal and vertical joints, etc. The strength of the wall against in-plane loads, in turn, is its shearing strength and depends on the adhesion between the blocks and the mortar. Since earthquake loads cause shear stresses in the walls of a building, the earthquake resistance response of the building is mainly based on the shearing strength and therefore on the bearing capacity of the walls against shearing forces.

The formation of shearing cracks in the plane of the walls and the overturning of walls out of their planes are of those damages frequently encountered in buildings due to seismic movements effective in-plane and out-of-plane during earthquakes and to the inadequacy of the compressive strength and shearing strength of the walls against seismic movements. When the wall is cracked as a result of exposure of a building to earthquake loads, the adhesion between the blocks and mortar becomes ineffective and the shearing strength of the wall is provided by the friction force between the blocks and mortar in this crack interface. While cracks form in the wall, the friction occurring along the wall plane restricts the cracks. However, the cracks become larger when the influence of forces along the wall plane persists during an earthquake. Since the friction area is reduced as the cracks become wider and the wall blocks slide one over the other, the shearing strength due to friction will sim ilarly be reduced gradually. As long as the seismic movement continues, the compression strengths decrease and the cracks intersect each other also under the influence of friction such as to result in independent wall blocks, so that these blocks either fall out of the wall or cause the wall to overturn as a whole. When the walls move out of their plane, this may cause the respective building to collapse, and therefore, this is one of the biggest dangers to give rise to loss of life and property.

Having said this, the visual inspection of earthquake-damaged buildings show that the columns and beams making up the load-bearing framework are crucial load-bearing elements and they are the primary factors in that a building remains standing or becomes substantially damaged . For this reason, the persistence of seism ic movements resulting from the energy released during an earthquake destroys the fixed connection provided with cement-containing mortar between a wall and a column or between a wall and a beam so that the wall starts moving independently from the column and beam . For this reason , load transfers take place between the wall and beam , and the wall and column , under earthquake loads. I n a building in which the column or beam is more ductile than the wall, the wall can be damaged as a result of load transfer, whereas in a building in which the wall is stronger than the column and beam , the colum n or beam is damaged . Load transfers lead to structural damages both in walls and in colum ns and beams. I n order to prevent these structural damages, it is of great importance that a building is capable to make a swaying motion during an earthquake by keeping intact the connections between the wall and columns and between the wall and beams, respectively, and that the aforesaid load transfer is minimized .

On the other hand , although the repairing and strengthening of the structural damages produced in the walls and load-bearing elements like colum ns and beams caused by earthquake loads in a building and/or reinforcing the building after an earthquake varies according to the severity of earthquake, it is nevertheless costly and time-consuming wherein the respective building is taken out of use, giving troubles and m istrust to its residents. Preventing or m inim izing such structural damages in a building is also the utmost important factor to be taken into account in deciding if the building can still be used after earthquake.

I n this context, requirements of the current earthquake regulations for constructing earthquake- resistant buildings should be met. The objective of the earthquake regulations is to define the m inim um conditions required for an earthquake-resistant design for the entire or part of the structures subjected to earthquake loads. The main principle in the regulations is based on keeping structural and non-structural system elements in buildings free of damage in earthquakes of low intensity, keeping the structural damages possibly to occur in structural and non-structural elements on a limited and repairable level in earthquakes of moderate intensity, and preventing the buildings from collapsing wholly or in part in order to prevent loss of life in severe earthquakes.

Accordingly, considering that seismic movements are effective in both directions, in-plane and out-of-plane, in the design of earthquake-resistant buildings, it has to be kept in sight that load- bearing elements making up the bearing framework provide the required rigidity to eliminate torsional irregularity and prevent dangerous torsional vibrations. Since the walls filling the spaces in the bearing framework are in contact to load-bearing elements, the ability to move of the construction elements in a building during earthquake is restricted, and therefore the resistance of the building against said damages caused by in-plane and out-of-plane earthquake loads, and hence the earthquake resistance of the building, is diminished.

I n the design of earthquake-resistant buildings, in addition to providing adequate rigidity in load-bearing elements for preventing or minimizing potential damages under earthquake loads, it is further aimed that the building itself can sway along with the motions caused by seismic activities. The swaying motion that of the the building will perform during an earthquake make it possible to consume the energy released during seismic activity and enables the building to withstand against damages. The provision and continuation of the swaying motion can be ensured with a movable and continuous connection between the wall and the respective column and beam.

Connection systems are frequently used in the assembly of construction elements and have a critical function in ensuring the load transfer among construction elements during an earthquake. For this reason, the behavior of connections systems during an earthquake has a direct influence on the behavior of the building and therefore on the way the earthquake influences on the building.

I n the light of the foregoing, the function of a connection system used in the connection of the wall with a column and a beam under the influence of in-plane and out-of-plane seismic movements has great importance in allowing the swaying motion of the respective building, in preventing the wall from overturning out of plane, and in preventing the walls, columns and beams against or minimizing said structural damages.

The connection systems are generally mounted onto the external surface of the respective construction elements. Particularly when it is required to mount a large number of connection systems, their mounting on external surfaces becomes impractical, requiring additional labor and time. The external mounting of connection systems may further require the use of additional sealant, mortar and adhesive and when the mounting is carried out on blocks, potential contour differences occur. Any failure in the stable mounting of the connection system affects the behavior of the connection system under external loads like earthquakes in a negative manner or even may cause the connection system to detach from the respective construction element and become nonfunctional.

Accordingly, in designing earthquake-resistant buildings, for the purpose of preventing or minimizing said structural damages occurring in the columns, beams and walls during an earthquake, a connection system being easily applied and robust, enabling the respective building to move along with in-plane and out-of-plane movements due to seismic actions, thus enhancing the resistance of the building against damages, namely its earthquake resistance, and also preventing or minimizing the contact between the load-bearing elements and the wall, as well as a wall system constructed using this connection system are required. Brief Description of I nvention

The present invention relates to a mechanical connection system enabling a wall to move along both directions with respect to its column and beam under influence of earthquake loads in- plane and out-of-plane, preventing the wall from overturning, and thus minimizing the damages to occur in the walls and load-bearing elements of the respective building. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mechanical connection system providing connection between a wall element and a load-bearing element, comprising: a housing which has a receiving space extending in itself and is integrated to the wall element,

a slidable coupling component placed into the receiving space,

- a stopper extending from the top of the housing into its interior and preventing the slidable coupling component from leaving the housing,

a guide slot guiding the stopper within the slidable coupling component,

a guide track mounted to a load-bearing element,

a channel by which the slidable coupling component moves along between two ends of the guide track,

a head portion of the slidable coupling component inserted into the channel to provide connection between the slidable coupling component and the guide track, a front plate provided in the inlet of the housing and integrated thereto and having an opening in its middle for entry into the receiving space, wherein the slidable coupling component is in connection both with the housing and the guide track such that the slidable coupling component is capable to move reversibly in the housing by means of stopper inserted into the guide slot and guided along the guide slot within the slidable coupling component, and at the same time is capable to move reversibly in the channel of the guide track by means of head portion of slidable coupling component engaged into the channel and guided along the channel.

I n another embodiment of the present invention, an earthquake-resistant wall system comprising the mechanical connection system referred to above for connecting a wall element and a load-bearing element, the wall system comprising:

-a wall composed of more than one wall element,

-more than one load-bearing element in connection with the wall,

-at least one mechanical connection system for connecting between the wall element and the load-bearing element, said connection system comprising : a housing which has a receiving space extending in itself and is integrated to the wall element,

a slidable coupling component placed into the receiving space,

a stopper extending from the top of the housing into its interior and preventing the slidable coupling component from leaving the housing,

a guide slot guiding the stopper within the slidable coupling component,

a guide track mounted to a load-bearing element,

- a head portion of the slidable coupling component inserted into the channel to provide connection between the slidable coupling component and the guide track,

a front plate provided in the inlet of the housing and integrated thereto and having an opening in its middle for entry into the receiving space, wherein the slidable coupling component is in connection both with the housing and the guide track such that the slidable coupling component is capable to move reversibly in the housing by means of stopper inserted into the guide slot and guided along the guide slot within the slidable coupling component, and at the same time is capable to move reversibly in the channel of the guide track by means of head portion of slidable coupling component engaged into the channel and guided along the channel.

The term "wall element" , as used in the scope of the present invention , means those elements such as wall blocks and wall panels used in composing the walls, whereas the term " load- bearing element" , as used in the scope of the present invention, refers to those elements which serve to bear loads, e.g. the beams and colum ns. I n the scope of the present invention , the load-bearing element is made of reinforced concrete and/or steel construction , and the wall element is made of autoclaved aerated concrete, lightweight concrete, autoclaved concrete, non-autoclaved concrete, brick, construction elements produced using pumice, gypsum boards, construction elements including lightweight aggregates or reinforced building materials. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention , the wall element is autoclaved aerated concrete block and/or autoclaved aerated concrete panel, whereas the load-bearing element is reinforced concrete column and/or reinforced concrete beam .

The wall system according to the present invention comprises wall, colum ns and beams surrounding the wall composed of said wall elements. The mechanical connection system according to the present invention is used to provide connection between the wall and the beam and/or between the wall and the column in the wall system .

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in order to help absorbing the energy released during an earthquake, an elastic material is used between the wall and load- bearing elements in the earthquake-resistant wall system constructed using the mechanical connection system connecting the wall element and load-bearing element to each other. The elastic material is used for damping the collision between the walls and colum ns and/or beams, reducing the intensity of collusion and preventing structural damages in wall systems, columns and/or beams due to collision . I n the scope of the present invention, the elastic material is a material selected from a group comprising glass wool, rock wool, ceram ic wool, XPS (extruded polystyrene) heat insulation boards, EPS (expanded polystyrene) heat insulation boards, polymer-based foam materials such as polyurethane foam , mastics, gypsum boards, cement- based heat insulation boards.

The housing comprised in the mechanical connection system according to the present invention is integrated to the wall element, and more specifically it is embedded in the wall element. The interior of the housing embedded in the wall is hollow, creating a receiving space for the slidable coupling component. The stopper provided on the housing and extending towards the receiving space stays inserted into the guide slot in the slidable coupling component. The length of the guide slot provided in the slidable coupling component determines the displacement extent of the slidable coupling component in the housing. The stopper inserted into the guide slot proceeds from one end of the guide slot to its opposite end as the slidable coupling component moves towards the exterior of the housing . Accordingly, the slidable coupling component is allowed to move towards the exterior of the housing to the extent that the stopper proceeds along the guide slot. Thus, by virtue of the relation between the stopper and the guide slot , the distance which the slidable coupling component can displace is determined by the length of the guide slot. When the stopper rests against one of the two ends of the guide slot , the slidable coupling component cannot move further.

The guide track, another component of the mechanical connection system according to the present invention, is mounted to a load-bearing element using fasteners inserted through holes provided on an upper part and a lower part of the guide track and fixed to the load bearing element so that the guide track and housing come face to face. The guide track is mounted to the surface of a load-bearing element, a column or a beam , that is opposite of the housing embedded into the wall element . I n order to properly compose the connection system and let it function properly, the guide track and the housing must be at the proper level relative to each other. I n order to make sure that the guide track is positioned properly relative to the housing , the holes provided in the upper and lower parts of the guide track are horizontally wider than the fasteners and the guiding track is loosely fastened to the load-bearing element that allows fasteners to be moved freely along the holes when applying adequate force before they are tightened. Thus, the guide track can be aligned with the housing at the proper level to ensure a proper installation of the connection system .

By virtue of the stopper inserted into the guide slot, the slidable coupling component which is now in connection with the housing also becomes coupled to the guide track by virtue of its head portion. Thus, by virtue of the slidable coupling component , a continuos connection is provided between the housing and the guide track and therefore, between the load-bearing element and the wall element . The guide track comprises a channel in which the head of the slidable coupling component can move reversibly. This channel is preferably a C-shaped channel. The head portion of the slidable coupling component is designed to have a shape and dimensions which make it easily movable along the channel of the guide track. The mutual edges of the channel are curved to face each other. The distance between the edges of the channel is smaller than the width of the head of the slidable coupling component engaged into the channel and the depth of the channel is larger than the length of the head of the slidable coupling component . Thus, the head of the slidable coupling component is enabled to move reversibly along the channel without going out of the channel. By virtue of the reversible movement of the slidable coupling component, which provides a continuous coupling between the housing and the guide track, sim ultaneously in the housing and along the channel under earthquake loads, the wall element moves in both directions relative to the load-bearing element such that the building makes a swaying motion along the seismic movements affecting both directions. I n the light of the foregoing, the mechanical connection system according to the present invention enables the wall to move in both directions relative to the load-bearing element without going out of plane under the influence of in-plane and out-of-plane seismic movements during an earthquake and thus imparts to the respective building the ability to make a swaying motion together with the movements caused by earthquake loads. The mechanical connection system according to the present invention enables the building to sway together with earthquake loads and to resist against the structural damages referred to above.

I n the mechanical connection system according to the present invention , the depth of the housing, which is integrated to, preferably embedded into the wall element , in the wall element, is fixed using the front plate provided in the front side of the housing. Thus, the front plate allows to place the housing into the wall element to an invariable depth in a reliable manner. At the same time, it is avoided that the housing becomes embedded into the wall element more than required during production and that the front part of the housing becomes partially blocked and therefore the movement of the slidable coupling component is prevented. Another function of the front plate becomes twisted during an earthquake to resist against that the housing embedded in the wall element influenced by seism ic activity or even detached from the wall element. The surface area of the front plate is at least three times larger than that of the surface area of entry of receiving space and allows to place the housing in the wall element to an invariable depth .

Since, among the components of the mechanical connection system according to the present invention, the housing is associated with the wall element and the guide track is associated with the load-bearing elements, these components are first individually mounted and then are connected with the help of the slidable coupling component placed in the housing and having a continuous connection with the housing by means of the stopper, resulting in the assembly of the mechanical connection system according to the present invention . The stopper extends into the housing and passes through the guide slot in the slidable coupling component so that a continuous connection is achieved between the slidable coupling component and the housing. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing is mounted to the wall element so as to be embedded therein. The guide track, which is as another component of the mechanical connection system according to the present invention, is mounted to those surfaces of columns and beams that face the wall element into which the housing is embedded so as to be aligned with the housing. The mechanical connection system according to the present invention is mounted to a wall system at certain intervals to give a connection that allows the building with the wall elements and the load-bearing elements to make a swaying motion under the influence of in-plane and out-of-plane earthquake loads.

The elastic material placed between the wall and the load-bearing element is fixed to the wall element or to the columns and/or beams, i.e. the load-bearing elements. When the elastic material is to be fixed to the load-bearing element, i.e. to the column or beam , it is cut to the width and length of the wall and applied along the column and beam either in single piece or in more than one pieces. The place of the guide track to be placed in alignment with the housing opposite of the wall block in which the housing is embedded, is determined on the elasitc material applied to the load-bearing element. A part of the elastic material on the load-bearing element corresponding to the position to which the guide track is to be mounted is removed and the guide track is mounted to the load-bearing element using fasteners through the holes provided in the upper part and lower part of the guide track. After the guide track is mounted to the load-bearing element (beam and/or column) and brought in alignment with the housing, the head portion of the slidable coupling component within the housing is inserted into the channel of the guide track mounted to the load-bearing element and the wall element is fixed using mortar. Concerning the application of the elastic material to the wall element, it is fixed to the surface of the wall element that faces the load-bearing element before the wall element is placed. Concerning the application of the elastic material to the surface of the wall element into which no housing is embedded, it is cut to the width and length of the surface of the wall element that faces the load-bearing element and then fixed to this surface. Concerning the application of the elastic material to the surface of the wall element into which a housing is embedded, the part of the elastic material, which is cut to the width and length of the surface of the wall element facing the load-bearing element, that corresponds to the position of the front plate on the surface of the wall element, is cut and removed and then the elastic material is fixed to this surface. After the guide track is mounted to the load-bearing element (beam and/or column) and brought in alignment with the housing, the head portion of the slidable coupling component is engaged into the channel of the guide track mounted to the load- bearing element and the wall element is fixed using mortar. Thus, a connection is formed between the wall element and the load-bearing element using the mechanical connection system according to the present invention. Concerning the construction of wall systems using the mechanical connection system, the procedures given above are repeated depending on whether the elastic material is fixed to the wall element or to the load-bearing element. Any of the methods described above can be applied even if the elastic material is made of foam material. I n addition to these methods, once the mechanical connection system is connected to the wall element and to the load-bearing element, the spaces remaining between the wall and load-bearing element are filled with a elastic foam material. For the mechanical connection system according to the present invention to maintain its functions during an earthquake, its components which provide the connection between the wall element and load-bearing elements have to maintain their function under earthquake loads. I n order to prevent that the housing component, which is integrated to, preferably embedded into the wall element, from becoming detached or leaving from the wall element as the respective building is swaying under earthquake loads, some friction-enhancing modifications are made on the surface of the housing component. The modifications for enhancing the friction effect on the surface of the housing according to the present invention comprise forming horizontal notches or diagonal notches on the upper and lower surfaces of the housing and providing additional parts on the lower and upper surfaces, or lower, upper and lateral surfaces of the housing.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the load-bearing elements are made of reinforced concrete and the wall element is made of reinforced or unreinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. The wall elements made from autoclaved aerated concrete can be produced by any method according to the prior art. According to such methods, water, quartz sand, gypsum, lime, cement and aluminum metal powder are mixed to give a mixture, this mixture in the slurry form is poured into metal moulds, the mixture in the moulds are subjected to curing process under certain heat or atmospheric conditions so that after the transition of the plastic properties of the mixture in the slurry form in time, the mixture becomes semi-hardened and gains cake form . Following the hardening process, the material in the form of cake removed from the metal moulds is properly sized by a wire cutting apparatus. Following the sizing process, the material is subjected to autoclaving process under 10-12 bars and 180- 200°C for 2 to 6 hours to be hardened and then packaged in the form of a final product.

I n order to embed the housing of the mechanical connection system according to the present invention, basically two methods can be used, i.e. wet mounting and dry mounting. I n a wet mounting method, the mixture prepared for producing the wall element is cured under certain heat or atmospheric conditions and hardened until it becomes semi-hardened to give a cake form , and after the material in cake form is cut to proper sizes for blocks or panels, the mounting position of the housing comprising the slidable coupling component is accurately determined and then the housing is inserted into the material in the cake form until the front plate contacts the surface of the material. Then the material is autoclaved or cured under atmospheric conditions to harden , gaining its final form . As another wet mounting method, reinforcement systems are produced by which the mechanical connection systems according to the present invention are placed to proper positions and are placed into the moulds and the m ixture prepared for the wall element is poured into the moulds. The mixture prepared for the wall element is sem i-hardened to gain the cake form by curing under certain heat or atmospheric conditions and is cut to proper sizes taking into account the places to which reinforcement wires and mechanical connection elements in the reinforcement systems are to be positioned . After the cutting process, the material is autoclaved or cured under certain atmospheric conditions to harden for gaining its final form . I n a further wet mounting method , if the housing is made from a metal plate or a metal profile, the mechanical connection systems according to the present invention are placed to and im mobilized at predeterm ined places within the mould by means of magnets placed out of the mould and the m ixture prepared for the wall element is poured into the moulds. The mixture is semi-hardened to be obtained in the cake form by curing under certain heat or under atmospheric conditions, then the material in the cake form is cut into blocks or panels in proper sizes and the material is hardened further by autoclaving or by curing under certain atmospheric conditions to give its final form . For a dry mounting method, in turn, a volume with a size slightly larger than the size of the housing to be mounted is carved and removed from the wall element produced according to known methods of the prior art using a carving device and after an adhesive, silicone or a silicone-based material is applied to the carved hollow, the housing is inserted into the hollow and let to fix therein .

The size of the components of the mechanical connection system according to the present invention mounted to the wall element and load-bearing elements is important for the mechanical connection system to perform its functions properly. Although the length of the housing component embedded into the wall can vary depending on whether the load-bearing element opposite of the wall element is a colum n or a beam , and whether the wall element into which the housing is embedded is a block or a panel, it is in the range of 5 cm to 90 cm , preferably in the range of 7 cm to 80 cm , more preferably in the range of 1 0 cm to 60 cm . The length of the slidable coupling component placed in the housing is in the range of 4 cm to 80 cm , preferably in the range of 6 cm to 70 cm , more preferably in the range of 8 cm to 50 cm . The length of the guide track mounted to the load-bearing element is in the range of 5 cm to 40 cm , preferably in the range of 5 cm to 35 cm , more preferably in the range of 7.5 cm to 30 cm . The stopper on the surface of the housing can be placed to any position of the housing surface according to the intended displacement extent of the slidable coupling component. The stopper provided on the housing surface extends into the housing and passes through the guide slot of the slidable coupling component. The length of the guide slot is determined according to the intended displacement extent of the slidable coupling component. Accordingly, the length of the guide slot is in the range of 5 cm to 40 cm , preferably in the range of 5 cm to 30 cm, more preferably in the range of 7.5 cm to 27.5 cm.

A detailed description with references to figures of some preferred illustrative embodiments of the present invention is given below. These illustrative embodiments aim to provide an easy understanding of the present invention and do not intent to restrict the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a mechanical connection system according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a top view of a mechanical connection system according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view in which the slidable coupling component of a mechanical connection system according to the present invention is displaced to its maximum towards the interior of the housing.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view in which the slidable coupling component of a mechanical connection system according to the present invention is displaced to its maximum towards the exterior of the housing. Figure 5a shows a perspective view in which both displacement directions of the slidable coupling component of a mechanical connection system according to the present invention relative to the guide track is showed.

Figures 5b - 5c show a perspective view in which the lowermost and uppermost positions of the slidable coupling component of a mechanical connection system according to the present invention relative to the guide track are showed respectively when the slidable coupling component moves along the guide track.

Figures 5d - 5e show a perspective view in which the farthest and closest positions of the slidable coupling component of a mechanical connection system according to the present invention relative to the guide track are showed respectively, when the slidable coupling component moves towards the exterior of the housing. Figure 6 shows a front view of the guide track in the mechanical connection system according to the present invention mounted to a load-bearing element, showing the displacement direction of the guide track with respect to a column.

Figure 7 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a wall system wherein the housings of the mechanical connection system according to the present invention are embedded into wall blocks and the guide tracks of mechanical connection system according to the present invention are mounted to columns.

Figure 8 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a wall system wherein the housings of the mechanical connection system according to the present invention are embedded into wall blocks and the guide tracks of the mechanical connection system according to the present invention are mounted to columns and beam.

Figure 9 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the mechanical connection system according to the present invention in a wall system for providing connection between a wall block and column. Figure 10 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the mechanical connection system according to the present invention in a wall system for providing connection between a wall block and a beam.

Figure 1 1 a: A top view of a housing with horizontally notched lower and upper surfaces of the mechanical connection system according to the present invention. Figure 1 1 b shows a top view of a housing with diagonally notched lower and upper surfaces of the mechanical connection system according to the present invention.

Figure 1 1 c shows a perspective view of a housing with additional parts provided on its lower and upper surfaces of the mechanical connection system according to the present invention.

Figure 1 1 d shows a perspective view of a housing with additional parts provided on its lower and upper and lateral surfaces of the mechanical connection system according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of I nvention

Figure 1 shows an example of a mechanical connection system (1 ) according to the present invention wherein a slidable coupling component (2) has continuous connection with a housing (4) and a guide track (6) . The slidable coupling component (2) in connection with the housing (4) extends from within the housing (4) towards the guide track (6) , wherein a continuous connection is provided between the housing (4) and the guide track (6) by means of a head portion of the slidable coupling component (3) inserted into a C-shaped channel (7) of the guide track (6) . According to Figure 1 , the head of the slidable coupling component (3) can freely move along the C-shaped channel of the guide track (7) . The edges (7a, 7b) of the C- shaped channel are curved to face each other. For this reason, the distance along the channel (7) between the two edges (7a, 7b) of the C-shaped channel is smaller than the width of the head of the slidable coupling component (3) engaged into the C-shaped channel (7) . The depth of the C-shaped channel (7) , in turn, is larger than the length of the head of the slidable coupling component (3) . Thus, the head of the slidable coupling component (3) is enabled to move reversibly along the channel (7) without going out of the channel (7) . The head of the slidable coupling component (3) can have any shape as long as it fulfills said conditions. The head of the slidable coupling component (3) is T-shaped, for instance, as shown in figure 1 . On the side of the housing (4) that faces the guide track (6) is provided a front plate (8) which is integrated to the housing (4) . Figure 2 shows a top view of a mechanical connection system (1 ) according to the present invention, wherein the position of the T-shaped head of the slidable coupling component (3) in the C-shaped channel (7) is shown from the top. A stopper (9) , one end of which can be seen on the housing (4) , extends into the housing (4) . I n the top view of the mechanical connection system (1 ) shown in Figure 2, the stopper (9) is aligned with a guide slot (10) of the slidable coupling component. The other end of the stopper (9) is inserted into the guide slot (10) provided in the slidable coupling component (2) extending from within the housing (4) towards the guide track (6) . The stopper (9) is fixed to the upper side of the housing (4) and is in the form of a screw or a pin.

I n Figure 3, which shows the maximum distance traveled by the slidable coupling component (2) towards the interior of the housing (4) in the mechanical connection system (1 ) according to the present invention, the stopper (9) is inserted into the guide slot (10) provided in the body of the slidable coupling component (1 1 ) . The guide slot (10) is in the form of a oblong hole provided in the body of the slidable coupling component (1 1 ) . When the slidable coupling component (2) is moved towards the interior and exterior of the housing (4) , the end of the stopper (9) extending into the housing (4) displaces reversibly in the guide slot (10) . However, when the slidable coupling component (2) is moved towards the interior or exterior of the housing (4) , also the end of the stopper (9) extending into the housing (4) displaces in the guide slot (10) . When the stopper (9) rests against one of the two ends of the guide slot (10a, 10b) , the slidable coupling component (2) cannot move further. The maximum displacement amount of the slidable coupling component (2) in the housing (4) is equal to the distance traveled by the stopper (9) from one end (10a) of the guide slot to the other (10b) . Figure 3 gives a cross-sectional view in which the slidable coupling component (2) placed in the housing (4) is maximally displaced into the housing (4) , wherein the stopper (9) rests against the end (10a) of the guide slot at its head side. This position of the slidable coupling component (2) in the housing (4) provides ease when the housing (4) is mounted to a wall element in which it is embedded.

Since the interior of the guide slot (10) is hollow, also the stopper (9) displaces along the guide slot (10) in a reversible manner when the slidable coupling component (2) is displaced. I n order for the slidable coupling component (2) to displace to its maximum point towards the exterior of the housing (4) , the stopper (9) must be rest against the end of the guide slot (10b) at its rear side. Figure 4 gives a cross- sectional view in which the slidable coupling component (2) placed in the housing (4) is maximally displaced towards the exterior of the housing (4) , wherein the stopper (9) rests against the end of the guide slot (10b) at its rear side. As can be seen in Figure 3 and Figure 4, by virtue of the fact that the stopper (9) inserted into the guide slot (10) , the slidable coupling component (2) is enabled to reversibly move towards the exterior of the housing (4) along the distance determined by the guide slot (10) without leaving the housing (4) during an earthquake. The position of the stopper (9) is determined according to the intended reversible displacement amount of the slidable coupling component (2) towards the exterior of the housing (4) during an earthquake. The mechanical connection system (1 ) according to the present invention is designed so that the slidable coupling component (2) having a continuous connection with the housing (4) and the guide track (6) and providing a connection between these two components can displace reversibly both towards the exterior of the housing (4) and along the channel of the guide track (7) under the influence of the earthquake loads in-plane and out-of-plane. I n Figure 5a, the directions of displacement of the slidable coupling component (2) in the mechanical connection system (1 ) providing a continuous and movable connection between a wall element and load- bearing element under the influence of earthquake loads are shown with arrows. As can be seen in figure 5a, the displacement of the slidable coupling component (2) in the housing (4) and along the guide track (6) is bidirectional, namely reversible, enabling the respective building to make a swaying motion under earthquake loads. Taking into account that seismic movements are effective in both directions, in-plane and out-of-plane, during an earthquake, the displacement in the directions indicated with the arrows of the slidable coupling component (2) providing connection between the housing (4) integrated to, preferably embedded into a wall element, and the guide track (6) mounted onto the surface of a load-bearing element opposite of the housing (4) , enhances the resistance of the respective building against structural damages by enabling the building to sway under seismic movements.

Referring back to Figure 5a, there is also provided a front plate (8) integrated with the housing

(4) on the side of the housing (4) facing the guide track (6) , wherein inlet of the receiving space (5) of the housing is provided exactly at the middle of the front plate (8) . The surface area of the front plate (8) is at least 2-3 times larger than that of the inlet of receiving space

(5) and allows to place the housing (4) in the wall element to an invariable depth. Having said this, the front plate (8) also becomes twisted due to the influences of seismic activity during an earthquake and resists against that the housing (4) embedded in the wall element becomes effected from seismic activity or even detached from the wall element.

By virtue of the fact that the slidable coupling component (2) displaces as described above under the influence of earthquake loads, a wall element can move along different directions relative to the load-bearing element without the connection between the wall element and the load-bearing element being lost. Figure 5b and Figure 5c show the position of the slidable coupling component (2) on the upper part (6a) and lower part (6b) of the guide track. The slidable coupling component (2) under the influence of earthquake loads displaces between two ends (6c, 6d) along the guide track (6) with its head portion (3) (not shown in figure 5b) being engaged to the C-shaped channel (7) . I n order to properly carry out the assembly of the mechanical connection system as the wall is made, both ends of the guide track (6c, 6d) are left open. Thus, the head portion of the slidable coupling component (3) within the housing embedded in the wall can be inserted into the C-shaped channel (7) from the upper end (6c) or the lower end (6d) of the guide track. As another method, the head portion of the slidable coupling component (3) is vertically inserted into the C-shaped channel and then brought to a horizontal position so as to engage the channel. I n order for the building to make a swaying motion to withstand the earthquake loads in-plane and out-of-plane, the slidable coupling component (2) displaces reversibly along the C-shaped channel (7) of the guide track and at the same time reversibly within in the housing (4) . As the slidable coupling component (2) displaces in the housing (4) reversibly, i.e. towards the interior of the housing (4) and towards the exterior of the housing (4) , the guide slot (10) provided in the body of the slidable coupling component (1 1 ) guides the stopper (9) . Figure 5d and Figure 5e respectively show the farthest position and the closest position of the housing (4) to the guide track (6) during the displacement of the slidable coupling component (2) in the housing (4) under the influence of earthquake loads. I n Figure 5d, the stopper (9) rests against the end of the guide slot (10b) at its rear side and the slidable coupling component (2) is not allowed to move further towards the exterior of the housing (4) . Thus, the wall element is not allowed to move away from the load-bearing element beyond a certain distance.

The guide track (6) as one of the components of the mechanical connection system (1 ) according to the present invention is mounted to the surface of the load-bearing element facing the housing (4) . Figure 6 shows the guide track (6) after it is mounted to a load-bearing element (12) . I n the upper part (6a) and the lower part (6b) of the guide track (6) , holes (6e, 6f) are provided through which fasteners (14, 15) such as screws and nails are passed and they are fixed for mounting the guide track (6) to the load-bearing element (12) . To properly mount the mechanical connection system (1 ) according to the present invention, the housing (4) and the guide track (6) have to be in alignment face-to-face. I n order to make sure that the guide track (6) is positioned properly relative to the housing (4) , the holes (6e, 6f) provided in the upper and lower parts of the guide track (6) are horizontally wider than the fasteners (14, 15) and the guiding track (6) is loosely fastened to the load-bearing element (12) that allows fasteners (14, 15) to be moved freely along the holes (6e, 6f) when applying adequate force before they are tightened.

Thus, the head portion of the slidable coupling component (3) within the housing (4) embedded into the wall element can be easily inserted to the C-shaped channel of the guide track (7) and after the mechanical connection system (1 ) is installed as described above, the intended connection between the wall element (13) and load-bearing element (12) is achieved. I n Figure 6, the holes (6e, 6f) provided in the upper (6a) and lower part (6b) of the guide track have each an oblong shape. The fasteners (14, 15) connecting the guide track (6) to the load- bearing element (12) through said oblong holes (6e, 6f) are mounted in an adjustable looseness to bring the guide track (6) and the housing (4) in alignment when applying adequate force. Accordingly, a wall system is constructed using the mechanical connection system (1 ) according to the present invention producing a connection between a wall element and a load-bearing element and enabling the respective building to sway under the influence of earthquake loads. I n Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 9 and Figure 10, wall block (13) is used as a wall element and column (12a) and beam (12b) are used as a load-bearing element. Figure 7 illustrates a vertical cross-section of a wall system (16) in which the mechanical connection systems (1 ) according to the present invention is mounted for providing connection between a wall block (13) and columns (12a) . Here, the housing (4) is embedded into the wall block (13) and the guide track (6) is mounted to the surface of the column (12a) facing the housing (4) . The mechanical connection system (1 ) provides connection between the wall block (13) and the column (12a) by means of the slidable coupling component (2) which has a continuous connection both with the housing (4) and the guide track (6). In Figure 7, it is illustrated that the wall blocks (13) having embedded housings (4) are placed at certain intervals opposite of the column (12a). Additionally, an elastic material (18) is used between the wall (17) and the column (12a) to help absorb the energy released during an earthquake. Before the wall blocks (13) are immobilized, the elastic material (18) is cut to the width of the wall block (13) staying opposite of the column (12a) and then applied, in particular adhered, along the column (12a). The position of the guide track (6) to be placed in alignment with the housing (4) is determined on the elastic material (18) applied to the column (12a), opposite of the wall block (13) having an embedded housing (4). A portion of the elasitic material (18) applied to the column (12a) is removed through which the guide track (6) is to be mounted and the guide track (6) is mounted to the column (12a). After the guide track (6) is mounted and brought in alignment with the housing (4), the head portion of the slidable coupling component (3) is inserted to the C-shaped channel of the guide track (7) and the block is immobilized by means of mortar. Thus, a connection is formed between the wall block (13) and the column (12a) by means of the mechanical connection system (1) according to the present invention. In forming a connection between the wall block (13) and the column (12a) using the mechanical connection system (1) according to the present invention, the procedure described above is repeated for each wall block (13) having an embedded housing (4). A sufficient number of mechanical connection systems (1) is used depending on the length of the wall to produce the wall system (16).

Figure 8 shows a vertical cross-section of a wall system (19) formed using the mechanical connection systems (1) according to the present invention for providing connection both between wall blocks (13) and columns (12a) and between wall blocks (13) and beams (12b). Forming a connection between a wall (17) and a column (12a) using the mechanical connection systems (1) according to the present invention is carried out as described above. Forming a connection between a wall (17) and a beam (12b) using the mechanical connection systems (1) according to the present invention, in turn, is carried out in a similar manner. It can be seen in Figure 8 that some wall blocks (13) having embedded housings (4) are placed in certain intervals in alignment with some guide track (6). Similar to using an elastic material (18) between the wall (17) and column (12a), it is used also between the wall (17) and beam (12b) for absorbing energy released during an earthquake. Before the wall blocks (13) are immobilized, the elastic material (18) is cut to the width of the wall blocks (13) staying opposite of the beam and then applied along the beam (12b). The place of the guide track (6) to be placed in alignment with the housing (4) is determined on the elastic material (18) applied to the beam (12b), opposite of the wall block (13) in which the housing (4) is embedded. A portion of the elastic material (18) applied to the beam (1 2b) , through which the guide track (6) is to be mounted is removed and the guide track (6) is mounted to the beam (12b) . After the guide track (6) is mounted and brought in alignment with the housing (4) , the head (3) of the slidable coupling component in the housing (4) is inserted to the C-shaped channel of the guide track (7) and the wall block (13) is immobilized by means of mortar. Thus, a connection is formed between the wall block (13) and the beam (12b) using the mechanical connection system (1 ) according to the present invention. I n forming a connection between the wall block (13) and beam (12b) using the mechanical connection system (1 ) according to the present invention, the procedure described above is repeated for each wall block (13) having an embedded housing (4) .

I n order to provide a more detailed illustration of the connection of the mechanical connection systems (1 ) according to the present invention provided between a wall block (13) and column (12a) and between a wall block (13) and beam (12b) in wall systems (16, 19) shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8 respectively, a vertical cross-sectional view of the mechanical connection system (1 ) according to the present invention providing connection between a wall block (13) and a column (12a) in a wall system (16) is given in Figure 9, and a vertical cross-sectional view of the mechanical connection system (1 ) according to the present invention providing connection between a wall block (13) and a beam (12b) in a wall system (19) is given in Figure 10. I n Figure 9 and Figure 10, the housing (4) are embedded into wall blocks (13) and the guide track (6) are mounted to a column (12a) and a beam (12b) , respectively. I t is seen that the mechanical connection system (1 ) according to the present invention provides connection between the wall block and column and between the wall block and beam, by virtue of the fact that the slidable coupling component (2) having a continuous connection with the housing (4) and with the guide track (6) at the same time. The housing (4) and the guide track (6) are in alignment and the head of the slidable coupling component (3) having connection with the housing (4) is engaged to the C-shaped channel of the guide track (7) . Since the guide track (6) is in alignment with the housing (4) , the head of slidable coupling component (3) can be easily inserted to the C-shaped channel of the guide track (7) during assembly. I t is shown in Figure 9 and Figure 10 that the head of the slidable coupling component (3) engaged to the C- shaped channel (7) to provide a connection is positioned at around the center of the guide track (6) . Thus, buildings with wall systems (16, 19) constructed using the mechanical systems (1 ) according to the present invention can sway under the influence of earthquake loads in- plane and out-of-plane and enhance their resistance against the effects of earthquake loads. The elastic material used between the walls (17) and columns (12a) and between the walls (17) and beams (12b) , in turn, helps absorbing the energy released during an earthquake. Additionally, modifications made on the surfaces of the housing (4) embedded in wall elements increase the friction between the wall element and the surfaces of the housing (4) for preventing the detachment and separation of the housing (4) from the wall element during an earthquake. Figures 1 1 a, 1 1 b, 1 1 c and 1 1 d show examples of modifications on the upper surface (4a) and lower surface (4b) of the housing (4) , namely, a top view of a housing (4) having horizontal notches (20) on its lower surface (4b) and upper surface (4a) , a top view of a housing (4) having diagonal notches (21 ) on its lower surface (4b) and upper surface (4a) , a perspective view of a housing (4) provided with additional parts (22) on its lower surface (4b) and upper surface (4a) , and a perspective view of a housing (4) provided with additional parts (22) on its lower surface (4b) , upper surface (4a) , and lateral surface, respectively.

List of com ponents

1 - Mechanical connection system

2- Slidable coupling component

3- Head of slidable coupling component 4- Housing

4a- Upper surface of housing 4b-Lower surface of housing

5- Receiving space

6- Guide track 6a, 6b- Upper part and lower part of guide track 6c, 6d- Upper end and lower end of guide track 6e, 6f- Upper hole and lower hole of guide track

7- C-shaped channel of guide track

7a, 7b-Edges of C-shaped channel of guide track 8- Front plate of housing

9- Stopper

1 0- Guide slot

1 0a, 1 0b-Two ends of guide slot of slidable coupling component 1 1 - Body portion of slidable coupling component

12- Load-bearing element 12a-Column

12b- Beam 13- Wall block 14, 15-Fasteners 16, 19-Wall system

17- Wall

18- Elastic material 20-Horizontal notch

21 - Diagonal notch

22- Additional part

According to the present invention, the mechanical connection system can be made from metal plates and/or metal profiles of materials proper for metal sheet production such as steel, chromium, galvanized material, iron, aluminum , titanium , vanadium or an alloy thereof , from heat-resistant plastics such as polyamide, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester-fiber or other composite materials. When the mechanical connection system is made of a plastic material, typically an injection method is used. For this purpose, injection molds are designed for the C column profile and anchorage element (mechanical connection element) . The mechanical connection system according to the present invention is produced using an injection machine with proper pressure amount. When the mechanical connection system is made from metal plates, it has to be designed according to the material to be used. I n addition to manual cutting methods in which the elongation amount of the respective metal in a bending/breaking operation is taken into account, the cutting process can also be performed by CNC punch, CNC laser or CNC plasma, CNC water jet, for instance. The metal parts which are already bent are joined together using a proper welding method on the metal surfaces. Following the welding process, surface coating can optionally be performed using materials such as an anti-corrosive paint to impart resistance against corrosion. A method suitable for the design of the components of the mechanical connection system is determined in the manufacture of the mechanical connection system from metal profiles. When the components of the mechanical connection system are produced from metal profile, the metal profile is cut with saw and brought into its final form through modifications and additions from metal sheet. When necessary, surface coating is performed using anti-corrosive paints to impart resistance against corrosion.

The present invention is described above based on the preferred embodiments of the mechanical connection system according to the present invention providing connection between wall elements and load-bearing element and enabling the respective building to sway under the influence of earthquake loads in-plane and out-of-plane, wherein various alternatives, equivalents, and modifications within the scope of the following claims can be made to the embodiments described above.

Claims

A mechanical connection system providing connection between a wall element and a load- bearing element, comprising :

a housing which has a receiving space extending in itself and is integrated to the wall element,

a slidable coupling component placed into the receiving space,

a guide slot guiding the stopper within the slidable coupling component,

a guide track mounted to a load-bearing element,

The mechanical connection system according to claim 1 , wherein the length of the guide slot provided in the slidable coupling component determines the displacement extent of the slidable coupling component in the housing.

The mechanical connection system according claim 1 , wherein the guide track is mounted to a load-bearing element using fasteners inserted through holes provided on an upper part and a lower part of the guide track so that the guide track and housing come face to face. The mechanical connection system according to claim 1 , wherein the slidable coupling component provides a continuous connection between the load-bearing element and the wall element by being connected both to the housing integrated to the wall element and to the guide track mounted to the load-bearing element.

The mechanical connection system according to claim 1 , wherein the channel is a C-shaped channel and the mutual edges of the channel are curved to face each other.

. The mechanical connection system according to claim 5, wherein the distance between the edges of the channel is smaller than the width of the head of the slidable coupling component engaged into the channel and the depth of the channel is larger than the length of the head of the slidable coupling component.

. The mechanical connection system according to claim 1 , wherein the housing has horizontal or diagonal notches formed on the lower surface and upper surface of the housing, or additional parts provided on the lower and upper surfaces or on the lower, upper and lateral surfaces of the housing.

. The mechanical connection system according to claim 1 , wherein the housing is embedded into the wall element.

. A method for embedding the housing of the mechanical connection system according to claim 8 into a wall element, comprising the steps of :

- preparing a mixture for the production of wall element,

- hardening the prepared mixture until it becomes semi-hardened to give a cake form by means of curing,

- cutting the material in the cake form to proper sizes,

- determining the mounting position of the housing comprising the slidable coupling component,

- inserting the housing into the material in the cake form until its front plate contacts surface of the material,

- hardening the material by autoclaving process or by atmospheric curing to give its final form .

0. An earthquake resistant wall system comprising:

-a wall composed of more than one wall element,

-more than one load-bearing element in connection with the wall,

-at least one mechanical connection system providing connection between the wall element and the load-bearing element, said connection system comprising:

- a housing which has a receiving space extending in itself and is integrated to the wall element,

- a slidable coupling component placed into the receiving space,

- a guide slot guiding the stopper within the slidable coupling component,

- a guide track mounted to a load-bearing element, - a channel by which the slidable coupling component moves along between two ends of the guide track,

- a front plate provided in the inlet of the housing and integrated thereto and having an opening in its middle for entry into the receiving space, wherein the slidable coupling component is in connection both with the housing and the guide track such that the slidable coupling component is capable to move reversibly in the housing by means of stopper inserted into the guide slot and guided along the guide slot within the slidable coupling component, and at the same time is capable to move reversibly in the channel of the guide track by means of head portion of slidable coupling component engaged into the channel and guided along the channel.

1 1 . The wall system according to claim 10, wherein the wall element is selected from a group comprising the wall block and the wall panel.

1 2. The wall system according to claim 10, wherein the load-bearing element is selected from a group comprising the column and the beam.

1 3. The wall system according to claim 10, wherein an elastic material is provided between the wall and the load-bearing element.

1 4. The wall system according to any one of the claims 10 to 13, wherein the elastic material is cut to the width of the wall element and applied to the load-bearing element.

1 5. The wall system according to claim 14, wherein the elastic material is selected from a group comprising glass wool, rock wool, ceramic wool, XPS (extruded polystyrene) heat insulation boards, EPS (expanded polystyrene) heat insulation boards, polymer-based foam materials such as polyurethane foam , mastics, gypsum boards, cement-based heat insulation boards.

1 6. The wall system according to claim 10, wherein the length of the guide slot provided in the slidable coupling component determines the displacement extent of the slidable coupling component in the housing.

1 7. The wall system according claim 10, wherein the guide track is mounted to a load-bearing element using fasteners inserted through holes provided on an upper part and a lower part of the guide track so that the guide track and housing come face to face.

1 8. The wall system according to claim 10, wherein the slidable coupling component provides a continuous connection between the load-bearing element and the wall element by being connected both to the housing integrated to the wall element and to the guide track mounted to the load-bearing element.

1 9. The wall system according to claim 10, wherein the channel is a C-shaped channel and the mutual edges of the channel are curved to face each other.

20. The wall system according to claim 19, wherein the distance between the edges of the channel is smaller than the width of the head of the slidable coupling component engaged into the channel and the depth of the channel is larger than the length of the head of the slidable coupling component.

21 . The wall system according to claim 10, wherein the housing has horizontal or diagonal notches formed on the lower surface and upper surface of the housing, or additional parts provided on the lower and upper surfaces or on the lower, upper and lateral surfaces of the housing.

22. The wall system according to claim 10, wherein the housing is embedded into the wall element.

23. A method for embedding the housing of the mechanical connection system into a wall element for the wall system according to claim 22, comprising the steps of :

- preparing mixture for the production of wall element,

- cutting the material in cake form to proper sizes,

- inserting the housing into the material in the cake form until its front plate contacts the surface of the material,