WO2016185448A1

WO2016185448A1 - Vibration damper device for prefabricated warehouses and similar buildings

Info

Publication number: WO2016185448A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/052985
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gianfranco Gramola
Original assignee: Poseidon Gt S.R.L.
Priority date: 2015-05-21
Filing date: 2016-05-20
Publication date: 2016-11-24
Also published as: EP3298218A1; EP3298218B1; TR201906517T4; ITUB20150800A1

Abstract

Vibration damper device (1) comprising: a first anchoring structure (2) adapted to be rigidly fixed on the main beam (103), at the axial end (104a) of the covering crossbeam (104); a second anchoring structure (3) adapted to be rigidly fixed on the covering crossbeam (104), at the axial end of the beam (104a); an intermediate floating element (4) which is separately coupled to the first (2) and to the second anchoring structure (3) so as to move freely with respect to the two anchoring structures (2, 3) back and forth along two horizontal directions (d₁, d₂), one parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of the main beam (103) and the other parallel to the longitudinal axis (B) of the covering crossbeam (104); and two deformable connecting members (5, 6) having an elastoplastic behaviour and which are separately interposed between the intermediate floating element (4) and the two anchoring structures (3).

Description

VIBRATION DAMPER DEVICE FOR PREFABRICATED

WAREHOUSES AND SIMILAR BUILDINGS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vibration damper device for prefabricated warehouses and similar buildings.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a vibration damper device for prefabricated warehouses in reinforced concrete, to which the following description will make explicit reference without thereby losing in generality .

BACKGROUND ART

As is known, prefabricated warehouses in reinforced concrete consist essentially of a reinforced-concrete, large horizontal roof which rests on a series of vertical pillars also in reinforced concrete.

More in detail, the horizontal roof consists of a series of reinforced-concrete long main beams generally having an I-shaped, L-shaped, T-shaped or inverted T-shaped cross section and which are arranged in horizontal position and parallel and facing or aligned to one another, resting on the upper ends of the pillars; and of a series of reinforced-concrete covering crossbeams that are arranged in horizontal position and one parallel and side-by-side to the another, crossways and astride two immediately adjacent main beams, so as to rest with the two ends on the main beams and be locally perpendicular to said main beams.

Thanks to this particular modular construction with main beams and covering crossbeams merely laid on each other, the horizontal roof can be assembled using prefabricated reinforced-concrete main beams and covering crossbeams .

Although allowing a significant reduction of warehouse construction costs, the modular structure described above does not offer a high resistance to undulatory-type seismic events .

During this type of seismic event, in fact, the individual covering crossbeams of the roof tend to slide on the main beams, moving back and forth and/or rotating horizontally with respect to the design position, until one of the two ends of the covering crossbeam goes beyond/ passes over the edge of the main beam and falls to the ground, with all the risks that this entails for the people located in the underlying area of the warehouse.

To obviate this drawback, some manufacturers of prefabricated reinforced-concrete warehouses have decided to rigidly anchor the ends of the covering crossbeams to the corresponding main beams via metal brackets structured so as to prevent any relative movement between the two components . Obviously the rigid connection between the covering crossbeams and the main beams makes the upper part of the warehouse much more rigid and heavy, significantly changing the dynamic behaviour of the structure in response to seismic events, with the problems that this entails.

In case of seismic events, in fact, a more rigid and heavier roof may expose the reinforced-concrete pillars to mechanical stresses much higher than those they are designed for, with the risk of ensuing collapse of the building .

Patent application WO2014/147598 discloses a vibration damper device which is structured so as to anchor the ends of the covering crossbeam to the underlying main beam, and is also able to deform in an elastoplastic manner to allow and dampen any movements of the crossbeam parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Aim of the present invention is to improve performances of the vibration damper device described in patent application WO2014/147598.

In compliance with these aims, according to the present invention there is provided a vibration damper device for prefabricated warehouses and similar buildings as defined in claim 1 and preferably, though not necessarily, in any of the dependent claims. According to the present invention there is also realized a building as defined in claim 16.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment thereof, in which:

- Figures 1 and 2 show in perspective view from two different angles, with parts in section and parts removed for clarity, a portion of the roof of a prefabricated reinforced-concrete warehouse provided with a series of vibration damper devices made according to the teachings of the present invention;

- Figure 3 shows, in perspective view and enlarged scale, a vibration damper device made according to the teachings of the present invention; whereas

- Figure 4 is a partially-exploded perspective view of the vibration damper device shown in Figure 3.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, reference numeral 1 denotes as a whole a vibration damper device specifically structured to be able to connect/fix the axial ends of the covering crossbeams of the roof of a reinforced -concrete warehouse 100 or similar building to the main beams immediately underneath, and to dissipate the energy released onto the warehouse roof 100 during a seismic event .

More in detail, the warehouse 100 is basically made up of a series of load-bearing pillars 101 (only one pillar is shown in Figure 1) which rise from the ground in a substantially vertical direction and are preferably, though not necessarily, made of reinforced concrete; and of a large, substantially flat, covering roof 102 which extends horizontally at a predetermined height from the ground, resting on the top of the pillars 101.

In turn, the covering roof 102 is made up of a series of long main beams 103 (only one main beam is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3) which are arranged in a substantially horizontal position, spaced one beside the other, in such a way as to be in pairs locally substantially parallel and facing each other, and which are arranged resting on the upper ends of the load-bearing pillars 101, in such a way as to extend astride two or more adjacent load-bearing pillars 101 at a predetermined height from the ground; and by a series of covering crossbeams 104 which are arranged in a substantially horizontal position and one flanked/ adjacent to the other, straddling two adjacent main beams 103, in such a way as to rest with the two axial ends 104a on same main beams 103.

In other words, the covering crossbeams 104 extend to bridge two adjacent main beams 103, preferably while remaining locally substantially perpendicular to said main beams 103.

The vibration damper device 1 is adapted to be rigidly fixed both to the axial end 104a of the covering beam 104 and to the main beam 103 immediately below it, and is structured so as to dissipate the energy that is released to the covering roof 102 of the prefabricated warehouse 100 during a seismic event.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, in the example shown, in particular, main beams 103 preferably consist of as many prefabricated rectilinear section-bars 103 in prestressed reinforced concrete and with an I-shaped cross- section, and the axial ends 104a of the covering beams 104 are preferably arranged resting on the upper side wings or shelves 103a of the section-bar.

Obviously, in a different embodiment the main beams 103 may also consist of reinforced-concrete section-bars with T-shaped, L-shaped, double T-shaped, inverted T-shaped cross-section and similar.

The covering crossbeams 104, instead, preferably consist of as many prefabricated straight section-bars in prestressed reinforced concrete, which preferably, though not necessarily, have a substantially double T-shaped cross-section, and are structured so as to be able to rest with the two axial ends 104a directly on the side wings or shelves 103a of the main beams 103.

In the example shown, lastly, the warehouse 100 is preferably provided with a vibration damper device 1 at each of the two axial ends 104a of each covering crossbeam 104 of the covering roof 102.

Obviously, in a different embodiment the warehouse 100 may have the vibration damper devices 1 only at the axial ends 104a of a part of the covering crossbeam 104 of the roof covering 102.

With reference to figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, the vibration damper device 1 in turn basically comprises:

— a first rigid anchoring structure 2 which is adapted to be rigidly fixed on the body of the main beam 103 or rather on the upper wing or shelf 103a of the main beam 103, at or close to the axial end 104a of the beam, so as to form a single body with the main beam 103;

— a second rigid anchoring structure 3 which is adapted to be rigidly fixed on the body of the covering crossbeam 104, at or close to the axial end 104a of the crossbeam, so as to form a single body with the covering crossbeam 104;

— an intermediate floating element 4 which is slidingly coupled to the anchoring structure 2 so as to freely move forward and backward with respect to the anchoring structure 2 in a first predetermined horizontal direction di locally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the main beam 103 to which the anchoring structure 2 is fixed, and which is also slidingly coupled to the anchoring structure 3 so as to freely move forward and backward with respect to the anchoring structure 3 in a second predetermined horizontal direction d2 locally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis B of the covering crossbeam 104 to which the anchoring structure 3 is fixed.

In other words, the intermediate floating element 4 is slidingly coupled to the anchoring structure 3 so as to move horizontally and freely with respect to the anchoring structure 3 forward and backward along a direction d2, locally substantially perpendicular to the direction di, and also locally substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the main beam 103.

More in detail, the anchoring structure 2 is preferably adapted to be rigidly fixed on the body of the main beam 103 or rather on the upper wing or shelf 103a of the main beam 103, vertically aligned underneath the axial end 104a of the covering crossbeam 104.

Preferably the intermediate floating element 4 is instead facing the main beam 103, preferably in front of the upper wing or shelf 103a of the main beam 103, vertically aligned below the covering crossbeam 104, at or near the axial end 104a.

The anchoring structure 3, lastly, is preferably adapted to be rigidly fixed directly on the body of the covering crossbeam 104, immediately beneath the covering crossbeam 104, directly facing the intermediate floating element 4.

The intermediate floating element 4, in addition, is preferably fixed/coupled to the anchoring structure 2 so as to freely move with respect to said anchoring structure 2 exclusively in the direction di; and is preferably fixed/ coupled to the anchoring structure 3 so as to move freely with respect to said anchoring structure 3 exclusively in the direction d.2 .

Furthermore, the vibration damper device 1 also comprises :

— a first deformable connecting member 5 with elastoplastic behaviour, which is interposed between the anchoring structure 2 and the intermediate floating element 4, and is structured so as to deform in elastoplastic manner during any movement of the intermediate floating element 4 with respect to the anchoring structure 2 in the direction di; and

— a second deformable connecting member 6 with elastoplastic behaviour, which is interposed between the anchoring structure 3 and the intermediate floating element 4, and is structured so as to deform in elastoplastic manner during any movement of the intermediate floating element 4 with respect to the anchoring structure 3 in the direction d2.

Obviously, the elastoplastic deformation of the deformable connecting member 5 dissipates the kinetic energy of the covering crossbeam 104 when it moves forward and backward with respect to the main beam 103 in the direction di . The elastoplastic deformation of the deformable connecting member 6 instead dissipates the kinetic energy of the covering crossbeam 104 when it moves forward and backward with respect to the main beam 103 in the direction d.2 .

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, in the example shown, in particular, the anchoring structure 2 is preferably structured so as to be directly fixed to the body of the main beam 103, preferably immediately beneath the axial end 104a of the covering crossbeam 104, by anchor rods 7, through-bolts or other anchoring members of known type . Preferably the anchoring structure 2 is also provided with a protruding appendage 8 which extends cantilevered from the main beam 103 towards the intermediate floating element 4, preferably while remaining locally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the main beam 103.

Preferably the protruding appendage 8 is therefore vertically aligned below the covering crossbeam 104, and in addition extends cantilevered from the main beam 103 also parallel to the longitudinal axis B of covering crossbeam 104, i.e. horizontally.

The intermediate floating element 4, in turn, is preferably placed below the axial end 104a of the covering crossbeam 104, facing the anchoring structure 2, and is preferably provided with a first plate-like portion 9 which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the main beam 103, locally adjacent the body of the main beam 103, and has a straight, guiding slotted hole or groove 10 which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the main beam 103, i.e. in direction di, and is dimensioned so as to be slidingly engaged preferably substantially throughout its length from the distal end of the protruding appendage 8 of anchoring structure 2.

In other words, the plate-like portion 9 of intermediate floating element 4 is fitted in sliding manner on the protruding appendage 8 of anchoring structure 2, so that the entire intermediate floating member 4 can slide freely on the protruding appendage 8 in the direction di preferably while remaining parallel to itself.

Preferably, the deformable connecting member 5 instead extends straddling between the protruding appendage 8 and the plate-like portion 9, so as to rigidly connect them, and is structured so as to deform in elastoplastic manner during all movements/translations of the plate-like portion 9 on the protruding appendage 8 of anchoring structure 2.

The anchoring structure 3, on the other hand, is preferably structured so as to be rigidly fixed directly on the body of the covering crossbeam 104, preferably on the lower side of the covering crossbeam 104 and near the axial end 104a, by means of anchor rods 11, through-bolts or other anchoring members of the known type.

Preferably, the anchoring structure 3 is also located immediately beneath the covering crossbeam 104, at or near to the axial end 104a of the beam, and is provided with a protruding appendage 12 which cantilever extends from the covering crossbeam 104 towards the intermediate floating element 4, i.e. downwards, preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B of the covering crossbeam 104. In addition the protruding appendage 12 preferably extends cantilevered from the covering crossbeam 104 also in the vertical direction, i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of main beam 103.

The intermediate floating element 4, in turn, is preferably provided with a second plate-like portion 13 which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis B of the covering crossbeam 104, locally adjacent the body of covering crossbeam 104 preferably immediately beneath the covering crossbeam 104, and has a straight, guiding slotted hole or groove 14 which extends locally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the covering crossbeam 104, i.e. in direction d2, and is dimensioned so as to be slidingly engaged, preferably substantially throughout its length, by the distal end of the protruding appendage 12 of the anchoring structure 3.

In other words, plate-like portion 13 of intermediate floating element 4 is fitted in sliding manner on the protruding appendage 12 of anchoring structure 3, so that the entire intermediate floating member 4 can slide freely on the protruding appendage 12 in direction d2 preferably while remaining parallel to itself.

More in detail, with reference to Figures 3 and 4, in the example shown the anchoring structure 2 is preferably made entirely of metal material, and preferably comprises:

— a plate-like bracket 15, which is preferably substantially U-bent so as to form a saddle which substantially copies the profile of the upper wing or shelf 103a of the main beam 103, and is adapted to be rigidly fixed straddling the lateral edge of the upper wing or shelf 103a of main beam 103, with the central flat band in a substantially vertical position and parallel to the longitudinal axis A of main beam 103; and — a big cylindrical pin 16 which cantilevered protrudes from the flat central band of the plate-like bracket 15 while remaining locally substantially perpendicular to said flat central band .

In other words, plate-like bracket 15 is adapted to be placed in abutment on the body of the main beam 103, and the cylindrical pin 16 extends cantilevered from the plate^¬ like bracket 15 opposite of the main beam 103, while remaining coaxial to a reference axis C which is substantially horizontal and also perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of main beam 103.

Moreover, plate-like bracket 15 is preferably provided with a series of through holes so as to be stably fixed on the upper wing or shelf 103a of the main beam 103 by means of a series of anchor rods 7.

The cylindrical pin 16 forms the protruding appendage 8 of the anchoring structure 2, and is preferably, though not necessarily, made in one piece with the plate-like bracket 15.

In addition to the above, with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the anchoring structure 2 preferably also comprises two additional guide pins 17 which protrude cantilevered from the plate-like bracket 15, on opposite sides of the cylindrical pin 16, while remaining locally parallel to cylindrical pin 16.

More in detail, the two additional guide pins 17 are preferably horizontally aligned with each other, above the cylindrical pin 16.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, also the anchoring structure 3 is preferably made entirely of metal material, and preferably comprises:

— a plate-like fork 18, which is preferably substantially U-bent so as to copy the profile of the lower part of the covering crossbeam 104, and is adapted to receive and stably embrace the lower part of the covering crossbeam 104; and

— a big cylindrical pin 19 which cantilevered protrudes outwards from the flat central section of the plate-like fork 19 while remaining locally substantially perpendicular to said flat central section .

In other words, the plate-like fork 18 is adapted to be placed in abutment on the bottom portion of the covering crossbeam 104, and cylindrical pin 19 extends cantilevered from the plate-like fork 18 on the side opposite the covering crossbeam 104, while remaining locally coaxial to a reference axis D which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B of covering crossbeam 104, and preferably also substantially vertical.

Moreover, plate-like fork 18 is preferably structured so as to be stably fixed to the body of the covering crossbeam 104 preferably by means of at least one transversal pass-through bolt 11.

The cylindrical pin 19 forms the protruding appendage 12 of anchoring structure 3, and is preferably, though not necessarily, made in one piece with the plate-like fork 18.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, also the intermediate floating element 4 is preferably made entirely of metal material, and preferably basically consists of two, preferably substantially rectangular, flat plates 20 and 21 which are butt fixed to one another so as to form a substantially upside-down L-shaped, rigid plate-like body.

Flat plate 20 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B of covering crossbeam 104, i.e. is substantially vertical, and is placed beneath the covering crossbeam 104 preferably with the two longer sides substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of main beam 103, so as to be locally substantially parallel to and adjacent the anchoring structure 2 and/or the body of main beam 103, or rather the flat central band of plate-like bracket 15.

Flat plate 20 is moreover provided with a central straight slit which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of main beam 103, i.e. in direction di, and is dimensioned so as to be slidingly engaged for its entire length by the cylindrical pin 16 of anchoring structure 2.

Preferably flat plate 20 is also provided with two additional straight slits which are preferably aligned with each other, extend parallel to the central straight slit, i.e. in direction di, and are dimensioned so as to be slidingly engaged for their entire length by a respective guide pin 17 of anchoring structure 2.

Flat plate 21 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis B of covering crossbeam 104, and is placed beneath the covering crossbeam 104 locally substantially parallel to and adjacent the covering crossbeam 104, preferably with the two longer sides of the plate parallel to the longitudinal axis B of covering crossbeam 104.

More in detail, flat plate 21 is preferably substantially horizontal and extends cantilevered from the upper edge of flat plate 20 while remaining locally substantially adjacent the lower part of the covering crossbeam 104 immediately above, with the two longer sides of the plate parallel to the longitudinal axis B of covering crossbeam 104.

Flat plate 21 is moreover provided centrally with a straight slit which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis B of covering crossbeam 104, i.e. in direction d2, preferably along the centerline of the plate, and is dimensioned so as to be slidingly engaged for its entire length by the cylindrical pin 19 of anchoring structure 3.

The straight central slit of flat plate 20 obviously forms the straight guiding slotted hole 10 of plate-like portion 9 of the intermediate floating element 4.

The straight central slit of flat plate 21 instead forms the straight guiding slotted hole 14 of the plate^¬ like portion 13 of the intermediate floating element 4.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, preferably the deformable connecting member 5 on the other hand comprises:

— a preferably substantially rectangular in shape, support plate 24 which is provided, along the centerline, with a long straight slit 25 dimensioned so as to be slidingly engaged by the cylindrical pin 16 of anchoring structure 2, and is adapted to be bolted or otherwise rigidly fixed on the plate-like portion 9 of intermediate floating element 4, or better on the vertical flat plate 20, with its straight slit 25 aligned and superposing the straight guiding slotted hole 10 of intermediate floating element 4, i.e. to the central straight slit of said vertical flat plate 20;

— a movable slider 26, which slidingly engages the straight slit 25 and is provided with a hole or seat adapted to accommodate, with no possibility of transversal displacement, the distal end of protruding appendage 8 of anchoring structure 2, or better the distal end of cylindrical pin 16; and

— at least one U-shaped connecting rod 27 made of metal material and which has a first end integral with the body of the movable slider 26, and a second end integral with the body of support plate 24, so as to be able to deform in an elastoplastic manner during any movement of the movable slider 26 along the straight slit 25 of support plate 24.

In the example shown, in particular, the deformable connecting member 5 is preferably provided with two pairs of metal-material, U-shaped connecting rods 27 which are arranged on opposite sides of movable slider 26, preferably aligned parallel to straight slit 25, and have a first end rigidly connected to the body of movable slider 26, and a second end rigidly connected to the body of support plate 24 beyond the end of straight slit 25, so as to be able to respectively and alternatively stretch or bend in elastoplastic manner as a consequence of any displacement of the movable slider 26 along the straight slit 25 of support plate 24.

Each U-shaped connecting rod 27, furthermore, preferably consists of a substantially C-bent, metal plate 27 which has a first end welded on the body of movable slider 26, and a second end rigidly welded on the body of support plate 24.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the U-shaped rods 27 may also have shapes and/or cross-sections different from one another, or be made of metal materials different from each other, so as to regulate the capacity of energy dissipation of the vibration damper device 1.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, similarly to the deformable connecting member 5, the deformable connecting member 6 preferably as well comprises:

— a preferably substantially rectangular in shape, support plate 28 which is provided, along the centerline, with a long straight slit 29 dimensioned so as to be slidingly engaged by the cylindrical pin 19 of anchoring structure 3, and is adapted to be bolted or otherwise rigidly fixed on the plate-like portion 13 of the intermediate floating element 4, or better on the horizontal flat plate 21, with its straight slit

29 aligned and superposing the straight guiding slotted hole 14 of the intermediate floating element 4, i.e. to the central straight slit of horizontal flat plate 21;

— a movable slider 30, which slidingly engages the straight slit 29 and is provided with a hole or seat adapted to accommodate, with no possibility of transversal displacement, the distal end of the protruding appendage 12 of anchoring structure 3, or better the distal end of cylindrical pin 19; and

— at least one U-shaped connecting rod 31 made of metal material and which has a first end integral with the body of movable slider 30, and a second end integral with the body of support plate 28, so way as to be able to deform in elastoplastic manner during any movement of the movable slider

30 along the straight slit 29 of support plate 28.

In the example shown, in particular, the deformable connecting member 6 is preferably provided with two pairs of metal-material, U-shaped connecting rods 31 which are arranged on opposite sides of movable slider 30, preferably aligned parallel to the straight slit 29, and have a first end rigidly connected to the body of movable slider 30, and a second end rigidly connected to the body of support plate 28 beyond the end of the straight slit 29, so as to be able to respectively and alternatively stretch or bend in an elastoplastic manner as a consequence of any displacement of the movable slider 30 along the straight slit 29 of support plate 28.

Each U-shaped connecting rod 31, moreover, preferably consists of a substantially C-bent, metal plate 31 which has a first end welded on the body of movable slider 30, and a second end rigidly welded on the body of support plate 28.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the U-shaped rods 31 may also have shapes and/or cross-sections different from one another, or be made of metal materials different from each other, so as to regulate the capacity of energy dissipation of the vibration damper device 1.

Installation of vibration damper device 1 is easily inferable from the description above, and needs no further explanation .

In presence of an undulatory-type seismic event, each vibration damper device 1 allows the covering crossbeam 104 to which it is coupled, to move forward and backward with respect to the main beam 103 immediately underneath, both parallel and transversely to its own longitudinal axis B.

Obviously the displacements of covering crossbeam 104 require a much higher amount of energy than that required in the absence of vibration damper device 1. Accordingly the covering roof 102 of warehouse 100 is able to absorb/ dissipate a large amount of seismic energy, while still maintaining a dynamic behaviour similar to that of a traditional roof.

Computer simulations, in fact, have shown that the installation of the vibration damper device 1 on the covering roof of a generic reinforced-concrete warehouse makes it possible to significantly reduce the risks of collapse of the roof, without jeopardizing the structural integrity of the pillars that support the roof.

Computer simulations moreover have shown that, for given installation conditions, the vibration damper device 1 is able to absorb/dissipate a quantity of seismic energy significantly greater than that absorbed/dissipated by the vibration damper device subject of patent application W02014/ 147598. The advantages of using vibration damper device 1 are significant .

Installation of a suitable number of vibration damper devices 1 on the roof of a prefabricated warehouse in reinforced concrete makes it possible to significantly reduce the risk of collapse of the roof, while at the same time significantly increasing the building's ability to withstand an undulatory-type seismic event.

In addition, the vibration damper device 1 has particularly reduced production and installation costs, thus making it possible to increase the seismic resistance of a prefabricated warehouse in reinforced concrete at low cost .

It is lastly clear that modifications and variations may be made to vibration damper device 1 without however departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the deformable connecting member 5 may lack the support plate 24, and the U-shaped rod or rods 27 have a first end welded on the body of the movable slider 26, and a second end welded directly onto the plate-like portion 9 of the intermediate floating element 4, i.e. on the vertical flat plate 20.

Similarly, the deformable connecting member 6 may lack the support plate 28, and the U-shaped rod or rods 31 have a first end welded on the body of movable slider 30, and a second end welded directly onto the plate-like portion 13 of intermediate floating element 4, i.e. on the horizontal flat plate 21.

Claims

1. A vibration damper device (1) for warehouses (100) and similar buildings of the type comprising at least one substantially horizontal main beam (103), and at least one substantially horizontal covering crossbeam (104) which has an axial end (104a) in abutment on said main beam (103) and extends transversely to the main beam (103); the vibration damper device (1) being characterized by comprising:

— a first anchoring structure (2) which is adapted to be rigidly fixed on the body of the main beam (103), at or close to the axial end (104a) of the covering crossbeam (104);

— a second anchoring structure (3) which is adapted to be rigidly fixed on the body of the covering crossbeam (104), at or close to the axial end of the crossbeam (104a);

— an intermediate floating element (4) which is slidingly coupled to the first anchoring structure (2) so as to move freely forward and backward with respect to said first anchoring structure (2) in a first direction (di) locally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of the main beam (103), and is also slidingly coupled to the second anchoring structure (3) so as to move freely forward and backward with respect to the second anchoring structure (3) in a second direction (d2) locally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (B) of the covering crossbeam (104);

— a first deformable connecting member (5) with elastoplastic behaviour, which is interposed between the first anchoring structure (2) and the intermediate floating element (4), and is structured so as to deform in elastoplastic manner during movement of the intermediate floating element (4) with respect to the first anchoring structure (2) in said first direction (di) ; and

— a second deformable connecting member (6) with elastoplastic behaviour, which is interposed between the second anchoring structure (3) and the intermediate floating element (4), and is structured so as to deform in elastoplastic manner during movement of the intermediate floating element (4) with respect to the second anchoring structure (3) in said second direction (d2) .

2. Vibration damper device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first anchoring structure (2) is provided with a protruding appendage (8) suited to protrude from the main beam (103) toward the intermediate floating element (4) ; and in that the intermediate floating element (4) is provided with a first plate-like portion (9) which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of the main beam (103), locally adjacent the body of the main beam (103), and has a guiding straight slotted hole or groove (10) which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of the main beam (103), and is dimensioned so as to be slidingly engaged by the protruding appendage (8) of the first anchoring structure (2) .

3. Vibration damper device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the first deformable connecting member (5) with elastoplastic behaviour straddling extends between the protruding appendage (8) of the first anchoring structure (2) and the first plate-like portion (9) of the intermediate floating element (4), and is structured so as to deform in elastoplastic manner during all movements/ translations of the intermediate floating element (4) on the protruding appendage (8) of the first anchoring structure (2) .

4. Vibration damper device according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the protruding appendage (8) of the first anchoring structure (2) cantilevered extends from the main beam (103) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the main beam (103) and parallel to the longitudinal axis (B) of the covering crossbeam (104) .

5. Vibration damper device according to Claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the first deformable connecting member (5) with elastoplastic behaviour comprises one or more metal-material, U-shaped connecting rods (27) each of which has a first end integral with the protruding appendage (8) of the first anchoring structure (2) and a second end integral with the first plate-like portion (9) of the intermediate floating element (4), so as to deform in elastoplastic manner during any movement of the protruding appendage (8) of said first anchoring structure (2) along the straight slotted hole or groove (10) of the first plate-like portion (9) of said intermediate floating element (4) .

6. Vibration damper device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second anchoring structure (3) is provided with a protruding appendage (12) suited to protrude from the covering crossbeam (104) toward the intermediate floating element (4) ; and in that the intermediate floating element (4) is provided with a second plate-like portion (13) which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (B) of the covering crossbeam (104), locally adjacent the body of the covering crossbeam (104), and has a guiding straight slotted hole or groove (14) which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (B) of the covering crossbeam (104), and is dimensioned so as to be slidingly engaged by the protruding appendage (12) of the second anchoring structure (3) .

7. Vibration damper device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the second deformable connecting member (6) with elastoplastic behaviour straddling extends between the protruding appendage (12) of the second anchoring structure (3) and the second plate-like portion (13) of the intermediate floating element (4) , and is structured so as to deform in elastoplastic manner during all movements/translations of the intermediate floating element (4) on the protruding appendage (12) of the second anchoring structure (3) .

8. Vibration damper device according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the protruding appendage (12) of the second anchoring structure (3) cantilevered extends from the covering crossbeam (104) perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (B) of the covering crossbeam (104) .

9. Vibration damper device according to Claim 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that the second deformable connecting member (6) with elastoplastic behaviour comprises one or more metal-material, U-shaped connecting rods (31) each of which has a first end integral with the protruding appendage (12) of the second anchoring structure (3) and a second end integral with the second plate-like portion (13) of the intermediate floating element (4), so as to deform in elastoplastic manner during any movement of the protruding appendage (12) of said second anchoring structure (3) along the straight slotted hole or groove (14) of the second plate-like portion (13) of said intermediate floating element (4) .

10. Vibration damper device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first anchoring structure (2) is adapted to be fixed to the body of the main beam (103), underneath the covering crossbeam (104); and in that the intermediate floating element (4) faces the main beam (103) vertically aligned beneath the covering crossbeam (104) .

11. Vibration damper device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate floating element (4) is coupled to the first anchoring structure (2) so as to freely move with respect to said first anchoring structure (2) exclusively in the first direction (di) .

12. Vibration damper device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate floating element (4) is coupled to the second anchoring structure (3) so as to freely move with respect to said second anchoring structure (3) exclusively in the second direction (d2) .

13. Vibration damper device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first anchoring structure (2) comprises: a plate-like bracket (15) adapted to be rigidly fixed on the body of the main beam (103) by means of anchoring members (7), and a cylindrical pin (16) which cantilevered protrudes from the plate-like bracket (15) while remaining locally substantially perpendicular to the plate-like bracket (15) .

14. Vibration damper device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second anchoring structure (3) comprises: a fork (18) which is substantially U-shaped so as to copy the profile of the lower part of the covering crossbeam (104), and is adapted to be fixed on the lower part of the covering crossbeam (104) by means of anchoring members (11) ; and a cylindrical pin (19) which protrudes outward from the central part of the fork (19) .

15. Vibration damper device according to Claims 13 and 14, characterized in that the intermediate floating element

(4) comprises a first (20) and a second plate (21) which are butt fixed to one another so as to form a substantially upside-down L-shaped, rigid plate-like body; the first plate (20) being arranged beneath the covering crossbeam

(104), locally substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (B) of the covering crossbeam (104) and substantially parallel and adjacent the first anchoring structure (2) and/or the body of the main beam (103), and being provided with a straight slit which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of the main beam (103) and is dimensioned so to be slidingly engaged by the cylindrical pin (16) of the first anchoring structure (2) ; the second plate (21) being arranged beneath the covering crossbeam (104), locally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (B) of the covering crossbeam (104) and substantially parallel and adjacent the second anchoring structure (3) and/or the body of the covering crossbeam (104), and is provided with a straight slit which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (B) of the covering crossbeam (104) and is dimensioned so as to be slidingly engaged by the cylindrical pin (19) of the second anchoring structure (3) .

16. A building (100) of the type comprising a series of substantially vertical load-bearing pillars (101), at least one horizontal main beam (103) arranged in abutment on said pillars (101), and at least one horizontal covering crossbeam (104) which extends transversely to the main beam

(103) and has the axial end (104a) in abutment on said main beam (103); said building (100) being characterized in that the axial end (104a) of said horizontal covering crossbeam

(104) is connected to said main beam (103) by means of at least one vibration damper device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.