A method for dissipating energy in a building structure in a seismic event, comprising:
- creating a buckling delayed shear link (BDSL) device having a first metal base plate having a length and a width in a horizontal plane and first and second parallel horizontal surfaces, a second metal base plate having a length and a width in a horizontal plane and first and second parallel horizontal surfaces, a single metal core plate having a width, a length and a thickness between first and second parallel surfaces, rigidly joined orthogonally to the second metal base plate, an axial relief assembly having a first horizontal plate with a plurality of vertical extensions having a specific horizontal cross section in common and a second horizontal plate with a plurality of vertical channels equal in number to the plurality of vertical extensions, each vertical channel having a horizontal cross section identical to the horizontal cross section of the vertical extensions of the first horizontal plate, the vertical extension extensions engaged in the vertical channels, one of the first and the second horizontal plates joined rigidly to an underside of the first metal base plate, and the other of the first and the second base plates joined rigidly to an upper end of the single metal core plate, a first restraining assembly having a first vertically oriented restraining plate with a first surface contacting the first parallel surface of the single metal core plate, and a first buttress plate joined rigidly by a vertical edge orthogonally to the first vertically oriented restraining plate and by a lower edge to the first parallel horizontal surface of the second metal base plate, and a second restraining assembly having a second vertically oriented restraining plate with a second surface contacting the second parallel surface of the single metal core plate, and a second buttress plate joined rigidly by a vertical edge orthogonally to the second vertically oriented restraining plate and by a lower edge to the first parallel horizontal surface of the second metal base plate;
- and
- installing the BDSL device between structural members of a building, the first metal base plate of the BDSL device joined rigidly to one of the constituent structural members and the second metal base plate joined rigidly to the other of the structural members, such that the first metal base plate is enabled to move vertically freely over a distance relative to the second metal base plate, the single metal core plate, and the first and second restraining assembly by virtue of the axial relief assemblies assembly, and lateral movement of the first metal base plate relative to the second metal base plate transfers a shear component of forces to an upper end of the single metal core plate.