Systems and methods for retrofitting a building for increased earthquake resistance

A system for retrofitting a building to make the building more earthquake resistant, the system comprising:

• a seismically-tuned frame;
• configured to:
• absorb a first portion of the forces imparted by an earthquake;
• and
• transfer a second portion of the forces in a distributed manner to areas of a building such that they can be better withstood;
• and
• includes:
• an articulated frame;
• and
• a concentric brace configured to prevent deformation of the articulated frame beyond a predetermined amount;
• a rigid truss diaphragm, wherein the rigid truss diaphragm is:
• connected to the seismically-tuned frame;
• and
• configured to transfer the second portion of the forces imparted by an earthquake to an overlying structure;
• one or more friction bolted connections, wherein the one or more fiction bolted connections:
• are configured to:
• connect the seismically-tuned frame to the rigid truss diaphragm;
• and
• act as a regular non-slip connection until loads are applied in excess of a pre-determined threshold;
• and
• includes:
• an attachment permanently attached to the articulated frame;
• a second attachment configured to secure the rigid truss diaphragm;
• a third attachment configured to secure the concentric brace;
• and
• a bolt configured to increase the compression between the first attachment, second attachment and third attachment;
• a transition configured to connect the rigid truss diaphragm to the overlying structure.