Structure reinforcement system and method

• US 9,790,697 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2016
• Issued: 10/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fortress Stabilization Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Fortress Stabilization Systems LLC
• Inventors: Wheatley, Donald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): MINTZ, RODNEY K
• Application Number:
  US15/152,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20160258173A1
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 31/10 against soil pressure or hydraulic pressure anchored foundations E02D27/50; joint sealings for use under hydraulic pressure E02D31/04
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/98 against vibrations or shocks on foundations E02D31/08; against mechanical destruction, e.g. by air-raids against incendiary damage only E04B1/94; finishing work therefor E04F; buildings withstanding earthquake or the like, shelters, arrangements of splintercatching walls E04H9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 5/07 Reinforcing elements of material other than metal, e.g. of glass, of plastics, or not exclusively made of metal metal elements with non-structural coatings E04C5/01
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 2023/0251 by using fiber reinforced plastic elements
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 2023/0262 Devices specifically adapted for anchoring the fiber reinforced plastic elements, e.g. to avoid peeling off
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 23/0222 Replacing or adding wall ties
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 23/0229 of foundations or foundation walls

Abstract

A reinforcement system includes a structural member such as a concrete wall including a pair of holes formed therein. A fiber reinforcement strip is adhered to the structural member between the pair of holes. A U-shaped bracket includes a pair of legs being secured in the pair of holes and a bridge portion that overlaps an the fiber reinforcement strip, a secondary reinforcement strip can be used to distribute forces from the bridge portion of the bracket along a length of the fiber reinforcement strip.

Claims

1. A method of reinforcing a structure, comprising the steps of:

forming a pair of holes in the structure;

adhering a first fiber reinforcement strip to the structure between the pair of holes;

providing a bracket having a bridge portion and a pair of legs extending from opposite ends of the bridge portion, wherein the bridge portion and the pair of legs of the bracket are integrally formed as a unitary member from a second fiber reinforcement strip;

wrapping a third fiber reinforcement strip at least partially around the bridge portion of the bracket;

securing the pair of legs into the pair of holes with the bridge portion overlapping the first fiber reinforcement strip; and

adhering the third fiber reinforcement strip to the first fiber reinforcement strip.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first, second and third fiber reinforcement strips are made from carbon fibers.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said pair of legs are secured in the holes by an adhesive that is injected into the holes.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pair of holes include a pair of elongated slots.

5. A method of reinforcing a structure, comprising the steps of:

forming a pair of holes in the structure;

adhering a first fiber reinforcement strip to the structure between the pair of holes;

providing a bracket formed from a second fiber reinforcement strip and having a bridge portion and a pair of legs integrally formed with and extending from opposite ends of the bridge portion;

securing the pair of legs into the pair of holes with the enlarged bridge portion overlapping the first fiber reinforcement strip,

wherein the bridge portion includes a third fiber reinforcement strip that is adhered to the bridge portion to provide an enlarged bridge member.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the pair of holes include a pair of elongated slots.

7. A method of reinforcing a structure, comprising the steps of:

forming a pair of holes in the structure;

adhering a first fiber reinforcement strip to the structure between the pair of holes;

providing a bracket having a bridge portion and a pair of legs extending from opposite ends of the bridge portion, the bridge portion being enlarged so as to have a wider width than the pair of legs;

securing the pair of legs into the pair of holes with the enlarged bridge portion overlapping the first fiber reinforcement strip,

wherein the enlarged bridge portion of the bracket includes a bridge member extending between the pair of legs and a pair of layered second fiber reinforcement strips sandwiching and adhered to the bridge member.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the pair of holes include a pair of elongated slots.

9. A method of reinforcing a structure, comprising the steps of:

forming a pair of holes in the structure;

adhering a first fiber reinforcement strip to the structure between the pair of holes;

providing a bracket having a bridge portion and a pair of legs extending from opposite ends of the bridge portion, the bridge portion being enlarged so as to have a wider width than the pair of legs;

securing the pair of legs into the pair of holes with the enlarged bridge portion overlapping the first fiber reinforcement strip,

wherein the bridge portion and the pair of legs of the bracket are integrally formed as a unitary member, wherein said pair of legs are secured in the holes by an adhesive that is injected into the holes.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the pair of holes include a pair of elongated slots.