System and method for reinforcing structures

Abstract

Cost-effective reinforcement system for frames walls helps support against failure from violent lateral forces. Strips of resin-impregnated textile in crossed pairs are attached to frame members. Attachment of ends of strips is ductile due to use of multiple fiber anchors.

1 . A system for reinforcing a framed structure, the structure including: framing members including: at least one pair of vertical support members in parallel spaced-apart relation, one horizontal top connecting member connecting the top portions of the vertical support members, and at least one horizontal bottom connecting member connecting the bottom portions of the vertical support members; said system including:
 a pair of strips of resin-impregnated textile, each strip adapted to reach diagonally from a junction of a top connecting member with a support member to a junction of a bottom connecting member with a different support member; each of said pair of strips including:
 a first end attached to the junction of a top connecting member with a vertical support member; 
 a second end attached to the junction of a bottom connecting member with a vertical support member; 
 an inner face disposed toward the framing members of the structure; 
 an exposed face disposed away from the framing members of the structure; and 
 a middle portion between said first and second ends; and 
   ductile attachment means attaching each of said four ends to each said junction of a connecting member with a support member.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further including:
 four anchor plates, each of said anchor plates attached between one said strip end and one junction of a connecting member with a support member; said ductile attachment means further attaching each said anchor plate with a respective strip end and junction.   
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , said ends of strips attached to the framing members such that said middle portion of one said strip crosses said middle portion of the other said strip. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , said pair of strips attached such that the longitudinal axis of one said strip is disposed at a angle in the range of 70-110 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the other said strip. 
   
   
       5 . A method for reinforcing a framed structure that includes framing members, including a first vertical support member and a second vertical support member in parallel spaced-apart relation, one horizontal top connecting member connecting the top portions of the vertical support members, and at least one horizontal bottom connecting member connecting the bottom portions of the vertical support members; the method including the steps of:
 affixing a first anchor plate to the junction of the first support member with the top connecting member;   affixing a second anchor plate to the junction of the second support member with the top connecting member;   affixing a third anchor plate to the junction of the first support member with the bottom connecting member;   affixing a fourth anchor plate to the junction of the second support member with the bottom connecting member;   providing a first strip of material having: a first end, a second end, and a middle portion therebetween and with a length approximating the distance between the first and fourth anchor plates;   attaching the first end of the first strip to the first anchor plate using ductile attachment means;   attaching the second end of the first strip to the fourth anchor plate using ductile attachment means;   providing a second strip of material having: a first end, a second end, and a middle portion therebetween and with a length approximating the distance between the second and third anchor plates;   attaching the first end of the second strip to the second anchor plate using ductile attachment means; and   attaching the second end of the second strip to the third anchor plate using ductile attachment means.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the longitudinal axis of the first strip is disposed at an angle of 70-110 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the second strip after both strips are attached to the respective anchor plates. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein each step of attaching an end of a strip to an anchor plate comprises the step of creating a fiber anchor, further including the sub-steps of:
 creating a borehole that passes through the end of the strip, through the anchor plate, and into a framing member;   inserting a length of roving through the end of the strip, through the anchor plate, and into the framing member such that a free end protrudes from the end of the strip;   backfilling the borehole with adhesive to capture the roving; and   attaching the free end of roving to the end of the strip with adhesive.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein each step of attaching an end of a strip to an anchor plate comprises the step of creating a plurality of fiber anchors by repeating the sub-steps of  claims 7  a plurality of times. 
   
   
       9 . A method for reinforcing a framed structure that includes framing members, including a first vertical support member and a second vertical support member in parallel spaced-apart relation, one horizontal top connecting member connecting the top portions of the vertical support members, and at least one horizontal bottom connecting member connecting the bottom portions of the vertical support members; the method including the steps of:
 providing a first strip of material having: a first end, a second end, and a middle portion therebetween and with a length approximating the distance between the junction of the first support member with the top connecting member and the junction of the second support member with the bottom connecting member;   attaching the first end of the first strip to the junction of the first support member with the top connecting member using ductile attachment means;   attaching the second end of the first strip to the junction of the second support member with the bottom connecting member using ductile attachment means;   providing a second strip of material having: a first end, a second end, and a middle portion therebetween and with a length approximating the distance between the junction of the second support member with the top connecting member and the junction of the first support member with the top connecting member;   attaching the first end of the second strip to the junction of the second support member with the top connecting member using ductile attachment means; and   attaching the second end of the second strip to the junction of the first support member with the bottom connecting member using ductile attachment means such that the middle portion of the second strip overlies the middle portion of the first strip.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the ends of the strips of material are attached to junctions of framing members such that the longitudinal axes of the attached first and second strips form an angle of 70 to 110 degrees. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each step of attaching an end of a strip to a junction using ductile attachment means comprises the step of creating a fiber anchor, further including the sub-steps of:
 creating a borehole that passes through the end of the strip and into a framing member;   inserting a length of roving through the end of the strip and into the framing member such that a free end protrudes from the end of the strip;   backfilling the borehole with adhesive to capture the roving; and   attaching the free end of roving to the end of the strip with adhesive.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each step of attaching an end of a strip to a junction comprises the step of creating a plurality of fiber anchors by repeating the sub-steps of  claims 11  a plurality of times.