Structure reinforcement system and method

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 the fiber reinforcement strip, wherein the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip is wrapped or rolled successively around the bridge portion, such that it is rolled upon itself and/or adhered to an intermediate portion of the fiber reinforcement strip.

1 . A method of reinforcing a structure, comprising the steps of:
 forming a pair of holes in the structure;   adhering a fiber reinforcement strip to the structure between the pair of holes, the fiber reinforcement strip having a first end, an second end and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second ends;   providing a bracket having a bridge portion and a pair of legs extending from opposite ends of the bridge portion, the bridge portion having an arcuate edge;   securing the pair of legs into the pair of holes with the bridge portion overlapping the fiber reinforcement strip; and   folding the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip around the arcuate edge of the bridge portion of the bracket and adhering the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip to the bridge portion.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein adhering the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip comprises wrapping the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip about the bridge portion of the bracket. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the bridge portion comprises a tapered edge extending along an opposing side of the bridge portion relative to the arcuate edge. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the adhering the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip comprises adhering the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip to the intermediate portion of the fiber reinforcement strip. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the adhering the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip comprises adhering the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip to the intermediate portion of the fiber reinforcement strip. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fiber reinforcement strip is made from carbon fibers. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the bridge portion is made of metal. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the bracket includes a plate defining the bridge portion and having a pair of apertures and further includes a pair of fasteners inserted through the apertures for defining the pair of legs. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the pair of fasteners include a pair of molly fasteners that are mechanically expanded to secure the fasteners in the holes. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the bridge portion and the pair of legs of the bracket are integrally formed as a unitary member. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the bridge portion is forged. 
     
     
         12 . 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. 
     
     
         13 . A structure reinforcement system comprising:
 a structure including a pair of holes formed therein;   a fiber reinforcement strip adhered to the structure between the pair of holes, the fiber reinforcement strip having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second ends; and   a bracket having a bridge portion disposed between a pair of legs, the bridge portion having an arcuate edge, the pair of legs being secured within the pair of holes and the bridge portion overlapping the fiber reinforcement strip,   wherein the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip is wrapped around the arcuate edge of the bridge portion adhering the fiber reinforcement strip to the bridge portion.   
     
     
         14 . The structure reinforcement system according to  claim 13 , wherein the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip is wrapped about the bridge portion of the bracket. 
     
     
         15 . The structure reinforcement system according to  claim 14 , wherein the bridge portion is cylindrical in cross-section. 
     
     
         16 . The structure reinforcement system according to  claim 13 , wherein the bridge portion comprises a tapered edge extending along an opposing side of the bridge portion relative to the arcuate edge. 
     
     
         17 . The structure reinforcement system according to  claim 16 , wherein the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip is wrapped around the arcuate edge of the bridge portion thereby adhering the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip to the intermediate portion of the fiber reinforcement strip. 
     
     
         18 . The structure reinforcement system according to  claim 13 , wherein the fiber reinforcement strip is made from carbon fibers. 
     
     
         19 . The structure reinforcement system according to  claim 13 , wherein the bridge portion is made of metal. 
     
     
         20 . The structure reinforcement system according to  claim 13 , wherein the bracket includes a plate defining the bridge portion and having a pair of apertures and further includes a pair of fasteners inserted through the apertures for defining the pair of legs. 
     
     
         21 . The structure reinforcement system according to  claim 20  wherein the pair of fasteners include a pair of molly fasteners that are mechanically expanded to secure the fasteners in the holes. 
     
     
         22 . The structure reinforcement system according to  claim 13 , wherein the bridge portion and the pair of legs of the bracket are integrally formed as a unitary member. 
     
     
         23 . The structure reinforcement system according to  claim 13 , wherein the bridge portion is forged. 
     
     
         24 . The structure reinforcement system according to  claim 13 , wherein said pair of legs are secured in the holes by an adhesive that is injected into the holes. 
     
     
         25 . A method of reinforcing a structure, comprising the steps of:
 forming a pair of holes in the structure;   adhering a fiber reinforcement strip to the structure between the pair of holes, the fiber reinforcement strip having a first end, an second end and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second ends;   providing a bracket having a bridge portion and a pair of legs extending from opposite ends of the bridge portion;   securing the pair of legs into the pair of holes with the bridge portion overlapping the fiber reinforcement strip; and   folding the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip around an edge of the bridge portion of the bracket and adhering the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip to the bridge portion.   
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the bracket includes a plate defining the bridge portion and having a pair of apertures and further includes a pair of fasteners inserted through the apertures for defining the pair of legs. 
     
     
         27 . A structure reinforcement system comprising:
 a structure including a pair of holes formed therein;   a fiber reinforcement strip adhered to the structure between the pair of holes, the fiber reinforcement strip having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second ends; and   a bracket having a bridge portion disposed between a pair of legs, the pair of legs being secured within the pair of holes and the bridge portion overlapping the fiber reinforcement strip,   wherein the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip is wrapped around the an edge of the bridge portion adhering the fiber reinforcement strip to the bridge portion.   
     
     
         28 . The structure reinforcement system according to  claim 27 , wherein the bracket includes a plate defining the bridge portion and having a pair of apertures and further includes a pair of fasteners inserted through the apertures for defining the pair of legs.