Structure reinforcement system and method

Abstract

A reinforcement system includes a structural member with a fiber reinforcement strip mounted in two positions and adhered to the member. An end of the fiber reinforcement strip is secured to a lower portion of the structure with a bracket. The opposite end of the fiber strip is mounted with an upper bracket to a sill pate of the structure. The upper bracket includes an upper bridge portion and a lower bridge portion with a slot between the bridge portions. With the upper bracket mounted to a sill plate, the fiber strip is wrapped behind and around the upper bridge portion of the upper bracket. The fiber strip is threaded through the slot between the bridge portions and behind the lower bridge portion. The fiber strip through the upper bracket is pulled tightly through the slot, and the upper bracket is secured to the sill plate of the structural member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of reinforcing a structure, comprising the steps of:
 apply an adhesive to one of a fiber reinforcement strip and the structure;   securing an end of the fiber reinforcement strip to a lower portion of the structure;   mounting an upper bracket to a sill pate of the structure, the upper bracket including an upper bridge portion and a lower bridge portion with a slot therebetween;   wrapping an opposite end of the fiber reinforcement strip around a back surface of the upper bridge portion of the upper bracket;   threading the fiber reinforcement strip through the slot between the upper bridge portion and behind the lower bridge portion of the upper bracket;   pulling the opposite end of the fiber reinforcement strip tightly through the slot; and   tightly securing the upper bracket to the sill plate.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper bracket has rounded edges on the upper and lower bridge portions. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the upper bracket is made of a rod formed to have the upper bridge portion, lower bridge portion, and slot there between. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper bracket and lower bracket are made of metal. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fiber reinforcement strip is made from carbon fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fiber reinforcement strip is adhered to the structure with an adhesive.