GB2398338A

GB2398338A - Structural reinforcement

Info

Publication number: GB2398338A
Application number: GB0303246A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Cronshaw
Original assignee: PAM TIES Ltd
Current assignee: PAM TIES Ltd
Priority date: 2003-02-13
Filing date: 2003-02-13
Publication date: 2004-08-18
Also published as: GB0303246D0

Abstract

A structural reinforcement 100 comprises first and second strengthening elements 11, 12, in the form of elongate metal members, which are arranged on respective first and second sides of building elements, such as bricks 21, 22. An adjustment means 20 is provided to force the first and second strengthening elements towards each other, thus clamping the building elements therebetween. The adjustment means may comprise a nut 27 and a bolt 28 which bends the sides 23, 25 towards each other. A plurality of structural reinforcements may be used in a triangular arrangement (Fig 6). The reinforcements may be used in areas of stress such as around windows or door openings.

Description

Improvements In and Relating to Structural Reinforcement

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of structural reinforcement apparatus, and also relates to structural reinforcement methods.

Background to the Invention

Known building techniques include the assembly of a plurality of building elements such as bricks or blocks to form a structure. The building elements in such a structure are separated from one another and secured in place relative to one another by the use of an interface material, for example mortar.

Over time, building elements and/or interface material making up a structure may deteriorate due to atmospheric or other factors. Deterioration of building elements and/or interface material of a structure can lead to structural instability, and is therefore an important safety issue. Deterioration leading instability is of particular concern in areas of increased stress, for example around window and door openings, or in locations where a structure is subjected to greater loads than were anticipated during the design process.

It is an aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a structural reinforcement apparatus and method which are cheap in terms of material and labour costs, and are easy to install/perform. It is desired that the structural reinforcement apparatus and method can provide long lasting, effective reinforcement.

Summary of the Invention I,

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a structural reinforcement apparatus comprising first and second strengthening elements and an adjustment means, wherein in use: the first strengthening element is arrangeable at a first side of a first building element and at a corresponding first side of a second adjacent building element; the second strengthening element is arrangeable at a second side of the first building element and at a corresponding second side of the second adjacent building element; and the adjustment means is in use adjustable to force the first and second strengthening elements toward one another and thereby in use to clamp the first and second building elements therebetween.

Suitably, in use the first strengthening element is arrangeable at corresponding first sides of a plurality of adjacent building elements, and the second strengthening element is arrangeable at corresponding second sides of a plurality of the adjacent building elements.

Suitably, the first and second strengthening elements are of different lengths.

Suitably, the structural reinforcement apparatus comprises a plurality of adjustment means in use adjustable to force the first and second strengthening elements toward one another and thereby to clamp the first and second building elements therebetween.

Suitably, in use the adjustment means are arrangeable between adjacent building elements.

Suitably, the structural reinforcement apparatus further comprises an additional strengthening element and an additional adjustment means, wherein in use the additional lo strengthening element is arrangeable at a side of a third building element, and wherein the additional adjustment means is in use adjustable to force the first or second strengthening element toward the additional strengthening element and thereby to clamp the third building element therebetween.

Suitably, the structural reinforcement apparatus comprises a plurality of additional strengthening elements and additional adjustment means, wherein in use the additional strengthening elements are each arrangeable at a side of a building element, and wherein the additional adjustment means are in use adjustable to force each strengthening element toward another strengthening element and thereby to clamp the building elements therebetween.

Suitably, the strengthening elements are arrangeable in use to define a substantially triangular arrangement.

Suitably, the strengthening elements are arrangeable in use to define a substantially equilateral triangular arrangement.

Suitably, the adjustment means is arrangeable in use substantially between building elements to be reinforced.

Suitably, adjustment of the adjustment means comprises tightening of a tie.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a structural reinforcement method comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a first strengthening element at a first side of a first building element and at a corresponding first side of a second adjacent building element; (b) positioning a second strengthening element at a second side of the first building element and at a corresponding second side of the second adjacent building element; and (c) adjusting an adjustment means to force the first and second strengthening elements toward one another and thereby clamp the first and second building elements therebetween.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a section of a building structure that requires reinforcement; Figure 2 shows a side view of a first embodiment of the invention arranged in place on the building structure of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a plan view of the adjustment means of a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a cross sectional view of the first embodiment of the invention in use along the line X-X of Figure 2; Figure 5 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention arranged in place on a building lo structure; and Figure 6 shows a side view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention arranged in place on a building structure.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring now to Figure 1 there is shown a section of a building structure that requires reinforcement. The section comprises an opening 1 with a wall of bricks 2 thereabove. The wall of bricks 2 is held together by interface material such as mortar which is located between both horizontally and vertically adjoining bricks. The bricks directly above the opening 1 are not supported by a lintel, and therefore represent a weakness in the building structure that requires reinforcement. The absence of a lintel could be due to existing working practices at the time the building was constructed, or alternatively an original lintel may have deteriorated over time.

Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of the structural reinforcement apparatus 100 of the present invention arranged in place on the building structure of Figure 1.

The structural reinforcement apparatus 100 comprises first and second strengthening elements 11,12, and adjustment means 20. The first and second strengthening elements 11,12 comprise elongate metal members which are arranged in use on respective first and second sides of the building elements of the structure to be reinforced. Here the building elements to be reinforced comprise first and second bricks 21,22. To enable the first and second strengthening elements 11,12 to be arranged on the sides of the building elements it will normally be necessary to grind out or otherwise remove part of the layer of interface material adjacent to the sides of the building elements.

The adjustment means 20 comprises means for forcing the first and second strengthening elements 11,12 toward one another and against the first and second bricks 21,22.

By forcing the first and second strengthening elements 11,12 toward one another the first and second bricks 21,22 are clamped therebetween. The adjustment means 20 provides a mechanical fixing to hold the first and second strengthening elements 11,12 against the first and second bricks 21,22 to form a composite beam structure. Once the structural reinforcement apparatus has been installed, the first and second bricks 21,22 are reinforced against sagging, stabilising and reinforcing the lintel area, and reducing the risk of collapse around the opening 1.

Furthermore, by forcing the first and second strengthening elements together the adjustment means 20 can be used to realign the first and second bricks 21,22 and correct a degree of sagging that may already have occurred.

Figure 3 shows a side view of an embodiment of the adjustment means 20. The adjustment means 20 comprises a buckle 24 and a tie 26. The buckle 24 comprises a rectangular box section which is open at both ends. Other shaped buckles, for example circular, oval or hexagonal could be used. One pair of opposite first and second sides 23,25 of the buckle 24 comprise opposed apertures therein to receive the tie 26. The tie 26 comprises threaded fastener, preferably a nut 27 and bolt 28. In use the bolt 28 is passed through the opposed apertures so that its head abuts an outer face of the buckle 24. The nut 27 can be engaged with the bolt 28, and tightened so that the opposed first and second sides 23,25 of the buckle are bent inwards and drawn toward one another.

This bending of the opposed first and second sides 23,25 of the buckle 24 forces the third and fourth sides 29,30 of the buckle to also move toward one another. When incorporated into the structural reinforcement apparatus 100 the first and second strengthening elements are arranged within the buckle 24 adjacent to the third and fourth sides 29,30. In use adjusting the adjustment means causes the third and fourth sides of the buckle 24 to move toward one another and toward the first and second strengthening elements 11,12.

Figure 4 shows a sectional view along the line X-X of Figure 2. The adjustment means 20 is located between the first and second bricks 21,22 in a space made by removing mortar 40 from therebetween. The adjustment means 20 has been adjusted by tightening of the nut 27 on the bolt 28.

The first and second opposed sides 23,25 of the buckle 24 are shown bending inward toward one another. The degree of bending of the first and second opposed sides 23,25 has been exaggerated to demonstrate the working of the adjustment means 20. By bending the first and second opposed sides 23,25 the second and third opposed sides 29,30 are drawn together, and are forced against the first and second strengthening elements 11,12 which are in turn forced against the first building element 21 as shown, and also against the second building element 22, not shown.

lo The adjustment means of Figure 3 can be easily manufactured and easily incorporated into the structural reinforcement apparatus 100. Furthermore, once in position the adjustment means of Figure 3 can be easily adjusted to provide a desired degree of reinforcement simply by tightening the nut 27 to vary the tension in the tie 29. In addition to these benefits the buckle 24 can be substantially protected from the elements due to its ability to be positioned between existing brickwork.

Alternative adjustment means 20 can be envisaged, for example cable ties, G-clamps etc. In addition to using a single adjustment means 20, a plurality of adjustment means can be employed with the first and second strengthening elements. For example, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 5 the strengthening elements can be long enough to extend over the first and second surfaces of a number of adjacent building elements.

In this case, adjustment means can be provided between each of the building elements to provide the required reinforcement. Alternatively, adjustment means can be provided e.g. between every other pair of adjacent building elements, between every third pair, less frequently or at irregular intervals as appropriate to the situation.

Although the structural reinforcement apparatus has been described in relation to a sagging lintel, its utility for other reinforcement applications can easily be envisaged.

For example, a retaining wall which is barrelling out due to an uneven side load could be reinforced. The apparatus can be used for correcting or preventing unevenness in any brickwork, block built walls or the like.

In typical brickwork reinforcement situations, the bricks will be approximately 23cm long by 11.5cm deep by 5cm high. In this case, normally approximately 5cm of the mortar bed with be ground out or otherwise removed to accommodate the structural reinforcement apparatus 100.

In this case the first and second strengthening elements 11,12 can typically comprise 25mm square steel bars.

Bars having other cross-sectional dimensions can be used.

In addition, rectangular, circular, oval, hexagonal or other shaped bars could be used as the strengthening elements. The size and other properties of the first and second strengthening elements 11,12 can vary dependent on the characteristics of the structure to be reinforced.

The width and breadth of the strengthening elements can be varied to suit the load on the structure to be reinforced, and to enable the strengthening elements to be inserted between the building elements. In certain circumstances is may be desirable to use first and second strengthening elements having of differing sizes or other characteristics. The length of the strengthening elements can be varied, with lengths of up to 4m envisaged.

Suitable corrosion resistance can be obtained by using stainless steel, or by galvanizing the strengthening elements. Other metallic or nonmaterials having suitable strength, toughness and corrosion properties could be used. Similar material considerations apply when selecting a material for use in the adjustment means 20.

The adjustment means can be used to clam two or more layers of building elements therebewLeen. Alternatively, building up structural reinforcement apparatus over a number of layers of building elements is also possible.

In one embodiment, every third layer of interface material can be left unreinforced, with separate reinforcement apparatus located between the unreinforced layers. The number of reinforcement apparatus used, and their length and relative position can be varied to suit particular reinforcement requirements. In another embodiment, adjustment means can be used to cross link strengthening elements from a number of reinforcement apparatus to make a single composite reinforcement apparatus. In this case, a single reinforcement apparatus comprising a plurality of adjustment means and more than two strengthening elements can be constructed. The degree of interconnection tends to increase the reinforcement strength of the apparatus.

In a further embodiment as shown in Figure 6, additional strengthening elements 13 are configured to efficiently distribute an applied load over an area to be reinforced.

For example, when an area of a structure above an opening is to be reinforced, the weight of material above the opening must be transferred to lower load bearing areas either side of the opening. By arranging structural reinforcement apparatus according to the present invention in a triangular arrangement above the opening, the weight is efficiently transferred and effective reinforcement provided with a minimum of material and labour.

Preferably, the triangular arrangement comprises an isosceles arrangement. Most preferably, the triangular arrangement comprises an equilateral arrangement. The structural reinforcement apparatus in such an arrangement may be separate from one another, or may comprise an interconnected composite as described above.

lo A structural reinforcement apparatus has been provided which can be easily fabricated from a relatively small number of simple components. The structural reinforcement apparatus can be used in a range of different situations to provide reinforcement and support to the existing fabric of a structure. Installation of the structural reinforcement apparatus is easy to achieve, and does not require removal of large parts of an existing structure or installation of temporary supports as may be required when existing techniques are used. The apparatus is easy to reconfigure and can provide a long term reinforcement solution.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series lo of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims: 1. A structural reinforcement apparatus comprising first and

second strengthening elements and an adjustment means, wherein in use: the first strengthening element is arrangeable at a first side of a first building element and at a corresponding first side of a second adjacent building element; the second strengthening element is arrangeable at a second side of the first building element lo and at a corresponding second side of the second adjacent building element; and the adjustment means is in use adjustable to force the first and second strengthening elements toward one another and thereby in use to clamp the first and second building elements therebetween.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in use the first strengthening element is arrangeable at corresponding first sides of a plurality of adjacent building elements, and the second strengthening element is arrangeable at corresponding second sides of a plurality of the adjacent building elements.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second strengthening elements are of different lengths.
4. The apparatus of any of claims 1, 2 or 3 comprising a plurality of adjustment means in use adjustable to force the first and second strengthening elements toward one another and thereby to clamp the first and second building elements therebetween.
5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein in use the adjustment means are arrangeable between adjacent building elements.
6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the structural reinforcement apparatus further comprises an additional strengthening element and an additional adjustment means, wherein in use the additional strengthening element is arrangeable at a side of a third lo building element, and wherein the additional adjustment means is in use adjustable to force the first or second strengthening element toward the additional strengthening element and thereby to clamp the third building element therebetween.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the structural reinforcement apparatus comprises a plurality of additional strengthening elements and additional adjustment means, wherein in use the additional strengthening elements are each arrangeable at a side of a building element, and wherein the additional adjustment means are in use adjustable to force each strengthening element toward another strengthening element and thereby to clamp the building elements therebetween.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 or 7, wherein the strengthening elements are arrangeable in use to define a substantially triangular arrangement.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the strengthening elements are arrangeable in use to define a substantially equilateral triangular arrangement.
10. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the adjustment means is arrangeable in use substantially between building elements to be reinforced.
11. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein adjustment of the adjustment means comprises tightening of a tie.
12. A structural reinforcement method comprising the steps lo of: (a) positioning a first strengthening element at a first side of a first building element and at a corresponding first side of a second adjacent building element; (b) positioning a second strengthening element at a second side of the first building element and at a corresponding second side of the second adjacent building element; and (c) adjusting an adjustment means to force the first and second strengthening elements toward one another and thereby clamp the first and second building elements therebetween.
13. A structural reinforcement apparatus substantially as herein described, with particular reference to Figures 2 to 6.
14. A structural reinforcement method substantially as herein described.