Patent ID: 8479468
Filing Date: 2013-07-09
Classification: E04G

Abstract:
1. A method for enhancement of structural integrity, comprising: providing a reinforcement system to contribute mechanical strength to a structure to increase load bearing capacity of the structure; adhesively integrally bonding the reinforcement system that includes adhesively integrally bonded layers with continuity over an entire surface of the structure subject to load with a compression side of the structure with a polymer matrix, with the bonding of the reinforcement system comprising operational act of: integrally bonding an integrally bonded, continuous tension layer comprised of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite with a high tensile strength that is significantly higher than tensile strength of the structure to counteract tensile stress in the structure in areas with negative bending moment; adhesively integrally bonding the tension layer directly with the compression side of the structure with the polymer matrix; and integrally bonding a compression layer over an exposed, top surface of the integrally bonded, continuous tension layer with polymer matrix; the compression layer having a high compression strength that is significantly higher than a compression strength of the structure to increase a bending resistance of the structure, with the tension layer having high tensile strength that is significantly higher than tensile strength of the compression layer to counteract tensile stress in the compression layer in areas with positive bending moments.