Patent ID: 6416693
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: E04G

Abstract:
A method of strengthening a previously cast reinforced concrete support member of an existing structure at the structure site, the concrete member having existing generally parallel elongated steel tensile reinforcing elements embedded below a surface of the concrete member in a direction of bending when the concrete member was previously cast, the method comprising the steps of cutting an elongated groove within the surface of the concrete member at a substantially uniform depth and in generally parallel spaced relation to the precast steel reinforcing elements, inserting a curable polymer adhesive resin into the groove for a substantial length of the groove, extending an elongated composite fiber reinforcing element within the adhesive resin in the groove with the fiber reinforcing element filling a substantial portion of the groove and with the adhesive resin filling the groove between the concrete and the fiber reinforcing element, and allowing the adhesive resin to cure for rigidly bonding the fiber reinforcing element along its length to the concrete defining the groove for supplementing tensile strength provided by the precast steel reinforcing elements.