Abstract:
An axial reinforcement system is disclosed that provides a shell (i.e., a form or jacket) that protects a weight-bearing member (e.g., a cement column) from a corrosive environment and which also substantially increases the structural capacity of the weight-bearing member. The shell is integrated with “positioners” and reinforcing elements, the combination of which offers several advantages over conventional shells. The positioner is attached directly to the shell and the positioner is, in turn, secured to a reinforcing element, which can be a reinforced steel, such as rebar, or a carbon fiber reinforced polymer material. The axial reinforcement system has been found to substantially increase the structural rigidity of the weight-bearing member, while at the same time protecting the weight-bearing member from corrosion and is also simple to install.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present invention claim priority to U.S. provisional application No. 62/289,718, filed on Feb. 1, 2016, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Piles or columns supporting a vertical load can deteriorate over time, particularly in marine environments. Tides, water currents, salt water abrasion, floating debris, marine insects, wide temperature gradients, and weathering all contribute to deterioration of the column while the column bears a continuous load. Bridges and docks are examples of architectural structures that are supported by columns in marine environments. Columns can be made of concrete, steel, or wood, for example. Deteriorated columns, or more generally, weight bearing members, are typically repaired in place because of the high cost to remove each column for repair or replacement. Marine column restoration is a dangerous and arduous process because the columns often extend several feet under water and are difficult to access. Further, rehabilitating marine columns often must be done quickly because much of the repair takes place while under water. Occasionally, the repair site must be “de-watered” to prevent water from interfering with the column restoration. 
         [0003]    Shells or jackets have been introduced to protect columns from further deterioration. Shells are designed to surround the column above and below the area of deterioration. A shell is placed around the column and then grout or an epoxy is poured or pumped into the space between the shell and the column. The shell provides a permanent form that protects the column from further deterioration while retaining the epoxy or cementitious that fills the voids in the column. The epoxy or grout or epoxy also prevents water or environmental corrosives from contacting the damaged portion, or any other covered portion, of the column. However, little structural capacity is added to the column by the shell and epoxy grout combination. 
         [0004]    Shells that can both increase the structural capacity of columns and at the same time protect the columns from deterioration are desirable in many situations. For example, bridges that were built several decades ago may be supported by columns that were designed to support smaller loads and comply with less stringent design standards than are required by today&#39;s code standards. A bridge built in 1950, for example, may have been designed and built to support trucks up to 40,000 lbs, and would need to be enhanced to support the heavier trucks of today, increased traffic, and more stringent structural codes. Moreover, the columns supporting such a bridge may have deteriorated over time such that the weight-bearing capacity of the bridge has decreased. 
         [0005]    Conventional shells are unable to substantially increase the structural capacity of weight bearing members because they do not have positioners, bar supports, or reinforcing members integrated thereon. The present invention has been found to solve many problems inherent in conventional shells and column-restorative procedures. 
       OVERVIEW 
       [0006]    The embodiments disclosed herein increase the structural capacity of construction repair systems, such as a “grout-filled shell systems.” In systems developed previously by the present inventor, a manufactured fiberglass shell (for example, Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer or GFRP) is installed around an existing column made of steel, concrete or wood, for example, which column supports a structure such as a road or a dock, for example. A grout is placed between the column and the inside of the shell. Exemplary grout materials include epoxy or cementitious mixtures. An exemplary cementitious mixture is disclosed in the inventor&#39;s corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 9,382,154, filed on Jan. 17, 2014, and entitled “Hygroscopic Cementitious Materials,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. A grout-filled or epoxy-filled shell system is generally utilized when the original structural design capacity of the column has been degraded due to damage, decay, or abrasion of the pile, or when additional strengthening is required or desired for the column. The grout-filled or epoxy-filled shell system can be utilized in a marine environment or underwater, where all of the components are required to be non-corrodible. Existing systems, however, often fail to increase the capacity of a degraded column back to the original design requirements, or to enhanced design requirements, including a factor of safety, as required by design standards, codes, or regulations. 
         [0007]    The embodiments disclosed herein address the deficiencies found in earlier systems. Specifically, by providing a fiberglass shell with “positioners” and attaching additional axial reinforcing elements on the interior of the shell, the corresponding additional reinforcement can meet or exceed the required structural design capacity of the column, including a required factor of safety. Exemplary axial reinforcing elements include stainless steel or carbon steel reinforcing bars (e.g., rebar) or laminate shapes composed of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). These embodiments are not limited to full encapsulations, but they can be utilized when less than full, or half shells, are required, such as supplementing or increasing the structural capacity of strong backs, for example. Moreover, the disclosed embodiments can be used to strengthen standard columns in any environment, and not merely in marine environments. 
         [0008]    To provide a shell (i.e., a form or jacket) that protects a column from a corrosive environment and substantially increases the structural capacity of the column, and which can be installed quickly, the present inventor has recognized, among other things, that a shell integrated with “positioners” and reinforcing elements can offer several advantages over conventional shells. In some examples, the shell can include a positioner that is attached directly to the shell and the positioner is, in turn, secured to a reinforced steel, such as rebar. In such examples, the positioners and reinforced steel are positioned away from, and not attached to, the column. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the shell can include a positioner attached directly to the shell and which is also secured to a carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminate structure. In such examples, the positioners and CFRP laminate structure are positioned away from, and not attached to, the column. In each example, the positioner can be shaped to correspond to a shape of the reinforcing member, or shaped in such a way that the reinforcing member is easily affixed to the positioner. In some examples, the reinforcing member may extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shell. In some examples, several positioners can be used for each reinforcing member; and several reinforcing members can be used with each shell. These exemplary designs can (1) enhance the structural rigidity of the shell and column, (2) protect the column from further corrosion, and (3) be simple to install. 
         [0009]    To further illustrate the apparatuses and systems disclosed herein, the following non-limiting examples are provided: 
         [0010]    Example 1 is an axial reinforcement system comprising a shell adapted to be wrapped around a column; a positioner attached to the shell; and a reinforcement member secured to the positioner, the reinforcement member extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the column and the shell. 
         [0011]    In Example 2, the positioner in the system of Example 1 can optionally include a concavity shaped to retain and support the reinforcement member. 
         [0012]    In Example 3, the system of Examples 1 or 2 can optionally include an adhesive that retains the reinforcement member to the positioner. 
         [0013]    In Example 4, the system of any of Examples 1-3 can optionally include a securing element that secures the reinforcement member to the positioner. 
         [0014]    In Example 5, the system of any of Example 4 can optionally include a metal or plastic tie as the securing element, and which can wrap around ends or “ears” of the positioner. 
         [0015]    In Example 6, the system of any of Examples 1-5 can optionally include an adhesive that retains the positioner to the shell. 
         [0016]    In Example 7, the system of any of Examples 1-6 can optionally include a metal rebar, a fiber-reinforced rebar, or a carbon fiber laminate as the reinforcement member. 
         [0017]    In Example 8, the system of any of Examples 1-7 can optionally include an epoxy matrix as the material of the positioner. 
         [0018]    In Example 9, the system of any of examples 1-8 can be structured such that neither the positioner nor the reinforcement member are attached to the column when they are in an installed configuration around the column. 
         [0019]    In Example 10, the system of any of Examples 1-9 can optionally include a plurality of positioners and a plurality of reinforcement members. 
         [0020]    In Example 11, the system of any of Examples 1-10 can optionally position the reinforcement members at equally-spaced radial dimensions around the column, or can position the reinforcement members at non-equally spaced radial dimensions around the column. 
         [0021]    Example 12 is an axial reinforcement system comprising a shell adapted to be wrapped around a column; a plurality of positioners attached to the shell; and at least one reinforcement member that wraps around the column and which is also secured to the plurality of positioners. 
         [0022]    Example 13 is a method of reinforcing a column comprising providing a shell adapted to be wrapped around the column; and attaching a positioner to the shell; securing a reinforcing member to the positioner. 
         [0023]    These and other examples and features of the present structures and systems will be set forth by way of exemplary embodiments in the following detailed description. This overview is intended to provide non-limiting examples of the present subject matter and is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive explanation. The detailed description below is included to provide further information about the inventive structures and methods. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals can describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes can represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various examples discussed in the present disclosure. 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  shows an axial reinforcement system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 2A-2B  show top views of axial reinforcement systems, according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  shows a seam of a shell of an axial reinforcement system with two ends secured together using a mechanical fastener. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a seam of a shell of an axial reinforcement system with two ends secured together using a tongue-in-groove connection. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional, axial view of an exemplary axial reinforcement system that uses a CFRP laminate as a reinforcing member. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of the system depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional, axial view of an exemplary axial reinforcement system that uses rebar as a reinforcing member. 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  shows a side view of the system depicted in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0033]      FIGS. 9A-9B  show a partial cross-sectional view of exemplary systems applied to a compromised weight-bearing member, the systems having rebar and CFRP laminate, respectively, as the reinforcing members. 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  shows a flow chart of an exemplary method of forming an axial reinforcement system according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0035]      FIGS. 11A-11B  show embodiments of exemplary positioners structured for retaining rebar, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0036]      FIGS. 12A-12C  show embodiments of exemplary positioners structured for retaining a planer reinforcing member, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 13A  shows a top view of a reinforcing member wrapped around a column and attached to a plurality of positioners around the shell. 
           [0038]      FIG. 13B  shows a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary system of  FIG. 13A  applied to a weight-bearing member, the system having a reinforcing member wrapped around the column and attached to a plurality of positioners within the shell. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]    The present application relates to systems and methods for pile or column restoration and reinforcement. For example, the present application discloses a shell, one or more positioners attached directly to the shell, and one or more axial reinforcement members attached to the positioners. Additional positioners and reinforcing members may be attached to the shell to further increase structural rigidity of the system. This combination can be wrapped around a column to reinforce and protect a column. Additional details are discussed further below. 
         [0040]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary axial reinforcement system  100 . The system can comprise a shell  110  having a longitudinal axis  112 , positioners  120 , and axial reinforcement members  130 . For clarity, the column around which the shell is wrapped is not shown in  FIG. 1 ; but an exemplary column  101  is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 9A-9B , and the exemplary column may be a deteriorated or corroded column. The shell  110  can be made out of a hard, solid carbon fiber or a fiberglass material, for example, such that the shell  110  is both lightweight and highly resistant to axial loads. The shell  110  can be pre-formed to be cylindrical, square, rectangular, or partially-cylindrical, such as a semi-circular shape, or can be pre-formed to be H-shaped or I-shaped, for example. 
         [0041]    The shell  110  can have one or more seams  111  ( FIG. 2A ) running vertically in a direction of the shell&#39;s longitudinal axis  112  such that the shell can be wrapped around the column. In other words, the seam  111  is where two ends of the shell  110  meet. The shell  110  can have an overlap over the seam  111 , such as a 1″-8″ overlap, to allow one end of the shell to be secured to the other end of the shell along an entire length of the vertical seam  111  of the shell  110 . Each end of the shell  110  along the shell&#39;s vertical seam  111  may also extend substantially perpendicularly from the shell  110  such that the ends of the shell  110  may be secured together using nuts and bolts and/or an adhesive, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Several nuts and bolts may be used along the seam  111  of shell  110 . 
         [0042]    A tongue-and-groove structure may alternatively be formed at the shell seam  111 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . One side of the shell  110  may be inserted into a groove  161  on the other side of the shell  110 . To secure the ends of the shell  110  together, an epoxy mastic can be used alone or in combination with screws or other securing fasteners, for example, that may be driven through both sides of the groove  161  and through the side of the shell  110  within the groove. Additionally or alternatively, an adhesive may be applied inside the groove  1161  to further adhere the two sides of the shell  110  together. Various other methods may be used to secure the two ends of the shell  110  together. 
         [0043]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 2B , the shell may not have a seam, but may be intended to be a half-shell  110   b  and wrapped partially around a structure to be reinforced and protected. Regardless, the half-shell  110   b  shown in  FIG. 2B  can still use the positioners  120  and reinforcing members  130  disclosed herein. 
         [0044]    The positioners  120  may be made out of a high strength epoxy matrix, concrete, wood, metal, plastic, or carbon fiber, for example, or a combination of these. When determining the material of the positioner  120 , various considerations should be contemplated, such as cost; durability; structural strength; bond strength with the shell  110 , reinforcing member  130 , and/or weight-bearing member  101 ; coefficient of thermal expansion and contraction; compatibility with adhesives that may be used between the positioner  120  and reinforcing member  130 , or between positioner  120  and shell  110 ; compatibility with various grouts or cementitious mixtures that may be used to fill the space between the shell  110  and weight-bearing member  101 , thereby enveloping positioner  120 ; and resistance to corrosion. In an exemplary embodiment, the positioners  120  are made out of a high strength epoxy matrix, which is lightweight, has a small footprint and with simple design configurations can accommodate any shape reinforcement, either steel rebar, FRP rebar or FRP laminates. However, other materials may be used for positioners  120 , as referenced above. 
         [0045]    Positioners  120  can have a flat bottom surface to allow an adhesive to spread across a wide surface area to better secure the positioner  120  to the shell. Alternatively, the positioner  120  can have a slightly rounded bottom surface to correspond to a rounded interior surface of the shell  110 , such that the bottom surface of the positioner  120  has a radius of curvature that corresponds to or equals a radius of curvature of the inside surface of the shell  110 . In either case, an adhesive, such as an epoxy paste adhesive, can spread across a wide surface area on the bottom of the positioner  120  to better secure the positioner  120  to the shell  110 . Additionally or alternatively, with reference to  FIG. 12C , the bottom surface of the positioner  120  facing the shell  110  can have grooves or small concavities incorporated therein to increase an amount of surface area over which the adhesive acts to secure the positioner  120 / 1201  to the shell  110 .  FIG. 12C  shows a bottom surface of the positioner  1201 , but the bottom surface of any of the other positioners disclosed herein may comprise a similar surface. 
         [0046]    Exemplary axial reinforcement members  130  can include a reinforcing steel or “rebar;” a fiber-reinforced rebar; or a carbon fiber laminate. The reinforcing members  130  may be round, linear, I-shaped, L-shaped, T-shaped, square, rectangular, or semi-circular, for example, in cross-section. The cross-sectional shape may enhance the securement between the reinforcing member  130  and the positioner  120 . Additionally or alternatively, the positioner  120  may be shaped to correspond to a shape of the reinforcing member  130 . For example, a reinforcing member  130  may be L-shaped and a concavity in the positioner  120  may likewise be L-shaped. The L-shaped reinforcing member  130  may be inserted into the L-shaped concavity of the positioner  120 , which structural interaction alone may retain the reinforcing member  130  to the positioner  120 . Additionally or alternatively, an adhesive may be applied to secure the reinforcing member  130  to the positioner  120 . Other securing mechanisms may be used to secure the reinforcing member  130  to the positioner  120 , as explained in further detail below. 
         [0047]    As referenced above,  FIG. 2  shows a top view of a the structural reinforcement system  100 . Specifically,  FIG. 2  shows positioners  120  positioned around an interior circumference of the shell  110 . The number of reinforcing members  130  may determine the number of positioners  120  that are attached to the shell  110 . One reinforcing member  130  may be secured to the shell  110  using one or a plurality of positioners  120 . For example, two positioners  120 —one near the top of the shell  110  and one near the bottom of the shell  110 —may be used to position and orient a reinforcing member  130 . It is advantageous to have a positioner  120  near the top and bottom of the shell  110  so that a person can install the positioners  120  while reaching through the top/bottom of the shell  110 . In other examples, a positioner  120  may be placed every 10″ to 3′, for example, along an axial dimension of the shell  110  and weight-bearing member  101  (e.g., a column). In other examples, a positioner  120  may be placed every 1′ to 2′ along an axial dimension of the shell  110  and weight-bearing member  101 . The amount of desired additional weight-bearing capacity may determine the number of positioners  120  and reinforcing members  130  that are used. By way of example, a single reinforcing member  130  in the form of rebar, installed in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, may substantially enhance the weight bearing capacity of the weight bearing member (e.g., column). Similarly, a 3″ wide carbon fiber laminate used as the reinforcing member  130 , and secured in the positioners  120  disclosed in the present disclosure, may similarly enhance the weight bearing capacity of the weight bearing member. Additional reinforcing members  130  and positioners  120  may be added to further enhance weight-bearing capacity. 
         [0048]    In a preferred embodiment, the positioners  120  are attached to the shell  110  prior to arriving at the site of the weight-bearing members  101  that are to be reinforced/repaired. Additionally, the reinforcement members  130  can be secured to the positioners  120 , which are attached to the shell  110 , prior to arriving at the site of the column  101  that are to be reinforced/repaired. However, the reinforcement members  130  may conveniently be secured to the positioners  120  at the time of installation of the shell  110  around the column  101 . 
         [0049]    In a preferred embodiment the positioner  120  is attached directly to the shell  110  and does not touch the column  101 . Unlike a conventional “spacer,” the positioner  120  performs additional functions that a spacer is incapable of performing. The positioner  120  allows the reinforcing members  130  to be pre-assembled to the shell  110  and also spaced a pre-determined distance from the shell  110  and column  101 , as shown in  FIGS. 9A-9B . The distance between the reinforcing member  130  and the underlying column  101  may be established beforehand by controlling the diameter of the shell  110 , a height of the positioner  120 , and ultimately a distance “h 1 ” from the shell  110  to a top of the reinforcing member (as shown, for example, by “h 1 ” in  FIGS. 5 and 7 ). The distance from the top of the reinforcing member  130  to the outer surface of the column  101  may be determined by r s −r c −h 1 , where r s  is a radius of the shell  110  (to an internal surface of the shell  110 ) and r c  is a radius of the column  101  (to an external surface of the column  101 ). By controlling the r s , h 1  , and h 2  variables, a distance between an outer surface of the weight-bearing member (e.g., column) and the reinforcing member  130  (e.g.,  530 ,  730 , etc.) may be pre-determined and controlled. Exemplary distances from the reinforcing member  130  to the column  101  include 2-8″, or more particularly 2-6″, or in a particular example, approximately 2″. 
         [0050]    The positioners  120  also position the reinforcing members  130  in a proper orientation and position with respect to the shell  110 . The distance between the shell  110  and the reinforcing member  130  may be controlled by the structural design of the positioner  120 . This distance, shown as “h 2 ” in  FIGS. 5-8 , may be, for example, with the range of 0.125″-3″, or more particularly 0.5″-1″. In a preferred embodiment, the distance h 2  is approximately  0 . 75 ″ (+/−0.125″). 
         [0051]    When wrapping a shell  110  around a column  101 , it is important to ensure that the column  101  is concentric with the shell  101 , so that the column  101  is in the center of the shell  110  and an even spacing is around the column  101 . To ensure that the longitudinal axes of the shell  110  and column  101  are concentric, one or more separate spacers may be placed directly on the column  101 , and/or on the reinforcing members  130 , and/or on the shell  110 . 
         [0052]    The positioners  120  disclosed herein operate differently than conventional spacers. In addition to positioning reinforcing members  130  in a proper orientation and position with respect to shell  110  and column  101 , positioners  120  also provide another advantage over spacers. When rebar, for example, comes under heavy vertical loads, it has a tendency to bow outward—away from the column. If a conventional spacer is used to merely space the rebar from the column, the spacer is not positioned or structured to prevent the rebar from bowing outward. And even if a spacer were attached to a shell that wraps around a column, the conventional spacer is not designed to secure, bolster, and orient a reinforcing member. By using positioners  120  attached directly to the shell  110 , and securing reinforcing members  130  to the positioners  120 , when the reinforcing members  130  come under heavy vertical loads, the reinforcing members  130  are prevented from bowing outwards because the positioners  120  are positioned in the “outward” direction in which the reinforcing members  130  would naturally bow. This outward bowing force is transmitted to the positioner  120 , which transmits this force to the shell  110 . As the shell  110  is made of a carbon fiber reinforced polymer material, and circumscribes, in many situations, the entire column  101 , the shell  110  is able to bear much of the outward force, thereby further increasing the structural capacity of the whole system. 
         [0053]    Positioners  120  may be attached directly to the underlying weight-bearing member, such as a column  101 , but such a process is cumbersome and takes a significant amount of time on-site. By attaching the positioners  120  directly to the shell  110 , a substantial amount of time can be saved when installing the protective shell  120  on-site. In a preferred embodiment, the positioners  120  are attached directly to the shell  110 . The positioners  120  can be secured to the shell with an adhesive, such as an epoxy paste adhesive. Additionally or alternatively, the positioner  120  may be attached to the shell  110  using a mechanical connection, including a fastener such as a screw or nail, or complimentary mating structures on the shell  110  and the positioner  120 , such as a protrusion on the shell  110  and a concavity on the positioner  120 . In exemplary embodiments, the positioners  120  are secured to the shell  110  using mechanical fasteners only to retain the adhesive long enough for the adhesive to cure, and the mechanical fasteners are not used to support the reinforcing member  130 . 
         [0054]    The positioner  120  is structured so as to be securable to the shell  110  and to retain an axial reinforcing member  130 . For example, the positioner  120  preferably comprises a concave portion for receiving the reinforcing member  130 . The concave portion can be sized to correspond to a shape of the reinforcing member  130 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . The concave portion can be sized to accommodate an adhesive or other securing element, such as a metal tie or plastic tie, to secure the reinforcing member  130  to the positioner  120 . Alternatively, the concave portion can be sized to retain the reinforcing member therein by a friction fit. Exemplary structural features are described below in reference to  FIGS. 5-8 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional, axial view of a system  500  corresponding to system  100 . Specifically,  FIG. 5  shows a positioner  520  structured to secure a CFRP laminate reinforcing member  530  within a concavity  521  built into the positioner  520 . The concavity  521  can also be sized to accommodate an adhesive, such as an epoxy paste adhesive  540 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Preferably, adhesive  540  is compatible with a material type of reinforcing member  530  and positioner  520 . A similar or different type of adhesive  541  may be used to secure the positioner  520  to the shell  510 . Preferably, adhesive  541  is compatible with a material type of shell  510  and positioner  520 .  FIG. 6  shows a side view of system  500  depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0056]    Additionally or alternatively, positioners  120 / 520 / 720  (generally referred to as  120 ) can include other structural features to aid in securing the reinforcing members  130 / 530 / 730  (generally referred to as  130 ) to the positioner  120 . For example, the positioner  120  can comprise holes to allow securing elements, such as metal or plastic wires or fasteners, to secure the reinforcing member  130  to the positioner  120 . Exemplary structural features are described below in reference to  FIGS. 7-8 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional, axial view of system  700  corresponding to system  100 . Specifically,  FIG. 7  shows a positioner  730  structured to secure a rebar reinforcing member  730  within a concavity  721  built into the positioner  720 . The concavity  721  can also be sized to accommodate an adhesive, such as an epoxy paste adhesive, though this is not shown in  FIG. 7 . The positioner  720  can further comprise one or more holes  722  to allow a securing element  740 , such as a metal or plastic tie, to pass thru hole  722  and wrap around reinforcing member  730  to secure reinforcing member  730  to positioner  720 . The securing element  740  shown in  FIG. 7  is not shown in a taut configuration. As securing element  740  is further twisted, it may become more taut to secure the reinforcing element  730  to positioner  720 . An adhesive  741 , such as an epoxy paste adhesive, may be used to secure the positioner  720  to shell  710 . Grooves or small concavities may be located in the bottom of positioner  720  to allow an adhesive  741  to more strongly secure the positioner  720  to shell  710 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 8  shows a side view of system  700  depicted in  FIG. 7 . As shown, one or more holes  722  may be used to wrap one or more securing elements  740  around reinforcing member  730 , for the purpose of securing reinforcing member  730  to positioner  720 . 
         [0059]      FIGS. 11A-11B  show an alternative structure for a positioner  1120  configured to retain a rebar-type reinforcing member, and securing elements are wrapped around “ears”  1121  or ends of the positioner  1120 . Positioner  1120  can comprise one or more holes  1122  to allow screws, nails, or other mechanical fasteners to penetrate therethrough, for the purpose of securing positioner  1120  to a shell  110 . The mechanical fasteners may be a temporary mechanism for securing the positioner  1120  to the shell  110 , and an adhesive applied to a bottom of the positioner  1120  may serve as a more permanent means to secure positioner  1120  to shell  110 .  FIG. 11B  shows a cross-sectional view of the positioner  1120  with a reinforcing member  1130  secured thereto by using a metal or plastic tie wire wrapped around ears  1121  of positioner  1120 . Similar to that described above, the positioner  1120  may be configured to space the reinforcing member  1130  from the shell by a distance “h 2 .” 
         [0060]      FIGS. 12A-12C  show an alternative structure for a positioner  1201  configured to retain a planar-type reinforcing member  1205 , such as a CFRP laminate. Positioner  1201  can comprise one or more holes  1202  to allow screws, nails, or other mechanical fasteners to penetrate therethrough, for the purpose of securing positioner  1201  to a shell  110 . The mechanical fasteners may be a temporary mechanism for securing the positioner  1201  to the shell  110 , and an adhesive applied to a bottom of the positioner  1201  may serve as a more permanent means to secure positioner  1201  to shell  110 .  FIG. 12B  shows an end view of the positioner  1201  with a reinforcing member  1205  secured thereto by an adhesive  1204 , such as an epoxy. Similar to that described above, the positioner  1201  may be configured to space the reinforcing member  1205  from the shell by a distance “h 2 .” And as explained above,  FIG. 12C  shows a bottom view of an exemplary positioner  1201 , though the grooves shown thereon can be applied to any of the positioners described herein. 
         [0061]      FIG. 9A  shows a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary system  900  applied to a column  901  that may be compromised or deteriorated in some way. The system  900  comprises a shell  910 ; a plurality of positioners  920  attached to the shell; and a plurality of reinforcing members  930  secured to the positioners  920 , with each reinforcing member  930  secured to a plurality of positioners  920 . The reinforcing members  930  in  FIG. 9A  are represented to be a rebar-type reinforcing member. As can be seen, a gap (of size “h 2 ”) can be seen between the reinforcing member  930  and the shell  910 . Another gap between the reinforcing member  930  and the column  901  can also be seen in  FIG. 9A , and this gap distance can be determined as described above, such that this gap can be a pre-determined by controlling a radius of the shell  910 , a distance “h 2 ” and a distance “h 1 ,” the latter two of which can be controlled by controlling the structure of the positioner  920 . One or more additional positioners  920  can be added between the two positioners  920  shown in  FIG. 9A , such as a positioner  920  halfway between the two positioners shown in  FIG. 9A . Such additional positioner(s) would further aid in preventing reinforcing member  930  from bowing outward or bending in any direction. 
         [0062]    The description above with respect to  FIG. 9A  is equally applicable to  FIG. 9B , though  FIG. 9B  shows a carbon fiber laminate serving as the reinforcing members  931 . Similar to  FIG. 9A , the positioners  920  are attached directly to the shell  910  and do not touch the column  901 . Also similarly, reinforcing members  931  also do not touch the column  901 . A tighter bond between positioner  920  and shell  910  may be achieved than between positioner  920  and column  901 . Moreover, the positioners  920  may be attached beforehand such that the shell  910  and positioners  920  are ready for installation upon arriving at the location of column  901 . In other words, shell  910  and positioners  920  are pre-assembled, and time need not be wasted during installation allowing an adhesive or epoxy between positioners  920  and shell  910  to dry/cure. Thus, the system  900  may be installed very quickly, which is particularly helpful when installing the system  900  in marine environments where the installation may take place underwater, and/or in a water current, and/or in frigid temperatures. 
         [0063]      FIG. 10  shows a flow chart of an exemplary method of forming an axial reinforcement system according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The steps or operations of the method of  FIG. 10  are illustrated in a particular order for convenience and clarity; many of the discussed operations can be performed in a different sequence or in parallel, and some steps may be excluded, without materially impacting other operations. The method of  FIG. 10  as discussed, includes operations that may be performed by multiple different actors, devices, and/or systems. It is understood that subsets of the operations discussed in the method of  FIG. 10  attributable to a single actor, device, or system could be considered a separate standalone process or method. 
         [0064]    In step  1010 , a shell  110  is formed to a desired cross-sectional shape and length. For example, the shell  110  could be formed to be a cylinder that fully encapsulates a column  101 . 
         [0065]    In step  1020 , positioners  120  are formed to allow for securing an axial reinforcing member thereto. For example, the positioner  120  can comprise a concavity that extends all the way through positioner  120 , and sized to correspond to a reinforcing member that will be placed within that concavity. 
         [0066]    In step  1030 , reinforcement members may be formed. For example, with respect to carbon fiber laminates, such laminates can be fabricated to comprise one or several layers of carbon fiber reinforced polymer sheets embedded in an epoxy resin. Other types of fibers may be used such as glass or aramid fibers, for example. Further, other types of resins may be used such as ester, vinyl, or polyester, for example. 
         [0067]    In step  1040 , positioners  120  are attached to the shell formed in step  1010 . Such attachment can comprise a mechanical attachment and an adhesive or epoxy attachment, as described above. 
         [0068]    In step  1050 , the fabricated shell  110  and positioners  120  are transported to a location of weight-bearing members  101 . 
         [0069]    In step  1060 , reinforcement members  130  are secured to the positioners  120 , which preferably is performed at a location of the weight-bearing members  101 . 
         [0070]    In step  1070 , the combined shell  110 , positioners  120 , and reinforcement members  130  are wrapped around weight-bearing member  101  and ends of the shell  110  along a seam  111  are secured to each other such that weight-bearing member  101  is encapsulated by shell  110 . A seal may be placed at the bottom of the shell  110  to seal a bottom portion of the void between the shell  110  and the weight-bearing member  101 . 
         [0071]    In step  1070 , the void between shell  110  and weight-bearing member  101  is filled with an epoxy grout or a cementitious mixture. This may be done by pouring or pumping an epoxy grout or cementitious mixture into the void. Thereafter, a belt may be wrapped around the shell  110  and tightened while the epoxy grout or cementitious mixture cures. 
         [0072]    In this manner, a shell  110  provided with positioners  120  pre-attached thereto, and reinforcing members  130  thereafter attached to the positioners  120 , can protect a column  101  and substantially increase the structural capacity of the column while at the same time being simple to install. More specifically, the embodiments disclosed herein increase the vertical load carrying capacity of the column and moment-resisting capacity of the column. 
         [0073]    Referring to  FIG. 13A , a similar structure to that shown in  FIG. 2A  is shown, except that the reinforcing member  130  is wrapped around a longitudinal axis of the shell  110  or column  101 , and attached to a plurality of positioners  120  within the shell  110 . The positioners  120  are attached at different radial and longitudinal positions within the shell  110 . The reinforcing member  130  can be a rebar, such as a stainless steel rebar or a carbon fiber rebar, for example. 
         [0074]    Referring to  FIG. 13B , a similar structure to that shown in  FIG. 9A  is shown, except that the reinforcing member  932  is wrapped around the column  901  instead of in a linear/parallel fashion next to column  901 . The system shown in  FIG. 13B  represents a partial cross-sectional view of the system shown in  FIG. 13A . The reinforcing member  932  is wrapped around the column  901  and attached to a plurality of positioners  920  within the shell  910 . The positioners are shown on each side of the shell  910 , and  FIG. 13B  shows two reinforcing members  932  wrapped around the column  901 , though there need be only one, or there could be more than two. The positioners  920  can comprise a concavity or a through-hole for receiving the reinforcing member(s)  932 . The shell  910  and column  901  are shown in cross-section. 
       Additional Notes 
       [0075]    The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the disclosure can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein. 
         [0076]    In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. 
         [0077]    The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. Other examples can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above detailed description, various features can be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter can lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed example. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate example, and it is contemplated that such examples can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.