Abstract:
A non-metallic masonry tie includes at least two longitudinal members of composite fibre. Composite fibre reinforcement extends between the two longitudinal members. The preferred composite fibre reinforcement is in the form of a bundle of composite fibres extending angularly between and wrapped around the two longitudinal members to form a symmetrical reinforcement pattern consisting of a plurality of triangles. This serves to equally distribute the forces acting upon the two longitudinal members.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a non-metallic masonry tie used to join and reinforce masonry walls.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Masonry ties are generally made of galvanized steel. Since the presence of moisture in the cavities of masonry walls is unavoidable, corrosion is a major problem experienced with steel masonry ties. In order to avoid corrosion, there have been attempts to use corrosion free advanced composite materials to make non-metallic masonry ties.  
           [0003]    In shear testing of non-metallic masonry ties made from these advanced composite materials, the non-metallic masonry ties have not been able to perform at levels approaching galvanized steel. In most cases, the non-metallic masonry ties were no better or just marginally better than a masonry wall without masonry ties.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    What is required is a non-metallic masonry tie that is capable of withstanding shear forces approaching galvanized steel.  
           [0005]    According to the present invention there is provided a non-metallic masonry tie which includes at least two longitudinal members of composite fibre. Composite fibre reinforcement extends between the two longitudinal members.  
           [0006]    The non-metallic masonry tie, as described above, is capable of superior performance over strips of composite material made into masonry ties. As will be apparent from the test data which will hereinafter be provided. In making a composite fibre masonry tie, as described above, there are features which can be included to enhance performance.  
           [0007]    Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the non-metallic masonry tie, as described above, even more beneficial results may be obtained when the composite fibre reinforcement is a single bundle of fibres wrapped around the longitudinal members. A continuous wrap provides greater strength than a discontinuous serious of reinforcement of shorter length.  
           [0008]    Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the non-metallic masonry tie, as described above, even more beneficial results may be obtained when the composite fibre reinforcement extends angularly between the longitudinal members. Angular reinforcement is better able to resist relative axial movement of the longitudinal members and torsional forces on a common plane with the longitudinal members. For best results the composite fibre reinforcement must form a symmetrical reinforcement pattern which equally distributes the forces between the longitudinal members. A preferred reinforcement pattern that can be readily configured symmetrically is a reinforcement pattern consisting of a plurality of triangles. The triangles can be isosceles, but are preferably equilateral triangles.  
           [0009]    There are enormous variety of composite fibres which could be used to fabricate non-metallic masonry ties, as described above. Beneficial results have been obtained through the use of glass fibre reinforced polymers (GFRP).  
           [0010]    Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the non-metallic masonry tie, as described above, even more beneficial results may be obtained when the two longitudinal members form part of a rectangular composite fibre frame. The rectangular composite fibre frames can be used, by themselves for reinforcement or can be used as “building blocks” to make more complex reinforcement structures. It is preferred that two or more of the rectangular composite fibre frames be combined to form a reinforcement structure. Beneficial results have been obtained through the use of a “T” shape which provides reinforcement along both an “X” and “Y” axis. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is top plan view of a rectangular non-metallic masonry tie fabricated in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view, in section, of a masonry wall showing placement of the rectangular non-metallic masonry ties illustrated in FIG. 1.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a side elevation view, in section, of a masonry wall showing placement of the rectangular non-metallic masonry ties illustrated in FIG. 1.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a “T” shaped non-metallic masonry tie fabricated from two of the rectangular non-metallic masonry ties illustrated in FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a perspective view, in section, of a masonry wall showing placement of the “T” shaped non-metallic masonry ties illustrated in FIG. 4.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a side elevation view, in section, of a masonry wall showing placement of the “T” shaped non-metallic masonry ties illustrated in FIG. 4. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0018]    Two preferred embodiments of non-metallic masonry tie will now be described. A rectangular embodiment of non-metallic masonry tie, generally identified by reference numeral  10 , will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3. A “T” shaped embodiment of non-metallic masonry tie, generally identified by reference numeral  100 , will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 through 6.  
         [0019]    Structure and Relationship of Parts of Rectangular embodiment:  
         [0020]    Referring to FIG. 1, there is provided a non-metallic masonry tie  10  which includes a generally rectangular composite fibre frame  12  that has two longitudinal members  14 . Composite fibre reinforcement in the form of a bundle of composite fibres  16  extends angularly between and wrapped around two longitudinal members  14  to form a symmetrical reinforcement pattern generally referenced by numeral  18 . Symmetrical reinforcement pattern  18  consists of a plurality of triangles  20 , thereby equally distributing the forces between two longitudinal members  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, composite fibre  16  is glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP), however other types of composite fibre  16  could also be used. In the illustrated embodiment, triangles  20  are equilateral triangles  20 , however symmetrical reinforcement pattern  18  could also consist of triangles  20  that are isosceles.  
         [0021]    Operation:  
         [0022]    The use and operation of rectangular embodiment of non-metallic masonry tie  10  will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3.  
         [0023]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, rectangular non-metallic masonry tie  10  as described above, is used to join and reinforce masonry walls, generally referenced by numeral  22 . For example, rectangular non-metallic masonry tie  10  can be used to reinforce a connective portion  24  that extends between two wythes  26  of masonry wall  22 . Depending on the manner of constructing connective portion  24 , the placement of rectangular non-metallic masonry ties  10  differs. Referring to FIG. 2, if connectivity portion  24  is constructed of bricks  28  arranged in interlock pattern, generally referenced by numeral  30 , then rectangular non-metallic masonry ties  10  are placed along an “X” axis  32  on each wythes  26 . Referring to FIG. 3, if connective portion  24  between two wythes  26  is constructed of bricks  28  arranged in a “tied” pattern, generally referenced by  34 , then placement of non-metallic masonry ties  10  is provided along an “Y” axis  36 . Referring to FIG. 1, in either placement, it has been found that the angular reinforcement of rectangular non-metallic masonry tie  10 , is better able to resist relative axial movement of longitudinal members  14  and torsional forces on a common plane with longitudinal members  14 . The symmetrical reinforcement pattern  18  of equilateral triangles  20  equally distributes the forces between longitudinal members  14 .  
         [0024]    Variations and Alternative Embodiments:  
         [0025]    A “T” shaped embodiment of non-metallic masonry tie, generally identified by reference numeral  100 , will be now described with reference to FIGS. 4 through 6 Referring to FIG. 4, there is illustrated non-metallic masonry tie  100  wherein two rectangular composite fibre frames  112  are combined to form a “T” shape. Each fibre frame  112  of “T” shaped embodiment  100  has two longitudinal members  114 . Composite fibre reinforcement in the form of a bundle of composite fibres  116  extends angularly between and wrapped around longitudinal members  114  to form a symmetrical reinforcement pattern generally referenced by numeral  118 . Symmetrical reinforcement pattern  118  consists of a plurality of triangles  120 , thereby equally distributing the forces between longitudinal members  114 .  
         [0026]    Operation:  
         [0027]    The use and operation of “T” shaped embodiment of non-metallic masonry tie will now be described with reference to FIGS.  4  though  6 . Referring to FIG. 5, “T” shaped embodiment of non-metallic masonry tie  100  can also be used to used to join and reinforce masonry walls  22 . For example, during construction of masonry wall, “T” shaped non-metallic tie  100  is placed so as to provide reinforcement along both “X” axis  32  and “Y”  34  axis of each wythe  26  of masonry wall  22 . Referring to FIG. 6, “T” shaped non-metallic tie  100  can also be used on masonry walls  22  where connective portion  24  between two wythes  26  is constructed of bricks  28  arranged in a “tied” pattern, generally referenced by  34 . In the illustrated embodiment, “T” shaped non-metallic ties  100  have been placed on alternating rows  38  of bricks  28  on each wythe  26 , rather than on the same rows  38  of bricks  28  so as to prevent the overlap of “T” shaped non-metallic ties  100  on connective portion  24 , however if connective portion  24  is of a suitable length, it will be appreciated that “T” shaped non-metallic members  100  could also be placed the same row  38  of bricks  28  of each wythe  26  as well.  
         [0028]    Comparative Testing Data:  
                                           TABLE 2                           Test results: Values given are average of 3 replicates                Failure Load   Shear Stress       Specimen Type a     (kN)   (MPa)                    B1-ST   36.9   329.5       B2-ST   20.7   227.1       B3-ST   21.5   192.0       B4-ST   34.3   306.3       B1-GG   32.8   68.3       B1-WG   38.1   146.7       B1-TG b     20.8   593.3       B1-GG-I   90.8   4.23       B2-GG-I   86.9   3.66       B3-GG-I   89.9   4.53       B1-ST-I   94.4   4.18       B2-ST-I   94.7   4.01       B3-ST-I   90.1   4.33       B1-N-I   100.2   4.46       B2-N-I   108.1   4.69       B3-N-I   89.5   4.39                                  
 
         [0029]    In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.  
         [0030]    It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the claims.