Patent Publication Number: US-6655107-B2

Title: Method for reinforcing hollow concrete block walls

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a method for reinforcing hollow concrete block building foundation walls from the buckling caused by the pressure of the earth, water and/or tree roots. The present invention teaches the insertion of structural reinforcing rods and the installation of structural grout into all hollow voids in the wall. The process of the invention provides an efficient method for reinforcing these walls. 
     The invention is typically used to reinforce and repair the buckling of foundations in residential and light commercial structures. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     While numerous prior inventions have taught methods for reinforcing hollow concrete block walls, such as Norton, U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,194; Ellis, U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,220; Auchtenberg, U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,852; and Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,891, none of these contemplate a combination of structural rods, and pressurized structural grout which fills all hollow voids and provides extreme strength, as well as repairing the foundation by filling all cracks or damaged block. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a method for reinforcing and repairing hollow concrete block foundation walls with great strength and cost efficiency. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features of the present invention will be more clearly understood from a consideration of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a site showing the various steps in the process at intermediate stages; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of a hollow concrete block wall, showing the insertion of reinforcing bars; 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B are top views of a hollow concrete block wall, showing the insertion of reinforcing bars; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the cutting of a slice in the wall; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the insertion of reinforcing bars in the slice; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the patching of the slice in the wall; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the drilling of holes for the structural grout; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the insertion of the structural grout into the wall under pressure; 
     FIGS. 9 and 9A are perspective views showing the emerging of the structural grout from the wall; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the patching of the holes in the walls. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the drawings of the invention, as seen in FIG. 1, which shows all the elements of the method at various stages in the process. As seen, in FIG. 4, slices,  3 , using a diamond blade saw,  10 , are vertically cut through the exterior of a number of hollow concrete blocks,  2 , which comprise the rows of a foundation wall,  1 . 
     In addition, as is further seen in FIG. 1, a steel reinforcing bar,  4 , is inserted into the hollow voids through the slices,  3 . The slices are then sealed. This is further shown in FIG.  2 . As seen in FIGS. 3A and 7, a hole,  6 , is drilled horizontally into the blocks,  2 , at predetermined locations. The hole extends into the hollow center of the block. 
     As seen in FIG. 8, an insertion tool,  7 , is inserted into the drilled hole and a mix of structural grout,  8 , under moderate pressure is forced into the interior of the hollow blocks. The grout is produced by a grout plant, which is commonly used equipment in the cement industry. Typically the equipment mixes grout and dumps the mixture into hopper containing an agitator. A pump is typically connected to the hopper to drive the mixture, under pressure, through a hose, which is inserted into a wall. The pressure causes the mixture to fully fill the voids in a hollow block wall. FIG. 9, shows this being done simultaneously through two holes, until the grout begins to emerge through a hole in the middle,  9 . This indicates that the interior of the wall is filled with structural grout. The drilled hole is patched with cement, as can be seen in FIG. 9A until all hollow blocks are filled,  4 , and all the holes are sealed,  12 . 
     As seen in FIG. 4 a slice is cut in the wall. A diamond saw,  10 , is shown cutting a vertical slice,  3 , in the wall. As seen in FIG. 5 reinforcing bars,  4 , are inserted into the slice,  3 . 
     As seen in FIG. 6, the slice in the wall is patched,  11 , over the reinforcing bar,  4 . 
     As seen in FIG. 7 holes,  6 , for the insertion of structural grout are drilled. 
     As seen in FIG. 8 structural grout,  8 , is then inserted under pressure, via an insertion tool,  7 , into the interior of the wall. 
     As seen in FIG.  9  and FIG. 9A, the structural grout,  9 , emerges, indicating the completion of the wall. As seen in FIG. 10 the holes,  12 , in the walls,  1  are then patched.