Patent Publication Number: US-10760273-B1

Title: Apparatus and methods for providing continuous structural support to footings and interconnected hollow core wall units

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/618,285, filed on Jan. 17, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to structural reinforcement of hollow core wall units. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for providing continuous structural support to hollow core wall units built upon reinforced footings using wire rope and related components. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Readily available and modular concrete masonry units (CMUs) are commonly used for constructing low-rise buildings (i.e., typically less than three stories). These buildings include residential, educational, commercial, and industrial structures. The CMUs are held together with mortar thereby forming a rigid structure. Many of the CMUs have hollow cores that are used to create cavity walls, wherein steel reinforcement can be placed in the vertical and horizontal spaces to carry loads and resist other forces acting upon the walls. Structural support to walls and footings may be required by structural engineers or architects to meet local building codes. The building codes vary in different geographic regions in association with potential lateral loads to walls resulting from wind or earthquake motions from seismic activity. 
     Structural reinforcement of hollow core wall units typically relies on placing steel reinforcing bar (rebar) in wall units that are connected to rebar in the footing and subsequently filling the cores with grout. The current disclosure provides alternative methods and devices that have significant advantages over the use of rebar for reinforcement of walls in low-rise buildings. Specifically, apparatus and methods are used to construct a concrete footing reinforced with wire rope that is continuously connected to a wall composed of hollow core units built in courses on top of the reinforced footing, in which selected hollow cores have straightened and connected wire rope vertically within vertical cores, and selected bond beam blocks have straightened and connected wire rope horizontally within hollow cores, and the cores that contain straightened and connected wire rope are filled with grout to form a reinforced structural wall that is interconnected with the concrete footing. 
     Other building materials, such modular hardscape units, also have hollow cores that could benefit from the apparatus and methods presented in the current disclosure. The reference to hollow core wall units used in the context of the current disclosure is, therefore, not limited to CMUs, but any modular wall units or masonry blocks that have holes, channels, or hollow cores through which wire rope could be placed, continuously connected to a concrete footing also reinforced with wire rope using the apparatus and methods described herein, and thereby form a structural wall that is interconnected with a reinforced footing. 
     There are advantages of using the wire rope apparatus and methods described in the current disclosure compared to the conventional use of rebar in structural walls. A common practice is to extend rebar upward from foundations or footings and for masons to lift heavy blocks up and over the rebar. Although protective caps are made for the top of the vertically exposed rebar, only those caps that contain metal can minimize the risks of serious injury or even death from workers falling on rebar. Even though falls at construction sites are the most common form of accidents according to the Occupational Health and Safety Association (OSHA), construction workers often neglect using protective caps on rebar, or use improper caps. OSHA reports indicate that serious injuries have resulted from workers falling on rebar in addition to death by impalement. Other serious accidents occur while working with rebar, such as cutting or bending the rebar. 
     Worker injuries also can result from the repetitive lifting of masonry blocks, particularly for sections of walls with extended lengths of rebar and when larger CMUs are involved (e.g., a two-core cement block with nominal dimensions of 8 by 12 by 16 inches weighs about 40 pounds). The use of wire rope for structural support reduces the potential for these types of accidents since wire rope does not stand upright or protrude laterally like rebar, and the amount of block lifting is limited to the height of the current wall course that is being worked on (i.e., no lifting blocks up and over the vertically exposed rebar). Another key advantage over rebar is that wire rope does not have to be bent and is flexible enough to go around obstructions in the footing and/or wall cores, saving workers time and therefore project costs. 
     There are also practical reasons that masons prefer not to lift blocks up and over rebar that extends vertically above a footing, sometimes at substantial heights of 10 or 15 feet. Considerable time is required to lift the blocks up and over the vertically extended rebar, breakage of blocks is common in this process, and it is also difficult to keep mortar on the block edges during the extensive lifting process. These practical limitations are often overcome by overlapping (or splicing) two shorter segments of rebar together to create a single structural integrity. Wire tying of rebar overlap will likely be specified by the structural engineer or architect in accordance with Section 2107 of the International Building Code. 
     However, since building inspectors are not available to observe every reinforced hollow core, some masons are known to take short cuts to avoid the time it takes to properly overlap and tie rebar together. Rebar that is simply stuck in a core and may not be close to another section of rebar, and/or has insufficient overlap, defeats the purpose of continuous reinforcement (i.e., to resist lateral loads to a wall from wind or seismic forces that could cause a wall to be damaged or potentially fail). Unfortunately, improper installations of rebar will be hidden from inspectors once the next course of wall units is laid and the cores are grouted. 
     Coiled wire rope is significantly safer to work than rigid rebar in the proposed application since it can be conveniently stored in the hollow cores as additional courses are laid. Workers can simply pull the coils of wire rope upward as the wall progresses without it interfering with the masonry activities. Building inspectors and project supervisors will be in a better position to observe with only periodic checks that continuous reinforcement of the wall is provided through the use of wire rope. Apparatus in the current disclosure allow additional strands of wire rope to be joined vertically and horizontally in a straightforward and continuous manner that can also serve as convenient inspection points for building inspectors and supervisors without significant delays in the masonry activities. 
     The apparatus and methods in the current disclosure have applications beyond the use for structural walls and foundations described herein. For example, other construction applications include, but are not limited to, reinforcement of concrete floor slabs, structural support of retaining walls and free-standing hardscape walls, and reinforcement between footings or slabs with overlying wooden or metal frame structures. The devices described in the current disclosure also have applications beyond the use for interconnected foundations and structural walls, some of which are described herein; other uses others will become apparent to future users when the products are commercialized. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce in a simplified form concepts that are further described in the following detailed descriptions. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it to be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In at least one embodiment, a wire rope chair includes a base, cross brace, and an extended arm for supporting wire rope horizontally in the excavation for a footing. In at least one example, the extended arm has a tapered trough for holding wire rope in place in the excavation for a footing. 
     In at least one embodiment, a wire rope chair is modified to include a vertical arm with a tapered trough for holding the wire rope in place vertically and for supporting wire rope both vertically and horizontally in an excavation for a footing. 
     In at least one example, a wire rope extends vertically from a chair set in a poured concrete footing and extends upward through the vertical cores of hollow core wall units constructed in courses on a footing, wherein the wire rope may be joined with other wire ropes at an elevation above the footing with a wire rope connector, which will sometimes be referred to herein as engagement elements. 
     In at least one embodiment, the wire rope connector has engagement elements that include parallel channels on opposing plates that can be bolted together securing multiple wire ropes in compression that may join the wire rope connector from different directions, vertically and/or horizontally. 
     In a least one example, when used in conjunction with hollow core wall units installed in courses above a footing, the wire rope system provides reinforcement to the wall with wire rope placed horizontally and vertically within a concrete footing that is continuous with wire rope that is placed in vertical cores and horizontally in bond beams in the hollow core wall units above the footing. 
     In at least one example, a tapered wire rope pin is wedged between the bottom of the wire rope connector and the top of an uppermost hollow core wall unit, thereby straightening the wire rope within the vertical cores below and holding the wire rope in position at least until the vertical cores are grouted. 
     In at least one example, wire rope is placed horizontally in the open channel of a bond beam block and is joined to the side of a wire rope connector and straightened and held in position using a wire rope pin at least until the horizontal hollow cores of the bond beam blocks are grouted. 
     In at least one embodiment, a wire rope straightener, which will sometimes be referred to herein as a tensioner tool, may alternatively be used to straighten the wire rope vertically within the vertical cores, or horizontally within the bond beam blocks, particularly in cases where the wire rope may be obstructed. 
     In at least one embodiment, a method includes the use of the apparatus to construct a concrete footing reinforced with wire rope that is continuously connected to a wall composed of hollow core units built in courses on top of the reinforced footing, in which selected hollow cores have straightened and connected wire rope vertically within vertical cores, and selected bond beam blocks have straightened and connected wire rope horizontally within hollow cores, and the cores that contain straightened and connected wire rope are filled with grout to form a reinforced structural wall that is tied into the concrete footing. 
     In at least one embodiment, a system comprising a chair for holding wire rope horizontally in a footing; a chair for holding wire rope horizontally and vertically in a footing; a wire rope connector joining wire ropes from different directions in hollow core wall units; a wire rope pin that straightens and holds the wire rope in hollow cores when grouting; a wire rope straightener that may alternatively be used to straighten wire rope in some cases; and wherein, in operation, and used in conjunction with hollow core wall units installed in courses above a footing, the system provides reinforcement to the wall between the wire rope placed horizontally and vertically within a concrete footing that is continuously connected to a wall composed of hollow core units built in courses on top of the reinforced footing, in which selected hollow cores have straightened and connected wire rope vertically within vertical cores, and selected bond beam blocks have straightened and connected wire rope horizontally within hollow cores, and the cores that contain straightened and connected wire rope are filled with grout to form a reinforced structural wall that is interconnected with the reinforced concrete footing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The previous summary and the following detailed descriptions are to be read in view of the drawings, which illustrate particular exemplary embodiments and features as briefly described below. The summary and detailed descriptions, however, are not limited to only those embodiments and features explicitly illustrated. 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view showing a completed wall section that has been reinforced with wire rope in the footing and within selected hollow cores of the wall units, according to at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an overhead view of a device used to support wire rope horizontally in a footing, referred to in the present disclosure as a wire rope chair, according to at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3A  is a side elevation view of an extended support arm of a wire rope chair used to support wire rope horizontally in a footing, according to at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3B  is a side elevation view of a cross brace of a wire rope chair used to support wire rope horizontally in a footing, according to at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is an overhead view of a device used to support wire rope horizontally and vertically in a footing, referred to in the present disclosure as a wire rope chair, according to at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of an extended support arm of a wire rope chair used to support wire rope horizontally and vertically in a footing, according to at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of a cross brace of a wire rope chair used to support wire rope horizontally and vertically in a footing, according to at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 7A  is a side elevation view of the bottom of a device that can be used to connect multiple wire ropes together, referred to in the present disclosure as a wire rope connector, according to at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 7B  is a side elevation view of the top of a wire rope connector, according to at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 7C  is side elevation view of a wire rope connector, showing the connection of vertical and horizontal wire ropes, according to at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 8A  is an overhead view of a wire rope connector in an open position. 
         FIG. 8B  is an overhead view of a wire rope connector in an open position with wire ropes in the channels of the bottom plate. 
         FIG. 8C  is an overhead view of a wire rope connector in a closed position compressing the wire ropes in the channels of the top and bottom plates. 
         FIG. 9A  is a side elevation view of a wire rope connector securing a single wire rope around another wire rope at the bottom of the wire rope connector. 
         FIG. 9B  is a side elevation view of a wire rope connector used to join two different wire ropes together. 
         FIG. 9C  is a side elevation view of a wire rope connector with a single wire rope. 
         FIG. 9D  is a side elevation view of wire rope connectors used to connect multiple vertical and horizontal wire ropes together. 
         FIG. 10A  is an overhead view of a device used to straighten and hold wire rope in place, referred to in the present disclosure as a wire rope pin, according to at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 10B  is a side elevation view of a wire rope pin. 
         FIGS. 11A to 11AP  provides multiple side elevation views ( FIG. 11A  through  FIG. 11AP ) of example installation methods that could be followed in a series of steps to install a structurally reinforced vertical wall using the devices and methods described in the present disclosure, according to at least one embodiment. 
         FIGS. 12A through 12F  provides side elevation and overhead views of a hand operated device that may be used under some circumstances to straighten wire rope, as shown by examples, and referred to in the present disclosure as a wire rope straightener, which will sometimes be referred to herein as a tensioner tool, according to at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevation view of a wire rope straightener, according to at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevation view of a wire rope straightener, with the panels removed, showing the internal mechanical components, according to at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a side elevation view of a wire rope straightener, showing the operation of the internal mechanical components, according to at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  is a side elevation view of a wire rope straightener showing the operation of the internal mechanical components when the handle is depressed, engaging and straightening the wire rope in the hollow core of the wall unit, and showing the insertion of a wire rope pin beneath the wire rope connector, according to at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 17A  is an overhead view of a simplified embodiment of a wire rope connector showing the top plate. 
         FIG. 17B  is an overhead view of a simplified embodiment of a wire rope connector showing the bottom plate. 
         FIG. 18A  is a side elevation view of  FIG. 17A  showing the top plate, in open position. 
         FIG. 18B  is a side elevation view of  FIG. 17B  showing the bottom plate, in open position. 
         FIG. 19A  is a side elevation view of a simplified embodiment of a wire rope connector showing the top and bottom plates in an open position receiving horizontal and parallel strands of wire rope. 
         FIG. 19B  is a side elevation view of a simplified embodiment of a wire rope connector showing the top and bottom plates in a closing position receiving horizontal and parallel strands of wire rope. 
         FIG. 19C  is a side elevation view of a simplified embodiment of a wire rope connector showing the top and bottom plates in a fully closed position compressing horizontal and parallel strands of wire rope. 
         FIG. 20A  is a side elevation view of a simplified embodiment of a wire rope connector showing the top and bottom plates in an open position receiving horizontal and parallel strands of wire rope and one or more vertical and parallel strands of wire rope. 
         FIG. 20B  is a side elevation view of a simplified embodiment of a wire rope connector showing the top and bottom plates in a fully closed position compressing horizontal and parallel strands of wire rope with one or more vertical and parallel strands of wire rope. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS 
     These descriptions are presented with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader inventive subject matters. These descriptions expound upon and exemplify particular features of those particular embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptions will likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and features without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matters. Although the term “step” may be expressly used or implied relating to features of processes or methods, no implication is made of any particular order or sequence among such expressed or implied steps unless an order or sequence is explicitly stated. 
     Any dimensions expressed or implied in the drawings and these descriptions are provided for exemplary purposes. Thus, not all embodiments within the scope of the drawings and these descriptions are made according to such exemplary dimensions. The drawings are not made necessarily to scale. Thus, not all embodiments within the scope of the drawings and these descriptions are made according to the apparent scale of the drawings with regard to relative dimensions in the drawings. However, for each drawing, at least one embodiment is made according to the apparent relative scale of the drawing. 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevation view showing a completed wall section that has been reinforced with wire rope in the footing and within the hollow cores of selected wall units using the devices and methods in the present disclosure, according to at least one embodiment. A ground surface  1  has been excavated to a specified depth  2  to form the base of a footing for a wall. A horizontal section of wire rope  50  is resting on a wire rope chair  100  in the middle of the footing. Wire rope chairs  200  on the right and left sides of the footing support the wire rope horizontally  50  as well as vertically  51 . Concrete is placed from the base of the footing  2  to the ground surface  1 , encasing the horizontal wire rope  50  and wire rope chairs  100  and  200  in the concrete footing  3 . 
     The completed wall section shown in  FIG. 1  is composed of modular hollow core wall units including full-size units  60  and half-sized units  61  that also have hollow cores, laid in a running bond pattern from courses one [ 1 ] through eleven [ 11 ]. Horizontal  70  and vertical  71  mortar joints hold the wall units in place. The vertical webs  62  on the inside of the wall units provide hollow cores on both sides to accommodate the vertical wire rope  51 . Bond beams  67 , or equivalent, provide open channels to accommodate horizontal wire rope  54 , shown at courses five [ 5 ] and nine [ 9 ]. The horizontal wire rope  54  in the bond beams  67  join the wire rope connectors  300 , which will sometimes be referred to herein as engagement elements, on the left and right sides of the wall shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The vertical cores of the wall units on the left and right sides of the wall are filled with grout  4 , or equivalent, and horizontal channels in the bond beams are filled with grout  5 , encasing the vertical wire ropes  51 , the horizontal wire ropes  54 , and the wire rope connectors  300 . The grouted cores provide structural support by the continuous horizontal wire rope in the footing  50  interconnected with the continuous wire rope in the vertical cores  51 , and the horizontal wire ropes in the bond beams  54  when the cores are filled with grout. A sill plate  73  is placed on the completed wall section in this example. The wall section shown in  FIG. 1  is an example only; other hollow cores could be reinforced using the same methods and apparatus depending on the building design requirements and applicable building codes. The step-by-step construction of the structural wall shown in  FIG. 1  is described in detail in association with  FIG. 11  ( FIG. 11A  through  FIG. 11AP  show multiple side elevation views of example construction steps). 
       FIG. 2  is an overhead view of a wire rope chair  100  used to support wire rope horizontally in a footing, according to at least one embodiment. An extended support arm  101  holds the wire rope at a distance beyond the base  103  of the wire rope chair as shown in the cross-section line A to A′ in  FIG. 3A . A cross brace  102  provides support to the extended support arm  101  by a center connection. The cross brace  102  and the extended arm support  101  are both connected to the base  103  for additional support. The base  103  has openings  104 . 
       FIG. 3A  is a side elevation view (A to A′) of an extended support arm  101  of a wire rope chair  100  used to support wire rope horizontally in a footing, according to at least one embodiment.  FIG. 3A  shows the connection of the cross brace  102  with the extended support arm  101  and the connection of both to the base  103 . The extended support arm  101  has openings  105 . 
       FIG. 3B  is a side elevation view (B to B′) of a cross brace  102  of wire rope chair  100  used to support wire rope horizontally in a footing, according to at least one embodiment. The top of the cross brace  102  shows the partial circular trough  108  for securing the wire rope, which is held in place by tabs  109  along the length of the extended support arm  101 . The cross brace  102  has open areas  106 . 
     The open areas  104  on the base  103  in  FIG. 2 , the open areas  105  on the extended support arm  101  in  FIG. 3A , and the open areas  106  in the cross brace  102  in  FIG. 3B  make the wire rope chair  100  lightweight, and more importantly, provide areas for the concrete in the footing  3  to flow into the devices  100  and  200  for support as shown in  FIG. 1 . The height of the wire rope chair  100  is such that a sufficient concrete cover will be provided when properly installed in the excavation for the footing as shown in  FIG. 1 . The wire rope chair may be made of a corrosion resistant plastic or similar material. 
       FIG. 4  is an overhead view of a wire rope chair  200  used to support wire rope both horizontally and vertically in a footing, according to at least one embodiment. An extended support arm  201  holds the wire rope at a distance beyond the right side of the base  203  of the wire rope chair as shown in the cross-section line A to A′ in  FIG. 5 . A cross brace  202  provides support to the extended support arm  201  by a center connection. The cross brace  202  and the extended arm support  201  are both connected to the base  203  for additional support. The base  203  has openings  204 . 
     The wire rope chair  200  has a vertical support arm  210  incorporated in a vertical support brace  211  that is connected to the base  203 . Cross sectional views of A to A′ and B to B′ identified in  FIG. 4  are shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , respectively.  FIG. 5  shows the end sections of the center cross brace  202  and the vertical support brace  211 . The extended support arm  201  has openings  205 . The vertical support arm  210  extends above the extended support arm  201  as shown in  FIG. 5 , such that the vertical wire rope  51  shown in  FIG. 1  extends above the concrete footing  3 . 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevation view (B to B′) of a cross brace  202  of wire rope chair  200  used to support wire rope horizontally and vertically in a footing, according to at least one embodiment. The top of the cross brace  202  shows the partial circular trough  208  for securement of the wire rope, which is held in place by tabs  209  along the length of the extended support arm  201 . The cross brace  202  has open areas  206 . The vertical support brace  211  connects with the base  203  and is partially visible through the open areas  206  and extends above the cross brace  202  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The partial circular trough extends vertically  210  and uses tabs  209  to hold the wire rope in a vertical position (described in more detail in association with the description for  FIG. 11 ). 
       FIG. 7A  is a side elevation view of the bottom plate  301  of a device that can be used to connect multiple wire ropes together from different directions, referred to in the present disclosure as a wire rope connector  300 , according to at least one embodiment. The wire rope connector  300  can also serve as an anchor when secured in grout or concrete. The bottom plate  301  has parallel ridged channels  303  on the inside of the bottom plate, and parallel ridged channels  310  on the outside of the bottom plate  301  that are at an opposing angle. Unthreaded holes  306  through the bottom plate align with nuts  305  that are attached to the outside of the bottom plate. Unthreaded holes  311  through the bottom plate  301  are on both sides of the parallel ridged channels  310  that are on the outside of the bottom plate  301 , used for U-bolts, described for  FIG. 7C . 
       FIG. 7B  shows a top plate  302  with parallel ridged channels  304  on the inside of the top plate. Bolt heads  307  are shown on the outside of the top plate in  FIG. 7B . 
       FIG. 7C  is a side elevation view of the wire rope connector  300  showing U bolts  309  or equivalent on the outside of the bottom plate  301  overlapping parallel ridged channels  310  and used with U-bolts  309  or equivalent to hold horizontal wire rope shown in cross section  53 . Vertical wire rope  51  is also shown if  FIG. 7C  before the wire rope connector  300  is bolted  307  together. 
       FIG. 8A  is an overhead view of a wire rope connector  300  in an open position, showing the alignment of the parallel ridged channels  304  on the inside of the top plate  302  with the parallel ridged channels  303  on the inside of the bottom plate  301 . The threaded length of the bolt  308  align with the nuts  305  fixed on the outside of the bottom plate  301 . The U-bolt or equivalent  309  extends from the outside of the bottom plate  301 . 
       FIG. 8B  is an overhead view of a wire rope connector  300  in an open position with two wire rope sections  53  shown in the channels of the bottom plate  301 . 
       FIG. 8C  is an overhead view of a wire rope connector  300  in a closed position compressing the wire rope sections  53  in the parallel ridged channels  304  and  303  of the inside of the top and bottom plates, respectively. The bolt head  307  is torqued into the nut  305  attached to the bottom plate  301  exposing a threaded portion  308  of the bolt. The bolts are equally torqued such that the parallel ridged channels  304  and  303  grip the wire rope sections  53  between the top  302  and bottom  301  plates minimizing movement of the wire rope when loads are applied. 
       FIG. 9A  is a side elevation view of a wire rope connector  300  securing a single wire rope around another section of wire rope shown in section  53 . In this example, the vertical wire rope segment  310  represents a live load and wire rope segment  311  represents a dead end. Unlike conventional U-bolts and saddles used to secure wire rope, where it is important not to put the saddle on the dead end of a wire rope, the wire rope connector  300  provides sufficiently elongated ridged channels to secure the wire rope without having to make this distinction which is not consistently practiced in the field. 
       FIG. 9B  is a side elevation view of a wire rope connector  300  used to join different wire ropes together. In this example, the vertical wire rope segments  312  represent live loads and wire rope segments  313  represent dead ends. 
       FIG. 9C  is a side elevation view of a wire rope connector  300  with a single vertical wire rope where both ends of the rope represent live loads  312 . 
       FIG. 9D  shows the same vertical wire rope examples of  FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C  with the addition of horizontal wire ropes connected to the outside of the bottom plate for an example of an interconnected assembly (refer to  53  and  309  in  FIG. 7C ). 
       FIG. 10A  is an overhead view of a device  400  used to hold wire rope in place, referred to in the present disclosure as a wire rope pin, which will sometimes be referred to herein as a wedge pin, according to at least one embodiment. A beveled edge fork  401  is separated by a slot  402  that surrounds a wire rope. 
       FIG. 10B  is a side elevation view of a wire rope pin  400 , showing the beveled fork  401  and an elevated knock-out end  403  used to remove the pin. The function of the wire rope pin  400  is described in more detail in association with the description for  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 11  provides multiple side elevation views ( FIG. 11A  through  FIG. 11AP ) of example installation steps that could be followed to install a structurally reinforced vertical wall using the devices and methods described in the present disclosure, according to at least one embodiment. Although the term “step” may be expressly used or implied relating to features of processes or methods in association with  FIG. 11 , no implication is made of any particular order or sequence among such expressed or implied steps unless an order or sequence is explicitly stated. 
       FIG. 11A  shows a ground surface  1  that has been excavated to a depth  2  to form a footing to support a wall.  FIG. 11B  shows the placement of a wire rope chair  100  in the center of the excavation. Wire rope chairs  200  are placed at the right and left sides of the excavation.  FIG. 11C  shows the installation of wire rope horizontally  50  on chairs  100  and  200 , and vertically  51  on wire rope chairs  200 . The excess wire rope is represented as a coil  52  above the ground surface  1  on chairs  200 .  FIG. 11D  shows the placement of concrete level with the ground surface  1  to form the footing  3  and encases the chairs  100  and  200 , the horizontal wire rope  50 , and a portion of vertical wire rope  51 . The other portion of the vertical wire ropes  51 , and the excess wire rope coils  52 , remain above the ground surface  1 , held by the vertical support arms  210  incorporated in the vertical support braces  211  that are connected to the base  203  of the wire rope chair  200  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
       FIG. 11E  shows the installation of the first course [1] of hollow core wall units on a mortar bed  72  on top of the concrete footing  3 . Three full-size wall units  60  are used for the first course [1]. The left core  63  of each full-size wall unit is separated from the right core  64  by a web  62 . Mortar is placed on the ends of the wall units to form vertical joints  71 . The left core  63  of the leftmost wall unit is placed over the wire rope coil  52  which is connected to the vertical support arm  210  of the wire rope chair  200  (see  FIG. 11D ). The right core  64  of the rightmost wall unit is placed over the wire rope coil  52  which is connected to the vertical support arm  210  of the wire rope chair  200  (see  FIG. 11D ). 
       FIG. 11F  shows the installation of the second course [2] of wall units on the first course [1] separated by a horizontal mortar joint  70 . Full-size wall units  60  are used with half-size units  61  to form the second course [2]. As necessary, the coiled wire rope  52  is pulled upward in the hollow cores as the wall progresses upward. 
       FIG. 11G  shows the start of the third course [3] with a full-size wall unit  60  placed over the coiled wire rope  52  in the core  63  to the left of the web  62 .  FIG. 11H  shows the completion of the third course [3] using full-size wall units  60 . 
       FIG. 11I  shows the start of the fourth course [4] with a half-size unit  61 , placed over the coiled wire rope  52  on a horizontal mortar joint  70 .  FIG. 11J  shows the completion of the fourth course [4] of wall units. As necessary, the wire rope coils  52  are pulled upward in the hollow cores as the wall progresses upward. 
     In  FIG. 11K , the wire rope is pulled straight and upward  51  by hand through the hollow cores of first four courses [1-4] on the left of the wall. In  FIG. 11L  a wire rope connector  300  is secured to the wire rope  51 . In  FIG. 11M  a wire rope pin  400  is selected for the small space between the wall unit and the wire rope connector  300 . In  FIG. 11N  the wire rope pin  400  is inserted in the small space between the wall unit and the wire rope connector  300 . The wedge design of the wire rope pin  400  holds the straightened wire rope  51  under a small amount of tension, primarily to keep the wire straight at least until grout is used to fill the hollow cores in subsequent steps. In some cases, where there is sufficient clearance for adding mortar for the next course, the wire rope pin  400  can be left in place and grouted within the wall. 
     In  FIG. 11O  grout  4  is placed in the left cores  63  of the wall units, starting with the first course [1]. The grout is used to fill the left cores  63  in the second [2], third [3], and fourth [4] courses in  FIGS. 11P, 11Q, and 11R , respectively. 
     In  FIG. 11S  the wire rope in the right cores  64  is pulled straight  51  by hand through the first four courses [1-4] on the right of the wall. A wire rope connector  300  is secured to the wire rope  51 . Grout is used to fill the right hollow cores  64  in the first through fourth courses [1-4] of the wall units as shown in  FIGS. 11T, 11U, 11V, and 11W , respectively. 
     Once the grout  4  is set in the left hollow cores  63  and the right hollow cores  64  in the first through fourth courses [1-4] of the wall units as shown in  FIG. 11X , the wire rope pins  400  are removed on both sides of the wall, leaving a small space  404  between the top of the grouted wall unit and the wire rope connectors  300 . Alternatively, if there is sufficient clearance for adding mortar for the next course, the wire rope pins  400  can be left in place and grouted within the wall. 
     In the example application shown in  FIG. 11Y , the wire rope connectors  300  are opened enough to insert the ends of additional coiled wire ropes  52  for continuing the construction and reinforcement of the wall. 
     The methods continue with the addition of a mortar layer  70  in  FIG. 11Z  and the start of the fifth course [5] of the wall units in  FIG. 11AA . In the example shown, the fifth course [5] is started on the leftmost wall unit in  FIG. 11AA  with a full-size bond beam  65  or equivalent, modified to accept vertical reinforcement, as shown by the base of the block  66 . In  FIG. 11AB , a full-size bond beam without modification  67  is used for the center block. A full-size bond beam  65 , modified to accept vertical reinforcement, is used for the rightmost wall unit as shown in  FIG. 11AB . 
     In  FIG. 11AC  a wire rope  54  is extended horizontally in the bond beam and is attached to the connectors  300 , using the U-bolts  309  on the outside of the back plates  301  of the connectors  300 , as shown in  FIG. 7C . 
     FIG. AD shows the addition of grout  5  in the horizontal hollow cores of the bond beams  65  and  67  for the completion of wall course five [5]. In the example shown in  FIG. 11AD , the wire rope connectors  300  join wire ropes  51 ,  54 , and the lower segment of the coiled wire rope  52 . With the addition of grout  5 , the wire rope connectors  300  shown in  FIG. 11AD  also serve as anchors once wire ropes  52  are subsequently pulled straight and upward through the remaining hollow cores of the wall units in subsequent steps. 
       FIG. 11AE  shows an advance to the completion of courses six through eight [6-8] of the wall units where a second wire rope connector  300  is added to the wire rope  51  after it is pulled straight and upward by hand through the hollow cores.  FIG. 11AF  shows the insertion of a wire-rope pin  400  beneath the wire rope connector  300  for applying a small amount of tension to the wire rope  51  for straightening it before the addition of grout and with the excess wire rope coiled  52 . 
       FIG. 11AG  shows a second wire rope connector  300  added to the right side of the wall and the wire rope  51  after it is pulled straight and upward by hand through the hollow cores. The insertion of a wire-rope pin  400  is shown beneath the wire rope connector  300  for applying a small amount of tension to the wire rope  51  for straightening before the addition of grout and with the excess wire rope coiled  52 . 
     Grout  4  is used to fill the cores in the six, seventh, and eight courses [6-8] as shown in  FIGS. 11AH, 11AI, and 11AJ , respectively, on both the left and right sides of the wall. 
       FIG. 11AK  shows an advance to the completion of courses nine through eleven [9-11] of the wall units, with course eleven [11] designed in this example as the final course. Course nine [9] uses a bond beam configuration like that used in course five [5]; however, in this example, the wire rope connector  300  only joins wire ropes  51  and  54 . A temporary wire rope connector  300  and wire rope pin  400  apply a small amount of tension to the wire rope  51  for straightening before the addition of grout in the left cores  63 . 
       FIG. 11AL  shows the wire rope on the right side of the wall in the hollow cores  64  pulled straight  51  and upward by hand through courses ten and eleven [10 and 11]. A temporary wire rope connector  300  and wire rope pin  400  are shown in  FIG. 11AM  applying a small amount of tension to the wire rope  51  for straightening before the addition of grout. Grout  4  is used to fill the cores in the tenth course [10] and the eleventh course [11] as shown in  FIGS. 11AN and 11AO , respectively, on the left and right sides of the wall. The temporary wire rope pin  400  and the wire rope connector  300  are removed in  FIG. 11AP  and a sill plate  73  is added. 
       FIG. 12A through 12F  shows the use of a hand operated wire rope straightener  500 , which will sometimes be referred to herein as a tensioner tool, according to at least one embodiment, that may be used in special circumstances. In most situations, as shown in the example application in  FIG. 11A  through  FIG. 11AP , the wire rope can be uncoiled and pulled straight and upward through the hollow cores without the need of the wire rope straightener, relying instead on the wire rope connector  300  and wire rope pin  400  to apply a small amount of tension to the wire rope before the addition of grout in the hollow cores. However, the wire rope straightener  500  may be used when the wire rope is obstructed (for example by a web, mortar, grout, or limited access areas within the cores) and the wire rope is unable to be reasonably straightened by hand and/or by using the wire rope connector  300  coupled with the use of the wire rope pin  400  when wedged beneath the wire rope connector  300  and the wall unit. 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  show a side elevation and overhead view of a hand operated wire rope straightener, respectfully. Example applications of the wire rope straightener are shown in  FIG. 12C  through  FIG. 12G , and the mechanical details of the wire rope straightener are described in association with  FIG. 13  through  FIG. 15 , according to at least one embodiment. 
       FIG. 12B  shows a slot  533  for the wire rope  53 .  FIG. 12C  is an overhead view of three hollow core wall units  60 , each with two cores separated by a web  62 , mortared together vertically  71  to form a wall segment. Cross sections of wire rope  53  are shown in two of the right vertical cores  64 .  FIG. 12D  is an overhead view of the same wall segment of  FIG. 12C , showing the wire rope slot  533  of the wire rope straightener  500  around the wire rope  53  with the handle  514  to the right, parallel to the wall segment.  FIG. 12E  is an overhead view of the same wall segment of  FIG. 12C , showing the wire rope slot  533  of the wire rope straightener  500  around the wire rope  53  in the rightmost wall unit with the handle  514  of the wire rope straightener  500  perpendicular to the wall segment.  FIG. 12F  is an overhead view of the same wall segment of  FIG. 12C , showing the wire rope slot  533  of the wire rope straightener  500  around the wire rope  53  in the leftmost wall unit with the handle  514  of the wire rope straightener  500  to the right, parallel to the wall segment.  FIG. 12G  is a sectional view of a wall segment, where the top course is a bond beam  67  and the lower two courses are hollow core wall units  60 . The wire rope slot  533  of the wire rope straightener  500  is around the wire rope  53  in the bond beam with the handle  514  of the wire rope straightener  500  upright and parallel to the wall segment. 
       FIG. 13  is a side elevation view showing the details of a hand operated wire rope straightener  500 , according to at least one embodiment. A left support member  501 , with an open area  502 , is connected to a base  503  that extends wider than the than the wire rope straightener  500 , as shown in the overhead views in  FIG. 12 . A left center removable panel  504  is held in place with hex bolts  515  and the panel has an open work area  511  beneath it. The left side of a wire rope slot  505  is shown along with a vertical segment of wire rope  51 . A right center removable panel  507  is held in place with hex bolts  515  and the panel has an open work area  511  beneath it. The right side of a wire rope slot  505  is shown, and a wire rope connector  300  is shown on the top of the wall unit  532  (the details of the wall unit  532  are not shown in the enlarged views of  FIG. 13  through  FIG. 17 ). 
       FIG. 13  shows a right support member  508 , with an open area  509 , is connected to a base  510  that extends wider than the than the wire rope straightener  500 , as shown in the overhead views in  FIG. 12 . The right support member  508  has a removable panel held in place with hex bolts  515 . A ratchet handle  513  and grip  514  extend from the right side of the right support member  508 . A ratchet release lever  512  is below the ratchet handle  513 . The open areas  502  and  509  make the wire rope straightener  500  lighter weight and can be used as handles to lift the device and center it over the work area. 
       FIG. 14  is a side elevation view of a hand operated wire rope straightener  500  with the panels removed, showing the operation of the internal mechanical components, according to at least one embodiment. Threaded hex head bolt holes  516  are shown, along with a ratchet gear  517 , small gear  518 , and large gear  519  (teeth on the gears are not visible in the side elevation view of  FIG. 14 ). A wedge  520 , has teeth on the right (not shown) that interface with the large gear  519 . The wedge  520  also has teeth on the left (not shown) to grip the wire rope  51 . A slot  521  is on the inside of the wedge  520 , and a stop  524  limit the vertical movement of the wedge  520 . A rectangular block  522  has teeth on the right side (not shown) to grip the wire rope  51  on the left side, once the wedge  520  moves upward and is forced to shift slightly to the left. A slot  525  on the inside of the rectangular block, and a stop  524  limit the vertical movement of the rectangular block  522 . Bearings  523  support the rectangular block and allow its movement vertically. 
       FIG. 15  is a side elevation view of a hand operated wire rope straightener  500  with panels removed, showing the rotation of gears  517  and  519  in a clockwise direction  526  and gear  518  in a counterclockwise direction  527 . The upward motion of the wedge  520  is represented by arrow  528  and the upward motion of the rectangular block  522  is represented by arrow  529 . 
       FIG. 16  is a side elevation view of a hand operated wire rope straightener  500  with panels removed, showing the rotation of gears and the upward motion of the wedge  520  and the upward motion of the rectangular block  522  when the handle  530  is depressed. In operation, the wire rope and connector are lifted creating a space  531  above the top of the wall unit  532 .  FIG. 16  also shows the insertion of a wire rope pin  400  beneath the wire rope connector once the connector has been lifted with the wire rope. Once the wire rope pin  400  is securely in place, the wire rope straightener can be removed. 
       FIG. 17A  is an overhead view of a simplified embodiment of a wire rope connector  300  relative to that shown in  FIG. 7  that can be used to connect multiple wire ropes together from different directions and at opposing angles with torquing of a single bolt head  307 . The wire rope connector  300  can also serve as an anchor when secured in grout or concrete. The inside of the top plate  302  shows traces of parallel ridged channels  313  on the inside of the top plate that are at an opposing angle to the traces of parallel ridged channels  318 . In this simplified embodiment a single bolt head  307  is shown on the outside of the top plate  302 . Offset alignment pins  314  are secured through the top plate  302 . 
       FIG. 17B  is an overhead view of a simplified embodiment of a wire rope connector  300  showing the inside of the bottom plate  301  with parallel ridged channels  303  on the inside of the bottom plate and parallel ridged channels  319  that are at an opposing angle to the parallel ridged channels  303 . In this simplified embodiment a single threaded bolt hole  312  is shown on the bottom plate  301 . Offset alignment pin holes  315  extend through the bottom plate  301  such that the top  302  and bottom  301  plates, if separated, can only be reassembled in one manner such that the parallel ridged channels  303  and parallel ridged channels  319  at an opposing angle on the inside of the bottom plate align with the ridge channels on the inside of the top plate. 
       FIG. 18A  is a side elevation view of  FIG. 17A  showing the top plate  302 , in open position and disconnected from the bottom plate  301 . A threaded bolt retainer  317  or equivalent prevents the bolt head  307  with the threaded length of the bolt from separating from the top plate  302 . Offset alignment pins  314  extend through the top plate  302 . Parallel ridged channels  304  are shown on the inside of the top plate. 
       FIG. 18B  is a side elevation view of  FIG. 17B  showing the bottom plate  301 , in open position, and disconnected from the top plate  302 . A threaded bolt hole  312  aligns with the threaded length of the bolt  308  from the top plate  302  in  FIG. 18A . Offset alignment pin holes  315  extend through the bottom plate  301 , such that if the upper plate  302  is separated from the bottom plate  301  they can only be reassembled in one manner such that the parallel ridged channels  304  on the inside of the top plate align with those on the inside  303  of the bottom plate. The traces of other parallel ridge channels  313  on the inside of the top plate  302  align with the traces of parallel ridge channels  316  on the inside of the bottom plate  301 . 
       FIG. 19A  is a side elevation view of a simplified embodiment of a wire rope connector  300  showing the top  302  and bottom  301  plates in an open position receiving horizontal and parallel strands of wire rope  53 . 
       FIG. 19B  is a side elevation view of a simplified embodiment of a wire rope connector  300  showing the top  302  and bottom  301  plates in a closing position receiving horizontal and parallel strands of wire rope  53 . 
       FIG. 19C  is a side elevation view of a simplified embodiment of a wire rope connector  300  showing the top  302  and bottom  301  plates in a fully closed position compressing the horizontal and parallel strands of wire rope  53 . The single bolt head  307  is torqued into the threaded hole  312  in the bottom plate  301  such that the parallel and aligned ridged channels in the top plate  304  compress the wire rope sections  53  resting on the parallel and aligned ridged channels in the bottom plate  303  minimizing movement of the wire rope when loads are applied. 
       FIG. 20A  is a side elevation view of a simplified embodiment of a wire rope connector  300  showing the top  302  and bottom  301  plates in an open position receiving horizontal and parallel strands of wire rope  53  and one or more vertical and parallel strands of wire rope  51  that are at an opposing angle. 
       FIG. 20B  is a side elevation view of a simplified embodiment of a wire rope connector  300  showing the top  302  and bottom  301  plates in a fully closed position compressing horizontal and parallel strands of wire rope  53  with one or more vertical and parallel strands of wire rope  51 . The single bolt head  307  is torqued into the threaded hole  312  in the bottom plate  301  to simultaneously compress the one or more vertical and parallel strands of wire rope  51  with the horizontal and parallel strands of wire rope  53  that are at an opposing angle, collectively minimizing movement of the multiple wire ropes when loads are applied. 
     Particular embodiments and features have been described with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood that these descriptions are not limited to any single embodiment or any particular set of features, and that similar embodiments and features may arise, or modifications and additions may be made without departing from the scope of these descriptions and the spirit of the appended claims.