Patent Abstract:
A reinforcement system for a wall includes a bracket secured to a support disposed above the wall with a plurality of fasteners. A strap is engaged with the bracket and is adhered to the wall for reinforcing the wall.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/973,299, filed on Sep. 18, 2007. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a system and method for reinforcing structural elements. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a system and method for wall reinforcement including an anchor system for coupling walls and support members. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0004]    A variety of walls and other structural elements are known to be generally capable of supporting residential and light commercial structures. Over time, however, such walls and structural elements can crack, tilt, bow, or otherwise deform due to inherent weaknesses attributable to particular structural characteristics thereof. 
         [0005]    For example, walls constructed of concrete blocks have excellent compressive strength to support structures placed upon them. However, these walls are inherently weak with respect to lateral loads and are particularly susceptible to cracking from water pressure, as the mortar joints at which these walls are connected are weak in tension and tend to separate relatively easily when subjected to tensile forces. 
         [0006]    Deformation, such as cracking, tilting, and bowing, if left untreated, can become progressively greater and eventually facilitate collapse of an entire structural element with resultant damage to the structure supported thereon. While several methods are known for treating such deformation (e.g., it is known to adhere a carbon fiber material to a structural element, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,746,741; 6,846,537; and 6,692,595), it would be desirable for a relatively simple and cost effective system and method for coupling a structural element to a separate support (e.g., a floor joist or other beam) in order to treat, prevent, or otherwise inhibit deformation of the structural element. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present disclosure provides a reinforcement system for a structural element. The reinforcement system includes a bracket secured to a support with a plurality of fasteners, a strap engaged with the bracket and disposed on the structural element, an adhesive material disposed on the structural element for securing the strap to the structural element, and a laminate for covering the assembly. 
         [0008]    The present disclosure also includes a method for reinforcing a structural element. The method includes securing a bracket to a support proximate the structural element, engaging the bracket with a strap, securing the strap to the structural element with an adhesive, and covering the assembly with a laminate. 
         [0009]    Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a reinforcement system according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate an exemplary wall for use with a reinforcement system and method according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 3A-3I  illustrate exemplary steps for installing a reinforcement system and for a reinforcement method according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 4A-C  illustrate a variety of additional exemplary walls for use with a reinforcement system and method according to the principles of the present disclosure; and 
           [0015]      FIGS. 5A-H  illustrate another set of exemplary steps for installing a reinforcement system and for a reinforcement method according to the principles of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a reinforcement system  20  according to the principles of the present disclosure is illustrated and described. Reinforcement system  20  includes a bracket  22 , fasteners  24 , and a strap  26 . Reinforcement system  20  can also include an adhesive  28  ( FIGS. 3D-3I ) and a laminate  30  ( FIG. 3I ). 
         [0018]    Bracket  22  is a relatively rigid component and can be made from a variety of materials. By way of non-limiting example, bracket  22  can be made of 60/61 T-6 aluminum with a 3/16″ structural T hard anodized coating. As best shown in  FIG. 1 , the bracket  22  can include a base portion  22 A having a plurality of apertures  22 B and a strap mounting portion  22 C extending from the base portion  22 A. The strap mounting portion  22 C includes an elongated aperture  22 D for receiving strap  26  therethrough. The strap mounting portion  22 C can be angled relative to the base portion  22 A with an angle up to 900, although an acute angle is preferred. Fasteners  24  are also relatively rigid components and can be made from a variety of materials. For example, ⅜″×2″ zinc coated fasteners with standard threads may be used. Additionally, washers  32  may be used with fasteners  24 . 
         [0019]    Strap  26  is a flexible material with a relatively large tensile strength. For example, strap  26  can be made of an aramid composite fabric webbing which includes Kevlar® or other materials. Strap  26  can include a center portion  40  which is traditional fabric and ends  42 ,  44  which are pre-impregnated with adhesive and pre-cured in order to facilitate securing of strap  26  to a structural element as described in fuller detail herein. Prior to installation, ends  42 ,  44  can be covered/protected with peels  46 ,  48 . Peels  46 ,  48  can have a textured surface that creates a roughened surface in the adhesive that is cured on ends  42 ,  44  of strap  26 . The roughened surface helps to facilitate bonding with the adhesive. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2C , reinforcement system  20  can be utilized with a block wall  60 . With particular reference to  FIG. 2A , reinforcement system  20  is installed proximate the top portion of block wall  60 . As illustrated, reinforcement system  20  may be installed in conjunction with carbon fiber wall strengthening assemblies  62  that can be assembled to the wall in the manner described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,746,741; 6,846,537 and 6,692,595. Furthermore,  FIG. 2B  illustrates exemplary installation locations  64  for reinforcement system  20  relative to block wall  60  and that such installation locations  64  can vary. Additionally,  FIG. 2C  is an exemplary illustration of the preparation of an installation location  64  before installation of reinforcement system  20 . In particular, an area  66  of block wall  60  can be made free of paint and smoothed, such as by a grinder/sander, in order to enhance the adhesive characteristics of the area  66 . 
         [0021]    With particular reference to  FIGS. 3A-3I , exemplary steps for installing reinforcement system  20  and for a reinforcement method according to the present disclosure are illustrated. Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3B , bracket  22  and strap  26  are engaged and bracket  22  is secured to a support member  70  by fasteners  24  proximate block wall  60 . In a typical application, support member  70  can be an end plate (typically 2×10 or 2×12 lumber) which abuts against the ends of floor joists  71 . The floor joists  71  reinforce the support member from moving so as to provide a firm foundation for the reinforcement system  20  to anchor to the wall  60 . Referring to  FIGS. 3C-3H , peels  46 ,  48  are removed from strap  26 , adhesive  28  is applied to area  66  of block wall  60  from a tool (caulking gun)  71 , and strap  26  is engaged with an adhesive  28 . By way of example, a trowel  72  can be used to smooth out the adhesive  28  and engage strap ends  42 ,  44  with adhesive  28 . Additionally, referring to  FIG. 3I , a laminate  30  (plastic sheet) can be applied over both strap  26  and bracket  22  to hold the straps  26  in place while the adhesive  28  cures. 
         [0022]    According to the principles of the present disclosure, reinforcement system  20  can be used with a variety of types of walls. With particular reference to  FIGS. 4A-4B , reinforcement system  20  can be used with a poured wall  160  and an intact wall  260 . In particular, reinforcement system  20  can be utilized at installation locations  164 ,  264 , respectively. Furthermore, referring to  FIG. 4C , reinforcement system  20  can be used with a non-load-bearing wall  360 , which is oriented so as to extend along floor joists  71 . 
         [0023]    With particular reference to  FIGS. 5A-5H , exemplary steps for installing reinforcement system  20  to non-load-bearing wall  360  are illustrated. Referring to  FIGS. 5A-5B , selecting an installation location  364  proximate a top portion of non-load-bearing wall  360  and on a support member  370  and locating bracket  22  and strap  26  within installation location  364  are illustrated. Furthermore, referring to  FIGS. 5C-5E , it may be necessary to form apertures  374  in an obstructing one of floor joists  71  adjacent to support member  370  with a tool  376  (e.g. a hole saw). The bracket  22  is secured to the support member  370  with another tool  378  (e.g. a torque wrench). Additionally, referring to  FIGS. 5F-5H , apertures  374  can be filled in with plugs  380  and an epoxy  382  using a trowel  384 . It should be understood that strap  26  can be secured to the non-load-bearing wall  360  similar as described herein with regard to block wall  60 . The support member  370  can also be reinforced by known reinforcement methods. 
         [0024]    The present disclosure can vary in many ways. For example, a reinforcement system according to the principles of the present disclosure can have a variety of components which each can have a variety of configurations and can be made of a variety of materials. Furthermore, the installation steps for a reinforcement system according to the principles of the present disclosure and reinforcement methods according to the principles of the present disclosure can vary. Additionally, a reinforcement system and method according to the principles of the present disclosure can be used in a variety of applications. As such, it should be understood that the present disclosure is exemplary in nature.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4