Patent ID: 8656680

Claim:
A method of reinforcing a structure having an elongate hole, the hole having an open proximal end and a closed distal end, the method comprising the steps of; inserting into the open end of the hole an elongate reinforcement core carrying over at least part of its length an expandable sock, introducing a settable liquid into the sock at a first pressure so as to cause expansion of the sock toward the wall of the hole, the sock being formed from a material which is permeable to the liquid so as to allow the liquid to seep through the sock, reducing the pressure in the hole by means of a vacuum tube, whilst said introducing step is taking place, to at least a second pressure lower than the first pressure so as to encourage the liquid to seep through the sock, to substantially fill the hole; characterised in that the vacuum tube extends substantially into the distal quarter of the length of the closed hole.