Patent ID: 8104246

Claim:
A method for strengthening or repairing a structure by prestressing, including the following steps: fixing onto a structural component of the structure at least one unitary anchorage unit, said unit including a prestressing member anchorage end section, an anchorage unit section opposite the prestressing member anchorage end section, and a bearing surface extending longitudinally between the prestressing member anchorage end section and the anchorage unit section, said prestressing member anchorage end section including means for anchoring a first end of at least one prestressing member that may be tensioned along a substantial part of the structural component to be strengthened or repaired by additional prestressing wherein said anchorage unit section is fixed to a surface of said structural component, said bearing surface of the anchorage unit extending longitudinally substantially in the same direction as the prestressing member, wherein said anchorage unit is so oriented and provided that it is put mainly into longitudinal traction when the prestressing member is tensioned along said substantial part of the structural component and maintains said bearing surface on the structural component surface, whereby the anchorage unit does not pass through the structural component, said anchorage unit further comprising an opposite side spaced from the bearing surface, said opposite side of the anchorage end section including a generally longitudinal recess spaced from and terminating before the anchorage unit section with an orifice at one end thereof to a generally longitudinal passage extending to an input opening for said prestressing member at the end of the prestressing anchorage end section, said passage for substantially totally surrounding the prestressing member extending generally longitudinally from the recess through the orifice and input opening; performing prestressing of said substantial part of the structural component by tensioning the prestressing member along said substantial part of the structural component by means of tensioning means external to the anchorage unit, the prestressing member being external to the structural component and having a second end fixed to said structure, and anchoring the prestressing member at the prestressing member anchorage end section of said anchorage unit such that the anchorage unit is put into longitudinal traction.