System and method for strengthening tubular and round tower members

Abstract

A system and method for strengthening elongated members of a tower section is provided. A tower section includes a plurality of elongated members. At least one reinforcing member is employed to reinforce the tower section. A structural adhesive is applied to the elongated members and the reinforcing members. The reinforcing members are pressed or otherwise placed against corresponding elongated members. The structural adhesive is cured to thereby permanently attach the reinforcing members to the corresponding elongated members. The reinforcing members can be clamped, bolted or otherwise secured to the corresponding elongated members during curing of the structural adhesive.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of strengthening elongated members of a tower section, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a tower section including a plurality of elongated members;    providing at least one reinforcing member;    applying structural adhesive to at least one of the plurality of elongated members and the at least one reinforcing member;    placing the at least one reinforcing member against a corresponding one of the plurality of elongated members; and    curing the structural adhesive to thereby permanently attach the at least one reinforcing member to the corresponding one of the plurality of elongated members.    
     
     
         2 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elongated members include vertically extending members.  
     
     
         3 . A method as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of elongated members further include cross bracing members coupling the vertically extending members to each other.  
     
     
         4 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of applying includes placing the structural adhesive onto the at least one reinforcing member.  
     
     
         5 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of applying includes placing the structural adhesive onto the at least one of the plurality of elongated members.  
     
     
         6 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further including the step of introducing a spacer interposed between the at least one of the plurality of elongated members and the at least one reinforcing member prior to the step of placing.  
     
     
         7 . A method as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the step of introducing a spacer includes mixing glass beads into the structural adhesive.  
     
     
         8 . A method as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the spacer is composed of a material including one of plastic, string, and metal.  
     
     
         9 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further including the step of clamping the at least one reinforcing member to that at least one of the plurality of elongated members during the step of curing.  
     
     
         10 . A method as defined in  claim 9 , further including the step of terminating the step of clamping after the step of curing is complete.  
     
     
         11 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further including the step of preparing the at least one of the plurality of elongated members for receiving the structural adhesive by one of sanding, sandblasting, and a chemical wash.  
     
     
         12 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further including the step of preparing the at least one reinforcing member for receiving the structural adhesive should the at least one reinforcing member have a galvanizing layer.  
     
     
         13 . A method as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the step of preparing the at least one reinforcing member includes one of cleaning, etching, and removing the galvanizing layer.  
     
     
         14 . A method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the cleaning, etching, or removing is accomplished by one of chemical and abrasive means.  
     
     
         15 . A method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the step of preparing the at least one reinforcement member further includes applying a primer.  
     
     
         16 . A tower section reinforcement system comprising: 
 a tower section including a plurality of elongated members; and    at least one reinforcing member coupled to the at least one of the plurality of elongated members by structural adhesive.    
     
     
         17 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the elongated members include vertically extending members.  
     
     
         18 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the elongated members further include cross bracing members coupling the vertically extending members to each other.  
     
     
         19 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of elongated members are each generally circular in cross-section.  
     
     
         20 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member is generally circular in cross section.  
     
     
         21 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 20 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member includes an outwardly facing reinforcing section extending partially about a perimeter of a corresponding elongated member.  
     
     
         22 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member further includes an inwardly facing reinforcing section extending partially about the perimeter at a location generally opposite to that of the outwardly facing reinforcing section.  
     
     
         23 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the outwardly facing reinforcing section and the inwardly facing reinforcing section cooperate to extend about 90 degrees to about 360 degrees around the perimeter.  
     
     
         24 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the outwardly facing reinforcing section and the inwardly facing reinforcing section each include flanges at opposing ends, each of the flanges of one of the reinforcing sections being abutted and coupled to a corresponding flange of the other reinforcing section, whereby the outwardly facing reinforcing section and the inwardly facing reinforcing section cooperate to form a clamp.  
     
     
         25 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 22 , wherein one of the outwardly facing reinforcing section and the inwardly facing reinforcing section includes overlap portions at opposing ends, each of the overlap portions being secured over an adjacent portion of the other reinforcing section, whereby the outwardly facing reinforcing section and the inwardly facing reinforcing section cooperate to form a clamp.  
     
     
         26 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 16 , further including at least one clamp for securing the at least one reinforcing member to an associated elongated member during curing of the structural adhesive.  
     
     
         27 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 26 , wherein the at least one clamp is a U-bolt clamp.  
     
     
         28 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 26 , wherein the at least one clamp extends substantially around a perimeter of the associated elongated member.  
     
     
         29 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the outwardly facing reinforcing section and the inwardly facing reinforcing section define notches for receiving bolts for securing the reinforcing sections to the associated elongated member during curing of the structural adhesive.  
     
     
         30 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 16 , further including a spacer interposed between the at least one reinforcing member coupled to the at least one of the plurality of elongated members.  
     
     
         31 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 30 , wherein the spacer is made from one of plastic, string, and metal.  
     
     
         32 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 30 , wherein the spacer includes glass beads mixed with the structural adhesive.  
     
     
         33 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of elongated members are hollow in cross section.  
     
     
         34 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of elongated members are solid in cross section.  
     
     
         35 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member is fabricated from a material including one of metal, and a fiber reinforced polymer.  
     
     
         36 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 35 , wherein the metal includes steel.  
     
     
         37 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 35 , wherein the fiber reinforced polymer includes carbon fibers encapsulated in a resin matrix.  
     
     
         38 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of elongated members are fabricated from a material including metal.  
     
     
         39 . A tower section reinforcement system as defined in  claim 38 , wherein the metal includes steel.