Hollow core block stabilization system

Abstract

A system and method of stabilizing wall structures constructed with hollow core cementitious blocks that have not been filled with concrete. Relatively small cores are drilled along either the upper or lower portion of the wall structure to allow for the insertion of a rigid yet flexible reinforcing rod into the hollow core of the block. Through the same hole and other ports drilled into the hollow core block, high density expanding resin is injected to fully fill and encapsulate the reinforcing bar or rod thereby providing sufficient rigidity to the wall structure to withstand significant seismic activity.

1 . A method of stabilizing structures constructed with hollow core blocks, comprising the following steps:
 inserting a reinforcing rod into the hollow core block; and   injecting expanding polymer resin into the hollow core block.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of creating a port in the hollow core block, and in which the step of inserting the reinforcing rod further comprises inserting the reinforcing rod through the port into the hollow core block and the step of injecting the expanding polymer resin further comprises injecting the expanding polymer resin through the port into the hollow core block. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  in which the step of creating a port in the hollow core block further comprises drilling a port in the hollow core block. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  in which the port is at least as small as five-eighths of an inch in diameter. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of creating a first port and a second port in the hollow core block, and in which the step of inserting the reinforcing rod further comprises inserting the reinforcing rod through the first port into the hollow core block and the step of injecting the expanding polymer resin further comprises injecting the expanding polymer resin through the second port into the hollow core block. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  in which the step of creating the first and second ports in the hollow core block further comprises drilling the first and second ports in the hollow core 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5  in which the first and second ports are at least as small as five-eights of an inch in diameter. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  in which the reinforcing rod is made of a synthetic polymer material. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  in which the reinforcing rod is metallic. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  in which the hollow core block is a component of an existing structure. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  in which the hollow core block is a component of a wall structure. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  in which the wall structure has a top and the reinforcing rod is introduced into the hollow core block through the top of the wall structure. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  in which the wall structure comprises a plurality of stacked hollow core blocks and the hollows cores of the plurality of stacked hollow core blocks define a plurality of hollows channels within the wall structure, and in which the step of injecting expanding polymer resin into the hollow core block further comprises injecting expanding polymer resin into a hollow channel of the plurality of hollow channels. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of filling each one of the plurality of hollow channels within the wall structure with expanding polymer resin. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  in which the expanding polymer resin is a high density closed cell expanding polyurethane foam.