Construction structure with strengthening device and method

Abstract

Construction system ( 5+6 ) for strengthening an existing structure ( 5 ) with tension sheets ( 3 ) provided in the direction of extension of said existing structure ( 5 ), said construction structure comprising at least one structural member ( 5 ) and respective anchoring device.

1 . A construction structure comprising at least one structural member, resp. support element connectively cooperating with each other, further comprising at least one anchoring device, wherein said structural member is supported on said support element with its bottom surface (A), its adjoining lateral surfaces extending therefrom (B, C) along a longitudinal axis (l) thereof (A), characterized in that it further comprises
 reinforcement surface means for connectively securing said mutual cooperation between said structural member and said support element, which is delimitated by a bottom (b) resp. opposite top side (a) and which surface means has at said top side (a)   bonding means for bonding said reinforcement surface means at its top side (a) onto said active lateral surface (B, C) of said structural member, on the one hand,   
       and wherein said reinforcement surface means is actively cooperating at its opposite bottom side (b) with said support element, on the other hand, by means of said anchoring device consisting of
 a holder means extending continuously and at least over the whole bottom side (b) of said reinforcement surface means for holding same in a remote connective relationship with said support element and of 
 fastening means for anchoring said holder means to said support element. 
 
     
     
         2 . A construction structure according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said anchoring device is arranged in an elastically and plastically deformable bonding assembly with said reinforcement surface means. 
     
     
         3 . A construction structure according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that said reinforcement surface means is a sheet and in that said holder means is a shaft, in particular a cylinder, preferably with a circular section around which said sheet is wrapped at its said bottom side (b) and which extends substantially in parallel to said support element. 
     
     
         4 . A construction structure according to  claim 3 , characterized in that said sheet is made of a fiber reinforced polymer FRP, more particularly a composite FRP material. 
     
     
         5 . A construction structure according to  claim 4 , characterized in that said fibers are carbon, glass or aramid fibers. 
     
     
         6 . A construction structure according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said reinforcement surface means is made of metal, in particular steel. 
     
     
         7 . A construction structure according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that said reinforcement surface means is a plate or a shell. 
     
     
         8 . A construction structure according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said bonding means consist of a bonding strip, more particularly extending in parallel to said holder means. 
     
     
         9 . A construction structure according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said structural members has an elongated shape extending substantially upright along said longitudinal axis (l), in a mutually aligned arrangement with said support element. 
     
     
         10 . A construction structure according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said construction structure is substantially symmetrical, particularly respective a central plane of symmetry (α) extending substantially upright so as to include said longitudinal axis (l), thereby defining two symmetrical parts, each one including one said anchoring device connecting elastically said constructive members within each said symmetrical part. 
     
     
         11 . A construction structure according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said anchoring device is for a surface bonded sheet improving the resistance of said structure, wherein said sheet is anchored to said structural element of said structure for transferring the additional forces onto said structural element, said additional forces being essentially tensile forces all in one single direction being defined as the length of said sheet, and in that said anchoring device consists of said shaft extending at least over the whole width of said sheet and of said fastening means aimed to lock said shaft to said structural element, and in that said shaft is substantially in the plane of the sheet. 
     
     
         12 . A construction structure according to  claim 3 , characterised in that said fastening means consist in fixation means provided at each end of said shaft, in particular wherein said fixation means are bolts or steel cylinder rods. 
     
     
         13 . A construction structure according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it further comprises a steel plate for pressing the reinforcing sheet on the said support element or said structural member. 
     
     
         14 . A construction structure according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said plate is a prismatic shape part which applies pressure on the reinforcing sheet for pushing the reinforcing sheet onto the structural element's surface. 
     
     
         15 . An anchoring method for a surface bonded sheet aimed at improving the resistance of a structure, wherein said sheet is bonded onto the surface of a structural member of said structure in order to improve its resistance by resisting additional forces, and anchored to a structural element of said structure in order to transfer the additional forces onto said structural element, said additional forces being essentially tensile forces all in one single direction being defined as the length of said sheet, characterized in that said shaft extending at least over the whole width of said sheet is locked to said structural element by a fastening means, and in that said shaft is substantially in the plane of the sheet. 
     
     
         16 . An anchoring method according to  claim 15 , characterized in that the rod, the lock means and the sheet are assembled as a device after which they are elastically and plastically deformed so as to improve the stress distribution in said device consisting of said rod and lock means and sheet which is significantly better in the working situation than the stress distribution in said rod, lock means and sheet immediately after its installation on said structure. 
     
     
         17 . An anchoring method according to  claim 16 , characterized in that said stress distribution is first measured in said working situation of said device and afterwards immediately after its installation on said structure, both being compared. 
     
     
         18 . Use of an anchoring device in a construction structure according to  claim 1 , in particular with a method according to  claim 16  or  17 , characterized in that its structural members are submitted to external loads, wherein said bonded sheets are adjusted, resp. anchoring device further fastening said sheets so as to improve the resistance of said construction structure, while its resistance is improved by resisting additional forces, wherein said additional forces are transferred onto said structural element, on the other hand, said additional forces being essentially tensile forces that are all directed in one single direction which is oriented longitudinally respective said sheet.