System and Method for Structural Restraint Against Seismic and Storm Damage

Abstract

A system for structural restraint of wood framed structures against seismic and storm damage comprises a plurality of structural wood framing components; a plurality of structural wood sheathing components; a plurality of structural wood fasteners; one or more structural foundations; and a structural bonding agent applied to the interior and exterior over top of and in direct contact with structural fasteners to prevent failure of structural wood fasteners.

1 . A system for structural restraint of wood framed structures against seismic and storm damage, the system comprising a structure built from a plurality of structural wood framing components, a plurality of structural wood sheathing components, and one or more structural foundations;
 a plurality of structural wood fasteners, each structural wood fastener connecting together two or more of the structural wood framing components, structural wood sheathing components, or structural foundations; and a structural bonding agent, wherein the structural bonding agent is applied to the structural wood framing components, structural wood sheathing components, and structural foundations completely covering over the structural wood fasteners and in direct contact with the external end of each structural wood fastener to prevent egress of the structural wood fasteners.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the structural bonding agent is a polyurea thermoset elastomer having a tensile strength of at least 2200 psi. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the structural bonding agent has an elastomeric flexural strength of at least 300%. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the structural bonding agent remains flexible to temperatures as low as −40° C. (−40° F.). 
     
     
         5 . Use of a structural bonding agent to reinforce wood-framed building structures against seismic and storm damage by applying the structural bonding agent in direct contact with, and to completely cover over structural wood fasteners to prevent egress of the structural wood fasteners from structural wood framed building components. 
     
     
         6 . The use of the structural bonding agent as in  claim 5 , wherein the structural bonding agent is a polyurea thermoset elastomer. 
     
     
         7 . A method of reinforcing a wood framed structure against seismic or storm damage comprising the steps of:
 wood framing a desired structure; and   applying a structural flexible bonding agent to completely cover over structural wood fasteners at selected locations of the wood framed structure to achieve a desired thickness, wherein the structural flexible bonding agent is in direct contact with and completely covers over the external end of each structural wood fastener.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the flexible structural bonding agent is applied by spraying. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the flexible bonding agent is applied to an area of between 100 mm (4″) and 255 mm (10″) wide centered over top of the structural wood fasteners, and in direct contact with the external end of each structural wood fastener. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the flexible structural bonding agent is applied to selected locations on the interior of the framed structure, and corresponding selected locations on the exterior of the framed structure. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible structural bonding agent applied to selected locations on the interior of the framed structure is a polyurea thermoset elastomer, and the flexible bonding agent applied to corresponding selected locations on the exterior of the framed structure is a spray foam insulation polyurea thermoset elastomer.