Method and apparatus for reinforcing structural connections

Abstract

A method and apparatus for strengthening structural connections can comprise connection member having a distal portion and a proximate end with the distal portion having at least one proximally facing and the proximate end being connected to a structural member. The method and apparatus can further comprise forming a supporting material around at least a portion of the proximate end of the connection member and around at least a portion of the proximally facing distal portion of the connection member, wherein the composite material is also connected to at least a portion of the structural member. The method further comprises curing the supporting material in situ.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for strengthening a structural connection, comprising:
 a connection member having a longitudinal axis, a distal portion, a proximal portion, and an intermediate portion, the distal portion including a proximally-facing surface and at least part of the intermediate portion having an outer surface substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; and   a supporting material formed around at least a portion of the intermediate portion of the connection member and around at least a portion of the proximally-facing surface of the distal portion of the connection member.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion includes a distally-facing surface. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a distal width of the distal portion is in a range of 1.1 to 10 times an intermediate width of the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a proximal width of the proximal portion is in a range of 1.1 to 10 times an intermediate width of the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting material includes a polymer matrix material. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting material is a fiber reinforced structural composite (“FRSC”) material containing a matrix material forming a matrix around a fiber material. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the fiber material is a carbon fiber. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the fiber material is a steel alloy. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the supporting material has a fiber material ratio in a range of 10% to 20% by volume of the supporting material. 
     
     
         10 . A method for strengthening a structural connection, the method comprising:
 applying a supporting material to a connection member connected to a first structural member of the structural connection;   forming the supporting material into a structural composite block around at least a portion of the connection member, wherein the structural composite block is in contact with the first structural member; and   curing the structural composite block.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein curing the structural composite block occurs in situ. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising connecting the connection member to the first structural member. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein forming the supporting material further comprises forming the structural composite block around at least a portion of a second connection member. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising applying supporting material to a first structural member connected to the connection member and to a second structural member adjacent to the first structural member. 
     
     
         15 . The method  claim 10 , further comprising preparing a surface of the first structural member before applying the supporting material. 
     
     
         16 . A system for strengthening a structural connection, comprising:
 a structural member;   a first connection member including a longitudinal axis, a distal portion, a proximal portion, and an intermediate portion, the distal portion including a proximally-facing surface and at least part of the intermediate portion having an outer surface substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the first connection member being connected to the structural member and the proximal portion of the first connection member is in contact with the structural member; and   a supporting material formed around at least a portion of the proximal portion of the first connection member, around at least a portion of the proximally-facing surface of the distal portion of the first connection member, the supporting material being in contact with at least a portion of a structural member.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the first connection member is connected to the structural member by welding, bonding, brazing, otherwise permanently connecting the first connection member to the structural member. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the first connection member is removably connected to the structural member by fixing the first connection member to the structural member by a snap fit, an interference fit, or a mechanical connection. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the supporting material comprises an epoxy matrix with carbon fiber suspended therein, the carbon fiber being between 10% and 20% by volume of the supporting material. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a second connection member, the first connection member and second connection member being interconnected by one or more binding members.