Wall Reinforcement System

Abstract

A wall reinforcement system is provided. The wall reinforcement system includes a plurality of spaced apart channels formed in a side of a wall. At least one reinforcement rod is positioned in each of the channels. The at least one reinforcement rod is formed from basalt fibers. An adhesive mixture is positioned in each of the channels and configured to retain the at least one reinforcement rods within the channels.

1 . A wall reinforcement system for an existing wall comprising:
 a plurality of spaced apart channels formed in an inner sidewall and/or an outer sidewall of a plurality of stacked blocks forming a side of an existing wall, wherein prior to forming the plurality of spaced apart channels in the existing wall, the inner sidewall and/or the outer sidewall of the stacked blocks have smooth, continuous surfaces without channels, wherein each of the plurality of spaced apart channels extends in a downward direction to an existing footing;   at least one reinforcement rod positioned in each of the channels, the at least one reinforcement rod formed from basalt fibers, the at least one reinforcement rod extending in a downward direction to the existing footing; and   an adhesive mixture positioned in each of the channels and configured to retain the at least one reinforcement rods within the channels in the existing wall and further configured to adhere the at least one reinforcement rods to the existing footing.   
     
     
         2 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 1 , wherein the side of the wall is an interior side. 
     
     
         3 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the channels has a depth that avoids engagement with cavities internal to the wall. 
     
     
         4 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcement rod is entirely contained within the reinforcement channel without any portion of the reinforcement rod extending beyond a plane defining the side of the wall. 
     
     
         5 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the channels has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         6 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the channels has a depth in a range of from about 0.125 inches to about 0.625 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one reinforcement rods has a diameter in a range of from about 0.25 inches to about 0.50 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one reinforcement rods has a density in a range of from about 150.0 lbs/ft 3  to about 190.0 lbs/ft 3 . 
     
     
         9 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 1 , wherein in an installed position, each of the at least one reinforcement rods extends past a concrete slab forming a basement floor. 
     
     
         10 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive mixture is a two-component structural epoxy. 
     
     
         11 . A method of reinforcing an existing wall, the method comprising the steps of:
 forming a plurality of channels in an inner sidewall and/or an outer sidewall of a plurality of stacked blocks forming a side of an existing wall, wherein prior to forming the plurality of channels in the existing wall, the inner sidewall and/or outer sidewall of the stacked blocks have smooth, continuous surfaces without channels, wherein each of the plurality of spaced apart channels extends in a downward direction to an existing footing;   seating at least one reinforcement rod in each of the channels, the at least one reinforcement rod formed from basalt fibers, the at least one reinforcement rod extending in a downward direction to the existing footing; and   filling each of the channel with an adhesive mixture positioned in a manner to retain the at least one reinforcement rod within the channels in the existing wall and further configured to adhere the at least one reinforcement rods to the existing footing.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the side of the wall is an interior side. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of the channels has a depth that avoids engagement with cavities internal to the wall. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , including the step of containing the at least one reinforcement rods within the reinforcement channels without any portion of the at least one reinforcement rods extending beyond a plane defining the side of the wall. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of the channels has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of the channels has a depth in a range of from about 0.125 inches to about 0.625 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of the at least one reinforcement rods has a diameter in a range of from about 0.25 inches to about 0.50 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of the at least one reinforcement rods has a density in a range of from about 150.0 lbs/ft 3  to about 190.0 lbs/ft 3 . 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , including the step of extending the at least one reinforcement rods past a concrete slab forming a basement floor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the adhesive mixture is a two-component structural epoxy.