Standoff Device for Repair of Structural Elements

Abstract

A system of reusable components and articles of manufacture for reconstructing, reinforcing, and/or repairing a structure such as columns, piles and the like using adjustable formworks. The reusable articles of manufacture employed in the disclosed system are or, if desired, may be permanently left in place. Same or similar systems and articles of manufacture may be employed to easily construct pipes of any desired diameter in a very short time.

1 . An adjustable size spacer system to be attached to a structural member, around which adjustable size spacer system sheet(s) of materials may be wrapped to form a shell surrounding the structural member for repairing and/or reinforcing the structural member, the adjustable size spacer system comprising:
 single-piece adjustable straps of desired material, wherein the straps are placed over and wrapped around the structural member and both ends of each strap are joined together by an integral connection and adjustment mechanism; and   one or more spacers that by a first end are engaged with each strap and by a second end keep the structural member at any desired distance from the shell, wherein the spacers stay substantially perpendicular to the structural member's surface when the single-piece adjustable straps are wrapped around the structural member   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable size spacer system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable straps are tie-wraps and wherein the spacers have latitudinal openings at their first ends and slide over the tie-wraps to keep the wrapped sheets of materials at a desired distance from the inner structural member. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable size spacer system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable straps are made of plastic or steel or FRP. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable size spacer system of  claim 1 , wherein rebars may be placed in the gap between the shell and the structural element for reinforcement. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable size spacer system of  claim 1 , wherein the spacers are adjustable length and are designed to be trimmed to desired lengths and keep the wrapped materials at a desired distance from the inner structural member. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable size spacer system of  claim 1 , wherein the spacers are inserted at the first end into integral holes of the adjustable size strap. 
     
     
         7 . A framework system for reconstructing, reinforcing, and/or repairing a structure, the system comprising:
 a frame, for building a shell around the structure, the frame including:
 single-piece straps of any desired length, to be wrapped and locked, by an integral adjustment and locking mechanism, around the structure; 
 spacers that at a first end are engaged with each strap and at a second end keep the structure at any desired distance from the shell, wherein the spacers stay substantially perpendicular to the structure's surface; and 
   a flat sheet of material or a pre-curled sheet of material to be wrapped around the frame for creating the shell around the structure, wherein there remains a gap between the shell and an outer surface of the structure, and wherein the gap is used to be filled with curable reinforcement material.   
     
     
         8 . The framework system of  claim 7 , wherein the straps have at least one row of holes in their longitudinal direction and at least one locking protrusion at one end that is configured to tightly engage any of the holes. 
     
     
         9 . The framework system of  claim 7 , wherein the straps have spacers which are designed to be trimmed and keep the flat sheet of material wrapping at a desired distance from an inner structural member. 
     
     
         10 . The framework system of  claim 7 , wherein the spacers are rods inserted into at least some integral holes of the strap. 
     
     
         11 . The framework system of  claim 7 , wherein the spacers are adjustable length. 
     
     
         12 . The framework system of  claim 7 , wherein the straps are tie-wraps. 
     
     
         13 . The framework system of  claim 7 , wherein the spacers are inserted at the first end into integral holes of the strap. 
     
     
         14 . The framework system of  claim 7 , wherein the spacers are integral parts of the straps. 
     
     
         15 . The framework system of  claim 7 , wherein the spacers have latitudinal openings at their first ends and slide over the straps. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable size spacer system of  claim 1 , wherein the spacers are permanently attached to the straps.