Wall Reinforcement Systems

Abstract

Wall reinforcement systems and methods of reinforcing wall structures are provided. The systems and method include at least one carbon fiber strap (CFS) adhered to a wall structure, in which the CFS may be wrapped around a support-lock element (SLE) and clamped to an overhead support member via a top bracket. The systems and methods may also include a support element located within an internal cavity of the wall structure, in which the support element extends from the bottom end of the wall structure upwardly towards the top end of the wall structure and may be surrounded at least partially by a filler material.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A wall reinforcement system, comprising:
 (i) a wall structure having a top end and a bottom end;   (ii) a carbon fiber strap (CFS) adhered to the wall structure between the top end and a bottom end, the CFS having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end;   (iii) a top bracket fixedly secured to a support member located above the top end of the wall structure, the top bracket includes a central body portion; and   (iv) a support-lock element (SLE) located above each of the top bracket and the top end of the wall;   wherein the intermediate portion of the CFS being wrapped around the SLE, and overlapped upon itself defining a double-ply section of the CFS, and wherein at least a portion of the double-ply section is directly or indirectly clamped between the central body portion of the top bracket and the support member to define a clamped-double-ply portion of the CFS.   
     
     
         2 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 1 , wherein the wall structure comprises a concrete block wall. 
     
     
         3 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 1 , wherein the CFS comprises a unidirectional CFS or a bidirectional CFS. 
     
     
         4 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 1 , wherein the first end and the second end of the CFS extend away from the SLE in the same direction. 
     
     
         5 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 1 , wherein the CFS adhered to the wall structure with an epoxy-based adhesive. 
     
     
         6 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion of the CFS is adhesively bonded to the central body portion of the top bracket. 
     
     
         7 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 1 , wherein the double-ply section of the CFS includes a first ply section adjacent the wall structure and adhesively bonded to the wall structure and/or adjacent the support member, and a second ply section adjacent the central body portion of the top bracket; wherein the second ply section is located directly or indirectly between the first ply section and the central body portion of the top bracket. 
     
     
         8 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 7 , wherein the second ply section is adhesively bonded to the central body portion of the top bracket. 
     
     
         9 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 8 , wherein the second ply section is adhesively bonded to the first ply section. 
     
     
         10 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 1 , wherein the top bracket comprises a substantially planar plate. 
     
     
         11 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 1 , wherein the wall structure comprises a concrete block wall including at least a first row of concrete blocks defining a bottom end of the wall structure, a second row of concrete blocks located above and adjacent the first row of concrete blocks; and wherein the wall reinforcement system further comprises (a) a support element located at an inside portion of the wall structure and extending through an internal cavity defined at least in part by a first concrete block of the first row of concrete blocks and a second concrete block of the second row of concrete blocks; and (b) a filler material at least partially surrounding the support element and at least partially filling the internal cavity, wherein the first concrete block of the first row of concrete blocks and a second concrete block of the second row of concrete blocks are internally coupled via the support member and filler material. 
     
     
         12 . A method of reinforcing a wall structure having a top end and a bottom end, comprising:
 (i) adhering a carbon fiber strap (CFS) to the wall structure between the top end and the bottom end, the CFS having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end;   (ii) securing a top bracket to a support member located above the top end of the wall structure, the top bracket includes a central body portion, a first bracket-end portion having a first aperture, and a second bracket-end portion having a second aperture;   (iv) providing a support-lock element (SLE) located above each of the top bracket and the top end of the wall; and   (vi) wrapping the intermediate portion of the CFS around the SLE and overlapping the CFS upon itself to provide a double-ply section of the CFS;   (v) clamping at least a portion of the double-ply section directly or indirectly between the central body portion of the top bracket and the support member to provide a clamped-double-ply portion of the CFS.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein wrapping the intermediate portion of the CFS around the SLE further comprises configuring the CFS with the first end and the second end of the CFS extending away from the SLE in the same direction. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein adhering the CFS to the wall structure between the top end and the bottom end comprises adhesively bonding the CFS to the wall structure with an epoxy-based adhesive, and further comprising adhesively bonding the central body portion of the top bracket to the intermediate portion of the CFS. 
     
     
         15 . A wall reinforcement system, comprising:
 (i) a wall structure comprising a concrete block wall including at least a first row of concrete blocks defining a bottom end of the wall structure, and a second row of concrete blocks located above and adjacent the first row of concrete blocks;   (ii) a carbon fiber strap (CFS) adhered to the wall structure between a top end and the bottom end, the CFS having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end;   (iii) a support element located at an inside portion of the wall structure and extending through an internal cavity defined at least in part by a first concrete block of the first row of concrete blocks and a second concrete block of the second row of concrete blocks;   (iv) a filler material at least partially surrounding the support element and at least partially filling the internal cavity, wherein the first concrete block of the first row of concrete blocks and a second concrete block of the second row of concrete blocks are internally coupled via the support member and filler material.   
     
     
         16 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 15 , wherein the filler material comprises concrete. 
     
     
         17 . The wall reinforcement system of  claim 15 , wherein support element comprises one or more bars of steel. 
     
     
         18 . A method of reinforcing a wall structure having a top end and a bottom end, comprising:
 (i) adhering a carbon fiber strap (CFS) to the wall structure between the top end and the bottom end, the CFS having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end, and wherein the wall structure comprises a concrete block wall including at least a first row of concrete blocks defining a bottom end of the wall structure, a second row of concrete blocks located above and adjacent the first row of concrete blocks;   (ii) forming a hole through an inside face of the wall structure;   (iii) inserting a support element through the hole and positioning the support element within an inside portion of the wall structure, wherein the support element extends through an internal cavity defined at least in part by a first concrete block of the first row of concrete blocks and a second concrete block of the second row of concrete blocks;   (iv) adding a filler material through the hole and at least partially surround the support element and at least partially filling the internal cavity, wherein the first concrete block of the first row of concrete blocks and a second concrete block of the second row of concrete blocks are internally coupled via the support member and filler material.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein adhering a carbon fiber strap (CFS) to the wall structure between the top end and the bottom end comprises adhesively bonding a lower portion of the CFS subsequent to inserting the support element and adding the filler material; wherein the lower portion of the CFS comprises a section of the CFS proximate to the hole and extending below the hole. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the support element includes a downward facing end that is positioned adjacent in contact with a top surface of an existing footing or existing slab.