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 and an anchoring pin are configured to form a composite anchor that is secured within a hole located at or proximate a bottom end of the wall and extends into a foundation portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wall reinforcement system, comprising:
 (i) an anchoring pin including a first pin-end and a second pin-end;   (ii) a carbon fiber strap (CFS) adhered to the wall structure over at least a portion of the wall structure having a top end and a bottom end, and the CFS includes a first end located below the bottom end of the wall structure;   (iii) a hole located at or proximate the bottom end of the wall structure and extending into a foundation portion, and being configured to receive at least a portion of a composite anchor, wherein the composite anchor comprises (a) a first portion of the CFS that terminates at the first end, and (b) at least a portion of the anchoring pin, wherein the first portion of the CFS at least partially encases the portion of the anchoring pin; and   (iv) the composite anchor being secured within the hole.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the CFS is folded upon itself and defines a sleeve component that at least partially encases the portion of the anchoring pin. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve component includes from 1 to 4 fold axes. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the anchoring pin has a pin-length extending from the first pin-end to the second pin-end, and the sleeve component at least partially encases from about 20 to about 100% of the pin-length. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the CFS has an original width at the first end prior to being folded upon itself, and a first width after being folded upon itself to define the sleeve component, wherein the first width is from about 10 to about 65% of the original width. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the hole has a first diameter and the anchoring pin has a second diameter, and wherein the second diameter is from about 50% to about 98% of the first diameter, and the hole has a hole-depth and the anchoring pin has a pin-length, and wherein the pin-length is from about 50% to about 150% of the hole-depth. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring pin comprises one or more deformations formed in one or more outer surfaces of the anchoring pin. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more deformations comprises one or more ridges and/or valleys formed in a first outermost surface of the anchoring pin extending from the first pin-end and a second pin-end. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the composite anchor is adhered to one or more walls defining the hole. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wall structure comprises a concrete block wall. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the CFS includes a second end diametrically opposed the first end, the second end of the CFS is secured to a lower portion of a building. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the lower portion of a building is a floor joist, a rim joist, or a sill plate. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the second end of the CFS is secured to the lower portion of the building via a top bracket. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the CFS includes an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end, and wherein at least a portion of the intermediate portion is adhered to the wall structure, such as by an epoxy-based adhesive. 
     
     
         15 . 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) providing or forming a hole at or proximate the bottom end of the wall structure, the hole extending into a foundation portion located below the bottom end of the wall structure;   (iii) providing an anchoring pin including a first pin-end and a second pin-end;   (iv) forming a composite anchor via folding a first portion of the CFS that terminates at the first end at least partially around at least a portion of the anchoring pin; and   (v) securing the composite anchor within the hole.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein securing the composite anchor within the hole comprises at least partially filling a void space defined by the hole and the composite anchor with an adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the method comprises (i) folding the first part of the CFS to define a sleeve component, followed by inserting the sleeve component into the hole, followed by inserting at least a portion of the anchoring pin into and/or through the sleeve component to form the composite anchor, followed by at least partially filling the void space defined by the hole and the composite anchor with an adhesive; or (b) folding the first part of the CFS around at least a portion of the anchoring pin to define a sleeve component at least partially encasing the anchoring pin to form the composite anchor, followed by inserting at least a portion of the composite anchor into the hole, followed by at least partially filling the void space defined by the hole and the composite anchor with an adhesive. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising a step of securing the second end of the CFS to a lower portion of a building. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the lower portion of a building is a floor joist, a rim joist, or a sill plate, and the second end of the CFS is secured to the lower portion of the building via a top bracket. 
     
     
         20 . A kit for reinforcing a wall structure, comprising: at least one anchoring pin and at least one carbon fiber strap (CFS), and optionally an epoxy-based adhesive and/or including a top bracket configured for attachment to a lower portion of a building.