Method for foldable frp reinforcement system

Abstract

Method for connecting rebar intersections of a foldable FRP rebar cage to allow folding and unfolding of the cage to facilitate transportation one or more rebar cages.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method for making, collapsing, transporting and reforming a plurality of rebar cages, comprising the steps of:
 making a plurality of rebar cages at a first location, by for each cage, taking the steps of
 providing a plurality of FRP vertical rebar members and a plurality of FRP stirrup rebar members; 
 arranging the plurality of FRP vertical rebar members and the plurality of FRP stirrup rebar members to form a plurality of intersections; 
 positioning a tie having first and second ends across each intersection of the plurality of FRP vertical rebar members and the plurality of FRP stirrup rebar members and securing the first and second tie ends to each other to secure them to the intersection to thereby form a rebar cage, the rebar cage have a first volume, the tie being shaped to allow the FRP vertical rebar member and the FRP stirrup rebar member at the intersection to move with respect to each other, 
   collapsing each rebar cage so it has a second volume, the second volume being less than the first volume;   placing the plurality of collapsed rebar cages on a vehicle;   moving the vehicle and collapsed rebar cages to a construction site;   removing the rebar cages from the vehicle;   reforming the collapsed rebar cages to their first volumes.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein a plurality of the ties are twist ties. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein a plurality of the ties are wire. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein a plurality of the ties are zip ties. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of lacking at least one of the reformed rebar cages in a concrete form. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of FRP vertical rebar members have a first diameter and the plurality of FRP stirrup rebar members have a different diameter. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the rebar cages in their uncollapsed shape are cylindrical. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the vertical rebar members and the stirrup rebar members are comprised of GFRP rebar.