Residential Strengthening Chicago, IL & St Louis, MO
Project Description: Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) do have applications in residential rehabilitation. The two projects highlighted here involve a wall and beam strengthening.
Solution: Pull off tests were performed on both substrates (brick and stone). The results met the ASTM minimum requirements.
Summary: The first project was a brick wall that was supporting roof trusses and had some flexure issues due to the age of the structure. The owner was concerned about the long term behavior of the walls. The structure was being completely rehabilitated and FRPs were used to strengthen several walls. The substrate was brick and the surface preparation was critical due to the condition of the old masonry joints. Carbon strips were applied the full height of the walls. Tyfo anchors were used at the top and bottom of the strips to ensure proper anchorage.
The second project involved a limestone beam over a residential entrance. The beam was cracked in several places and other similar beams had been strengthened using steel plates. This owner wanted a more aesthetic repair. Fibrwrap injected all the cracks and applied carbon FRPs along the underside of the beam. Tyfo anchors were used to enhance the load transfer.
