A reinforcement system includes a structural member such as a concrete wall including a pair of holes formed therein. A fiber reinforcement strip is adhered to the structural member between the pair of holes. A U-shaped bracket includes a pair of legs being secured in the pair of holes and a bridge portion that overlaps an the fiber reinforcement strip, a secondary reinforcement strip can be used to distribute forces from the bridge portion of the bracket along a length of the fiber reinforcement strip.

A system and method of retroactively reinforcing an exterior wall of a building. An anchoring assembly is mounted into the void space between a first joist and a second joist inside the building. The anchoring assembly has a first element that mounts to the first joist and a second element that mounts to the second joist. The anchoring assembly has an adjustable length. In this manner, the anchoring assembly can be adjusted to properly fit the void space between the first joist and the second joist. An anchor plate is provided outside the building in the area of the wall that needs to be reinforced. A tensioning tether is provided that extends through the exterior wall and mechanically joins the anchoring assembly to the anchor plate. The tensioning tether can be selectively tightened, therein biasing the anchor plate outside the building toward the anchoring assembly inside the building.

A system and method of retroactively reinforcing an exterior wall. A first anchor plate is provided having a central connection point and peripheral connection points. The center connection point is connected to an anchor tether. An opening is drilled through the exterior wall and at least some joists. The anchor tether is advanced through the drilled opening. Within the drilled opening, the anchor tether anchors to at least some of the joists. The first anchor plate is attached to the anchor tether and the anchor tether is tensioned. Secondary anchor plates can be also be attached to the exterior wall at different points. Lateral tethers are provided that interconnect the first anchor plate to the secondary anchor plates. The lateral tethers extend along the surface of the exterior wall at a perpendicular to the anchor tethers.

A system and method of retroactively reinforcing an exterior wall. A first anchor plate is provided having a central connection point and peripheral connection points. The center connection point is connected to an anchor tether. An opening is drilled through the exterior wall and at least some joists. The anchor tether is advanced through the drilled opening. Within the drilled opening, the anchor tether anchors to at least some of the joists. The first anchor plate is attached to the anchor tether and the anchor tether is tensioned. Secondary anchor plates can be also be attached to the exterior wall at different points. Lateral tethers are provided that interconnect the first anchor plate to the secondary anchor plates. The lateral tethers extend along the surface of the exterior wall at a perpendicular to the anchor tethers.

A sock anchor unit (10) comprises an inner longitudinal hollow spine (12), an outer fabric sleeve (14) arranged to envelop the outside surface of the inner hollow spine (12) such that a gap is defined between the outside surface of the inner hollow spine (12) and an inner surface of the outer fabric sleeve (14) and a plurality of elongated reinforcing members (22), wherein each elongated reinforcing member (22) extends longitudinally within the gap. The inner hollow spine (12) comprises at least one substantially laterally extending opening from inside to outside of the inner hollow spine (12). The opening allows cementitious fluid which is pumped into the anchor unit to fill the gap between the hollow spine (12) and outer fabric sleeve. A fastening member (28, 32) is provided on each end of the sock anchor unit (10). Both fastening members (28, 32) are compatible with each other and each fastening member (28, 32) is configured such that a trailing end of a first sock anchor unit (10) is attachable to a leading end of a second sock anchor unit (10) thereby facilitating creating a multiple piece sock anchor system of a desired length.

A sock anchor unit (10) comprises an inner longitudinal hollow spine (12), an outer fabric sleeve (14) arranged to envelop the outside surface of the inner hollow spine (12) such that a gap is defined between the outside surface of the inner hollow spine (12) and an inner surface of the outer fabric sleeve (14) and a plurality of elongated reinforcing members (22), wherein each elongated reinforcing member (22) extends longitudinally within the gap.

The inner hollow spine (12) comprises at least one substantially laterally extending opening from inside to outside of the inner hollow spine (12). The opening allows cementitious fluid which is pumped into the anchor unit to fill the gap between the hollow spine (12) and outer fabric sleeve.

A fastening member (28, 32) is provided on each end of the sock anchor unit (10). Both fastening members (28, 32) are compatible with each other and each fastening member (28, 32) is configured such that a trailing end of a first sock anchor unit (10) is attachable to a leading end of a second sock anchor unit (10) thereby facilitating creating a multiple piece sock anchor system of a desired length.

An improved system for straightening and/or supporting a wall is provided. The system includes a joist spanner system that may be attached to an elongated vertical member positioned to abut a wall. The joist spanner system may include an inner bracket and an outer bracket in slidable or telescopic communication with one another. The inner bracket and outer bracket may each include a slot or track to provide slidable or telescopic adjustment of the spanner system. The slot or track may also provide an adjustable point for attaching the spanner system to the elongated vertical member. The inner bracket and outer bracket may also each include an end plate configured to be positioned to abut opposing joist members. The end plates may also include one or more apertures configured to receive a fastener for securing the spanner system to opposing joist members.

An improved system for straightening and/or supporting a wall is provided. The system includes a joist spanner system that may be attached to an elongated vertical member positioned to abut a wall. The joist spanner system may include an inner bracket and an outer bracket in slidable or telescopic communication with one another. The inner bracket and outer bracket may each include a slot or track to provide slidable or telescopic adjustment of the spanner system. The slot or track may also provide an adjustable point for attaching the spanner system to the elongated vertical member. The inner bracket and outer bracket may also each include an end plate configured to be positioned to abut opposing joist members. The end plates may also include one or more apertures configured to receive a fastener for securing the spanner system to opposing joist members.

A system and method of retroactively reinforcing a wall of a building. An anchoring assembly is mounted into the void space between a first joist and a second joist inside the building. The anchoring assembly has two brackets that mount to the first joist and a second element on the opposite side of the same void space. A beam is attached to both the first bracket and the second bracket within the confines of the void space. An anchor plate is placed against the wall that needs reinforcement. A tensioning tether is provided that can be affixed to the anchor plate. The tensioning tether extends through both the wall and the beam. The tensioning tether can be selectively tightened to pull the anchoring plate against the wall and toward the beam. The tensioning tether inhibits the wall from moving away from the joists, therein stabilizing the wall.

A reinforcement system includes a structural member with a fiber reinforcement strip mounted in two positions and adhered to the member. An end of the fiber reinforcement strip is secured to a lower portion of the structure with a bracket. The opposite end of the fiber strip is mounted with an upper bracket to a sill pate of the structure. The upper bracket includes an upper bridge portion and a lower bridge portion with a slot between the bridge portions. With the upper bracket mounted to a sill plate, the fiber strip is wrapped behind and around the upper bridge portion of the upper bracket. The fiber strip is threaded through the slot between the bridge portions and behind the lower bridge portion. The fiber strip through the upper bracket is pulled tightly through the slot, and the upper bracket is secured to the sill plate of the structural member.