Abstract: A method for repairing concrete structural elements reinforced with steel rebar includes steps of: removal of debris and rust; attachment of expanded mesh zinc metal for sacrificial passive corrosion protection; and overwrapping with flexible panels of fiber-reinforced polymer composite material.

Abstract: A method for repairing concrete structural elements reinforced with steel rebar includes steps of: removal of debris and rust; attachment of expanded mesh zinc metal for sacrificial passive corrosion protection; and overwrapping with flexible panels of fiber-reinforced polymer composite material.

Abstract: Repair jacket is adapted for repairing or reinforcing elongate structures such as pilings, especially in marine environments. Jacket includes a cylindrical body of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) material that is about 0.5 to 3.5 inches greater in diameter than the piling. The body is wrapped around the piling and sealed. Centering/damping springs keep the body centered on the piling and damp the blows of waves so the body is not damaged. A bottom seal is a resilient tube within an abrasion-resistant tube attached to the bottom of the body for sealing the gap. The resilient tube is filled with expanding grout to create a rigid seal at the bottom of the gap. The gap volume between piling and cylindrical body is then filled with grout to permanently attach repair jacket to piling and repair the surface of the piling.

Abstract: Anchor 10 for reinforcing a structure against displacement forces and a method of installation includes drilling a borehole 50 in an anchor medium 110 adjacent the structure A length of roving 21 composed of filaments 24 is doubled and pushed into borehole 50 with free end 23 of roving 21 protruding. Backfill grout 41 or resin 42 is pumped or poured into bore hole 50 to embed roving 21 Filaments 24 of free end 23 are spread apart and attached to the structure by adhesive.

Abstract: Composite coating (10) improves the resistance to blast or seismic forces of a structure (100), such as wall (101). Coating (10) includes a first layer (20) of elastomeric polyurethane in contact with and adhering to wall (101), a second layer (30) of elastomeric polyurethane in contact with and adhering to first layer (20), and a layer of textile (40) embedded between first layer (20) and second layer (30).

Abstract: A new method of applying fire protection coating to structures results in a new type of fire protection coating 10. Insulation layer 20, preferably a vermiculite/gypsum mixture 26, is applied such as by spraying a water slurry of the mineral particles to structural member 85. Before the free moisture can evaporate, diffusion barrier 40, such as epoxy intumescent coating 44, is applied over the moist vermiculite/gypsum mixture 26. Moisture is retained within vermiculite/gypsum mixture 26 indefinitely and is released in the event of a fire to help cool and prolong the efficacy of intumescent coating 44.

Abstract: Anchor 10 for reinforcing a structure against displacement forces and a method of installation includes drilling a borehole 50 in an anchor medium 110 adjacent the structure A length of roving 21 composed of filaments 24 is doubled and pushed into borehole 50 with free end 23 of roving 21 protruding. Backfill grout 41 or resin 42 is pumped or poured into bore hole 50 to embed roving 21 Filaments 24 of free end 23 are spread apart and attached to the structure by adhesive.

Abstract: Railroad ties may be refurbished or have their usable life extended by overwrapping with fibrous reinforcement containing a cured matrix associated with the fibers. The ties may be machined prior to overwrapping, and are preferably sawn along their length, and conduit inserted into channels machined therein prior to adhesively bonding the sawn portions together. The conduits may be used to provide signal and power cable passages with lessened likelihood of damage thereto.

Abstract: Composite coating (10) improves the resistance to blast or seismic forces of a structure (100), such as wall (101). Coating (10) includes a first layer (20) of elastomeric polyurethane in contact with and adhering to wall (101), a second layer (30) of elastomeric polyurethane in contact with and adhering to first layer (20), and a layer of textile (40) embedded between first layer (20) and second layer (30).

Abstract: Blast-resistant building (11) includes a structural connection (10) including at least one layer of fiber reinforced composite (90) bonded to each connected structural element (20,30) along the length of the connection between structural panel (20) and elongate anchoring structures (30), such as I-beam (40) or additional concrete panel (50). Layer of fiber reinforced composite (90) spans peripheral seam (36), internal seam (37), or both between the connected elements, providing a tensile force under load which tends to hold the elements together and to strengthen the connection while simultaneously providing ductility along the seam, lessening the risk of fracture of either element or the connection under atypical loading, such as from a blast. Connection (10) includes an elongate tension member, such as bolt (80), for attaching the various elements, and a force dampener, such as a rubber isolation washer (89), to increase the ductility of the connection.

Abstract: A technique for applying high strength fiber fabric to strengthen beams and the connection between beams and either supported platforms or supporting vertical columns is disclosed. Fabric made of high strength fibers such as glass, boron, or carbon, is laid over the connection between a beam and a platform, or between a beam and a supporting column, and impregnated with an epoxy resin or other polymer matrix. The fabric may be additionally fastened to the structural member using adhesives, fabric fasteners, or bolts. The invention is particularly well suited for retrofitting bridges, freeway overpasses, parking structures, and the like to prevent failure during an earthquake.

Abstract: A method is provided for reinforcing the face or faces of walls so as to prevent or reduce the likelihood of failure when such walls are subjected to atypical loadings such as are encountered during earthquakes. The method includes the step of applying a resin-impregnated fabric layer over a portion of an exposed face of a wall to be reinforced. The method includes the further step of anchoring the resin-impregnated fabric layer to a structural member of the wall using fabric fasteners, adhesives, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A structural bearing including a first, rigid-support member for mounting on a structure on which the bearing is supported; a layer of first elastomeric material mounted on top of the first support member; a second, rigid-support member for operative engagement with a structure supported by the bearing mounted on top of the layer of elastomeric material; a pin rigidly attached to one of the support members and extending through the layer of first elastomeric material; a ring, extending from the rigid-support member to which the pin is not attached, to surround the pin and remain spaced-apart therefrom and extending at least partially about the free end thereof to form a cavity thereabout; and, a ring-shaped layer of second elastomeric material interposed the ring and the pin and in contact with the layer of first elastomeric material for sharing the components of the vertical, horizontal, rotational and torsional loads on the bearing.

Abstract: In a concrete column supporting an overhead load and having a base end resting on a surface, a process of strengthening the column to increase its ability to withstand atypical physical loading accompanying an earthquake, involving the steps of defining a work area about the surface of the column to which the strengthening is to be applied, the work area defined by circumferential marginal edges arranged in spaced-apart relation; overwrapping the work area with at least one layer of high-strength, stretchable fibers wherein the fibers are oriented at an angle to the vertical axis of the column; applying a coat of hardenable material, having a modulus at least as great as that of the fibers, over the layer of fibers to form a hard outer shell thereover; and, injecting a quantity of a hardenable, low-shrink liquid under the layer of fibers and over the surface of the work area in an amount sufficient to cause the fibers to undergo stretching from about 1/2% to about 4% of their elongation.

Abstract: Apparatus for limiting the effect of vibrations between a structure and its foundation having two types of elastomeric load bearing pads. One pad has the capability of absorbing vertically and horizontally applied forces. The other pad has the capability of accommodating sliding motion between the structure and the foundation and additionally to absorb horizontally applied forces. The apparatus includes restraining means for limiting horizontal and vertical displacement of the structure with respect to the foundation for reducing failure of the elastomeric load bearing pads resulting from deformation caused by the applied forces.

Abstract: A conveyor belt advances over an assembly of cylindrical idler rollers. Each idler roller includes a cylindrical body rotatable about an axially disposed tubular shaft. Air under pressure enters the proximal end of the tubular shaft and advances through the tubular shaft to be discharged through openings in the distal end of the tubular shaft. The air under pressure leaving the distal end of the tubular shaft advances through the space between the inner wall of the cylindrical body of the idler roller and the outer wall of the tubular shaft to be vented to atmosphere for reducing heat build-up in the idler roller.

Abstract: A belt conveyor includes an assembly of conveyor idler rollers for supporting a conveyor belt advancing thereon. Each conveyor idler roller includes a cylindrical body that is freely rotatable about a shaft. A keeper seal prevents axial displacement of the cylindrical body along the shaft and inhibits foreign matter from penetrating into the central opening of the cylindrical body. The keeper seal comprises a radially projecting collar at the proximal end of the shaft which mates with a radially projecting groove formed in the cylindrical body to prevent axial displacement of the cylindrical body along the shaft and to inhibit foreign matter from penetrating the central opening of the cylindrical body.

Abstract: Apparatus for limiting the effect of vibrations between a building structure and its foundation is disposed between the foundation and the building structure. A plate is fixedly secured to a lower surface of the building structure. A hollow member having a rectangular cross-section is fixedly secured to the plate. An elastomeric bearing is disposed between and fixed to the hollow member and an upper surface of a foundation. A cable, anchored to the foundation, is centrally disposed within the elastomeric bearing and the hollow member, and has a stop attached to the free end thereof. The stop is disposed within the hollow member. The stop serves to limit horizontal and vertical movement of the elastomeric bearing. In a modified apparatus for limiting the effect of vibrations between the building structure and the foundation, an elastomeric material is disposed between the stop and the base of the hollow member to distribute a load applied by the stop through the deflection of the elastomeric material.

Abstract: An aseismic bearing is disclosed for use in a bridge structure in combination with a bridge support and/or sliding bearing. The aseismic bearing permits horizontal movement of the bridge's support to occur under the bridges superstructure while limiting the transmission of those forces to the superstructure. Also disclosed is a displacement control device for limiting relative movement between the two parts of the bridge.