REINFORCER basement wall bowing correction product 1

[asjacoby]

I'm a structural contractor in Michigan that works primarily with Chance and Atlas Helical and Resistance products. Recently, we've entertained the idea of using the "Reinforcer" (

http://www.thereinforcer.com)

as a cheaper alternative to stabilizing bowing basement walls. Typically, we've just used either tiebacks or soil nails, or stabilized using channel steel.
It seems the reinforcer is dependent on the tensile strength of the epoxy its applied with to resist soil pressure against the wall.
I could not find independent tests conducted on this product. Is anyone familiar with how it works well enough to give me some kind of review? Am I missing something about the technology of it?

 

[Ingenuity]

This system is essentially prefabricated pultruded carbon fiber strips that serve as externally bonded reinforcement to concrete substates. FYFE, SIKA, DEGUSSA all make comparable systems that are used to strengthen concrete elements like column, wall, beams and slabs.

Glass and aramid fibers are also used in speciality applications.

For all applications surface preparation of the substrate is critical. Then a primer epoxy resin and putty resin is applied to prime the substrate and fill in any 'bug' holes voids etc so that the strips are adequately adhered. Basically the success of the strips is dependent on the BOND strength of the resin to concrete. Minimum pull-off bond strength is usually 200 psi, but often actual bond test results are more than double this minimum.

For bowing basement walls these strips will be "passive" and will only take up load upon further incremental movement etc, whereas soil tiebacks or anchors are "active" in that they are usually stressed in tension and locked-off.

Wet lay-up carbon and glass FRP applications are very popular for structural upgrading projects, and pultruded strips are somewhat popular, depending on the applications etc.

There is are several American Concrete Institute documents on this subject, namely ACI 440.

HTH

 

[jike]

Since the reinforcing strips are a "passive" system, the wall will still need to be straighten by other means.

I have heard that during installation the epoxy resin gives off a smell which will require the Owner to be out of the house for some period of time. This will obviously be an important consideration to the Owner.