Replacing steel with Carbon Fiber for concrete repair
Introducing Carbon Fiber / Kevlar technology in the form of Carbon Fiber / Kevlar Grid straps from Fortress, the next step in permanent foundation stabilization. The hybrid grid strap system is comprised of high tensile strength carbon fibers woven together by Kevlar strands. The Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) offers a superior Strengthening system to steel in many ways.
Carbon fiber/kevlar grid straps are designed for stabilizing both poured concrete and block walls. Due to the extremely high strength-to-weight ratio, carbon fiber reinforcement is the repair material of choice for bowed basement walls, bridge columns, and concrete beams to restore and maintain structural integrity.
While steel offers 53,000 psi, Fortress carbon fiber offers an unbelievable tensile strength of 234,700 psi. When strength is a critical factor, there is no match to Fortress carbon fiber reinforced polymer solutions.
Composite Material with Corrosion Resistance
Carbon fiber is now a proven popular alternative to steel for reinforcing structural substrates in residential and commercial applications. Carbon fiber is highly effective at adding tensile strength to concrete. It is superior to steel since it is stronger, stiffer and non-corrosive.
Better Stress Distribution
Carbon fiber composite Staples and Stitches add strength to Epoxy injected cracks to transfer stress across the repair and extend the life of the repair.
Wide Ranges of Reinforced Concrete Applications
Carbon fiber can also be bonded to the surface of a concrete structure at any time to stop bowing and cracking. This allows limitless applications for new construction, repair, retrofit, and seismic upgrades.
Anchors for Fail-Safe Design
All Fortress carbon fiber reinforcement solutions come with top and bottom anchors to prevent a secondary failure originating from the top or bottom shear forces. The top anchor can bear 4,500lbs, and the bottom anchor can be 5,500lbs of shear load, twice the maximum load they’ll ever be subjected to.
Less Intrusive Wall Repair Kits
A carbon fiber installation is less conspicuous and intrusive than, say, I-beam or tie-back steel solutions. The carbon fiber straps are cost-effective and do not deface your walls. They are an unassuming presence that blends smoothly into the wall on which you install them. Once you paint them over, they are practically invisible and melt into their surroundings.
The terrific properties of CFRP make a reinforced concrete wall stronger than the original wall by many magnitudes.