Method of externally strengthening concrete columns with flexible strap of reinforcing material

A method of reinforcing a concrete structural element, comprising:

• wrapping flexible reinforcing material, in strap form, on the exterior of the concrete structural element such that the reinforcing material covers at least a portion of the height of the structural element;
• and
• securing said flexible reinforcing material on the structural element such that the structural element is thereby provided with external lateral reinforcement;
• said strap form of said flexible reinforcing material having a predetermined length, width and thickness, such that at the time of wrapping the width is substantially greater than the thickness.

A method of repairing and strengthening a concrete column, comprising the steps of:

• (a) wrapping a flexible strap of reinforcing material of high-strength stretchible fibers at an angle circumferentially around the exterior of a concrete column and longitudinally along at least a portion of the height of the concrete column and spaced from the exterior of the concrete column;
• (b) fastening said flexible strap of reinforcing material to itself and applying a resin to said flexible strap so as to define an outer shell spaced by a gap between the concrete column and said outer shell;
• and
• (c) filling said gap between the concrete column and said outer shell with an expansive material for generating a pressure in said gap upon curing of said material to cause prestressing and lateral compression of the concrete column for enhanced structural performance.

A method for reinforcing a structural element, the method comprising:

• applying a resinous substance to flexible reinforcing material;
• wrapping the flexible reinforcing material on the structural element;
• forming, with the reinforcing material and the resinous material, a hardened shell on at least a portion of the structural element;
• and
• applying a protective coating to the hardened shell.