US 6,357,190 B1 · Wall bracing method and system therefor

Abstract

A wall bracing system that uses a beam capable of bending to conform to a partially-buckled masonry wall that has buckled inward from external forces, such as hydrostatic pressures to which basement walls are typically exposed. The bracing beam is sufficiently flexible to conform to the partially-buckled wall, enabling the bracing system to apply a relatively uniform pressure against the wall to prevent further inward movement. One end of the beam is secured to the basement floor adjacent the wall, generally not more than the distance the wall has bowed inward, i.e., the horizontal displacement of the primary fracture point of the wall. The upper end of the beam is held in place with a bracket system secured to one or more overhead floor joists. The bracket system applies a force against the upper end of the beam toward the wall. Sufficient pressure is applied against the beam so that at least the upper end of the beam contacts and conforms to the buckled portion of the wall. As a result, the beam is prestressed when installed, making positive contact with at least the portion of the wall above its primary fracture point. Once installed, the prestressed beam moves with the seasonal movement of the wall as temperature and moisture changes occur, while preventing further buckling of the wall.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A wall bracing system installed with a basement masonry wall that is adjacent a basement floor, supports at least one floor joist and a floor of a building, and has buckled inward from external forces so that an interior surface of the wall has a horizontal displacement point, the wall bracing system comprising:

a beam elastically deformed to make continuous contact with and apply pressure against the horizontal displacement point of the wall and at least an adjacent portion of the interior surface of the wall so as to inhibit further inward movement of the horizontal displacement point and the adjacent portion though the wall remains buckled;
means for securing a lower end of the beam adjacent the wall;
and
means for securing an upper end of the beam to the at least one floor joist, the upper securing means being operative to apply a sufficient force against the upper end of the beam toward the wall to elastically deform the beam against the interior surface of the wall while the lower end of the beam remains secured adjacent the wall.

1 more element

A method of bracing a basement masonry wall that is adjacent a basement floor, supports at least one floor joist and a floor of a building, and has buckled inward from external forces so that an interior surface of the wall has a horizontal displacement point, the method comprising the steps of:

securing a lower end of a beam adjacent the wall;
and then
securing an upper end of the beam to the at least one floor joist and applying a sufficient force against the upper end of the beam toward the wall to elastically deform the beam against the interior surface of the wall while the lower end of the beam remains secured adjacent the wall so that the beam makes continuous contact with and applies pressure against the horizontal displacement point of the wall and at least an adjacent portion of the interior surface of the wall, the beam inhibiting further inward movement of the horizontal displacement point and the adjacent portion though the wall remains buckled.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wall bracing method and system therefor

Life of this patent

Wall bracing method and system therefor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25