Reinforced wall structures and methods

A method for strengthening a preexisting double wall structure wherein the wall structure comprises first and second preexisting clay tile wall portions with a cavity therebetween, the method comprising:

• providing a camera to provide a visual image of the interior of the cavity;
• forming a layer of a foamable, adhesive material in the cavity wherein the amount of adhesive material in the layer is such that the expansion force of the adhesive material does not exceed the lateral strength of the first and second wall portions;
• curing the layer of the adhesive material;
• forming at least one additional layer of adhesive material on top of the previously formed layer of adhesive material after it has cured;
• and
• repeating the act of forming the additional layer until the cavity is filled with layers of adhesive material bonding together the preexisting wall portions so that the strength of the wall portions is increased to more effectively resist lateral and vibration induced loads.

A method for strengthening a preexisting double wall structure wherein the wall structure comprises first and second preexisting wall portions with a cavity therebetween, the method comprising:

• inserting a camera through an aperture in one of the wall portions to provide a visual image of the interior of the cavity;
• positioning a nozzle for spraying a foamable, adhesive material at a point proximate the bottom of the cavity and spraying adhesive material with the nozzle into the cavity while moving the nozzle longitudinally of the cavity so as to form a layer of adhesive material wherein the amount of adhesive material sprayed into the cavity is such that the expansion force of the adhesive material does not exceed the lateral strength of the first and second wall portions;
• positioning the nozzle at a point just above the expanded, previously formed layer and spraying adhesive material on top of the previously formed layer while moving the nozzle longitudinally of the cavity so as to form another layer of adhesive material having substantially the same height as the previously formed layer;
• and
• repeating the act of positioning the nozzle at a point just above the expanded, previously formed layer until the cavity is filled with layers of adhesive material bonding together the preexisting wall portions.

A method for strengthening a preexisting wall:

• positioning plural, horizontally spaced, vertically extending metal studs adjacent to one of the surfaces of the preexisting wall;
• mounting an outer form to the metal studs to form a cavity between the preexisting wall and the outer form, such that the metal studs are within the cavity;
• forming a layer of a foamable, adhesive material in the cavity;
• allowing the layer of adhesive material to substantially cure;
• forming at least one additional layer of adhesive material on top of the previously formed layer of adhesive material after it has cured;
• and
• repeating the act of forming the additional layer until the cavity is filled with layers of adhesive material bonding together the preexisting wall and the outer form such that the strength of the preexisting wall is increased to more effectively resist seismically induced loads.

A method for strengthening a wall:

• spacing an inner form from one surface of the wall so as to define a cavity therebetween;
• positioning a plurality of structural members outside of the cavity so as to support the inner form;
• and
• introducing a foamable, adhesive material into the cavity to bond together the inner form and the wall.

A method for strengthening a previously constructed structural wall:

• placing a sheathing layer at a position spaced from the wall so as to define a cavity between the sheathing layer and the wall;
• positioning a plurality of structural members outside of the cavity such that the structural members support the sheathing layer;
• introducing a foamable, adhesive material into the cavity to bond together the wall and the sheathing layer such that the strength of the wall is increased to better resist seismically induced loads;
• and
• covering the structural members with an outer form.

A wall structure comprising:

• a wall;
• a sheathing layer having first and second major surfaces, the sheathing layer being spaced from one surface of the wall so as to define a cavity between the first major surface of the sheathing layer and the wall;
• a plurality of structural members positioned adjacent to the second major surface of the sheathing layer;
• and
• adhesive material disposed in the cavity, the adhesive material bonding together the wall and the sheathing layer.