Method for reinforcing a splice part and reinforcing structure

A method for reinforcing a splice part where optical fiber cores extending from sheaths of a pair of optical cables are spliced to each other, the method comprising:

• providing a reinforcing member along the splice part so that both ends of the reinforcing member overlap with each of the sheaths of the optical cables in the axial direction, the ends of the reinforcing member supporting respective sheaths by direct contact with the sheaths;
• covering a periphery of the splice part provided with the reinforcing member by an inner tube so that the reinforcing member is disposed on an inside of the inner tube in the radial direction, and contracting the inner tube so that both ends of the contracted inner tube overlap with the reinforcing member such that the ends of the contracted inner tube extend beyond respective ends of the reinforcing member in the axial direction;
• covering a periphery of the inner tube by an outer tube, and contracting the outer tube so that both ends of the contracted outer tube overlap with the reinforcing member such that the ends of the contracted outer tube extend beyond respective ends of the reinforcing member in the axial direction, and so that the ends of the contracted inner tube extend beyond respective ends of the contracted outer tube in the axial direction;
• and
• directly adhering parts of the inner tube which extend beyond the ends of the outer tube in the axial direction to the sheaths.