Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
Non-metallic Masonry Tie
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a non-metallic masonry
tie used to join and reinforce masonry walls.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Masonry ties are generally made of galvanized steel.
Since the presence of moisture in the cavities of masonry walls
is unavoidable, corrosion is a major problem experienced with
steel masonry ties. In order to avoid corrosion, there have
been attempts to use corrosion free advanced composite
materials to make non-metallic masonry ties.
In shear testing of non-metallic masonry ties made from
these advanced composite materials, the non-metallic masonry
ties have not been able to perform at levels approaching
galvanized steel. In most cases, the non-metallic masonry ties
were no better or just marginally better than a masonry wall
without masonry ties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is a non-metallic masonry tie that is
capable of withstanding shear forces approaching galvanized
steel.
According to the present invention there is provided a
non-metallic masonry tie which includes at least two
longitudinal members of composite fibre. Composite fibre
reinforcement extends between the two longitudinal members.
The non-metallic masonry tie, as described above, is
capable of superior performance over strips of composite
material made into masonry ties. As will be apparent from the
test data which will hereinafter be provided. In making a
composite fibre masonry tie, as described above, there are
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features which can be included to enhance performance.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the
use of the non-metallic masonry tie, as described above, even
more beneficial results may be obtained when the composite
fibre reinforcement is a single bundle of fibres wrapped around
the longitudinal members. A continuous wrap provides greater
strength than a discontinuous serious of reinforcement of
shorter length.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the
use of the non-metallic masonry tie, as described above, even
more beneficial results may be obtained when the composite
fibre reinforcement extends angularly between the longitudinal
members. Angular reinforcement is better able to resist
relative axial movement of the longitudinal members and
torsional forces on a common plane with the longitudinal
members. For best results the composite fibre reinforcement
must form a symmetrical reinforcement pattern which equally
distributes the forces between the longitudinal members. A
preferred reinforcement pattern that can be readily configured
symmetrically is a reinforcement pattern consisting of a
plurality of triangles. The triangles can be isosceles, but
are preferably equilateral triangles.
There are enormous variety of composite fibres which could
be used to fabricate non-metallic masonry ties, as described
above. Beneficial results have been obtained through the use
of glass fibre reinforced polymers (GFRP).
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the
use of the non-metallic masonry tie, as described above, even
more beneficial results may be obtained when the two
longitudinal members form part of a rectangular composite fibre
frame. The rectangular composite fibre frames can be used,
by themselves for reinforcement or can be used as "building
blocks" to make more complex reinforcement structures. It is
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preferred that two or more of the rectangular composite fibre
frames be combined to form a reinforcement structure.
Beneficial results have been obtained through the use of a "T"
shape which provides reinforcement along both an "X" and "Y"
axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more
apparent from the following description in which reference is
made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose
of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit
the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or
embodiments shown, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is top plan view of a rectangular non-metallic
masonry tie fabricated in accordance with the teachings of the
present invention.
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view, in section, of a masonry
wall showing placement of the rectangular non-metallic masonry
ties illustrated in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view, in section, of a
masonry wall showing placement of the rectangular non-metallic
masonry ties illustrated in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of a "T" shaped non-metallic
masonry tie fabricated from two of the rectangular non-metallic
masonry ties illustrated in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view, in section, of a masonry
wall showing placement of the "T" shaped non-metallic masonry
ties illustrated in FIGURE 4.
FIGURE 6 is a side elevation view, in section, of a
masonry wall showing placement of the "T" shaped non-metallic
masonry ties illustrated in FIGURE 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Two preferred embodiments of non-metallic masonry tie will
now be described. A rectangular embodiment of non-metallic
masonry tie, generally identified by reference numeral 10, will
be described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 3. A "T"
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shaped embodiment of non-metallic masonry tie, generally
identified by reference numeral 100, will be described with
reference to FIGURES 4 through 6.
Structure and Relationship of Parts of Rectangular
embodiment:
Referring to FIGURE 1, there is provided a non-metallic
masonry tie 10 which includes a generally rectangular composite
fibre frame 12 that has two longitudinal members 14. Composite
fibre reinforcement in the form of a bundle of composite fibres
16 extends angularly between and wrapped around two
longitudinal members 14 to form a symmetrical reinforcement
pattern generally referenced by numeral 18. Symmetrical
reinforcement pattern 18 consists of a plurality of triangles
20, thereby equally distributing the forces between two
longitudinal members 14. In the illustrated embodiment,
composite fibre 16 is glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP),
however other types of composite fibre 16 could also be used.
In the illustrated embodiment, triangles 20 are equilateral
triangles 20, however symmetrical reinforcement pattern 18
could also consist of triangles 20 that are isosceles.
Operation:
The use and operation of rectangular embodiment of non-
metallic masonry tie 10 will now be described with reference
to FIGURES 1 through 3.
Referring to FIGURES 2 and 3, rectangular non-metallic
masonry tie 10 as described above, is used to join and
reinforce masonry walls, generally referenced by numeral 22.
For example, rectangular non-metallic masonry tie 10 can be
used to reinforce a connective portion 24 that extends between
two wythes 26 of masonry wall 22. Depending on the manner of
constructing connective portion 24, the placement of
rectangular non-metallic masonry ties 10 differs. Referring
to FIGURE 2, if connectivity portion 24 is constructed of
bricks 28 arranged in interlock pattern, generally referenced
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by numeral 30, then rectangular non-metallic masonry ties 10
are placed along an "X" axis 32 on each wythes 26. Referring
to FIGURE 3, if connective portion 24 between two wythes 26 is
constructed of bricks 28 arranged in a "tied" pattern,
5 generally referenced by 34, then placement of non-metallic
masonry ties 10 is provided along an "Y" axis 36. Referring to
FIGURE 1, in either placement, it has been found that the
angular reinforcement of rectangular non-metallic masonry tie
l0,is better able to resist relative axial movement of
longitudinal members 14 and torsional forces on a common plane
with longitudinal members 14. The symmetrical reinforcement
pattern 18 of equilateral triangles 20 equally distributes the
forces between longitudinal members 14.
Variations and Alternative Embodiments:
A "T" shaped embodiment of non-metallic masonry tie,
generally identified by reference numeral 100, will be now
described with reference to FIGURES 4 through 6
Referring to FIGURE 4, there is illustrated non-metallic
masonry tie 100 wherein two rectangular composite fibre frames
112 are combined to form a "T" shape. Each fibre frame 112 of
"T" shaped embodiment 100 has two longitudinal members 114.
Composite fibre reinforcement in the form of a bundle of
composite fibres 116 extends angularly between and wrapped
around longitudinal members 114 to form a symmetrical
reinforcement pattern generally referenced by numeral 118.
Symmetrical reinforcement pattern 118 consists of a plurality
of triangles 120, thereby equally distributing the forces
between longitudinal members 114.
Operation:
The use and operation of "T" shaped embodiment of non-
metallic masonry tie will now be described with reference to
FIGURES 4 though 6. Referring to FIGURE 5, "T" shaped
embodiment of non-metallic masonry tie 100 can also be used to
used to join and reinforce masonry walls 22. For example,
during construction of masonry wall, "T" shaped non-metallic
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tie 100 is placed so as to provide reinforcement along both
"X" axis 32 and "Y" 34 axis of each wythe 26 of masonry wall
22. Referring to FIGURE 6, "T" shaped non-metallic tie 100 can
also be used on masonry walls 22 where connective portion 24
between two wythes 26 is constructed of bricks 28 arranged in
a "tied" pattern, generally referenced by 34. In the
illustrated embodiment, "T" shaped non-metallic ties 100 have
been placed on alternating rows 38 of bricks 28 on each wythe
26, rather than on the same rows 38 of bricks 28 so as to
prevent the overlap of "T" shaped non-metallic ties 100 on
connective portion 24, however if connective portion 24 is of
a suitable length, it will be appreciated that "T" shaped non-
metallic members 100 could also be placed the same row 38 of
bricks 28 of each wythe 26 as well.
Comparative Testing Data:
Tabte 2 - Tat results: Valaca given are average of 3
replicates
Failure Load Shear Stress
2 0 S~ Ty~ (kt~ (M~)
B1-ST 36.9 329.5
B2-ST 20.7 227.1
B3-ST 21.5 192.0
B4-ST 34.3 306.3
B1-GG 32.8 68.3
B1-WG 38.1 146.7
2 5 B1-TGb 20.8 593.3
B 1-GG-I 90.8 4.23
B2-GG-I 86.9 3.66
B3-GG-I 89.9 4.53
Bi-ST-I 94.4 4.18
_ 4.01
B2-ST-I 94.7
B3-ST-I 90.1 4.33
B1-N-I 100.2 4.46
3 0 B2-N-I 108.1 4.69
B3-N-I 89.5 4.39
B I= peach brxk, B2 salmon bride. B3=
brown bide, B4~ spedded bride, ST =
stool ties, GG a Grey GFRP
ties, WG = white GFRP ties, TG = T~shapod
GFRP ties, N = oo ties. I = intalockod
webJBange oonneaion
Only one T-shaped tie was used in each
connaxion, a opposed to the 2 used
in all other tiod spoci~s
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In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in
its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word
are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not
excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article
"a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the
element is present, unless the context clearly requires that
there be one and only one of the elements.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that
modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
hereinafter defined in the Claims.