We’re excited to share another fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) project that required both flexural and shear strengthening (photo below) of reinforced concrete joists to enable the slab floors to carry more live load. The structure is in Southern California, and appears to have been built in the 1950s or 1960s when pan joist construction was common. The EOR for this project, Structural Focus, is an experienced structural engineering firm known for seismic retrofit solutions. The FRP applicator was FD Thomas Structural Specialties, a contractor with decades of FRP installation experience.
Tag: Repair
Not Just A Connector Company
I write a lot about testing on this blog, from my first post about testing to the series I did on how we test different products (hangers, holdowns, fasteners). This week I’d like to highlight some unique testing we’ve been doing to support one of our new product lines. Simpson Strong-Tie® recently introduced our Repair, Protection and Strengthening Systems for Concrete and Masonry. The new product line is the result of our acquisition of Fox Industries, Inc. in 2011.
In the past, I’ve shared some of the more fun tests we’ve run, like the bowling ball test or 40 kip hangers. This week we’ll take a sneak peek at testing of the FX-70® Structural Repair and Protection System. FX-70 uses high-strength fiberglass jackets and high-strength water-insensitive grouting materials to repair and protect wood, steel, and concrete structural members. The system is primarily used on piles in marine environments.
Mixing It Up with Concrete Specification
Around Christmas, the Engineering Department does a white elephant gift exchange. We have no idea who framed this picture and wrapped it up the first time.
Several of our lab technicians (plus a product manager) are posing for the camera, and obviously trying to flex while sucking their bellies in during a concrete pour to test our SSTB(R) anchors. The tradition has it that if you end up with this picture, you hang it on your wall and re-gift it at next year’s gift exchange – so there it is, on the wall in Engineer Dustin’s office. The trick has become wrapping it so that nobody recognizes that it is the picture frame.
Speaking of concrete, between our test labs in Addison, Ill., Stockton and Pleasanton, Calif., we test a lot of concrete. We will certainly be doing a lot more testing to continue to support our new Repair, Protection and Strengthening Systems for Concrete and Masonry product line. But I will ask the lab technicians to keep their shirts on.