TRACStructural Ltd

1 RECONNECTING PARTY WALLSWITH EXTERNAL WALLS

2 STABILISING BOWEDWALLS INTO JOIST ENDS

BowTies are inserted through a clearance hole in themasonry and power driven directly into the joist endbefore bonding with PolyPlus resin into the masonry.

Twin HeliBars are bonded into a predetermined cut slot around thebay above the window with the ends embedded in the front elevation.BowTies are driven into the joist ends via clearance holes in themasonry and low level cracks are stitched with single HeliBars.

CemTies and HeliBond grout are installed intoclearance holes drilled through the near leaf andat least 75mm into the far leaf. The density of theties will depend upon the degree of separation,the material, the causes of the problem and theoverall condition of the masonry.

4 REPAIRING SEPARATEDMASONRY

3 REPAIR OF BAYWINDOWS

Predetermined slots on the internal wall are channelledout to the specified length right into the corner. 10mmdiameter holes are drilled at an angle from the cornerinto the external wall. Single lengths of HeliBar are bentto shape with the angled end being PolyPlus resinbonded into the hole and the remainder HeliBondgrouted into the internal wall.

5 RECONNECTING INTERNALWALLS WITH EXTERNAL WALLS

5

Parallel lengths of HeliBar rod are bonded into the specified slot, cut directly abovethe existing lintel. Angled CemTies or DryFix ties are installed through the lintelinto the masonry above the lower HeliBars, and finished with matching pointing.

REPAIRING CRACKS NEARCORNERS AND OPENINGS

Where cracks are less than 500mm from an external corner o100mm should be bent round the corner and bonded into thefixed into the reveal, avoiding any DPC membrane, and finis

7REPAIRINGBRICK ARCH LINTELS 6

13 CEILING JOIST PINNING

RetroTie fixings are driven at anangle through the joist and intothe masonry, via a small pilothole, and the projecting end ishammered over.

T he unique Helibeam System of stress free structural reinforcement and repair is at theheart of Helifix advanced remedial strategies. It provides a rapid, versatile, cost-effective means of restoring structural integrity to buildings and structures where the

masonry has cracked or failed and lost its load bearing capabilities as a result of groundmovement, weathering or increased loads and stresses.

The Helibeam System uses Hi-Fin profile helical stainlesssteel HeliBars bonded into cut slots (normally the mortarbeds) to produce horizontal stress-free bed-joint reinforcement. The HeliBars tie the masonry togetherand create deep masonry beams which distribute thestructural loads. In combination with other Helifixties and fixings, designed for lateral and verticalrestraint, it provides a comprehensive,non-disruptive, economic system of structuralrepair and stabilisation applicable to allcommonly used construction materialsand types of masonry structure.

a

b

Helibeam Masonry Repair Syst

CemTie are installed simultaneously with HeliBond groutinto angled clearance holes drilled, to the requireddepth, through the external wall and into the party wall.

11 REPAIRING OR CREATING FLATARCH LINTELS

or an opening, at leaste return wall or bent andhed with matching pointing.

BowTie HD’s are inserted through clearanceholes in the masonry and first joist andpower driven directly into the second and/orthird joist before being bonded into themasonry with PolyPlus resin.

8 STABILISING BOWEDWALLS INTO JOIST SIDES

The Helibeam System uses parallel lengths of HeliBar reinforcing rodbonded into predetermined cut slots (normally the mortar beds) withHeliBond grout to form deep masonry beams which distribute thebuilding loads.

a) shows a beam resisting the horizontal displacement of a bowingwall. Due to the internal stairwell BowTies cannot be used asthere are no joists at this point.

b) shows a beam resisting vertical loads to prevent buildingsubsidence.

CREATING MASONRY BEAMS9

Lengths of HeliBar rod extending 500mm either side ofthe crack are bonded into cut slots, normally the mortarbeds, with HeliBond or PolyPlus resin, and finished withmatching pointing.

Parallel lengths of HeliBar rod are bonded into thespecified slots, cut above the existing lintel, andfinished with matching pointing.

12 REPLACING CAVITY WALL TIES

DryFix wall ties are power driven directly into both leaves, via asmall pilot hole around 6mm diameter. RetroTies are driven intoa 4.5mm pilot hole in the far leaf, via a clearance hole in thenear leaf into which they are bonded with PolyPlus resin.ResiTies are resin bonded into a 10mm hole in both leaves.

10 CRACK STITCHING

tem Helifix Remedial ProductsBowTie & BowTie HD

A long series tie for restraining bowed walls, BowTie is available instandard and heavy duty versions. Installed through a clearance hole inthe masonry, BowTie is driven into the floor joists end (normally standardversion) or through the first parallel joist and into the second or third joist(HD version) before being resin bonded into the masonry where it is fullyconcealed. Installed externally BowTie is a fast and effective way ofstabilising bulging walls while causing minimal disturbance to thebuilding fabric or the occupants.

CemenTieCemenTie is used where the far leaf uses a thin wall hollow block thatis unable to provide adequate embedment. A sock sleeve, fitted to agrout gun nozzle, is inserted through a clearance hole and into thehollow block where it is inflated with grout.The CemenTie is theninserted through the hole and into the sleeve and bonded into the outermasonry. In buildings over four storeys high CemenTies, grouted intoboth leaves, are used to ensure compliance with fire regulations.

CemTie

DryFixDryFix is probably the quickest, easiest and simplest remedial tying andpinning system available and therefore extremely economical. Loadedinto a special power-driver attachment, DryFix is rapidly driven throughthe near leaf and into the far leaf, via a small pilot hole, for a secure andreliable connection. It requires no grouts, resins or mechanicalexpansion and leaves the building virtually unmarked. It is used as areplacement wall tie, for securing multiple layers of masonry andpinning delicate masonry features.

RetroTieA versatile replacement wall tie, RetroTie has a mechanical fix in the farleaf, which can be easily proof tested, and is resin bonded into the nearleaf. Fully proven, RetroTie has great axial strength and has been usedextensively and successfully in all common building materials as wellas regional materials and PRC housing.

ResiTieA replacement wall tie for situations requiring resin bonding at both endsof the tie, ResiTie is recommended for small jobs needing 200 ties or less.

HeliBarHeliBar helical reinforcing bars, bonded into masonry with HeliBondcementitious grout, have a variety of applications. In 1m lengths theyare used for fast, effective, permanent and concealed crack stitching thatis more reliable than simple crack injection methods. Commonly used in long lengths to create masonry beams which stabilisethe structure and distribute the loads. Well suited to resolving lintel andground movement problems.

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A versatile tie with numerous applications, CemTie is a grouted tie usedfor tying together solid masonry; solid and rubble filled walls; multi layerbrick ring arches; separated internal and external building walls;delaminated masonry; parapets, cornices and decorative fascias. A groutgun with a long nozzle, into which the CemTie is inserted, is put to theback of a clearance hole and, as the HeliBond cementitious grout ispumped, the CemTie is expelled leaving a fully grouted tie. A quick,clean and cost-effective means of stabilising masonry, CemTies are idealfor solid masonry and working overhead.

T he stabilisation and installation techniques developedby Helifix minimise the disruption to road and railservices. They avoid the need for expensive re-building

as the repair products combine with, and conserve, theexisting fabric. This makes them ideal for stabilising historicand listed structures which are left visibly unimpaired withno unsightly external plates or restraints.

These innovative tying, bonding and repair techniquesuse appropriate product combinations to produceconcealed sympathetic solutions for most situations wheremasonry has cracked or failed, such as:

● Movement in the spandrel wall● Separation of arch rings● Cracking in the arch barrel● Delaminated masonry● Spreading barrels and soffits● Cracked abutments and wing walls

Each project requires its own specific repair strategy,based on the type and severity of the particularstructural problems. This normally involves theHeliBeam System being used in combination withother special application products to produce acomprehensive repair. These principally includeHeliBar reinforcing rods, CemTies, to secureseparated brick rings and stabilise solid walls, andDryFix for rapid masonry pinning and tying.

Benefits of the Helibeam System● Minimal disruption to road, rail or water services● Rapid stress-free installation● Cost-effective● Totally concealed for sympathetic repairs● Minimum disruption to host fabric● No additional stresses introduced● Ideal for historic and listed structures● Accepted by English HeritageSOFFIT – BARREL ARCH

BEAMING AND PINNING(SOFFIT PLAN)

A

BEAMING AND PINNING

(ELEVATION)

(ELEVATION)

(SECTION)

(SECTION AA)

B

RING SEPARATION –BARREL ARCHPINNING

I

PARAPET WALLSTABILISATIONH

REPLACEMENT ANDPINNING OF SPALLEDBRICKS (ELEVATION)

G

PIER –CRACKPINNING

C

PIER – CRACKSTITCHING E

ABUTMENT – CRACK STITCHING AND PINNING OF COPINGSTONES

D

SPANDREL PINNINGF

A

A

Masonry Arch Bridge Repairs

TRAC Structural Ltd was formedin June 1998 to provide acomplete design and installationstructural repair service forprofessional, private andcontract customers throughoutthe south and west of Englandand Wales. Most areas areserviced from the Bristol officewhile an additional installationteam based in Cornwall ensuresa good service to the south westpeninsula.

TRAC Structural offers a comprehensive service, including fullsurveys, designed repairs and high quality installation. Itsoperatives are trained in specialist skills such as diamonddrilling, rope access and abseil techniques, enabling structuralintegrity to be restored to all forms of masonry buildings,bridges and retaining walls.

TRAC Structural is well established as an experienced specialistcontractor with considerable expertise in a wide range of repairtechniques and an extensive catalogue of completed projects,both large and small, for a very wide range of customers.

Helifix Approved InstallerProud to be registered as a Helifix Approved Installer, inrecognition of the dedicated structural repair services theyprovide, TRAC Structural utilises the full range of well proven,fully concealed, Helifix repair products which are particularlysuited to historic and listed structures. Many projects havebeen successfully completed ranging from private houses tomulti storey car parks, tower blocks to bridges and churches,and include works to such prominent buildings as GloucesterCathedral, Ludlow Castle, Pembroke Clock Tower, Brunel'sAccumulator Tower and other scheduled ancient monumentsand listed buildings.

The Helibeam System®

At the heart of Helifix remedial strategies is the uniqueHelibeam System of structural reinforcement and repair usinghelical, stainless steel bars bonded into the masonry. Itprovides a rapid, cost-effective means of restoring structuralintegrity to buildings and structures where the masonry hasfailed and lost its load bearing capabilities. In combinationwith other Helifix ties and fixings it provides a comprehensive,reliable and economic system of repair and stabilisation formost commonly occurring structural faults.

Benefits● Effectively restores structural stability at reduced cost

● Deep masonry beams support and distributestructural loads

● No further stresses introduced

● Flexibility accommodates normal structural movement

● Rapid, reliable and economical means of crack stitching

● Economical alternative to rebuilding

● Efficient and non-disruptive lintel repair/creation

● Greatly simplifies window replacement programmes

● Avoids expensive and disruptive taking down andrebuilding

● Sympathetic and non-disruptive means of repair

● Equally effective on all masonry structures

How it worksWhere masonry has cracked and failed, as a result of groundmovement, weathering and increased loads and stresses, theHelibeam System provides stress-free horizontal bed-jointreinforcement by tying the masonry together and creating deepmasonry beams which distribute the structural loads. Otherties and fixings provide appropriate lateral and verticalrestraint to complete the System which has been proven in alltypes of masonry structures.

TRACStructural Ltd

Case Studies

TRACStructural Ltd

Glebe Bridge,Stanton St Quinton,Wiltshire

23 Belvoir Road, St Andrews, Bristol BS6 5DQTel: 0117 924 0224 Fax: 0117 924 8574Email: info@trac.demon.co.uk

www.trac-structural.co.uk

Structural deterioration of this road bridge had resulted invarious faults including bulging of a spandrel wall resulting inits separation from the bridge barrel. Masonry throughout thebrick arch barrel was suffering from various cracking and wasin a generally poor condition and ineffectual earlier repairshad been undertaken.

Working for Wiltshire County Council and their consultants,Ringway Parkman, TRAC Structural installed the HelibeamSystem of masonry repair and reinforcement from Helifix. Thelengths of stainless steel HeliBar were bonded into thechannelled out mortar beds throughout the barrel and returnedround the spandrel walls to effectively stitch the cracks, secureand reinforce the masonry and hold the structure together.Eight ground anchors were also installed through the bulgingspandrel wall to ensure no further movement.

Multi-storey car park,Newport, GwentTRAC Structural carried out an external structural boroscopesurvey, using rope access techniques, for project engineersStirling Maynard Construction Consultants who wereundertaking a complete inspection of Park Square multi-storeycar park for Newport City Council. The survey revealedconcerns about the condition of the existing wall ties andwhether sufficient support was being provided, for the brickcladding panels, by the nibs at each floor level on the concreteframe.

TRAC carried out the necessary remedial work, to StirlingMaynard’s specification, using a repair programme designedby Helifix engineers. Working from a suspended cradle, TRACinstalled both DryFix and ResiTie stainless steel remedial tiesin a triangular arrangement. This provided a truss-like actionthat ensured both vertical and lateral restraint for the brickpanels. In addition, some limited crack stitching of thebrickwork was also carried out. No taking down andrebuilding was required and the project was completed rapidlyand efficiently, the cladding was reliably secured and the carpark was able to remain open throughout.

BEFORE AFTER