When dealing with large-scale industrial facilities, the structural integrity of overhead supports is non-negotiable. Traditional repair methods often involve heavy steel reinforcements or total member replacement, both of which can cause significant operational downtime. Recently, QuakeLogic completed a high-precision structural reinforcement project that showcases a more sophisticated approach: the Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) retrofit.
This project highlights how modern engineering can extend the life of essential wooden structures, such as glulam beams, while ensuring safety and performance in seismically active or high-load environments.
The Challenge: Identifying Structural Distress in Glulam Beams
Glulam (glued laminated timber) is a powerhouse of industrial construction, but it is not immune to environmental stressors. Over time, factors such as, high temperature, moisture changes, heavy loading, and seismic shifts can lead to glulam separation and significant cracking.
In a recent industrial application, a critical beam exhibited compromised structural integrity due to internal layer separation. Left unaddressed, these defects pose a severe risk to the entire facility’s safety.
The Solution: A Multistage Structural Retrofit
QuakeLogic implemented a comprehensive, four-day remediation strategy designed to restore the beam’s original load-bearing capacity and enhance its ductility.
1. Precision Realignment and Epoxy Injection
Before applying the carbon fiber, the internal integrity of the wood must be restored. Our team utilized high-strength epoxy injection to fill deep cracks. To address glulam layer separation, 10-inch structural screws were applied at 5-to-6-inch intervals to pull the layers back into alignment, creating a solid substrate for the FRP application.
2. High-Strength Carbon FRP Installation
The core of the reinforcement involved the application of structural-grade CFRP wraps. Carbon fiber offers a remarkable strength-to-weight ratio, providing immense tensile reinforcement without adding significant mass to the structure.
- Mid-span Wrapping: Targeted the regions of highest bending stress.
- Cross-Wrapping: Applied at the top of the beam to provide critical shear reinforcement.
3. Proactive Safety Enhancements
True engineering excellence requires looking beyond the initial scope. During the execution phase, QuakeLogic engineers identified additional distress in adjacent beam sections. To ensure long-term safety, we installed steel strap reinforcements—five per side—bolted and epoxy-bonded to provide secondary lateral stability.
Quality Assurance: Engineering You Can Trust
The project concluded with a rigorous inspection by a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.). Utilizing a scissor lift for close-range verification, the inspection confirmed a uniform, void-free CFRP adherence and a full epoxy cure across all structural interfaces.
Why QuakeLogic
This project demonstrates QuakeLogic’s ability to deliver full-cycle engineering solutions that combine hardware, software, and AI into a unified system. From concept to commissioning, every component is designed for precision, reliability, and long-term performance.
Contact QuakeLogic today to discuss your custom project needs.
Email us at sales@quakelogic.net