Freyssinet restores damaged wooden elements, reinforces structures and protects them, while minimising operations that could harm the authenticity of the old elements or the operation of the structure.
- Warehouses
- Heritage structures
- Supermarkets
- Gymnasiums
Main challenges
As wood structures age, they are subject to many attacks. Without regular maintenance, some elements will rot or deteriorate, show excessive deformation or cracking, or even break. If left undetected or untreated, this deterioration can lead to risks to users and even to the collapse of entire structures.
Tensile strength problems in wood due to:
- Incorrect design assumptions
- Changes made in the past
- Rapid changes in moisture content
- Transverse tension problems
- Lack of bending strength
- Problems with sliced strips at the bearings
Moisture rot, often caused by leaks, poor maintenance or condensation, is a common problem. It allows fungi or insects (wood-eating larvae, termites or nesting insects) to colonise the wood and reduce its strength.
It is necessary to take action as soon as possible before starting repair work.
From investigation to... implementation
Protective measures
Freyssinet supports its clients from the design phase of the reinforcement project and designs tailor-made solutions in collaboration with the architect and/or the design offices in charge of the renovation.
Diagnostic assistance
Before proceeding with repairs and/or reinforcement, precise monitoring is essential to determine the cause(s) of the damage, to delimit the areas to be treated and to define their criticality. As each structure is unique, it requires specific solutions. Each time, an in-depth analysis of the problems is carried out in order to propose appropriate strengthening or repair solutions.
Assistance in the structural analysis and design
Moisture and load duration are essential data in the design and calculation of wooden structures.
Freyssinet is at the disposal of contractors and engineering offices to assist them in the analysis and design of the structure.
Assistance in defining the strengthening strategy
Freyssinet has developed a range of specific products for strengthening and repairing solid and glue-laminated timber structures. These products are based on technical specifications, established by Freyssinet’s technical department. These specifications are validated regularly by an inspection agency.
Execution of the work
For Freyssinet, repair is a business in its own right. This is why we have dedicated teams in each country where we are operating. Regular mentoring and strict adherence to a quality charter guarantee a high level of competence and expertise. We thus guarantee the safety, quality and durability of our solutions.
Our solutions
Seaming techniques
Repair of a cracked section with rods
- Preservation of the existing element
- Invisible repair
- Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2
Remeshing of glue-laminated beams with rods
- Preservation of the existing element
- Invisible repair
- Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2
Remeshing of glue-laminated beams with Foreva TFC
- Cost-effective
- Preservation of the existing element
- Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2
Joint restructuring
- Preservation of the existing element
- Minimally-invasive technique
Repair of a cracked section with rods
- Preservation of the existing element
- Invisible repair
- Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2
Remeshing of glue-laminated beams with rods
- Preservation of the existing element
- Invisible repair
- Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2
Remeshing of glue-laminated beams with Foreva TFC
- Cost-effective
- Preservation of the existing element
- Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2
Joint restructuring
- Preservation of the existing element
- Minimally-invasive technique
Scarf joint techniques
Beam restructuring
- Preservation of the wood shell
- Invisible repair
- Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2
Replacement of damaged timber sections
- Suitable for small parts
- Ideal for complex geometries
- Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2
Beam restructuring
- Preservation of the wood shell
- Invisible repair
- Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2
Replacement of damaged timber sections
- Suitable for small parts
- Ideal for complex geometries
- Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2
Increase in inertia by adding a wood scarf in the lower part
- Preservation of the existing element
- Retention of the cover
- Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2
Increasing moment of inertia with a resin concrete riser
- Suitable for old floors
- For minimum sections of 15x15 cm²
- Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2
Strengthening by sub-bandage
- Suitable for exposure to humidity variations
- Easy to install
- Compact
Increase in inertia by adding a wood scarf in the lower part
- Preservation of the existing element
- Retention of the cover
- Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2
Increasing moment of inertia with a resin concrete riser
- Suitable for old floors
- For minimum sections of 15x15 cm²
- Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2
Strengthening by sub-bandage
- Suitable for exposure to humidity variations
- Easy to install
- Compact
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DocumentationLearn more about our other solutions
You have a project?
You have a project?
Freyssinet stabilises foundations, consolidates and strengthens masonry structures, while minimising operations that might harm the authenticity of the historic elements. Precise monitoring and a diagnosis are required to identify the areas to treat and define their criticality.
- Masonry bridges
- Stone buildings
- Heritage structures
- Stone-built retaining walls
Main challenges
Stone buildings can change shape, fracture and develop cracks as a result of bearing settlement, shell buckling, arch thrust forces or a simple loss of cohesion in the masonry of pointing between stonework. There are also problems of insufficient strength of structures under the modified loads. Whatever the cause of the problem, it usually manifests itself in decompression, or even the masonry placed under tensile load or excessive shear.
The success of good waterproofing is an essential factor in the durability of masonry structures. The effects of water are harmful for several reasons, in particular by the penetration into the joints with disintegration of the mortar then the dislocation of the masonry and the action of the freeze-thaw cycles with deterioration of the stonework, desquamation or surface disruption (cyclic action of atmospheric agents, etc.), appearance of blackish spots, invasion by vegetation, local disappearance or stripping of joints and sometimes appearance of significant damage.
The ageing of stones used in masonry can accentuate their original defects, including lamination, inclusions, original cracks and porosity.
Arched masonry structures are sensitive to settlement and deformation. It is therefore necessary to pay attention to the deformation of the arch, either linked to the settlements of the bearings, or during the work (deformation of the ring beam, settlement on decentring) or during the life of the structure (effects of operating loads, temperature and delayed deformations). Too much flexibility would also risk causing problems to the masonry.
The increase in the forces supported by the bridges requires an evaluation and strengthening project. In particular:
- Increase in permanent load by reprofiling the carriageway
- Increase in traffic overload. This increase is added to an additional aggressiveness linked to vibrations and dynamic effects.
Increase in the rolling width by eliminating footpaths and consequently, vehicles travelling too close to the spandrels create a greater horizontal thrust, therefore risk of major damage.
The absence of a minimum of maintenance can generate, in the medium term, a gradual deterioration of the masonry structure. This can involve, for example, the growth of harmful vegetation on the structure because this maintains a permanent humidity of the masonry, but also because the proliferation of roots is likely to displace stones and to gradually disrupt masonry.
A complete range of services
Protective measures
Freyssinet supports its clients right from the strengthening project preparation phase and designs made-to-measure solutions in conjunction with the architect and/or design firms in charge of the renovation.
Assistance with diagnosis
Before proceeding with a repair and/or strengthening, carrying out a precise survey is essential to determine the cause(s) of the damage, delimit the areas to be treated and define their criticality. Specific solutions are required as each structure is unique. Each time, an in-depth analysis of the problems is carried out in order to propose suitable strengthening or repair solutions.
Engineering analysis of the structure
The existing state of the structure and the nature of the loads are essential data for the design and calculation of masonry structures.
Freyssinet is available to assist contractors and design firms in the analysis and calculation of the structure.
Assistance in defining the consolidation strategy
Freyssinet has developed a range of specific products to strengthen and repair masonry structures. These products are based on technical specifications established by Freyssinet’s technical department. These specifications are validated regularly by an inspection agency.
Execution of strengthening work
Repairing a structure requires careful planning and safe execution, in order to manage risks, meet deadlines and ensure the safety of users and operators. Freyssinet’s strength lies in its strict adherence to a quality charter at every stage of its work and in its dedicated repair teams, from the analysis of existing problems to their repair. This approach guarantees our clients the effectiveness and durability of the solutions adopted.
Our range of solutions
Underpinning
- Load transfer
- Accessibility in difficult areas
Foreva Stone Tie rod
- Discreet solution
- Guaranteed durability
- Seaming of cracks
in a uniform manner
Foreva Stone TFC
- Lightweight and discreet solution
- Durability
- Quick installation
Foreva Stone Inertia Sup
- Better load distribution on the original structure
- Increasing moment of inertia
- Ideal for listed ceilings
Foreva Stone Active tie rods
- Guaranteed loading
- Excellent durability
- Discreet solution
Dry shotcrete
- Adhesion monolithism
- Extrados strengthening for structures in service
- Increasing moment of inertia
Moving and sliding of heavy loads
- Town planning integration
- PIntegration of urban constraints
Underpinning
- Load transfer
- Accessibility in difficult areas
Foreva Stone Tie rod
- Discreet solution
- Guaranteed durability
- Seaming of cracks
in a uniform manner
Foreva Stone TFC
- Lightweight and discreet solution
- Durability
- Quick installation
Foreva Stone Inertia Sup
- Better load distribution on the original structure
- Increasing moment of inertia
- Ideal for listed ceilings
Foreva Stone Active tie rods
- Guaranteed loading
- Excellent durability
- Discreet solution
Dry shotcrete
- Adhesion monolithism
- Extrados strengthening for structures in service
- Increasing moment of inertia
Moving and sliding of heavy loads
- Town planning integration
- PIntegration of urban constraints
Download our brochure
DocumentationDiscover our references
Elbeuf church
Sahasinaka masonry structure strengthening
Learn more about our other solutions
You have a project?
You have a project?
Contact us
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