The Helibeam System

The Helibeam System

t the heart of Helifix remedial strategies is the unique Helibeam System of structural reinforcement and repair. It provides a rapid, cost-effective means of restoring structural integrity to buildings and structures where the masonry has failed and lost its load bearing capabilities. In combination with other Helifix ties and fixings it provides a comprehensive, reliable and economic system of repair and stabilisation for many commonly occurring structural faults

Cracked masonry: Depending on the cause of the cracking, HeliBars are grouted into channelled-out slots (normally the mortar beds) across the crack to provide simple, permanent and non-disruptive stabilisation of the masonry.

Correctly diagnosing the problem

Whatever the visible structural faults, it is critical that the cause of the problem is correctly diagnosed so that appropriate repairs can be carried out. Advice should be sought from a suitably qualified professional structural engineer, surveyor or Approved Installer who understands building movement and stresses and can devise the most effective Helibeam repair strategy with the solution tailored to suit the specific needs of the project. Whenever possible, measures to address the cause of the problem should be completed satisfactorily to mitigate the risk of on-going movement.

How it works
Where masonry has cracked and failed, as a result of ground movement, component failure, weathering or increased loads and stresses, the Helibeam System comprises the installation of horizontal bed-joint reinforcement by tying the masonry together and creating deep masonry beams which distribute the structural loads. Other ties and fixings provide appropriate lateral and vertical restraint to complete the System which has been proven in all types of masonry structure.

BENEFITS
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Typical situations
Subsidence: Superstructure repairs. For most situations the Helibeam System is able to secure the building by creating masonry beams that reinforce the existing masonry and redistribute the loads away from the problem area. Combined with tying, pinning and crack stitching, the Helibeam System will restore full structural integrity. Subsidence: Substructure repairs. In some cases, use of the Helibeam System in conjunction with concrete pads under the building corners, or at selected points, minimises the need for expensive and extremely disruptive mass underpinning. Failed lintels/window replacement programmes: If lintels have lost their load bearing capabilities the traditional solution is to cut out the brickwork, mechanically support the masonry above and install a new concrete lintel all very disruptive, time consuming and expensive. The Helibeam System utilises the existing masonry to create a masonry beam above the window to provide the required structural support, often in conjunction with vertical pinning using DryFix or CemTies. For window replacement programmes where the window frame has been used to support the masonry, the Helibeam System provides a rapid and economical means of creating a lintel within the existing masonry. Bowed and separated walls: Where internal and party walls have separated from the external elevation, and depending on the individual situation, the Helibeam System gives horizontal restraint in the external wall while BowTies provide lateral restraint and grouted CemTies are used to reconnect the internal and external walls.
HELIFIX STRESS FREE STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS

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Quick and easy to install Effectively restores structural stability at reduced cost Deep masonry beams support and distribute structural loads No further stresses introduced Flexibility accommodates normal structural movement Economical alternative to underpinning/ rebuilding Greatly simplifies lintel and window replacement Avoids expensive and disruptive taking down and rebuilding Sympathetic and non-disruptive means of repair Equally effective on all masonry structures

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
HeliBar reinforcement bar: austenitic stainless steel. Supplied in nominal 4.5, 6.0, 8.0 or 10.0mm diameters in lengths up to 7m

BONDING AGENTS
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HeliBond cementitious, thixotropic, injectable non-shrink grout. PolyPlus polyester resin for fast curing. CrackBond TE thixotropic epoxy for ultimate performance

The Helibeam System

The Helibeam System

he principal components of the Helibeam System are HeliBars, of differing lengths depending upon the application, which are bonded into cut slots at pre-determined levels in the masonry using HeliBond thixotropic cementitious grout. It is the composite action between the HeliBars and HeliBond that provides the core element of the Helibeam System, making it such a versatile, reliable and successful masonry repair system. HeliBar starts as round stainless steel wire with a typical 0.2% proof stress of 500N/mm2 but after the cold forming manufacturing process that creates the helical hi-fin design, this more than doubles to around 1100N/mm2. This means that HeliBar, with its relatively small diameter, provides substantial tensile properties to the masonry, particularly when combined with HeliBond grout which locks between the fins and bonds to the masonry. Consequently, the well proven Helibeam System has a variety of remedial and new build applications.
Tensile Stress N/mm2

1400

HELIBAR
1200

0.2%p.s. : 1100N/mm 0.1%p.s. : 965N/mm2

1000

800

600

Linear elastic limit : 700N/mm2

400

200

HeliBar Stress/Strain Curve

0 0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025 0.03 0.035 0.04 0.045 0.05

Tensile Strain mm/mm

REFERENCE Pages 40 43

APPLICATIONS
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Crack stitching Lintel repair and creation Forming deep masonry beams Horizontal structural restraint Creating new opening in existing masonry For reinforcing new build masonry
Repairing or creating flat arch lintels

REFERENCE Crack Stitching pages 21 & 50; Lintel repairs page 57; Masonry Beams Page 54

FEATURES
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Austenitic stainless steel helical reinforcing bars Great axial strength yet creates no additional stresses Accommodates differential building movement Generates high tensile strength with mortar and HeliBond grout Extremely economical compared with alternative methods Minimal disruption to the buildings fabric or occupants Spreads loads to avoid secondary cracking Mitigates the potential for cracking in shrinkable materials

Crack Stitching at a corner in a stone wall

CREATING MOVEMENT JOINTS

Using 400mm long rods, installation is very similar to crack stitching. The rod is installed across the joint, as with cracks, but is only bonded at one end. The other end is allowed to move freely by inserting it into a sleeve which is bonded into the masonry.
REFERENCE Page 60

BONDING AGENT
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HeliBond cementitious grout Cures to 60N/mm2 Works equally well in deep anchoring situations and in mortar joint applications
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REFERENCE HeliBond pages 22 & 24

HELIFIX STRESS FREE STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS

Masonry Repair Strategies

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Masonry Repair Strategies

asonry may deteriorate, crack, delaminate and fail for a variety of reasons. Many of these problems can be overcome by using various combinations of Helifix remedial ties and masonry reinforcement products and techniques. The illustration shows a typical two storey Victorian property of solid wall construction with a later cavity wall extension. Masonry repair strategies using Helifix products have proven to be fully effective in virtually every type of masonry structure from medieval churches to modern tower blocks, from bridges and tunnels to all forms of housing. They provide secure, lasting connections in all forms of brick, blocks, concrete, stone and timber as well as traditional local building materials such as Devon Cob, Wytchert and Norfolk Clay Lump. Highlighted are some of the most commonly occurring structural faults that affect every type of commercial and residential property of all ages and construction. In conjunction with the Helibeam System other products are able to remedy specific problems. These PARTY 1 RECONNECTINGWALLS WALLS WITH EXTERNAL are installed externally in the vast majority of situations leaving buildings visibly unimpaired and causing negligible disruption to their occupants. Clearly there are other situations CemTies are installed simultaneously with HeliBond grout into angled clearance holes drilled, to the required depth, which are not shown here such as failed through the external wall and into the party wall. parapet walls, separated cornices, REFERENCE CemTie Pages 18 & 67 blown render and many more besides. Using various combinations of Helifix STABILISING BOWED WALLS 2 INTO JOIST ENDS ties, fixings and reinforcing rods virtually any situation can be dealt with so do not hesitate to call us if you have a particular problem which is not covered here. BowTies are inserted through a clearance hole in the

REPAIR OF BAY WINDOWS

masonry and power driven directly into the joist end before bonding with PolyPlus resin into the masonry. REFERENCE BowTie Pages 20 & 62

Twin HeliBars are bonded into a predetermined cut slot around the bay above the window with the ends embedded in the front elevation. BowTies are driven into the joist ends via clearance holes in the masonry and low level cracks are stitched with single HeliBars. REFERENCE BowTie Page 20 & 47

REPAIRING SEPARATED MASONRY

CemTies and HeliBond grout are installed into clearance holes drilled through the near leaf and at least 75mm into the far leaf. The density of the ties will depend upon the degree of separation, the material, the cause and the condition of the masonry overall. REFERENCE CemTie Pages 18 & 65

REPAIRING BRICK ARCH LINTELS

RECONNECTING INTERNAL WALLS WITH EXTERNAL WALLS

Predetermined slots on the internal wall are channelled out to the specified length right into the corner. Angled holes of 10mm are drilled from the corner into the external wall. Single lengths of HeliBar are bent to shape, with the angled end bonded into the hole with PolyPlus resin and the remainder grouted with HeliBond into the internal wall. REFERENCE: Helibeam System Pages 6 & 66

Parallel lengths of HeliBar rod are bonded into the specified cut slots directly above the existing lintel. Angled CemTies or DryFix ties are installed through the lintel and into the masonry above the lower HeliBars. REFERENCE: Helibeam System Pages 6 & 58; CemTie Page 18; DryFix Page 14

HELIFIX STRESS FREE STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS

Masonry Repair Strategies

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REPLACING CAVITY WALL TIES

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CEILING JOIST PINNING

DryFix wall ties are power driven directly into both leaves, via a small pilot hole of around 6mm diameter. OR RetroTies are driven into a 4.5mm pilot hole in the far leaf, via a clearance hole in the near leaf into which they are bonded with PolyPlus. OR ResiTies are resin bonded into a 10mm hole in both leaves. REFERENCE DryFix Page 14; RetroTie Page 17; ResiTie Page 17; Technical Data Page 12

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RetroTie fixings are driven at an angle through the joist and into the masonry, via a small pilot hole, and the projecting end is hammered over. REFERENCE RetroTie Page 17

REPAIRING OR CREATING FLAT ARCH LINTELS

Parallel lengths of HeliBar, are bonded into the specified cut slots above the existing lintel. REFERENCE Helibeam System Page 57

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CREATING MOVEMENT JOINTS

A 400mm HeliBar is installed across the joint, as with cracks, but is only bonded at one end. The other end is allowed to move freely by inserting it into a sleeve which is then bonded into the masonry. REFERENCE Movement Joints Pages 7 & 60

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CRACK STITCHING
Lengths of HeliBar extending 500mm either side of the crack are bonded into cut slots, normally the mortar beds, with HeliBond or PolyPlus resin. REFERENCE Crack Stitching Pages 21 &51

CREATING MASONRY BEAMS

REPAIRING CRACKS NEAR CORNERS AND OPENINGS

The Helibeam System uses parallel lengths of HeliBar reinforcing bonded into predetermined cut slots (normally the mortar beds) with HeliBond grout to form deep masonry beams which distribute the building loads. a) shows a beam resisting the horizontal displacement of a bowing wall. Due to the internal stairwell BowTies cannot be used as there are no joists at this point. b) shows a beam resisting vertical loads to prevent building subsidence. REFERENCE Helibeam System Pages 6 & 56; HeliBond Grout Page 24

STABILISING BOWED WALLS INTO JOIST SIDES

Where cracks are less than 500mm from an external corner or an opening, at least 100mm should be bent round the corner and bonded into the return wall or bent and fixed into the reveal, avoiding any DPC membrane. REFERENCE: Crack Stitching Pages 21 & 50

BowTie HDs are inserted through clearance holes in the masonry and are power-driven through the first and second joist (and third, if required) before the outer end is bonded into the masonry with PolyPlus resin. REFERENCE BowTie HD Pages 20 & 63

HELIFIX STRESS FREE STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS

Masonry Arch Bridge Repairs

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Masonry Arch Bridge Repairs

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any of the UKs 60-70,000 masonry arch bridges are well over 100 years old, are often listed structures and urgently require structural repair and strengthening. Age, weathering and increasing loads and stresses have, in numerous cases, led to problems such as:

SOFFIT BARREL ARCH BEAMING AND PINNING (SOFFIT PLAN)

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 Spalling brickwork

REFERENCE Helibeam System Page 6; CemTie Page 18 or DryFix Pages 14

Helifix has developed a variety of innovative tying, bonding and repair techniques which use its products in appropriate combinations to provide unobtrusive solutions for all such situations where masonry has cracked or failed. These nondisruptive and concealed repair strategies offer savings in both time and money and sympathetically restore full structural integrity. The stabilisation and installation techniques employed minimise the disruption to road and rail services and avoid the need for expensive re-building by combining with, and conserving, the existing fabric. This makes them ideal for historic and listed structures which are left repaired but visibly unimpaired with no unsightly external plates or restraints.
PIER CRACK PINNING

ABUTMENT CRACK STITCHING AND PINNING OF COPING STONES

REFERENCE CemTie Page 18 REFERENCE Helibeam System Page 6; CemTie Page 18 or DryFix Page 14

HELIFIX STRESS FREE STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS

Masonry Arch Bridge Repairs

RING SEPARATION BARREL ARCH PINNING

REFERENCE CemTie Pages 18 & 59

BENEFITS
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RING SEPARATION iGAP WATERPROOFING

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Minimal disruption to road, rail or water services Rapid, stress-free installation Cost-effective Totally concealed for sympathetic, non-disruptive repairs No additional stresses introduced Ideal for historic and listed structures Accepted by English Heritage

PARAPET WALL STABILISATION

REFERENCE CemTie Pages 18 & 61

Each project requires its own specific repair strategy, based on the type and severity of the particular structural problems. This normally involves the Helibeam System being used in combination with other specific application products to produce a comprehensive repair. These principally include HeliBar reinforcing rods, CemTies, to secure separated brick rings and stabilise solid walls, and DryFix for rapid masonry pinning and tying.

REPLACEMENT AND PINNING OF SPALLED BRICKS (ELEVATION)

REFERENCE DryFix Pages 14; CemTie Page 18

SPANDREL PINNING
REFERENCE CemTie Page 18

(ELEVATION)

BEAMING AND PINNING

(SECTION AA)

PIER CRACK STITCHING

REFERENCE Crack Stitching Page 21

(ELEVATION)
REFERENCE Helibeam System Page 6; CemTie Page 18 or DryFix Pages 14

(SECTION)

HELIFIX STRESS FREE STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS

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