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.

One-stop specialist services

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

1. Repairing timber and replacing damaged sections

Seaming techniques

Repair of a cracked section with rods

The Foreva Wood Reconnect solution makes it possible to repair a cracked or even broken section by reinforcing it with composite rods (in carbon or fibreglass) which will ensure the transfer of tensile forces. If the breakage of the beam was caused by an accidental overload, an impact or a localized defect in the wood (joint, resin pocket, etc.), this process can be used alone. However, if the failure is the result of an insufficient wood section compared to the normally applied loads, the connection of the two broken parts must be reinforced. The resin filling can be camouflaged by a wooden strip.
  • Preservation of the existing element
  • Invisible repair
  • Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2

Remeshing of glue-laminated beams with rods

The Foreva Wood Glulam solution is used to restore the monolithic structure of glulam elements that have suffered delamination or shear failure. It involves injecting high-strength epoxy resin into the cracks to provide a structural bond. Then, depending on the severity of the crack, these "weak planes" can be reconnected with metal, carbon or fibreglass rods sealed with resin into the thickness of the wood.
  • Preservation of the existing element
  • Invisible repair
  • Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2

Remeshing of glue-laminated beams with Foreva TFC

The Foreva Wood Glulam is an easy-to-install solution used to restore the monolithic structure of glulam elements that have suffered delamination or shear failure. It involves injecting high-strength epoxy resin into the cracks to provide a structural bond. Then, depending on the severity of the crack, these "weak planes" can be reconnected with carbon fibre fabric (TFC) and laminated to the sides of the beams.
  • Cost-effective
  • Preservation of the existing element
  • Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2

Joint restructuring

The Foreva Wood Frame solution uses an epoxy resin mortar to restructure sections that have lost material due to localized rot or micro-organism attack. Composite rods can be added to strengthen the joint.
  • Preservation of the existing element
  • Minimally-invasive technique

Repair of a cracked section with rods

The Foreva Wood Reconnect solution makes it possible to repair a cracked or even broken section by reinforcing it with composite rods (in carbon or fibreglass) which will ensure the transfer of tensile forces. If the breakage of the beam was caused by an accidental overload, an impact or a localized defect in the wood (joint, resin pocket, etc.), this process can be used alone. However, if the failure is the result of an insufficient wood section compared to the normally applied loads, the connection of the two broken parts must be reinforced. The resin filling can be camouflaged by a wooden strip.
  • Preservation of the existing element
  • Invisible repair
  • Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2

Remeshing of glue-laminated beams with rods

The Foreva Wood Glulam solution is used to restore the monolithic structure of glulam elements that have suffered delamination or shear failure. It involves injecting high-strength epoxy resin into the cracks to provide a structural bond. Then, depending on the severity of the crack, these "weak planes" can be reconnected with metal, carbon or fibreglass rods sealed with resin into the thickness of the wood.
  • Preservation of the existing element
  • Invisible repair
  • Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2

Remeshing of glue-laminated beams with Foreva TFC

The Foreva Wood Glulam is an easy-to-install solution used to restore the monolithic structure of glulam elements that have suffered delamination or shear failure. It involves injecting high-strength epoxy resin into the cracks to provide a structural bond. Then, depending on the severity of the crack, these "weak planes" can be reconnected with carbon fibre fabric (TFC) and laminated to the sides of the beams.
  • Cost-effective
  • Preservation of the existing element
  • Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2

Joint restructuring

The Foreva Wood Frame solution uses an epoxy resin mortar to restructure sections that have lost material due to localized rot or micro-organism attack. Composite rods can be added to strengthen the joint.
  • Preservation of the existing element
  • Minimally-invasive technique

Scarf joint techniques

Beam restructuring

This solution is used when the wood no longer has mechanical strength but the external appearance of the wooden element is to be maintained. The Foreva Wood Scarf solution is used to restore damaged areas of beams. The interior of the beam is hollowed out, reinforced resin concrete is poured in and reinforcement bars are sealed to connect it to the sound sections of the wood.
  • Preservation of the wood shell
  • Invisible repair
  • Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2

Replacement of damaged timber sections

When the end of a beam is too damaged to be restructured, the "Scarf" wood solution allows the damaged parts to be cut off, after shoring up the retained structure, and the element to be replaced by a resin mortar casting, connected to the old one by rods anchored in resin. The resin concrete, which is coloured throughout, is poured into a formwork to obtain the appearance of continuous timber. Compared to wooden scarfs, resin scarfs are used for small parts (beam ends) or parts with complex geometry.
  • Suitable for small parts
  • Ideal for complex geometries
  • Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2

Beam restructuring

This solution is used when the wood no longer has mechanical strength but the external appearance of the wooden element is to be maintained. The Foreva Wood Scarf solution is used to restore damaged areas of beams. The interior of the beam is hollowed out, reinforced resin concrete is poured in and reinforcement bars are sealed to connect it to the sound sections of the wood.
  • Preservation of the wood shell
  • Invisible repair
  • Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2

Replacement of damaged timber sections

When the end of a beam is too damaged to be restructured, the "Scarf" wood solution allows the damaged parts to be cut off, after shoring up the retained structure, and the element to be replaced by a resin mortar casting, connected to the old one by rods anchored in resin. The resin concrete, which is coloured throughout, is poured into a formwork to obtain the appearance of continuous timber. Compared to wooden scarfs, resin scarfs are used for small parts (beam ends) or parts with complex geometry.
  • Suitable for small parts
  • Ideal for complex geometries
  • Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2
2. Strengthening of wooden structures

Increase in inertia by adding a wood scarf in the lower part

The Foreva Wood Inertia Inf solution is used to increase the bending strength and stiffness of a beam by adding a timber reinforcement in the tension zone. The timber foundation plate is attached to the existing element with an epoxy resin adhesive and connected with reinforcing bars or composite rods.
  • Preservation of the existing element
  • Retention of the cover
  • Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2

Increasing moment of inertia with a resin concrete riser

The Foreva Wood Inertia Sup solution increases the bending strength and stiffness of a floor or beam by adding a resin concrete compression flange. The strengthening plate is connected to the beam using resin shear keys and connecting rods.
  • Suitable for old floors
  • For minimum sections of 15x15 cm²
  • Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2

Strengthening by sub-bandage

Foreva's Wood Tensioning solution uses active tie rods to increase the bending strength of beams or to balance the thrust of arches. The tie rods are attached to mechanical anchors that press against the structure. They can also be connected to the structure by metal fasteners. Tie rods are installed by qualified personnel using precise, calibrated equipment to control the amount of force introduced into the timber structure.
  • Suitable for exposure to humidity variations
  • Easy to install
  • Compact

Increase in inertia by adding a wood scarf in the lower part

The Foreva Wood Inertia Inf solution is used to increase the bending strength and stiffness of a beam by adding a timber reinforcement in the tension zone. The timber foundation plate is attached to the existing element with an epoxy resin adhesive and connected with reinforcing bars or composite rods.
  • Preservation of the existing element
  • Retention of the cover
  • Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2

Increasing moment of inertia with a resin concrete riser

The Foreva Wood Inertia Sup solution increases the bending strength and stiffness of a floor or beam by adding a resin concrete compression flange. The strengthening plate is connected to the beam using resin shear keys and connecting rods.
  • Suitable for old floors
  • For minimum sections of 15x15 cm²
  • Eurocode 5 - classes 1 & 2

Strengthening by sub-bandage

Foreva's Wood Tensioning solution uses active tie rods to increase the bending strength of beams or to balance the thrust of arches. The tie rods are attached to mechanical anchors that press against the structure. They can also be connected to the structure by metal fasteners. Tie rods are installed by qualified personnel using precise, calibrated equipment to control the amount of force introduced into the timber structure.
  • Suitable for exposure to humidity variations
  • Easy to install
  • Compact

Download our brochures

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Our local experts will help you achieve your project thanks to our large range of solutions.
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You have a project?

Our local experts will help you achieve your project thanks to our large range of solutions.
Find your local contact