S&F Ref: 858392D1 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address Reforcetech AS, of Meierisvingen 2, 1383 Asker, 0220, of Applicant Asker, Norway Actual Inventor(s): Anders Henrik Bull Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: Reinforcement for concrete elements and system and method for producing reinforced concrete elements The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(6898548_1) REINFORCEMENT FOR CONCRETE ELEMENTS AND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING REINFORCED CONCRETE ELEMENTS Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to reinforcement and a reinforcement system for reinforcing concrete elements. Further, the invention relates to a method for producing. such reinforcement and a method for fabricating a reinforced concrete element. The reinforcement comprises at least one elongate fibre string formed of a smaller number of single fibre filaments which together provide a fibre string. The fibre string may 1o preferably be coated with a particle shaped material, such as sand, the sand being adhered on to the exterior surface of the string. Further, the invention relates to a method for concreting such reinforced concrete elements. Background of the Invention It is well known that concrete structures are reinforced using steel in such way 15 that the loads and forces are transferred from the concrete to the reinforcement, aiming to obtain a structure where the tensional load and forces are taken by the reinforcement, while compressive loads and forces are taken by the concrete itaself. Standard length of reinforcerient bars is 12 metres and the thickness may vary between 06 mm to 048 mm. It is obvious that such steel dimensions represent a large weight and rigidity, making it 20 difficult to handle and place the reinforcement in a structure. When placing the reinforcement of steel, the reinforcement bars must be pre-bent and then tied together in a shuttering, in order place the reinforcement in sections where tensile forces are expected. Where larger lengths are to be reinforced, the reinforcement bars must overlapped each other, transferring normal stresses and tensions as shear forces through 25 the concrete from one bar to another. Welding of the bars is also possible. Conventional steel reinforcement requires, as a general rule, a concrete coverage of at least 30 mm, while at the same time, large concentration of tensional forces are experienced in the surface edges of a concrete structure. Hence, cracks may readily appear in these areas, making it possible for water to penetrate into the concrete structure, corrosion attacking 30 the steel reinforcement. Such attacks of corrosion increase the volume of the 2 reinforcement beyond its original volume, producing a tensile force and possibly causing spalling. It is well known to use products of carbon fibres as reinforcement, either embedded in concrete or glued to the surface of a concrete body. s From the applicants own WO 03/025305 Al, a method for fabricating reinforcement elements for concrete is known, the reinforcement comprising elongated, preferably continuous fibre bundles of carbon fibres, impregnated with a matrix of plastic materials, which then is cured. The fibre bundle, which comprises a very large number of single fibres, is subsequent to the impregnation and prior to curing, brought into a bath 10 containing a particle shaped material, such as sand, which adheres to the surface of the fibre bundle without to any extent penetrating in between the various fibres. The particle shaped material is fixed to the surface during the curing process, thus forming the reinforcement element. NO 138.157 shows a loop reinforcement for pre- stressed concrete structures, 15 where the loop reinforcement comprises several resin impregnated glass fibre strings, the cross section area of each loop being increased by means of reinforcing strings of resin impregnated glass fibres which are closely connected to each loop. EP 1180565 discloses a flexible reinforcement for reinforced concrete in the form of a flexible band having a high module of elasticity. The band is arranged around 20 at lease two reinforcement bars and each end of the band is tensioned in order to form a loop around the reinforcement bars, forming a rigid connection. It is known to construct concrete floating piers made up separate, independent pier elements, wherein pairs of pier elements are connected together at their corner areas. For this purpose a vertical recess or notch is arranged in each corner of each pier element 25 together with horizontal ducts, extending from the recesses through the element wall and out at the end wall of the element. Horizontally arranged anchoring means extend between said recess at each element through said ducts in order to assemble and interconnect two pier elements. Because of the recesses and the ducts, each corner is exposed to large tensile 30 forces and loads. Hence, it is necessary to reinforce the comers and the sections surrounding the recesses heavily.
3 Said corner areas have proved to be vulnerable, however, and the concrete is crushed in spite of heavy reinforcement, when the pier elements are exposed to large loads and forces. There exists a need that, in addition to maintaining a high degree of tensile s strength, low weight and high resistance against corrosion to ensure, good strength be maintained even at high temperatures, such as for example temperatures caused by fires. of high intensity. There also exists a need to increase the production rate when producing the reinforcement as such and also for providing tailor made reinforcement solution, while io reducing substantially the requirements for investments in production facilities and machinery. There also exists a need to reduce the extent of and the time required for laying the reinforcement for those instances where more or less complicated tailor made reinforcements are required for various structures. is Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome one or more of the foregoing disadvantages or to address one or more of the above described needs. Further, it is an object of the present invention in its preferred embodiment to provide a reinforcement system for concrete having improved properties, giving the 20 structures to be cast improved strength and increased life time, and at the same time reducing the need for maintenance of the concrete structures produced. It is a further object of the reinforcement system according to the invention in its preferred embodiment to prolong the structural load carrying capacity of the concrete structure if the concrete structure is exposed to a fire. 25 It is a still further object of the reinforcement system according to the invention in its preferred embodiment to provide a simple and flexible reinforcement system, making it possible to adapt and to dimension the reinforcement system to complicated structural elements.
4 It is a still further object of the reinforcement system in its preferred embodiment to provide a reinforcement which is simple to lay for the operator and eliminating at least partly heavy manual lifting activities. Summary of the Invention An aspect of the present invention provides a reinforced concrete structure comprising a reinforcement embedded within cured concrete, wherein the reinforcement is in the form of primary closed loops disposed in a given direction with a first loop end followed by a second loop end in the given direction, each primary closed loop embedded within the cured concrete comprising at least two elongated string sections, parallel and distanced apart from each other, ends of the at least two elongated string sections being interconnected by a curved arced transition forming the first and second loop ends, the first and second loop ends completely embedded within the cured concrete and imposing compressive forces on the surrounding concrete as the concrete structure is subjected to external loads and forces, and wherein the primary closed loops are positioned to run in the given direction substantially end-to-end but with an overlap of the second loop end of a first one of the primary closed loops overlapping with the first loop end of a second one of the primary loops to form a closed internal secondary loop exposed to compressive forces from the primary closed loops caused by tensional forces acting in the at least two elongated string sections as the concrete structure is subjected to the external forces and loads, and each of the at least two elongated string sections formed of a number of single fiber filaments of carbon or basalt, which is wound to a continuous string by repeated windings of the single fiber filaments and embedded in a matrix, thereby providing a composite fiber string. Another aspect of the present invention provides a reinforced concrete structure comprising a reinforcement embedded within cured concrete, wherein the reinforcement is in the form of primary closed loops disposed in a given direction with a first loop end followed by a second loop end in the given direction, each primary closed loop embedded within the cured concrete and comprising at least two elongated string sections, parallel and distanced apart from each other, ends of the elongated string sections being interconnected by a curved arced transition forming the first and second loops ends, the first and second loop ends completely embedded within the cured concrete and imposing compressive 5 forces on the surrounding concrete as the concrete structure is subjected to external loads and forces, and wherein the primary closed loops run in the given direction and are in the same plane, with the primary closed loops overlapping with each other to form a closed internal secondary loop exposed to compressive forces from the primary closed loops caused by tensional forces acting in the elongated string sections as the concrete structure is subjected to the external forces and loads, and each of the at least two elongated string sections formed of a number of single fiber filaments of carbon or basalt, which is wound to a continuous string by repeated windings of the single fiber filaments and embedded in a matrix, thereby providing a composite fiber string. Another aspect of the present invention provides a reinforced concrete structure comprising a reinforcement embedded within cured concrete, wherein the reinforcement is in the form of a plurality of slings disposed in a given direction with a first sling end followed by a second sling end in the given direction, each of the plurality of slings embedded within the cured concrete and comprising at least two elongated string sections, parallel and distanced apart from each other, ends of the elongated string sections being interconnected by a curved arced transition forming the first and second sling ends, the first and second sling ends completely embedded within the cured concrete and imposing compressive forces on the surrounding concrete as the concrete structure is subjected to external loads and forces, and wherein the plurality of slings are positioned to run in the given direction substantially end-to-end but with an overlap of the second sling end of a first sling of the plurality of slings overlapping with the first sling end of a second sling of the plurality of slings, to form a closed internal loop exposed to compressive forces from the first and second slings of the plurality of slings caused by tensional forces acting in the elongated string sections as the concrete structure is subjected to the external forces and loads, and each of the at least two elongated string sections formed of a number of single fiber filaments of carbon, which is wound to a continuous string by repeated windings of the single fiber filaments and embedded in a matrix, thereby providing a composite fiber string. In the reinforcement system according to an embodiment of the invention closed reinforcement loops is used, which is made of a plurality of continuous fibres, for example made of carbon or basalt, embedded in a matrix, wherein the loop is cured subsequent to formation of the loop and 6 wherein the loop is coated by a layer of particles, such as for example sand. The loops are preferably elongated and may either be in the form of closed loops or elongated winds, arranged in longitudinal direction and corresponding loops or winds in a transverse direction. The semi circular ends of loops or the winds are configured to function as an end anchoring the reinforcement, The effects of the loop reinforcement may also at least partly be achieved by providing a helical reinforcement. When such helical reinforcement is embedded in cured concrete, the helical reinforcement will function as a multi-axial reinforcement. When using the reinforcement according to an embodiment of the invention, abrupt or sudden concentration of forces will to a much less degree appear in the region of the ends of the reinforcement. If it is necessary to "join" the reinforcement, conventional overlapping may be applied corresponding to the traditional steel reinforcement. The major difference is that the forces from one reinforcement element is transferred to the neighbouring reinforcement in that, in addition to transfer of shear strain between the reinforcement loops, a local compression zone is established in the concrete between the ends of two overlapping loops. Since concrete may resist large compressive forces, possible cracks or minute cracks in this load transfer zone will be closed by the compressive force rather than being opened up, as the case may be for conventional reinforcement. The size of such compressive forces depends on several parameters, depending inter alia on the bonding between the composite reinforcement and the surrounding concrete. The reinforcement is made of a composite material, amongst other containing carbon fibres or basalt fibres. The reinforcement loops according to an embodiment of the invention have good material properties, such as high tensile strength, low weight, and high corrosion resistance. In addition, high tensile strength is maintained even at high temperatures, such as for example during highly intensive fires. Tests have shown that the reinforcement according to an embodiment of the invention is four times stronger than steel, while the weight is four times lower than steel. Consequently, substantial weight savings may be obtained when using the reinforcement according to the invention.
7 In addition, it should be appreciated that since the reinforcement according to an embodiment of the invention has a high degree of inherent resistance towards corrosion, the reinforcement may be placed close to or on the surface of the concrete element to be reinforced, thus requiring a reduced or no concrete coverage. Hence, the reinforcement may be placed where it really is needed. There is also disclosed a reinforced concrete structure comprising: cured concrete; and reinforcement embedded in the concrete, the reinforcement comprising a plurality of loops of string each having curved sections and two spaced longitudinal sections each having ends jointed by the curved sections, wherein: the curved sections anchor the string in the concrete such that the string imposes compressive forces on the concrete within the curved sections when the concrete structure is subjected to a load; the loops are arranged such that the loops partially overlap with each other at the curved section, forming a second set of closed loops, the concrete arranged in said second loops being subjected to compressive forces when the concrete structure is subjected to a load; and the string is a composite fibre. There is also disclosed a reinforced concrete structure comprising: cured concrete; and reinforcement embedded in the concrete, the reinforcement comprising longitudinally extending longitudinal strings and a plurality of transversely arranged loops of loop strings, the loops each having curved sections and spaced elongate sections each having ends jointed by the curved sections, wherein: the loops are serially arranged along the longitudinally extending strings and are interconnected at least at the curved sections by the longitudinally extending strings; the curved sections anchor the string of the loops in the concrete such that the loops impose compressive forces on concrete within the curved sections when the concrete structure is subjected to a load; and the longitudinal strings and loop strings are composite fibres. There is also disclosed a reinforced concrete structure comprising; cured concrete; and 7a reinforcement embedded in the concrete, the reinforcement comprising at least one first string and a second string, wherein the first string extends longitudinally in the concrete and the second string undulates in the concrete and interconnected with the first string, wherein: the second string has curved sections and spaced elongate sections, the spaced elongate sections having ends interconnected by the curved sections; the curved sections anchor the second string in the concrete such that the second string imposes compressive forces on concrete within the curved sections when the concrete structure is subjected to a load; and the first and second strings are composite fibres. There is also disclosed a reinforced concrete structure comprising: cured concrete; and reinforcement embedded in the concrete, the reinforcement comprising at least two loops of string, the loops being different sizes, each loop having curved sections and two spaced longitudinal sections each having ends jointed by the curved sections, wherein: the curved sections anchor the string in the concrete such that the string imposes compressive forces on the concrete within the curved sections when the concrete structure is subjected to a load; the loops are arranged such that at least one of the loops is located so as to be surrounded by another one of the loops; and the string is a composite fibre. There is also disclosed a method for concreting a reinforced concrete body as described above, wherein the string is coated on the exterior with a layer of particle material and at least one cylindrical body is positioned in the concrete, the method comprising the steps of: arranging an end of at least one said loop around the cylindrical body while an opposite end is kept fixed; tensioning the loop in its longitudinal direction; pouring the concrete; and releasing the tension once the concrete is sufficiently cured. There is also disclosed a system for reinforcing a concrete body as described above, the concrete body intended to be connected to an adjacent, separate concrete body to form an inter-connected concrete structure, wherein the concrete bodies are tied together by means of an intermediate 7b anchoring element, wherein at each end of each concrete body, a load carrying cylindrical body is embedded, the reinforcement comprising at least tow said loops extending in a continuous manner between and around the two load carrying cylindrical bodies. Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure I shows schematically a vertical section through a reinforced concrete element, wherein two reinforcement loops according to the principle of an embodiment of the invention are shown; Figure 2 shows a view of one embodiment of a reinforcement net formed of a plurality of .closed reinforcement loops; Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a reinforcement net formed of a plurality of continuous reinforcement loops arranged both lengthwise and in a transverse direction; Figure 4 shows a plurality of coaxially and concentrically arranged reinforcement loops according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 shows schematically a horizontal section through a pontoon, wherein reinforcement loops according to the invention are used for reinforcing the pontoon; Figifre bshos sWceiiiatific lya vertical section through the reinforcement used in connection with the pontoon unit shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 shows schematically a vertical section through the pontoon unit shown in Figure 5; Figure 8 shows schematically the first steps in fabrication of a fibre bundle by means of a plastic material; Figure 9 shows how a loop according to the invention may be fabricated; and Figure 10 shows a vertical section through the reinforcement loop 11, seen along the line A-A in Figure 9. Figure 1 shows schematically a vertical section through a concrete element 10, schematically shown as a rectangular beam, seen from above. As indicated, the beam is schematically reinforced by means of two reinforcement loops 11 having two spaced longitudinal sections and curved sections that join the longitudinal sections. A plurality of reinforcement loops 11 may be used, but from a clarity point of view, only two reinforcement loops 11 are shown in the Figure. It should be appreciated, however, that a large number of reinforcement loops 11 may be used, dependent upon the forces and loads which the concrete element from a design point of view must be dimensioned for. The reinforcement loops 12 may be arranged in any preferred plane, including the horizontal and the vertical plane. As indicated in Figure 1, the reinforcement loops 11 are arranged in the horizontal plane, one end of one loop overlapping the other, forming a closed cylindrical room 12 between themselves. The opposite end of each reinforcement loop 11 forms a closed semi-circle 14. When the concrete element is subjected to tensile loads, for example as indicated by the arrows in Figure 1, the two overlapping ends of the reinforcement loops 11, will together form the closed cylindrical room 12, exposing the concrete inside said room 12 for compression and hence, functioning as an end anchor causing a local pre-stressing compression. The ends of the loops 11 function thus as an end anchor for the reinforcement, while at the same time the straight parts of the loops 11 functioning as conventional reinforcement. It should be appreciated that the loops 11 according to the embodiment shown may for example be formed of a small number of single fibre filaments which may be interconnected by means of a matrix in order to form a fibre string, coated with a particle shaped material on the exterior of the string. The particle shaped material may for example be sand. The strings 11 may for example have a height of 1-5 cm, while the thickness may for example be 1-2 mm. The elongated loop 11 may be formed by repeatedly winding said fibre string in order to form the closed loops 11. The loops 11 may be configured in such way that their ends for example may have the form of semi-circles or semi-ovals.
(o Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of reinforcement according to the invention. Also this embodiment is shown in relation to a concrete slab 10, and like the embodiment shown in Figure 1, only one layer of reinforcement is shown. The embodiment comprises a plurality of closed loops 11 arranged in succession after each other, transversely arranged in relation to, and interconnected at least at their ends by means of elongated fibre strings 15, thus forming a reinforcement net or a reinforcement mat. Said elongated fibre strings 15 may either be in the form of straight strings, or in the form of loops positioned perpendicular with respect to the loops 11. Such net or mat may for example be used as reinforcement for concrete floor, concrete walls or the like. A reinforcement embodiment as shown in the Figures may for example be used as reinforcement for concrete columns. Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a reinforcement mat, where the loops 11 are in the form of transverse winds 16 and undulates in the concrete, and are interconnected by a plurality of elongated winds 17. The fibre strings forming the winds 16, 17 may for example have dimensions as specified above in respect to Figure 1. As indicated in Figure 3, two of the loops 16' may be laid so that their end is extending out of the concrete element 10. The loops 16' may for example be used for attaching the concrete element 10 to an adjacent concrete element (not shown). In such case, the loops may for example be placed in a corresponding recess in the adjacent concrete element, whereupon the two concrete elements may be inter-concreted in situ. It should be appreciated that the number of loops 16' which are 5 extending out the concrete element 10 may be one or several without deviating from the inventive concept. Figure 4 shows schematically a third embodiment of the invention, where the reinforcement loops 11-11" are placed concentric with respect to each other. The 10 reinforcement loop 11 has the longest length, the reinforcement loop 11' being somewhat shorter, while the reinforcement loop 11" has the shortest length. According to such embodiment, it is possible, by means of the loops 11-11", to place the major part of the reinforcement in 15 sections where the need of a reinforcement cross-section is largest. The concrete element shown in Figure 4 may for example be a beam supported at each end. According to this solution, the bending moments may be largest at the middle portion of the beam and consequently, this portion 20 requires the heaviest reinforcement. Such embodiment results in the most optimal use of the material volumes. Figure 5 and 6 show an example of the use of the reinforcement loops 11 according to the invention, used in relation to one possible embodiment, where each end of the 25 loops 11 are wound around a cylindrical tube 18. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, the concrete structure forms a part of a floating pier 20 of the type comprising several elements which are tied together, intended to form for example a long, modularized floating 30 pier or the like. Figure 5 shows a horizontal section through the floating element 20, while Figure 6 shows a part where only the cylindrical tubes 18 and the rein forcement loops are shown. According to this embodiment the cylindrical tubes 18 are formed of cylindrical steel 35 tubes, positioned at the corners of the floating body 20. - -I-t-- should---be-appreciated-- however, - -t-hat--the- -ey--inders 1-8also may be made of materials other than steel, such as other types of metal or plastic materials. As for the previously shown embodiments, the reinforcement loops 11 are wound around pairs of adjacent cylindrical tubes 18, 5 both in longitudinal direction and in transverse direction of the floating body 20. Figure 5 and 6 show only those loops 11 which are wound in the longitudinal direction of the floating body 20. In order to facilitate interconnection of two 10 adjacent floating bodies 20, or tying an element to a shore anchor point 22, each of the corners, in relation to the cylindrical bodies 18, is provided with recesses 21. Correspondingly, the cylindrical bodies 18 are provided with an opening and a flange 24 provided with a hole, 15 forming a supporting surface for a tie rod 23 or the like, for inter-connecting or tying together one floating body with another floating body or to the anchor point on shore. The tie rod 23 may be attached inside the cylindri cal body 18 by means of an anchor plate 25 so that the tie 20 rod may be tightened up. As shown in Figure 5, only one such tie rod 23 is shown. It should be appreciated, however, that that such tie rod 23 may be employed in respect to each of the cylindrical bodies 18 in order to fix the floating body to shore anchors 22 or for tying two 25 adjacent neighbouring floating bodies 20 together. The arrow P indicates the direction of the pulling force, acting on the floating body 20 at the corner. It should be appreciated that the attachment and the tie-in of the tie rod may be done in any way known to a 30 person skilled in the art. Figure 7 shows a vertical section through the floating body 20 shown in Figure 5, where the reinforce ment loops 11 and two cylindrical bodies 18 are shown. As shown, the reinforcement, together with the cylindrical 35 bodies, are arranged in the upper half of the buoyancy body.
Figure 8 and 9 shows schematically a possible way to fabricate the fibres forming part of the reinforcement and showing a way to fabricate the loops. In the first part of the production line, as illustrated in Figure 8, a larger 5 number of continuous single fibres or filaments 26 are drawn or pulled from a corresponding number of filament or fibre spools or reels Rl. The fibres 26 are firstly collected and fed down into a bath of a floating plastic materials or a matrix 27, in order to become impregnated. 10 The collected fibre bundle 29 may preferably be pulled by means of driven rolls, such as the ones identified by the reference numbers R2 and R3. The impregnated fibre bundle is the pulled over a roller R4, pulling the bundle out of the bath, possibly by pre-tensioning the bundle, which may 15 be obtained by a pulling means 28 comprising a pair of rollers. These rollers 28 may also function as a means for squeezing out the possible surplus of uncured plastic materials or matrix which the fibre bundle is impregnated with. From the rollers 28 the impregnated fibre bundle 29 20 is pull for example for winding around a drum shaped body as indicated in Figure 9. Figure 9 shows an impregnated, but not yet cured fibre bundle 29 which is wound around two elongated cylindrical drums 30. The drums 30 may be interconnected 25 by means of one or more arms 31 which at their middle point may be supported by a shaft 32 which is parallel with the axis of the drum. By rotating the interconnected drumns 30 around its axis 32, impregnated but yet not cured fibre bundles 29 ore wound onto each other, forming a loop 30 shaped reinforcement 11. Figure 10 shows a section through the fibre bundle 29, seen along the line A-A in Figure 9. The fibre bundle 29 is wound on the drum body 30,31,32, so that the fibre loop 11 is given a more or less circular cross section, as 35 shown in Figure 10. Alternatively, the fibre bundle 29 may ------ be. wound on-to -the dr-um--so -that- the c-ross--section.becomes more or less oval. When winding of a loop 11 is completed to the desired shape and dimension, the exterior of the loop may be coated with a particle shaped material, such as sand, and 5 thereupon the loop is cured in a suitable manner. It should be appreciated that the particle shaped material shall adhere only to the external surface of the bundle, so that the fibres inside the bundle 29 are not exposed to sharp particle surfaces. The purpose of the particle 10 shaped material coated on the exterior of the loops 11 is to secure proper bonding between the concrete and the fibre bundle when concreted. In case the reinforcement shall have a different shape, such as for example elongated loops which wind to 15 and fro, then the method for manufacturing the impregnated, but yet not cured fibre bundle 29 will correspond to the method described in respect to Figure 9. The fibre bundle 29 is then wound around a specifically developed template, giving the required reinforcement 20 shape, whereupon a particle shaped material is applied to the uncured surface of the fibre bundle 29 prior to curing in any suitable way. The fibre material used in the fibre bundle 29 may according to the present invention be formed for example 25 of a material with a very high melting point, for example exceeding 1000 'C, while the impregnating material or the matrix may for example be made of a plastic material, such as thermo plastics. Carbon or basalt may be a suitable material for the fibre filaments 26. 30 A substantial advantage of using fibre materials of this type is that a major part of the reinforcing effect will be maintained even if the concrete structure is exposed to very temperatures, for example caused by a fire. Even if the impregnating material/matrix is melted 35 or burned away, which may occur at a temperature around 200 "C, the continuous fibre bundle will still be positioned inside its "concrete corridor", more or less free of oxygen. Since oxygen is not present, materials such as carbon and basalt or similar type of materials, may withstand very high temperatures, such as 1000 'C or 5 more. If the reinforcement loop is made of a thick fibre bundle, wound few times around the loop, such a fibre bundle will be pulled out of its "corridor" after the fire. If the reinforcement loop according to the present 10 invention is made of thinner fibre bundles, wound around the loop a very large number of times, the loop will able to withstand substantial tension even when the impregnating material/matrix has evaporated away. Unless otherwise explicitly specified in the text, it 15 should be appreciated that the term loop also shall include winds or helixes, formed of the fibre strings or bundles according to the invention. Although cylindrical bodies are described above, it should be appreciated that the term "cylindrical bodies" 20 includes a body where the surfaces, around which the fibre reinforcement is wound, are curved. The part of the cylindrical body which is not intended to be in contact with the fibre reinforcement may have any suitable shape. It should further be appreciated' that the cylindrical body 25 either may be solid and compact or may be hollow without deviating from the inventive idea. Further, it should be appreciated that that the fibre loops may range from thick and long to short and thin. In combination or separate, the long and thick loops may take 30 the tensile forces, while use of a large number of short loops may prevent, or at least reduce, spalling of the concrete caused by quick increase in temperature in case of fires. This may be due to the fact that a single loop will function, even if the heat from the fire has 35 carbonized or evaporated away the matrix. -Further, its -should be appreciated -th-a-t- although theloops are oval, they may still have a more or less rounded shape. Small loops according to the invention are suitable for use in respect to gunite, and the loops may also 5 prevent formation of cracking and minute cracks in the concrete.