Reinforcement of support elements.

摘要

A method of reinforcing a support element (1,101) such as a wooden pole carrying overhead power lines, in which a resin impregnated fabric (3,103) is provided around the support element in the region to be reinforced and cured. In one embodiment, the fabric comprises a glass-fibre cloth (3) which is wrapped around the support element and a resin impervious sheath (5) is positioned surrounding the fabric. Resin is introduced into the sheath which is sealed at the bottom thereof and cured. In an alternative embodiment, the fabric (103) is pre-impregnated with a curable resin system, and the fabric is adapted to be electrically conductive and passing an electrical current through the fabric effects cure of the resin.