Structural Strengthening to the Church of the Ascension at St Andrew’s Village

Founded in 1952, the Church of the Ascension has had its home in Woodsville for the last 50 years. In 2001, a historic decision was made to transform all 1.88 hectares of land into the $80-million St Andrew’s Village, incorporating the Diocesan Centre, St. Andrew’s Junior School, St. Andrew’s Sec School and Junior College, Ascension Kindergarten, St. Andrew’s Boarding House and three church congregations – Church of the Ascension, Chapel of the Holy Spirit, and Chapel of the Resurrection. The 2-storey Church of Ascension was given conservation status on December 1, 2003.

The TYFO^® Fibrwrap^® Composite Systems were chosen over other traditional strengthening methods because the architectural finish and size of columns and beams remained unaffected by the renovation works. The system used technology derived from the aerospace industry, i.e. carbon/ glass/ aramid fibres and epoxy composites whose tensile strength is higher than steel. Wrapping structural members with these high strength composites enhanced the load carrying capacities and greatly increased the strength and ductility of the wrapped members. The slabs, beams and columns of the Church were strengthened for increased flexural, shear and axial capacities using the TYFO^® Fibrwrap^® Composite Systems.