Introduction
Concrete construction is a method of building with concrete. It is also used for road beds, foundations, and other structural uses. In the United States, the most common form of concrete construction is shotcrete. Shotcrete is typically used to reinforce existing structures or to create new ones on a temporary basis, such as scaffolding or tunnel linings.
A Brief History of Shotcrete
Shotcrete was invented by a Swedish engineer, Nils Gustaf Dalen, who patented it in 1916. He used shotcrete to build tunnels for road construction and other projects. The first time that shotcrete was used to build something large was when the Hoover Dam was built between 1931 and 1936. It wasn’t until the 1950s that construction companies began using it more widely for constructions like dams, bridges, tunnels, and buildings.
Shotcrete is still widely used today because of its durability and strength when compared to traditional methods such as bricklaying or concrete pouring
What Exactly is Shotcrete?
Shotcrete is a type of concrete construction method. Shotcrete is applied pneumatically through high-pressure hoses, which allows for placement across large areas with minimal equipment and labor costs.
Shotcrete is used in mining, tunnels, and architectural projects because it provides a durable waterproof construction alternative to other types of concrete mixtures. The concrete mixture differs from a shotcrete mixture than it does with other concrete mixtures because it has additional additives that keep the product from becoming too hard while allowing it to be placed at pressures up to 2000 psi (pounds per square inch). This allows the material to bond together well on vertical surfaces or when applied against difficult angles such as those found on a dome surface.
Shotcrete can be applied from a design or an existing surface.
There are several ways that shotcrete can be applied, depending on your needs. Shotcrete can be applied from a design or an existing surface, as well as top-down or bottom-up. It can also be applied from inside out and outside in.
Top Down Shotcrete Application: In the top-down method, shotcrete is sprayed onto a surface that has been prepped with wire mesh, rebar cages, and other reinforcement materials. This method is used to create walls at heights greater than 30 feet off the ground because it allows for easier access to the site by workers and equipment during construction. When using this process, ensure that all areas are properly supported with steel before applying any concrete mixture
Superior Gunite Construction Company
Shotcrete is an excellent solution for many types of construction projects. Superior Gunite, which has been established in 1956, has been a leading force in shotcrete method construction from the East to the West Coast of the United States. Contact us and we’ll take care of all your cement, concrete, and shotcrete construction. You can contact us via our Contact Us page or call our offices in Los Angeles and Seattle, Washington.