Shotcrete has recently been gaining in popularity, but If you do not work in the construction industry then you may not have heard of it, even though you’ve probably benefited from it.
So, what exactly is shotcrete? The name is surprisingly apt. It is simply concrete or mortar that is sprayed from a nozzle at high speed using compressed air.
Types of shotcrete
Sometimes all the ingredients of the concrete, including water, are mixed before they are pumped through the hose and sprayed. This is described as “wet mix,” meanwhile “dry mix” means that the water is added to the dry concrete ingredients at the nozzle. The two processes result in the sprayed concrete having slightly different qualities and textures.
Benefits of shotcrete
Now that we have cleared up what shotcreting is, you might wonder how the result is different from traditional concrete application methods. Shotcreting offers several advantages over other methods, including:
- Speed: Shotcrete can create a thick, strong and level layer of concrete far quicker than conventional methods, such as pour-and-fill.
- Eco-friendliness: Traditional concrete requires forms, which are moulds made from wood, steel, or plastics, to help make the concrete dense enough and ensure that it dries in the right shape. Not only do these take time to construct, but they use up resources, whereas shotcrete can work well even when no form is used at all.
- Strength: The shotcreting process results in durable concrete that bonds strongly onto the surface, has a high tensile strength, low permeability, and which is fire retardant.
- Control: Shotcreting can be used for complex shapes and hard-to-reach places. Textures and finishes can be easily applied, and the dry process allows a lot of control over the amount of water in the mix.
These qualities have made shotcreting a popular choice for many types of large project, including bridges, dams, sewers, tunnels, landscaping, tanks, and domes.
Shotcreting generally saves money because it has fewer associated labour and equipment costs, although it does have some drawbacks. Some people feel that it does not look as nice as some other options, and a lot of concrete can go to waste using it.
Finding and hiring a shotcrete contractor
If shotcrete sounds like it would work well for your project, the next step is to find a firm that offers it. Here are some helpful tips you can use wherever you are, whether you’re looking for shotcreting contractors in Brisbane or Bangkok.
- Reputation and expertise: Once you have found out which firms offer shotcreting in your area, narrow them down by their reputation and expertise. You can get an idea of this by looking at testimonials, their track record of projects, and their presence in your community. For example, do you often see their signs or staff around working on construction projects near you? You can also check which contractors are members of relevant industry associations.
- Online reviews: These are often easy to find and can provide more detail about how well a contractor keeps to their timeline and price estimate, as well as the quality of their work and communication. Personal recommendations are a great way to find these things out, too.
- Meet them: Schedule a consultation, ideally in person, to discuss your project. You will want to get a feel for how well the contractor answers your questions and attempts to understand and address your specific needs.
In conclusion, shotcreting is a useful technology with several advantages over traditional concrete application that can help you to optimise your construction project. Many firms in the building and construction industry now offer shotcreting, but finding the best one for you will require some research on your part. For the best results, make an assessment of their reputation and expertise, seek out reviews and recommendations, and consult with contractors in person before you make your decision.
