Shotcrete Technology

Seminar Reports
Presentation
Shortcreting has proved to be the best method for
construction of curved surfaces. Domes are now much easier
to construct with the advent of shotcrete technology. Tunnel
linings are also becoming easy with this technology. Not only
are these but there a wide range of applications where this
technology has been a leading one. This technical paper
includes the concept of shotcrete and how it differs from
conventional concrete. It also enumerates the different types
of process involved in shotcreting i.e. dry mix process and
wet mix process. Advantages of shotcrete and its
applications in various fields like tunneling, canals, buildings
etc. are specified in detail. This paper presents an overview
of shotcreting technology along with its applications.

DEFINITION OF SHOTCRETE:Shotcrete is a mortar or high performance concrete

conveyed through a hose and pneumatically projected at
high velocity onto a backing surface. It is the force of this
spraying action that leads to compaction of the concrete or
mortar which then forms layers of concrete to the required
thickness. Shotcreting has been an acceptable way of
placing cementitious material in a variety of applications.
Usually patented polypropylene fibers are included in the
shotcrete which increases the cohesive nature of the
shotcrete through mechanically binding the cementitious
materials together. This mechanism reduces the rebound
waste that occurs through the shotcreting process and these
fibers also resist plastic shrinkage and cracking through their
ability to enhance the early stage tensile strength of
concrete.

Shotcrete also gives better surface finishes and reduces

surface tearing on non- linear sections. Cementitious
material containing the poly propylene fibers resist cycles of
freezing and thawing and also reduces the chances of water
and chemical penetrations.