2022 ASA Shotcrete Convention and Technology Conference

Adventure Heights – All Abilities Park

Robert Cavaliero, Eden Innovations LLC

Summit GeoStructures constructed a massive water feature for the new Adventure Heights All-Abilities Park in Spanish Fork, UT.  Designed by In Site Design, with input from several local families with kids with special needs, the goal of this park is to have something for everyone, regardless of their abilities.

Known for their ability to replicate natural settings using shotcrete, Summit GeoStructures was asked to design-build an incredible mountain with beautiful waterfalls, an accessible river, waterfall pond, splash pad and faux rock tunnel, grotto, seating areas and planters.  Except for the footings and the suspended slabs, the entire structure was built using shotcrete and single-sided formwork techniques.  The use of shotcrete construction with single sided formwork allowed Summit to accelerate installation to meet the very tight construction schedule on this project.

Summit GeoStructures uses new innovations to provide quality products for their customers.  For Adventure Heights, EdenCrete’s nanotechnology was combined with Xypex to improve the fresh properties, density, strength, and permeability/waterproofing, and durability of all the shotcrete and concrete on this project.  This will allow for many years of activity before maintenance is required for the mountain and water feature, helping to save money throughout the life of the park.

The finished project pictures are incredible and show children of all ages playing together, regardless of their ability, in this massive shotcrete structure.

Carbon Nanotube Admixture – Improvements to Shotcrete

Robert Cavaliero, Eden Innovations LLC

The use of nanotechnology in cement based materials is growing rapidly.  The shotcrete industry stands to benefit from the use of carbon nanotube (CNT) technology because of improvements provided to the fresh and hardened properties of the mix. CNTs improve shotcrete by enhancing the paste rheology and increasing creaminess, reducing waste and dust from rebound, improving adhesion to help stack and carve, and improving air quality for surrounding trades. Shotcrete with CNTs moves through the pump and hose to eliminate obstructions/segregation and to reduce wear and tear on the pump. This combination of benefits improves the application of shotcrete for the contractor.  In hardened shotcrete, the permeability is reduced while strength and durability are increased against abrasion, cracking, etc, providing a better product for the customer regardless of application.

The presentation will provide a brief background on the science behind CNT admixture technology, before exploring a variety of shotcrete projects and contractors who employ nanotechnology to improve their business, and ultimately provide a better finished product for the customer.

The Critical Visual Indicators to Quality Shotcrete Placement that Workers and Inspectors Should Immediately Recognize (But Often Miss)

Oscar Duckworth

Are you ABSOLUTELY SURE that you are properly placing Shotcrete? Does using well chosen materials and strict adherence to the specifications assure quality work? With Shotcrete, numerous steps that are unique to the process are required to achieve acceptable compaction and consolidation. Within these steps, critical visual indicators provide those who know what to look for valuable evidence that these steps are being properly implemented. Shotcrete workers and Inspectors ability to recognize these critical visual indicators is an essential, but often overlooked element to quality placement.

“What? Me Worry?” Things I Wish I Knew Years Ago

Oscar Duckworth

I’m lucky to have survived my first year in the Shotcrete business…What initially appeared as how working with Shotcrete could be the financial opportunity of a lifetime was quickly replaced by how to become an unpaid expert on surviving every imaginable problem that could ever occur with the

process. For me, two specific events became the “breakthrough moments” in my career. Join a lively conversation with several Shotcrete Industry leaders as we share pivotal (and some embarrassing) events that helped each of us move from misery to mastery of this complicated, but fascinating craft.

Use of Steel Fiber Reinforced Sprayed Concrete in the Final Lining of Conventionally Excavated Tunnels

William Geers, Bekaert Corporation

Traditionally, conventionally excavated tunnels consist of a “double shell” type lining.  The initial shell is a FRSC (fiber reinforced sprayed concrete) “temporary” lining that stabilizes the opening after excavation and contain short to medium-term loads. Following installation of a water proofing membrane a traditionally reinforced final cast in-place concrete lining is installed to contain long-term loads and provide durability. This presentation introduces an alternative SFRPSCL (Steel Fiber Reinforced Permanent Spray Concrete Lining) system that is a “single shell” of sprayed concrete.

Automation of Shotcrete Placement

Julien Schaeffer, Université Laval

Marc Jolin, Université Laval

The work conducted over the last 2 years using our recently acquired robotic arm will be presented along with example of practical applications and insights on how automation could improved shotcrete quality.

Understanding Rebound and Placement

Sophie-Isabelle Dionne-Jacques, Université Laval

Marc Jolin, Université Laval

The work of many graduate students has led to what is believed to be a clear understanding of rebound mechanisms. This presentation will focus on the placement phase of shotcrete (wet and dry) and highlight the most important factors affecting rebound and placement quality.  In parallel, a critical analysis will be made of the equipment (mainly nozzle) and their effect on rebound.

ASA’s Introduction to Shotcrete

Charles Hanskat, P.E. (FL), F.ACI, F.ASCE, ASA Executive Director

ASA has been providing a free 1-hour “Introduction to Shotcrete” seminar to engineers, architects, DOTs, government agencies and other specifiers upon request for over a decade. Over that time the in-person seminar has reached many hundreds of specifiers in North America and through webinars around the world. Though originally developed by the ASA Education and Marketing Committees the presentation has been significantly updated over time. A few years ago, we added a benefit to ASA corporate members allowing them to once a year offer the seminar to a firm, agency or specifying group in their area.  Sustaining Corporate members can request 2 seminars a year. The “introduction to Shotcrete” seminar topics includes:

1. Advantages and benefits using the shotcrete process in a wide variety of applications
2. Dry-mix and wet-mix processes
3. Specifications, material considerations, placement techniques, and performance guidelines
4. Structural considerations for shotcrete placement
5. Pre-construction, jobsite conditions, curing methods

This is an opportunity to see first-hand what the seminar includes, and how it is presented to specifiers. We also hope it’s an opportunity for you to provide feedback on areas that could be added or improved.

The Process of Double Nozzleing

Derek Pay, Oceanside Construction

Double nozzling is an option that can greatly improve your production and flexibility. This seminar will look at what is involved and when it would be most beneficial, the how, why, when, and safety measures involved.   This will be a practical approach to the system, from both the business and operator perspective.

The Art of Rocks

Dan Pitts, OceanRock Art ltd

Ryan Oakes, Revolution Gunite

The Art of Rocks seminar looks into the process covering:

• Differences & advantages between sculpting Dry & Wet process shotcrete,
• difference between production carving (soil nail walls) and ultra realistic sculpting
• sculpting shotcrete and texturing for color

Shotcrete Art – Concrete Considerations

Dan Pitts, OceanRock Art ltd

Ryan Oakes, Revolution Gunite

Shotcrete Art – Concrete Considerations (Pools, Spas and Water Features) Practically, rock carving is an artform that doesn’t take place just after concrete is placed. This seminar will look at the factors which leads into and contributes towards the final masterpiece, covering topics such as:

• nozzleman position and shooting angles
• tools and techniques for different mix designs and final outcome
• Daily Things to do before shooting

Shotcrete Challenges in 2022 – a panel discussion

Bill Drakeley (Drakeley Pools)

Frank Townsend (Patriot Shotcrete)

Marcus von der Hofen (Coastal Gunite Construction Co)

Moderated by Charles Hanskat (ASA)

The last two years has seen the pool market explode, widespread shortages in labor and materials supply, and COVID related restrictions rifle through your projects. Come hear some seasoned leaders in the shotcrete industry discuss the challenges they face and how they navigated through these “unprecedented times.”  If you have an area of concern you’d like to see addressed, email them to [email protected] and we’ll try to fit it into the agenda.