Sodium silicate has long history of use in construction and geotechnical applications due to its versatility and reliable performance. In shotcrete placement, sodium silicate solutions were widely used as…
Automated Shotcrete Application in Tunnelling
The tunnelling industry has again been working toward the automation of shotcrete application for some years now, after research and development stalled around 2005. Robots had been developed with the capability of…
Buddha Statue
… then I got a call from a local Buddhist monastery: They asked if our company would build them a 110 ft (34 m) tall concrete statue of the Buddha. It would be the tallest statue of Buddha in the Western Hemisphere. How could I say no? I forgot all about retirement…
Fire-Spalling Resistant Dry-Mix Shotcrete: For the Rehabilitation of the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine Tunnel
Since 1967, the bridge-tunnel Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine has been one of the most critical transportation arteries for one of Canada’s busiest cities. Located in Montreal, Quebec, this unique structure combines…
Shotcrete Placement in a Constrained Corridor: Execution Strategies from the I-17 Flex Lanes Project
On large infrastructure projects, shotcrete placement is rarely defined by design drawings alone. Instead, production is dictated by access, logistics, terrain, and the ability of field crews to adapt in real time….
The Art of Coastal Resilience: Shotcrete REstoration at the Geraldine R. Dodge Estate
This article details the technical restoration of a historic seawall in Rockport, Maine, designed to withstand intense Atlantic wave action. The project showcases how modern engineering can preserve coastal history while enhancing structural integrity.
2025 Carl E. Akeley Award: “Shotcrete as Final Liner – Design Considerations”
The 20th annual Carl E. Akeley Award was presented to Andy Thompson for his article, “Shotcrete as Final Liner — Design Considerations,” which was published in Shotcrete magazine, Volume 27, Number 3, 3rd Quarter 2025. The article discusses how shotcrete (often called sprayed concrete) is increasingly used worldwide as…
North America’s Tallest Façade Retention System – 2025 Honorable Mention Project
In the heart of downtown Toronto, ON, Canada, a full city block at 481 University Avenue and 210 Dundas Street West has become the site of one of the most complex heritage preservation efforts ever attempted in North America. The development of the United Bldg., a 50-story mixed-use tower, required the complete in-place retention of the façades of two historically significant heritage sites…
Humber College Station Shotcrete Construction: Design, Sustainability, and Execution – 2025 Outstanding Infrastructure Project
Humber College Station is located at the west end of the 6.4 mi (10.3 km) Finch West LRT, which includes 16 stops and two below-grade terminal stations. The Humber College Station is constructed below grade, however open to daylight, which presented unique logistical, structural, and architectural challenges…
Winter 2025 Follow up on Early Strength Testing
In my last column, I discussed the need for early strength testing in underground shotcrete…