Shotcrete has been used in Brazil since the 1950s, mainly in minor works of slope stabilization and repairs in concrete structures. It was only in the 1960s that it started to be used in underground work. The Furnas Hydroelectric Project had some sections of its diversion tunnels, where the ground was a highly fractured and weathered quartzite, lined with steel bar reinforced shotcrete. The good perÂformance in Furnas led many other hydroelectric projects to adopt shotcrete lining in their tunnels, replacing previously specified cast concrete.
Shotcrete Applications at Northparkes E26 Mine
Shotcrete was used extensively during construction of Northparkes E26 Underground Mine, Australia’s first block cave mine. Applications for the shotcrete included ground support, ground control, construction, safety, protection of equipment and remedial repairs. This article details the various uses for the 16,700 m3 (22,000 yd3) of shotcrete applied at Northparkes, the experiences gained during conÂstruction, and discusses whether the design expectations have been achieved.