Project Name:
Deep Cove Foreshore Development
Location:
British Columbia, Canada
Shotcrete Contractor:
Oceanrock Art Ltd.
Architect/Engineer:
Kontur Geotechnical
Material Supplier/Manufacturer:
Remple Bros Ready Mix
Equipment Manufacturer:
Putzmeister
General Contractor:
Capilano Builders
Project Owner:
Andre & Trudel Kroecher
Project Name:
Bridle Ridge Subdivision
Location:
British Columbia, Canada
Shotcrete Contractor:
Vancouver Shotcrete and Shoring Inc.
Architect/Engineer:
GeoPacific Consultants
Material Supplier/Manufacturer:
Graeystone Ready Mix Inc
Equipment Manufacturer:
REED Concrete Pumps
General Contractor:
Morningstar Homes, LTD
Project Owner:
Morning Star Homes, LTD
Since the shotcrete process originated well over 100 years ago, improvements in materials, equipment, and placement techniques have enabled it to become a well-proven method for structural concrete placement. The efficiency and flexibility of shotcrete have been used to great advantage in sizable structural projects, as the high-velocity impact inherent in the process provides the compaction needed to turn low-slump concrete into freestanding vertical and overhead placements with minimal formwork.
In our lives, we seldomly look back and say, “that was a very cool project.” This is one of those projects because aof the challenges we faced from the start. Poor access, intricate finish, difficulty in formwork, concrete chemistry, and protection of the existing exterior façade were all challenges of the Uber Mission Towers Project.
For the Ayla Golf Academy and Clubhouse in Aqaba, Jordan, Oppenheim Architecture took inspiration from the surrounding landscape and Bedouin tradition to deliver a distinctive building that evokes the aelemental beauty of the desert and mountains. The design amakes innovative use of shotcrete to create a continuous
It was early November and I was on top of a mountain, at the halfway point of a project that would take 18 months to complete. This is the moment I got a call to help build a swamp, indoors, for a movie set on the coast. We get all sorts of odd requests, but this was a different kind of strange. Without further ado, I said, “Sure, sounds great, when do you need it?” The studio replied, “By Thanksgiving,” as filming was starting the following week. This sort of answer required a little more digging
A 26 m (85 ft) long, highly unusual concrete portico over the entrance of a government building (The Pretoria Canopy), located in Silverton, Pretoria, South Africa, transforms a fairly ordinary
Unfortunately, I’m not aware of any specific references to guide you in stamping or carving of fresh shotcrete for vertical surfaces. In many ways carving and stamping is a technique that requires more of an artistic flare that a finisher develops by hands-on experience. One key aspect is to minimize the working of the surface as much as possible to prevent tearing or delaminating the shotcrete surface layers. Carving or stamping when the concrete has reached an appropriate level of set (not too hard or soft) must also be judged by the experienced shotcrete finisher.
Shotcrete placement for a concrete wall gives the owner the advantages of concrete durability and the appearance of rock. Shotcrete has been used extensively for creating false rock faces for zoos, water parks, highways, and retaining walls. However, because shotcrete placement and carving to look like natural rock requires quite a bit of labor, the costs to do so may be more extensive than simply placing boulders.
From what you have described, the original work may have been done by the shotcrete process or hand-applied. Typically in the shotcrete process, over a large area at the thickness of 5 in. (127 mm), you would expect to see reinforcing mesh or reinforcing bars.
The material can be patched. If the areas are small, it may be prudent to hand patch. Shotcrete is most effective in larger applications. It is important to select a good repair mortar or mixture design.
ASA does not have a recommended finish. Generally in this type of application, the goal would be to match the existing surfaces as close as reasonably possible.
Many patches are done on bridges and other structures without regard to water penetration.
We do not have certified contractors; however, many of our corporate contractor members have ACI Certified Nozzlemen on their teams and the Buyers Guide on the ASA website can be searched by location and specialty. Also on our website, we have a position paper on “Shotcrete Contractor and Crew Qualifications” with a handy checklist summary that would be useful in qualifying potential contractors for your project.