INNOVATING WITH SHOTCRETE

It is pointed out that properly designed and conscientiously constructed, shotcrete can add to the versatility of concrete. Four projects are described here that illustrate not only how shotcrete gets the job done, but that its economy gives a bid that can get the job in the first place. Three of the projects were originally designed for cast-in-place concrete, but shotcrete leveraged economy and schedule by reducing formowrk costs and by incorporating the shotcrete forms into the structures. The fourth project was a seismic upgrade involving difficult shooting conditions: heavy and congested reinforcing steel and extremely tight shrinkage tolerances. The latter involved adding major new shear-resisting elements in an existing concrete framed building. The details of the projects are briefly described. It is pointed out that the experience of qualified personnel is very important for the success of such structural projects.