Interesting Facts About Shotcrete Equipment

By Cara Torres


Along with the progression of the world, the ways of the construction industry is fast evolving as well. People are finding new ways to simplify their work in building complex structures. One of the most useful invention that has made been recently is shotcrete equipment.

Shotcrete is mortar conveyed through a hose and projected into the surface, known as a construction technique. It can be impacted into any type of surface, be it vertical or overhead. It is used to be called as cement gun for the capability it possesses. It is vital on the work of miners and tunnel engineers because it can make the tunnel wall stronger.

For starters, if you think this has been recently discovered it is not. It is actually a century old technique that brought us back in early 1900s wherein it was accidentally discovered by a American taxidermist named Carl Akeley. History says he use a technique where a device blow a dry plaster out of a hose with a compressed to the skin of an animal that he wants to preserve.

Later in 1911, the technique was registered under his name and got the first official name of cement gun. However, it was in 1950s that it makes a breakthrough to the world when a Austrian tunnel engineer discovered it has the potential to effectively reinforce tunnel walls and avoid any cave ins. It was at that time that the technique receives worldwide recognition and application named as new Austrian tunneling method.

In modern times, it provides support for underground projects such as mines and tunnels and some any constructions as well. It is important for the ramps, shaft stations, and crusher chambers because it provides support and make their openings sturdy. Many people mistakenly call it gunite because they got used to the term.

This method is divided into two types which sometimes people interchange with each other. The first one is the dry mix that involves any dry material in a hopper. Sometimes it is dampen by some small liquid to avoid any dusty particles. The rotating barrel is where the material is transferred and sprayed to any surface wall by using a delivery hose.

Furthermore, wet mix type involves premixing the materials with water. It is then delivered on a concrete pump to be sprayed on any surface with an aid of a compressed air passing through a nozzle. This is perfect for mining projects that require making deep shafts and long tunnels.

As we are facing an era of technological wonder this method has a truly advanced counterpart named as Robotic Shotcreting Machine. It has the capability of spreading the compact and mixture at the same time. The best part of it is that it does not require a skilled operator because it so easy to handle.

This technology is just one of the many engineering marvels in our generation. It has some humble beginnings in the hands of a taxidermist and now shotcrete equipment is saving lives and creating beautiful structures. The future of its advancement is full of endless possibilities.




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