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Marvelous Technological Wonder Of Shotcrete Equipment To Construction

By Cara Torres


Technology is making some breakthroughs in the construction industry. We are making more complex structures and it is taking lesser time to complete them with the many techniques employed. One of those known methods that has contributed marvelous things to the world of construction is the 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.

Surprisingly, this is a century old method that was first used by a taxidermist from America. Carl Akeley invented a device he used to spray dry plaster on a dead carcass on animal to preserve it. He discovers it because he was dissatisfied with the unrealistic forms over which animal hides was preserved.

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.

Recently, it is used commonly for providing underground support in projects or industries such as mining and tunnel excavation and construction. It has also become a widely used application in the mining industry in providing underground support to permanent opening such as ramps, shaft stations, and crusher chambers. People mistakenly call this method as gunite which actually refers to the dry process.

The technique is divided into two that is the wet and dry mixes. The dry mix method involves placing the dry ingredients into a hopper and then conveying them through a hose to the nozzle. The liquid and the dry mixture is not mixed completely, but is completed as the mixture hits the surface. Advantage of the dry mix process is that the water content can be adjusted instantly allowing more effective placement without using any accelerators.

Whereas, the wet mix is thoroughly mixed with liquid. It is then placed on a concrete pump to be sprayed using a nozzle with an aid of a compressed air. This is better suited for high productions of mining and civil engineering project where deep shaft and long tunnel is being driven and where delivery trucks have ample space to operate.

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.

Such an incredible work of marvel started out from the palm of a taxidermist and now it is vital on all constructions. Shotcrete equipment has indeed come a long way and it has no plans in slowing down. The future of this technology is full of promise.




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