This week, we’re back with the second part of our history lesson. Read on to learn more about the history of shotcrete and gunite since the 1950s. We provide a variety of shotcrete and gunite services for our clients in Colorado and surrounding states from our home base near Denver in Littleton, Colorado. Some of the more interesting developments in shotcrete and gunite services have come in the last several decades, and we’re always looking forward to the next advancements to bring to our customers. Here’s how commercial shotcrete and industrial gunite developed since the 1940s!
- An early version of wet mix concrete had been created previously, but didn’t receive acceptance or wide use until the 1950s.
- The term “shotcrete” became the generic and acceptable industry term for wet and dry application methods in 1951.
- Shotcrete and gunite start getting applied to tunnel projects as well as personal swimming pools in the 1960s. Now, gunite pools are a common installation method.
- Also in the 1960s, remote-controlled application processes were introduced.
- In 1971, steel fiber methods were introduced, allowing shotcrete contractors to create more versatile mixtures. By 1977, Norway started using such fibers on a large scale.
Since the 1970s, advancements have continued. Steel fiber is still used to strengthen shotcrete and has even recently been used to design blast-resistant shotcrete. Thanks to the efforts of Engineering Research Centers, which are always moving the industry forward, including specifically in the field of geotechnical research, we can look forward to even more advancements which will make shotcrete and gunite safer, easier to install, and better for customers. To see how we can put the industry’s best methods to work for you, contact Thorcon today!