Using Shotcrete for Steep Slope Stabilization

A report from the National Cooperative Highway Research Program classifies about 75 percent of U.S. roads as “low-volume” roads created and maintained by local rather than state or federal agencies. Unfortunately, these agencies often omit an important engineering step when they build these roads, reasoning that it’s unnecessary because the roads experience minimal traffic. This step is called surface slope protection, and it’s important to the integrity of road stability.

What Is Steep Slope Stabilization?

Steep slope stabilization is the practice of shoring up and reinforcing infrastructure to minimize the risk of road collapse. On both paved and unpaved roads that lack surface slope protection, gravity, temperature fluctuations and precipitation change a road’s slope over time. Steep slopes that aren’t adequately stabilized are at risk of collapsing and causing dangerous mudslides and rock slides that threaten motorists, render roads impassable, and result in the need for expensive and complex repairs.

What Is Shotcrete/Gunite?

Shotcrete, also known as gunite, is concrete that is sprayed in wet form through a hose onto a surface at a very high velocity. The material conforms to the profile of whatever it’s being sprayed onto (dirt, rocks, wood, etc.) When it dries, it leaves behind a strong, hard, impenetrable surface. Shotcrete/gunite adheres to any surface, dries quickly and can be used in the absence of forms. When hardened, shotcrete exhibits similar properties to conventional cast-in-place concrete. In fact in some cases, including susceptibility to cold-joint issues, shotcrete delivers an end result that is far superior to cast-in-place applications.

How Shotcrete Is Used in Infrastructure

Shotcrete is an invaluable tool for stabilizing infrastructure, including roads and tunnels. It’s as hard as cast-in-place concrete but is far more versatile. It’s the ideal solution for repairing and retrofitting infrastructure in challenging environments in which cast-in-place methods aren’t feasible. Stabilizing precariously steep road slopes is one prime example. Other uses of shotcrete besides stabilizing roadways when it comes to addressing infrastructure challenges include shoring up deteriorating piers, berth faces, dams, bridges and hydraulic structures in marine applications.

Modern shotcrete technology gives local agencies with limited budgets a cost-effective, durable option for building new and stabilizing existing infrastructure.

Sources:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/research/partnership/nchrp/

https://www.blm.gov/bmp/low%20volume%20engineering/M_Ch11_Slope_Stabilization.pdf

http://thorconshotcrete.com/uncategorized/slope-stabilization-vital-to-roads-and-american-infrastructure/

https://www.shotcrete.org/pages/why-shotcrete/ground-support.htm

http://shotcrete.org/media/Archive/2006Win_Morgan.pdf

Thorcon Supports the American Concrete Institute (ACI) – Shotcrete Nozzleman Certification Programs

Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring takes pride in doing high quality work on the wide variety of projects we are awarded. In addition, Thorcon also specializes in high-end projects for its clientele throughout the Southwest, and Rocky Mountain Regions of the United States. Performing high quality work is important to us, so Thorcon encourages our team members to grow their skills in many different ways.

One example of skills development that Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring supports, is for our nozzlemen to become certified by the American Concrete Institute www.concrete.org. ACI Shotcrete

Certification Programs include: Shotcrete Nozzleman (Dry-Mix Process), Shotcrete Nozzleman-in-Training (Dry-Mix Process), Shotcrete Nozzleman (Wet-Mix Process), and the Shotcrete Nozzleman-in-Training (Wet-Mix Process). These certifications enable our crew members to create the beautiful sculpted shotcrete structures Thorcon is well known for.

The Price of Shotcrete Equipment in Colorado

Are you a person that likes to tinker with different mechanical things, build or construct things, or work on cars, trucks, or motorcycles? Or are you someone that enjoys baking, or preparing great cuisine in the kitchen? Either way, if you enjoy any of the above – you can certainly appreciate having the right tools to do the job.

With busy project schedules – Colorado shotcrete contractors especially appreciate having great tools and equipment to operate efficiently. Recently, Thorcon’s shotcrete operator’s/crew members became the recipients of a Ford F-550 Crew Cab flatbed truck, coupled with a 32-foot flatbed trailer. The torque rating on the F-550 is substantial, and is anticipated to assist our shotcrete and shoring crews transport the wide array of shotcrete equipment and tools they require to complete projects much more efficiently.

Whether you enjoy using a restaurant grade mixer for cooking and baking, or if your garage is outfitted with the tools required to rebuild a high performance engine – the right tools and equipment matter. We like these new additions to our family, and are looking forward to utilizing both the truck and trailer to their full potential.

At Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring, headquartered in colorful Colorado; providing our employees with the tools and equipment they need to get the job done is a business challenge we welcome.

The Unseen Cost Savings of Shotcrete in The Colorado High Country

Do you enjoy motoring in the Colorado Rockies?

If so, shotcrete is saving you money each time you make a trip up to the mountains in colorful Colorado.

How, you ask?

By keeping small rocks, and boulders that can damage vehicles off of the roads and expressways that traverse the mountainous regions of Colorado. Back in 2005 a friend was driving his car up to Winter Park/Mary Jane here in Colorado to enjoy a day in the mountains skiing, unfortunately, his friends and himself arrived late that day.

While ascending a snowy Berthoud pass he ran over what he thought was a chunk of ice or hard-packed snow on the pass. My friend was wrong. What he hit was a large rock that had been dislodged from the side of the mountain and fallen onto the pass. I don’t recall the specifics, however, I know a tire was blown, and an alloy wheel was damaged beyond repair. I believe the replacement cost was in excess of $1,000. A portion of the undercarriage on the car may have been damaged as well. This cost was in addition to the time spent swapping out the damaged wheel for the spare tire in a bitter cold snow storm, and missed time on the mountain.

Perhaps you are not a skier, but if you drive in the Colorado Rockies to take in any of the four seasons we have in Colorado (arguably two seasons to some people) – shotcrete is saving you

money. When my friend ran over that rock, many of the improvements on Berthoud pass had not yet been completed. Since this incident, retaining walls with shotcrete reinforcement have been constructed, as well as shotcrete slope protection that has also been added along sections of Berthoud pass. All to make the pass safer for motorists. During your next journey up the I-70 corridor into the mountains, or down highway 285 to the South Park area, (to name two popular routes) make a note of the different places where shotcrete has been utilized to enhance erosion control measures – helping keep debris off of Colorado’s well-traveled mountain roads.

You will notice shotcrete is ubiquitous in Colorado.

Western U.S. Shotcrete Contractors & Exceptional Customer Service – What Does It Mean to You?

“If You Don’t Have Time to Do It Right, When Will You Have Time to Do It Over?” – John Wooden

By now everyone has heard of the cable provider well known for providing horrific customer service – but who represents the opposite of this? We typically hear about the bad players, but what about companies that go above and beyond to provide exceptional customer service? Does Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring meet your expectations as a reputable Colorado shotcrete contractor?

Recently I read a short article that described how great companies provide excellent customer service to their clients. This comes as no surprise, however, there is a trend we are seeing more and more that does not coincide well with providing exceptional customer service in some businesses.

A name for this trend could be: “The No Revolution”. Books like The One Minute Manager, and a plethora of YouTube videos advocate using “No” as a way to increase your efficiency, and get more done in our ever-so hectic lives. I have not read the One Minute Manager, but this appears to be the premise. We are in times when hard-working families are doing what they can just to get by in an economy that is not currently bustling, so naturally by saying “No” to new tasks provides a great solution, right? I disagree. My question is where does this end? And no, I am not referring to the news of the Yellowstone volcanic super eruption in Wyoming as “the end”.

In 2016 with a leaner economy, and tighter budgets all-around, doing “a little extra” is not advocated like it used to be. Still, we strive to ensure my customers are pleased with the quality and service they receive. As “The No Revolution” continues, a recent article by a successful CEO discussed the benefits of saying “Yes” to solving problems – and turning these opportunities into learning situations to grow your skills. Is there a happy medium in all of this? Certainly!

Overall, if we at Thorcon do not get it right initially – please do not hesitate to let us know. As noted previously, numerous shotcrete contractors exist, so your satisfaction as our client is a top priority.

Shotcrete Employee Safety – Are You Drinking Today?

I am. H 2 O and O.J.

For Thorcon employees spending these hot and dry Colorado Summer days doing shotcrete and shoring contracting, or exercising outdoors – it’s very hot out there this Summer. We are not out to boss you around about hydration – simply putting a friendly reminder out there to help you feel better at the end of these long, and very hot Summer days. Hopefully you like drinking liquids which aid in electrolyte replacement. This is important – so that serious issues like heat stress can be avoided.

If you have ever had a job where you have spent all day working outside during the Summer months – like our nozzlemen do, you know how exhausted you are by the end of the day. However, staying properly hydrated can help you feel better, while also aid in avoiding health issues like headaches, and dehydration. Personally, I drink water out of an insulated stainless steel flask. This works well because it keeps the ice water cold, and the large opening with screw-on lid enables me to drink much more water than when I drink water out of a typical water bottle with a small screw-on cap.

We at Thorcon are geo-technical experts, not medical doctors. If you have any questions about hydration or heat stress as it relates to your health – please follow-up with your physician, or a trained Health and Safety expert.

Please stay safe and healthy out there this Summer!

#ColoradoShotcrete #ThorconShotcreteandShoring #ColoradoFrontRange

Colorado Shotcrete Staining – A Natural Environment Perfect for This Innovative Technique

Colored and patterned concrete have been used to enhance driveways, sidewalks, and patios for several years now.  However, colored and patterned concrete do not lend themselves well to being utilized on walls like shotcrete does.

If you live in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, or Utah, or have visited any of these states, you are familiar with the beauty of their natural environments.  The earthy natural environments in these states make great places for the use of stained shotcrete decorative walls, and stained shotcrete retaining walls, for businesses and homeowners alike.

Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring is leading the way when it comes to using stained shotcrete as a creative solution to enhance decorative and retaining type walls for its clients.

Staining shotcrete initially involves preparing/cleaning the shotcrete surface, and then applying the many different color options of shotcrete stain available to businesses, and homeowners in the Rocky Mountain, and Southwest Regions of the United States where Thorcon operates.

Is a stained shotcrete decorative wall for enhancement of a natural environment, or retaining wall for structural stabilization for your home or business in your future?

Call Thorcon’s headquarters in Littleton, Colorado if you want to explore the variety of options available.

Are Your Shotcrete Plans In Place For Winter 2016?  

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!”

  • Benjamin Franklin

Colorado shotcrete and shoring work will be slowing down as these hot days of Summer begin to get shorter, and the weather changes over the next few months.  As you may have seen in the news – the monsoon season is in full force in the Southwest, and Colorado has seen more rain in certain areas recently as well.

Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring – which is headquartered at the base of the foothills along the Colorado Front Range; and is near Chatfield reservoir in beautiful Littleton, Colorado will be utilizing these remaining long Summer days to complete projects, as well as ready ourselves for the coming seasonal changes.

Thorcon, a Colorado shotcrete and shoring geotechnical contractor/engineering firm works in a variety of weather conditions year-round.  However, we urge you to pick up the phone and call us soon so that Thorcon can get your projects on our calendar, and completed before the snow flurries.

In addition to providing shotcrete and shoring services throughout the Colorado region, as a leading geotechnical contractor and geotechnical engineering firm, Thorcon thrives by additionally offering our services in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah.

As a company that places safety as a high priority – Thorcon thanks you for your continued business over the years as we look forward to providing you with exceptional service and quality for many years to come!

 

Best Shoring Stories of 2015

Over the year, Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring has brought many interesting shoring stories to our audience. Covering everything from geotechnical engineering to new shotcrete techniques, we’ve done our best to bring you new and relevant news about our favorite topics. Here are a few of our favorites:

 

  • A shoring project in the National Corvette Museum garnered national attention after a sinkhole swallowed several classic cars. The solution to fixing the showroom floor? Micropiles!
  • Architectural shotcrete was used to make a replica of the Chauvet caves in France, keeping the originals safe from exposure to tourists while providing the public an opportunity to explore ancient human art.
  • New varieties of shotcrete and gunite can help shore tunnels, not only to provide better safety for travelers during normal use, but also to be blast-resistant in the event of a catastrophe like a terrorism attack.
  • ASU gained a new Engineering Research Center this year, and the focus of its studies is, specifically, on geotechnical engineering research.
  • The project to shore up the Leaning Tower of Pisa continues to make engineering news as engineers work to keep the tower from toppling for good, while keeping the iconic lean in place.
  • The history of geotechnical shoring techniques reaches back into the ancient ages, as far as ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. The technology we use today to stabilize slopes and secure foundations comes from a long history of engineering feats.

 

From our offices in Colorado, we provide shoring services to clients throughout the state as well as states in the surrounding area. Our team of engineers at our Littleton headquarters (near Denver) will devise a unique shoring strategy for your custom project and budget and we will, as always, execute our strategy with a safety-focused approach. Get in touch with us today to get started on your shoring project and have a Happy New Year!