A History of Shotcrete and Gunite, Part 2

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!

A History of Shotcrete and Gunite, Part 1

It’s been a little while since we’ve provided a history lesson here at Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring, so we’re taking the opportunity to expand on the history of one of our favorite topics: shotcrete and gunite. Here at our headquarters in Littleton, Colorado (near Denver), we provide superior shotcrete and shoring contracting services to the state of Colorado as well as states in the surrounding region. We appreciate the long history behind the process which allows us to install architectural, agricultural and structural shotcrete for our clients. Here’s the history of sprayed concrete from its inception up until the 1940s.

  • The dry spray machine was invented in 1907 as a quicker way to install fine aggregates.
  • In 1910, the double-chambered cement gun was introduced. The technology for application had advanced beyond the concrete available.
  • Dry mix concrete, itself, was introduced in 1911, leading to the use of what we now call “gunite” for certain industrial needs.
  • The brand name Gunite was established in 1912. The name came from the machine used to install the concrete mixture, known as a gun.
  • In the 1920s, gunite mortar started to be used to fireproof mine drifts.
  • In the 1930s, the American Railway Engineers Association gives the first official definition to the word “shotcrete” in order to describe the sprayed concrete process without using a brand name.
  • In the 1940s, coarse aggregates were introduced into dry mixtures.

At this point in history, we haven’t even seen the development and mass use of the wet mix method. That will have to wait until next time, when we examine the history of shotcrete and gunite from the 1950s to the current day. There have been a lot of advancements since the early days of these methods, and Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring would be happy to apply them to your next shoring, foundation or repair project. Just get in touch with us!

A Recap of Shotcrete, Shoring and Beyond

At Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring, our list of services goes on and on—beyond the basics we’re well known for. Here at our headquarters near Denver, Colorado in Littleton, we work to bring you updated information on our services, how shoring and geotechnical news advances worldwide, and examples of our work. Here’s a recap of some of our recent blogs covering various aspects of our shotcrete and shoring services.

  • Shotcrete Walls and Advances

Not only have we put up a shotcrete wall in Fountain, Colorado, but we also reported on a new architectural wall that was put up at the National Zoo. Then there was this touching story of how gunite wall patches produced life-long childhood memories. We reported on a new safety-oriented shotcrete which could help keep structures stable in the event of a terrorist attack or bombing. We also covered a story about a shotcrete replica of the Chauvet caves.

 

  • Soil Nail Information and Micropile Applications

We covered the history and cost-effectiveness of soil nails before digging into the details about favorable and unfavorable soil conditions for nailing. We also told the stories of how micropiles are being used by shoring contractors to stabilize structures such as the National Corvette Museum, an interstate bridge in Indiana and even railroads through the Rocky Mountains.

 

  • Installation Services

Back in June, we reported an updated list of our services, including installation services. We install piezometers, inclinometers and grouting.

 

  • Engineering Updates

Geotechnical and civil engineers around the world have been busy over the last few months. We reported a story about engineering surveys going on for another underground tunnel in Europe, an academic discussion about the Leaning Tower of Pisa, as well as a new Engineering Research Center which has been granted to ASU—and which will be specifically focused on geotechnical engineering.

 

At Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring, we provide customized plans to fit the needs and budget of your specific project. We serve clients in Colorado and states in the surrounding region. Get in touch with us today to get started!

Pisa Tower Makes Geotechnical Engineering News Again

Back in April, we listed some geotechnical engineering facts that you probably didn’t know, and some of the details about the Leaning Tower of Pisa made the top four list. Well, that tower is making news in geotechnical circles again this week. Because we’re always interested in what’s going on in the world of slope stabilization, foundation mechanics and geotechnical engineering here at Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring, we thought we’d bring you this little piece of news from Purdue University.

This past week, Italian professor Michele Jamiolkowski spoke at a civil engineering lecture at Purdue, covering two of the world’s most famous and geotechnically complicated structures. Jamiolkowski gave a formal talk about one of the biggest copper tailings disposal facilities in the world (found in Poland). Later, Jamiolkoski gave a more informal talk about the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, where he provided insight into the structural work done on the tower over the last fifteen years to improve stabilization.

Leaning Tower of Pisa Fun Facts:

  • In 1964, the Italian government requested help from the international geotechnical and civil engineering community to stabilize the tower after previous stabilization efforts failed. The catch? They had to stabilize the structure but maintain the tilt because it had become such a popular tourist attraction by that point.
  • Galileo Galilei supposedly used the tower to illustrate his theory that rate of descent is independent from an object’s mass. In the famous story, Galileo used two cannonballs and dropped them from the tower. The story—or at least its location—is probably not true, however.
  • The tower was closed for ten years between 1990 and 2001 to allow for reconstruction efforts after the collapse of another tower in Pavia in 1989 led to fears that the tower’s lean could lead to disaster. After more work was completed over the years, in 2008 engineers declared that for the first time ever, the tower has stopped moving.

 

Here at Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring, we know we will never be involved in stabilizing a famous European building, but there are plenty of structures to stabilize, repair and maintain here in Colorado and states throughout the surrounding region. Our team of geotechnical engineers is dedicated to providing customized solutions for slope stabilization, shoring, infrastructure repair, foundation needs and more. From our headquarters near Denver, in Littleton, Colorado, we provide safety-focused work to keep projects running on time and within budget. Get in touch with us today to get started on your stabilization project.

Start A New Season With Shotcrete and Gunite Solutions

Wednesday, September 23 will mark the first day of fall, and here in Littleton, Colorado, we know that winter isn’t far behind. In this part of the country, winter often means low temperatures and a lot of snow on the ground, so it makes construction projects difficult to complete for months at a time. That’s why if you have a shoring project that needs completion, you should get in touch with Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring as soon as possible. With our industrial gunite services, we can complete shoring, wall and infrastructure projects quickly and within budget so you can prepare for the winter ahead. From our headquarters near Denver, we provide geotechnical services to all of Colorado as well as states in the surrounding region.

We pride ourselves on providing time-saving solutions for your construction needs, which is why we are the best choice to get your last minute projects completed. After all, according to a clarifying article in TIME, the reason fall begins on Wednesday is because after the fall equinox (when the length of the days all over the world are approximately equal) the technical lengths of the days will start to decrease as we move closer to winter. That means less time to get work done, and colder temperatures in which to complete jobs. Here are just a few ways that Thorcon’s services can save you time as we move into a new season:

  • We focus on safety: An unsafe jobsite is also a slow one, as workers have to stop to deal with injuries.
  • Shotcrete and gunite: Spraying concrete into molds is faster than the traditional methods, and allows for a variety of architectural work in a limited timeframe.
  • Soil nails and micropiles: Both of these innovative solutions can save time and money on slope stabilization projects.
  • Custom solutions: Get a project designed just for your needs, so time isn’t wasted with surprises well into the job.

Get in touch with us today to start your shotcrete, shoring or stabilization project. We are eager to get your custom job completed before the weather sets in!

Slope Stabilization Vital to Transportation Safety

Tunnels where slope stabilization project will take place in the spring
Cave Rock Tunnel, Lake Tahoe

News out of Lake Tahoe, Nevada yesterday brings with it an update about a crucial infrastructure project being undertaken by the Nevada Department of Transportation. Because this story might affect some of our clients and potential clients, we thought it should be brought to everyone’s attention. At Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring, we provide geotechnical services to customers throughout our home state of Colorado, but also to other states in the surrounding region, like Nevada, Utah and more. This news has to do with an upcoming slope stabilization project affecting Highway 50 as it passes by Lake Tahoe.

Yesterday, the Tahoe Daily Tribune reported that the Cave Rock tunnels will be experiencing “traffic-line reductions,” which could cause delays of up to half an hour. The inconvenience is well worth the safety benefits, though, as the closures are being conducted in preparation for a project which will reduce rock fall and improve slope stability for the tunnels. Because high precipitation through the winter has loosened some of the rocks, the NDOT will undertake the task of extending one of the tunnel entrances and improving stability next spring. The improvements will make all travelers on the road safer as they continue on to their destinations.

As we often discuss at Thorcon, we are dedicated to the safety of our workers, customers and all who interact with our building projects. Our slope stabilization experts develop custom solutions for each situation we are presented with to ensure that the best strategy is implemented. We can install:

Get in touch with us today for custom solutions tailored to your infrastructure needs. We know delays can be annoying for travelers, but slope instability can be deadly, so preventative measures should never be postponed for convenience. Here in Littleton, Colorado (near Denver), we know all about the risks involved with sloped surfaces and infrastructure, and we are eager to improve safety in your area.

 

Photo Credit: By Davemeistermoab (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

New Architectural Shotcrete Wall at the National Zoo

Shotcrete makes the news right at the end of this month with a story coming out of our nation’s capitol. The National Zoo in Washington D.C. got a new wall to replace “old structures along an extensive drop-off along the entrance road.” What’s neat about this wall is the story behind it, the quality of the architectural detail and the fact, of course, that it was made with shotcrete. At Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring, we always provide custom solutions to fit every project and budget. It sounds to us like the shotcrete contractors in this story did the same for the National Zoo!

According to the article in Fauquier Now, the first plan for the wall involved traditional concrete which would have been cast in place. The contractors working on the wall, though, designed a better solution which was, likely, more cost-effective. Instead of traditional concrete, they created a shotcrete wall which was sprayed into pre-cast panels and stained. The final result is a wall which looks like it’s made of natural stone! The gunite and shotcrete contractor, Smith-Midland, said the wall was a good example of their ability to “innovate, improve and initiate.” We agree! Shotcrete is a versatile solution, which allows for a lot of unique, aesthetic opportunities.

We provide commercial shotcrete, industrial gunite and shoring solutions for our customers in Colorado and states in the surrounding region from our headquarters near Denver in Littleton, Colorado. At Thorcon, our services span from unique stabilization solutions, to foundational shotcrete and even to the kind of architectural shotcrete solutions seen at the National Zoo. Get in touch with us today and we will provide you with a custom shoring solution designed to meet your needs without exceeding your budget!

Like stories about unique shotcrete solutions? Check out past tales of how shotcrete helps art history, and how shotcrete can fight terrorism.

Micropiles the Safe Solution for I-65 Bridge

Micropiles make the news again, this time in a recent solution for an important bridge on a main artery east of the Mississippi: Interstate 65. At Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring, we love a good story of infrastructure repair, safety-focused engineering and micropiles coming to the rescue, so we are excited to bring you this latest news. Our last micropile story came from the Rocky Mountains. This one comes to us from a few states away, in Indiana.

Interstate 65 stretches from Mobile, AL in the south up to Gary, IN (near Chicago) in the north, and while the artery is meant to be traveled without detour, a section between Indianapolis and Chicago has been disrupted most of the month due to the emergency closure of a northbound bridge over Wildcate Creet in Tippecanoe County, IN. The bridge has been closed since August 7th when engineers “noticed a riverbank pier settling and tilting,” though the southbound bridge over the same creek (which is in more stable soil and has not experienced settling issues) has not been closed. In the last couple of days, it’s been announced by the Lafayette Journal & Courier as well as Indianapolis’ WISH-TV that the solution for the stabilization of the bridge will be a series of micropiles, which they hope will be tested and implemented by the middle of September. In the meantime, the northbound bridge closure means a series of detours for traffic leaving Indianapolis heading north.

Back in Colorado, at our Littleton headquarters (in the Denver area), we at Thorcon approve of the safety-conscious steps taken by Indiana’s Department of Transportation. Infrastructure repair can cause delays and detours, which are an inconvenience, but with all infrastructure risks it is far better to fix a problem quickly, before it costs motorists their lives. The Indiana bridge will be much safer for travelers and commuters once geotechnical engineers have installed the new micropiles. Here in Colorado, we provide soil nailing, micropiles and other soil stabilization services to the whole of Colorado and states in the surrounding region for the purposes of infrastructure repair, new building, and renovation. Our team puts custom solutions and safe work practices at the top of our priority list, which makes for safe citizens and happy clients. Contact us today to get started!

ASU Gets New Geotechnical Engineering Research Center

Exciting news comes out of Arizona this month, with the announcement that Arizona State University has landed over $18 million in grant money from the National Science Foundation to found a five-year Engineering Research Center which will specialize in geotechnical engineering. Because innovative breakthroughs often come out of such research centers—and because only 17 ERCs have been funded by the NSF so far, which makes them relatively rare—Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring is interested to see what comes from ASU’s new project. We’re always excited about the latest progress happening in the civil and geotechnical engineering fields.

According to the ERC Association, the goal of these research centers is to pursue “advances in complex engineered systems …that could spawn whole new industries or radically transform the product lines, practices, and processes of current industries.” The center at ASU will specifically be addressing “bio-mediated and bio-inspired” geotechnical engineering meaning the focus will be on engineering which is inspired by the way the earth already works, and on developing new methods which will be more environmentally sound and cost-effective. According to an article by The Arizona Republic, this research will include studying ways to decrease damage from seismic events, and even to encourage dust reduction.

To us, it sounds as if this new center will create even more opportunities to save our customers money with increasingly reliable, cost-effective geotechnical engineering solutions. At Thorcon, we put safety first when designing our custom solutions, so we are glad to welcome any advances in the field which will help us design better and safer civil engineering projects. From our headquarters here in Littleton, Colorado (near Denver), we provide shoring, shotcrete and stabilization services to all of Colorado as well as states in the surrounding region. Get in touch with us today to get started on your own project, and feel free to visit our gallery and watch our latest video to see examples of our work!