Micropiles Come to the Rescue For the Corvette Museum

Slope stabilization and micropile technology sometimes come into contact with pieces of American history in ways you wouldn’t expect. At Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring, we always find that a good geotechnical engineering story—even if it takes place far from Colorado—is worth repeating!

Car enthusiasts might remember an incident from a little over a year ago, when eight rare Corvettes were swallowed by a sinkhole beneath the National Corvette Museum in Kentucky. The museum (built above karst topography, which is often riddled with sinkholes and caves) debated about whether or not to preserve the sinkhole or fill it in, since the hole become a popular tourist attraction. They finally decided to fix the hole and even restore some of the damaged cars. So how will they go about filling in the infamous hole? The museum recently used the services of local slope stability engineers to map the cave structure below the museum using advanced surveying techniques, and they are now installing micropiles to provide future foundation stabilization and slope erosion control. The firm contracted to survey the site even won an award from the American Council of Engineering Companies.

Thorcon is always happy to see engineering done right, and to see fellow engineers get credit for a job well done. While we don’t have the same problems with karst topography in Colorado, there are always new slope stabilization challenges to tackle in Denver, the state as a whole, and even our neighboring states as well. From our headquarters in Littleton, we provide slope stability engineering services, including retaining walls, micropiles and soil nailing. Hopefully, you never face the destruction of classic vehicles in your erosion control problems, but no matter how unique the situation, Thorcon’s team of engineers and specialists can create a custom solution and execute it with a focus on safety and client satisfaction. Contact us today to get the job done right!

(Security footage from the original sinkhole incident, for anyone who didn’t see the story):

Custom Geotechnical Services from an Expert Team of Civil Engineers

Shoring services, retention walls, earth stabilization and infrastructure projects never come with one-size-fits-all solutions. That’s why at Thorcon, we work with our team of civil engineers to provide every client with a custom approach to their geotechnical engineering projects. Many civil engineering companies can provide you with a plan, but Thorcon specializes in shotcrete and shoring projects, and strives to lead the industry in safety as well as customer satisfaction—from the beginning to the end of each project. Our custom geotechnical engineering services start with a simple click of a button or a phone call, but after that, we take you through our customized process which ensures a unique solution, quality work and client satisfaction.

  • Once you contact us about your project, our geotechnical engineers will develop a solution which fits your needs. Whether you need an aesthetic, architectural shotcrete solution, or industrial, high-capacity stabilization solutions, we’ll bring you the available options and work to create the perfect plan for your project. Check out our gallery to see examples of our work.
  • Once a plan is in place, our Thorcon team of specialists will work to ensure safe and efficient project completion. We are overseen by many agencies to ensure safety, such as OSHA, MSHA, BATF, DOT and the TSA. Each of our employees is highly trained and equipped to avert safety problems. We are always dedicated to safety and compliance on every job.
  • We continue to work with you throughout the project to ensure that our geotechnical engineering services are reaching and exceeding your expectations, and to keep you informed on progress. Our aim is to be an accessible and specialized civil engineering company with custom solutions designed for your specific needs and regulatory standards.

Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring brings custom geotechnical engineering services to clients in Denver, across Colorado and within the surrounding states from our headquarters in Littleton, Colorado. We are always looking to provide unique solutions for new shoring and stabilization problems, so contact us today to see what our engineers can develop for you.

Shotcrete and Gunite: What’s the difference?

As you search for a reliable shotcrete contractor, you might notice that the terms “shotcrete” and “gunite” are often used together. Some people refer to these as synonyms for the same process, while others insist there is a difference between the two processes. At Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring, we believe it’s important for you to be informed about our construction processes, whether you are searching for a gunite pool, a shotcrete wall or general shoring services. With that in mind, here are some facts to clear up the confusion surrounding shotcrete and gunite.

 

  • Shotcrete solutions can come in two forms: wet-mix and dry-mix. The dry-mix method uses pre-blended, dry materials and the water is added as the mix is released through the application nozzle. The wet-mix method uses similar materials, but the water is added before the mix is sent through the hose. The biggest difference in application, then, is at what point water is added to the mix.
  • “Gunite” is actually an old trade term, originally claimed by Allentown Equipment (now owned by Putzmeister America, Inc.) when they began selling dry-mix shotcrete application equipment. Now, the term is used throughout the industry by many companies who provide both dry and wet-mix shotcrete services.
  • “Shotcrete” is an all-inclusive term, used to refer to both wet and dry-mix shotcrete applications. While many of us within the industry colloquially use “shotcrete” to refer to wet-mix and “gunite” to refer to dry-mix, this is technically incorrect. “Shotcrete” refers to both wet and dry processes.
  • The American Shotcrete Association has weighed in on the debate, removing the term “gunite” from the discussion entirely. They claim that the most correct terminology should refer to both processes as “shotcrete” and to specify in each case whether the dry or wet-mix method is being used.
  • At Thorcon, we consider the terms to be generally interchangeable, though we most commonly use “gunite” to refer to the dry process, as is common within the industry. We include both terms within our new website to make sure that you can find what you’re looking for as you review our services. We are always happy to clarify our specific processes with our customers, though, and we encourage you to contact us with any questions you might have concerning the shotcrete/gunite process.

Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring is located in Littleton, Colorado and we conveniently provide the Denver area with our variety of services. We also serve the state of Colorado as a whole as well as other states within the region. Please contact us for a quote or questions about our shotcrete and shoring services. We always provide custom solutions and the best in high-quality, client-oriented service.

Introducing Thorcon’s New Site!

Thorcon Shotcrete & Shoring has had a digital makeover. Visit our newly designed website with fresh content, updated project pictures and more! We hope our new look is quick to load and easy to navigate so you can learn what you came here for and give us a call. Our site will be a constant work-in-progress and we plan to update our blog and content frequently to provide you with useful shotcrete and shoring information as well as tips for choosing your shotcrete experts. We appreciate any feedback and are proud to welcome you to the new Thorcon!

As we improve our site, you can expect to find:

  • More information about past and future projects, both through fresh images and new content!
  • Explanations of our services, processes and increasing service area.
  • General information to educate our customers on the best processes for their individual needs.

Thorcon Shotcrete & Shoring serves customers in Denver and the state of Colorado from our headquarters in Littleton, CO. We also proudly serve other states in the region. Not sure if your shotcrete or shoring project is in our service area? Contact us today with any questions and to see how Thorcon can meet your needs. Our team is always happy to respond and determine an custom solutions plan for your specific project.