Shotcrete machine: what is it & exactly how it works

Another method of using concrete in different construction website besides concrete putting is concrete splashing which is just one of the breakthrough method concrete market.
The selection of concrete splashing over the standard method is expanding day after day as several have actually understood its benefits.
Concrete spraying is versatile, economical as well as minimal time usage throughout the procedure. Such advantages of concrete spraying are:
- Concrete can be performed with much less or no formworks
- Concrete can be applied on higher elevation as the sprayed concrete are made to bear its own weight
- Higher concrete bond
- And in addition to its altitude, thickness of the concrete is also flexible.

1-What is shotcrete machine
One method of concrete spraying is by utilizing the shotcrete technique. Shotcrete equipment is an equipment made use of for concrete or mortar spraying.
The basic elements of a shotcrete machine are the concrete pump, compressor, the control and the remote, the arm or tube and also the nozzle.
With shotcrete machine safety checklist , the concrete or mortar is being communicated by the trapped air to the nozzle and also being controlled to be splashed right into any location.
The shotcrete machine can be utilized in various application or building and construction jobsite like:
- Tunnel, Underground & Mining Stabilization as well as Construction
- Slope and also Trench Stabilization
- Honeycomb/ Structural Concrete Repair
- Historical Building Restoration
- Sealing Works

2-What is the function of shotcrete?
The purpose of the shotcrete is for the concrete spraying which has higher residential properties over the standard approach of applying concrete which is concrete pouring.
With the improvement of tools also comes the improvement of the concrete material.
Considering that the shotcrete can be made use of in greater elevation, it needs to bring or birth its own weight provided the elevation. In order for the concrete to stick or stick during the shotcrete appication, the proportion between the concrete and water is usually less than common.
With meyco potenza shotcrete machine , the concrete have higher bond as well as bond toughness contrasted to the standard method thus lowers the need of admixtures.
This is additionally to avoid sagging during the shotcrete application unlike the concrete putting which have formworks as well as scaffold to support the water-cement or the weight supply during the application.

With the lower cement and water ratio, shotcrete can acquire greater compressive stamina in a short period of time compared to the conventional technique which requires to cure for time.
The compaction of the concrete is also brought out which enhances the stamina of the concrete due to the fact that of the high rate due to the usage of shotcrete.
Acquiring high compressive strength in a shorter period of time offers you a high result which positively impacts your price as well as routine.

3-How does it function
There are 2 ways of making use of the shotcrete method, it is for the dry process splashed damp as well as concrete process sprayed concrete. Dry process sprayed concrete makes use of a completely dry mix of concrete as well as aggregates fed in the splashing nozzle with carefully atomised spray of water contributed to the completely dry mix to moisten the concrete.
The damp process splashed concrete uses a mix of concrete, accumulation and also water which go via the nozzle with high pressure of air.

Dry Process of Sprayed Concrete
The dry process of shotcrete is making use of a fixed ratio of concrete and also aggregate, depending of the stamina it need to achieve, without mixing it to water.
The dry blend will certainly be fed into the machine and also is pressurized with high speed airstream that will be communicated on the tube to the spraying nozzle.
In the spraying nozzle area, the atomized spray plan of water is discovered for the function of hydrating the cement mix.
Similar to attaining the right ratio of completely dry mix in between concrete and accumulation, the best quantity of water will certainly be splashed constantly to achieve the best compressive strength.

Wet Process of Sprayed Concrete
The wet procedure of shotcrete is by utilizing a set of a blend of water, concrete and aggregates. This mixture can be of conveniently mixed or are being mixed on site.
The set of the mixture must be done before feeding in to the machine especially for bigger concrete splashing application. The mixture will certainly be then feed, wherein the water-cement proportion be regulated relying on the stamina to accomplish, and also a high speed air is used in order for it to pass through the hose pipe to the nozzle. Admixtures should be on the side to manage the hydration of the mix if being used in a big set or longer time.


4-how to operate a shotcrete device
As reviewed, shotcrete machine can be made use of for completely dry mix and also damp mix.

Dry Process of Sprayed Concrete
1. Fed the completely dry mix right into the open hopper/ barrel of the shotcrete. To stay clear of clogging, provide liners on the chamber to decrease swellings of completely dry mix
2. With the control, enable the completely dry mix to be blown by the pressed air into the splashing hose pipe nozzle.
3. As the completely dry blend pass the nozzle, control the different water nozzle to moisturize the completely dry blend with the ideal quantity of water
4. In utilizing the shotcrete, the nozzle should be far from the location with a minimum of 0.6 meter to 1 meter.
5. The shotcrete driver must preserve the best quantity of water to moisten the completely dry mix to attain the compressive stamina.

Wet Process of Sprayed Concrete
1. Fed the wet blend (water, accumulation and also cement) into the devices.
2. Control the air speed to be made use of in pushing the wet blend via the hose pipe to the nozzle.
3. The nozzle needs to go to the very least 0.2 meter to 0.5 meter away from the location where the concrete should be applied.
4. The shotcrete driver need to be able to utilize the devices in a constant and continuous rate without pulsation to achieve the ideal compressive strength.
5. To change the damp blend particularly when made use of in a very long time, admixtures need to be readily offered whenever to stay clear of blocking of the nozzle when the blends gets completely dry.


Verdict:
Shotcrete maker is among one of the most helpful devices in the building jobsite yet can be complicated. The important things you need to take into consideration when utilizing a shotcrete is the technique which is the damp mix or the completely dry mix, the ideal proportion of water, cement as well as accumulations and also many particularly is that the shotcrete driver need to be well-equipped.
The outcome as well as the efficiency depends upon the communication between the devices (the shotcrete), the product (concrete, aggregates and water) as well as the guy (operator). Purchasing a great equipment is good yet taking into consideration a great operator will offer you a good outcome.


The set of the mix must be done before feeding in to the device especially for bigger concrete spraying application. The mix will be after that feed, wherein the water-cement ratio be regulated depending on the toughness to achieve, as well as a high speed air is used in order for it to pass through the hose to the nozzle. If being made use of in a large batch or longer time, admixtures ought to be on the side to regulate the hydration of the mixture.


Fed the completely dry mix right into the open receptacle/ barrel of the shotcrete. To prevent clogging, give liners on the chamber to decrease lumps of dry combination