Shotcrete machine: what is it & exactly how it works

Another way of using concrete in different building and construction website in addition to concrete putting is concrete splashing which is one of the breakthrough method in concrete sector.
The option of concrete spraying over the traditional way is expanding everyday as many have actually known its advantages.
shotcrete mix design is adaptable, economical and lower time consumption throughout the procedure. Such benefits of concrete spraying are:
- Concrete can be performed with less or no formworks
- Concrete can be used on greater altitude as the sprayed concrete are made to bear its very own weight
- Higher concrete bond
- And aside from its elevation, thickness of the concrete is also versatile.

1-What is shotcrete equipment
One method of concrete spraying is by utilizing the shotcrete method. Shotcrete device is a tools utilized for concrete or mortar spraying.
The basic parts of a shotcrete equipment are the concrete pump, compressor, the control as well as the remote, the arm or hose pipe as well as the nozzle.
With this different parts, the concrete or mortar is being shared by the entraped air to the nozzle and being controlled to be sprayed right into any location.
The shotcrete machine can be used in various application or building and construction jobsite like:
- Tunnel, Underground & Mining Stabilization and also Construction
- Slope and Trench Stabilization
- Honeycomb/ Structural Concrete Repair
- Historical Building Restoration
- Sealing Works

2-What is the objective of shotcrete?
The objective of the shotcrete is for the concrete spraying which has higher properties over the traditional approach of using concrete which is concrete pouring.
With the development of tools also comes the advancement of the concrete material.
Because the shotcrete can be used in greater elevation, it requires to lug or bear its very own weight provided the height. In order for the concrete to stick or stick throughout the shotcrete appication, the proportion in between the cement and water is usually less than common.
With this shotcrete method, the concrete have greater attachment and bond toughness compared to the conventional approach hence minimizes the requirement of admixtures.
This is likewise to stay clear of drooping throughout the shotcrete application unlike the concrete putting which have formworks and also scaffold to sustain the weight or the water-cement provision throughout the application.

With Shuanglong Machine reduced concrete and water proportion, shotcrete can obtain higher compressive toughness in a short span of time contrasted with the traditional method which requires to treat for a long time.
The compaction of the concrete is additionally carried out which increases the strength of the concrete because of the high velocity due to the usage of shotcrete.
Getting high compressive strength in a much shorter span of time provides you a high output which positively impacts your cost and also schedule.

3-How does it function
There are 2 methods of making use of the shotcrete approach, it is for the completely dry process splashed damp and concrete procedure sprayed concrete. Dry process splashed concrete makes use of a completely dry mix of cement as well as accumulations fed in the spraying nozzle with finely atomised spray of water contributed to the completely dry mix to hydrate the concrete.
The wet procedure sprayed concrete uses a blend of concrete, accumulation and also water which experience the nozzle with high pressure of air.

Dry Process of Sprayed Concrete
The completely dry process of shotcrete is making use of an established ratio of concrete and also accumulation, depending of the toughness it must accomplish, without blending it to water.
The completely dry mixture will be fed right into the maker as well as is pressurized with high speed airstream that will be shared on the pipe to the splashing nozzle.
In the splashing nozzle area, the atomized spray plan of water is located for the function of moistening the cement blend.
Much like achieving the appropriate ratio of completely dry mix in between concrete as well as aggregate, the appropriate amount of water will be splashed consistently to accomplish the right compressive stamina.

Wet Process of Sprayed Concrete
The damp procedure of shotcrete is by making use of a batch of a blend of water, cement as well as aggregates. This mixture can be of conveniently blended or are being blended on website.
The batch of the blend should be done before feeding in to the equipment especially for larger concrete spraying application. The mix will be then feed, wherein the water-cement proportion be controlled depending on the strength to achieve, and also a high rate air is used in order for it to travel through the tube to the nozzle. If being made use of in a huge set or longer time, admixtures ought to get on the side to regulate the hydration of the mix.


4-how to operate a shotcrete machine
As discussed, shotcrete equipment can be used for completely dry mix as well as wet mix.

Dry Process of Sprayed Concrete
1. Fed the completely dry mixture right into the open receptacle/ barrel of the shotcrete. To stay clear of clogging, provide linings on the chamber to lessen swellings of completely dry blend
2. With the control, permit the completely dry combination to be blown by the compressed air into the splashing hose pipe nozzle.
3. As the dry combination pass the nozzle, control the different water nozzle to moisturize the completely dry combination with the best amount of water
4. Being used the shotcrete, the nozzle should be much from the location with at the very least 0.6 meter to 1 meter.
5. The shotcrete driver ought to maintain the correct amount of water to hydrate the dry blend to accomplish the compressive toughness.

Wet Process of Sprayed Concrete
1. Fed the damp mixture (water, cement and aggregate) right into the tools.
2. Control the air speed to be used in pushing the wet blend through the hose to the nozzle.
3. The nozzle ought to be at least 0.2 meter to 0.5 meter far from the area where the concrete need to be applied.
4. The shotcrete driver should be able to make use of the tools in a consistent and also constant rate without pulsation to achieve the best compressive strength.
5. To adjust the damp mixture especially when used in a long time, admixtures ought to be conveniently offered whenever to avoid blocking of the nozzle when the blends gets completely dry.


Final thought:
Shotcrete device is just one of the most useful tools in the building jobsite yet can be difficult. The important things you require to think about when utilizing a shotcrete is the approach which is the wet mix or the dry mix, the ideal ratio of water, concrete and also aggregates as well as the majority of specifically is that the shotcrete operator ought to be well-appointed.
The efficiency and the outcome depends on the interaction in between the devices (the shotcrete), the material (concrete, accumulations and water) and also the man (driver). Buying an excellent equipment is great but thinking about an excellent driver will certainly provide you an excellent result.


The batch of the blend must be done before feeding in to the maker particularly for bigger concrete splashing application. The blend will certainly be then feed, in which the water-cement proportion be managed depending on the toughness to achieve, and also a high rate air is used in order for it to pass with the tube to the nozzle. If being made use of in a big set or longer time, admixtures need to be on the side to regulate the hydration of the blend.


Fed the dry mixture right into the open receptacle/ barrel of the shotcrete. To stay clear of obstructing, supply linings on the chamber to minimize swellings of dry combination