Shotcrete is a method of spraying wet concrete through a high-pressure hose to achieve a well-compacted and high-density concrete structure. Using shotcrete in pool construction is one of the most common methods to seal and provide texture to the pools. The resultant product is structurally viable, cost-effective, and efficient.
Process of Pool Construction
The construction process of a concrete pool is very straightforward:
- Excavation of the hole for pool installation.
- Plumbing works of the pool.
- A reinforced cage of steel is fixed on the walls and floor of the pool.
- Shotcrete of walls to fully encase the cage of rebars and render it waterproof.
- Shaping and levelling of the surface of the concrete happen alongside the spraying.
- The concrete is then cured by keeping it cooled and watered so it attains the required strength and maintains its density.
- The pool is then finished using tiles, plaster, aggregate, etc, after which the pool is started.
Factors To Be Mindful About
While this seems like a simple process, several factors need to be kept in mind before choosing the process of Shotcrete and during the actual process:
- Shotcrete is a loud process and it is always better to warn your neighbours before beginning the process and staying well indoors during the process.
- Shotcrete starts with fully mixed concrete in a plastic state. This means that the concrete is pre-mixed by another person and whether or not the concrete is mixed at the right ratio or whether it will yield cracks is not always known until the concrete cures and hardens.
- Some companies add water to the concrete during transport to prevent it from hardening and it is this kind of negligence that results in cracks in the resultant structure.
- As the concrete is shot through a high-pressure hose, if it gets clogged, it will prove to be a dangerous circumstance for the crew and the equipment.
- The entire pool has to be finished in one go. If the process of Shotcrete is stopped and then continued after an interval, the two sections of concrete will not behave as a homogeneous unit.
Advantages Of Using Shotcrete In Pool Construction
In light of Shotcrete’s popularity and rising demand, it cannot be denied that there are obvious perks to the use of this method.
Let us look at some of the advantages of using Shotcrete over conventional concreting techniques:
- Shotcrete is one of the fastest ways to concrete a pool.
- It doesn’t require a lot of equipment.
- The concrete is premixed and brought to the site in a plastic state.
- The crew doesn’t have to worry about the mix of concrete and therefore doesn’t have to be as skilled.
- The addition of water is unnecessary as the concrete is pre-mixed and is tested to ensure its water tightness.
- Easy availability of materials.
- Easy addition of admixtures to the concrete. These admixtures are added to either decelerate the hardening of concrete during transport or hasten the hardening and strengthening process during pneumatic application.
Shotcrete is a versatile process and offers no design limitations. This means that Shotcrete can be used to construct pools of any size, shape, or form.
All in all, Shotcrete produces durable, high-quality, and watertight pools that are executed flawlessly by professionals who also aim to keep the process as tidy as possible. To know more about professional expert services related to shotcrete a pool, follow the link – www.proshotcretebrisbane.com.
