Thanks to more than one hundred years of experience, expert knowledge and a focus on performance and economy, Sika is able to provide the newest generation of shotcrete solutions. A successful shotcrete operation requires the combination of many aspects of modern concrete technology including concrete admixture chemistry, together with modern shotcrete equipment technology.
Shotcrete has many advantages
- Concreting without formwork
- Can be applied on uneven & irregular substrates
- Excellent adhesion to the substrate
- Adjustable layer thickness on-site
- Reinforced sprayed concrete is also possible with mesh or fiber reinforced shotcrete
- Rapid strength gain can be achieved for quicker reopening or re-entry
- Application possible at differing elevations due to flexibility of the process
Shotcrete Applications
Shotcrete has a wide application range due to its high flexibility, superior physical properties, and good economics. The advantage over conventional concreting methods is outstanding: the application of concrete without any formwork. Advancements in the mechanization of the shotcrete process as well as improved training of nozzle operators has created even more opportunities for shotcrete to be utilized in the field. The main applications where shotcrete is used includes:
- Excavation stabilization in tunneling and mining construction
- Slope and trenching stabilization
- Protective linings
- Shoring Construction
- Concrete repair (concrete replacement and strengthening)
- Restoration of historic buildings (stone structures)
- Pools and skateparks construction
- Refractory
In tunnel construction shotcrete is normally used for excavation stabilization, while in open-pit mining and on major construction sites it is typically used for rock and soil stabilization on slopes. In bridge and other civil engineering repair and refurbishment works, shotcrete is often used specifically because formwork can thereby be dispensed with, leading to savings on both time and materials.
Sika's Shotcrete Solutions
The many demands placed on a shotcrete material / operation today no longer allow for the industry's previous shotcrete solutions. Depending on the shotcrete spraying process, the type of structure, and the environment there are many different conditions that are imposed on the shotcrete during application and in service.
Sika's shotcrete solutions are designed to overcome these challenges.
Sika’s shotcrete product offering represent the newest generation in cutting-edge technologies that have resulted from more than one hundred years of involvement in the industry. With this experience, expert knowledge and a focus on performance and economy, Sika provides reliable proven solutions.
Sika is the expert in all available shotcrete technologies for both the wet and the dry spray processes. Sika is able to provide the optimum shotcrete solution for each type of project and application. When considering our extensive research, development and globalized production of specialized shotcrete admixtures and shotcrete rotor machines, plus our years of experience in tunneling, mining and on all types of major construction projects, Sika is the ideal partner for owners, designers and contractors on any type of shotcrete project.
| Sika® Sigunit® | Shotcrete accelerators, available as liquid, powder or instant powder, for the highest strength development, ideal for overhead applications and building-up thicker layers. |
| Sika® ViscoCrete® SC | High range water reducing superplasticizers for better workability of the concrete mix, higher compressive strength and increased durability of the shotcrete mix. |
| King Shotcrete | Industry leading pre-blended, pre-packaged dry & wet-mix shotcretes. |
| SikaFiber® | Steel or synthetic fibers used to increase the resilience and energy absorption of the shotcrete. Highest performance with maximum efficiency. |
| Aliva® | Specialist equipment for all types of wet and dry process shotcrete applications and accelerator dosing. Off-the-shelf and tailor-made solutions. Aliva® products for shotcrete applications, data sheets and more information can be found here. |
| SikaTard® | Cement hydration stabilizer to ensure long term stabilization of the shotcrete mix, enabling optimum shotcrete application with the highest flexibility. |
