Since its invention in 1907, shotcrete has enjoyed immense popularity in the construction world. It is not difficult to understand why. For years, construction constructors struggled with traditional concrete pouring methods when dealing with complex or irregular and steep surfaces. Accordingly, shotcrete entered the picture as the most awaited solution to the constraints of the traditional method.
As we speak, shotcrete has become one of the most viable and important concrete application techniques in every major or minor construction project. From retaining walls to tunnel construction, tank construction, artificial rockwork, and even artistry, everything boasts a hint of shotcrete application. In Calgary, shotcrete services have become a common distinguishing feature of reliable concrete contractors.
Experts like Sprayforce Concrete understand that in the current era, construction projects are incomplete without shotcrete. Thus, they exhibit shotcrete services as a top offering in their list.
While some applications of shotcrete are quite famous, others have not gained the fame and exposure they deserved. Despite their cruciality in modern construction, these applications are not talked about very often. One of such shotcrete applications is steep slope stabilization.
So for the purpose of this blog post, we shall help you understand what steep slope stabilization is, its applications, and how shotcrete is helping to make the world a safer place.
What Is Steep Slope Stabilization?
Undeniably, man-made structures are prone to failure. Every now and then, the news of a building, tunnel, or bridge collapse hits news headlines. While some of these incidents naturally point fingers at the reliability of the relevant general contractors who undertook the projects, others raise crucial questions regarding the structural integrity of the structures.
When it comes to large-scale construction and civil engineering projects, even the most minute negligence might turn out to be a costly disaster. This doesn’t mean that natural structures do not collapse. They do, but at a significantly lower rate.
Let us talk about slope failure in particular. Slope failure is caused by the interplay between two different forces – gravity and the slope material’s resistance. In the case of natural slopes, the resistance of materials such as the soil and rocks is often a great barrier to gravity. Natural vegetation also helps in this regard as its roots hold the material in place. However, this interplay is often dismissed by unreliable contractors as unimportant and they cut-through steep mountains to erect tunnels, railway lines, roads, and much more.
The failure to consider slope stability is often the main culprit behind numerous slope slides. Usually, these failures become apparent in the landslides that occur on numerous highways. As a country richly bestowed with mountains and valleys, most of the infrastructure in Canada is constructed by cutting through mountains. This is where slope stabilization enters the scene.
When you construct a road in such areas, it is imperative to consider the stability of the slope on both sides. Slope stability consists of many technical factors such as the angle’s steepness, material type, height, local climatic conditions, and more.
Once a slope is determined as unstable, various support measures are implemented to prevent it from collapsing onto the road. These preventive support measures are known as stope stabilization.
Why Is Shotcrete The Best Slope Stabilization Technique?
Compared to other methods, the shotcrete method boasts the most advantages when used in slope stabilization. These are:
- Enhanced Compactness: Since the concrete is shot at a high velocity at the surface, it automatically becomes compact.
- Ease of use: pouring concrete over steep slopes using traditional means is a huge challenge. However, the machinery used in the shotcrete method makes this process easy.
- Better adherence: The pressure at which the concrete is shot at the slope encourages better adherence.
Please note that for highly steep structures with unstable rocks, the shotcrete method must be supported by other means.
Read Also: Why Is Shotcrete Better For Underground Purposes?
About Sprayforce Concrete
Since 2010, we have been tirelessly and unwaveringly serving Calgary and its people. Driven by innovation and united by a common desire to serve the community, our seasoned team of American Concrete Institute certified nozzlemen boast profound expertise in both wet and dry mix shotcrete application, structural shotcrete repairs, shotcrete soil nail walls, slope stabilization, erosion protection, structural walls, architectural rock and shotcrete swimming pools. Learn more about Sprayforce Concrete and our exceptional stature in the community.
Contact us now to have all your shotcrete needs fulfilled within your budget and schedule.