What are some of the latest technologies in shotcreting?
Hulls: In equipment: specialised underground agitator trucks, robotic arms, new carriers for the pump and spray gear such as Vipers and Normets. In additives: superplasticisers, accelerators, fibres both steel and monofilament or poly fibres. In testing: EFNARC standards, Round Determinate Panel (RDP) tests, beam tests, slump testing, shear testing adhesion testing. Coffey Mining has developed a suit of tests suitable for early age strength testing and for confirmation of early re-entry times. These tests include: using the maturity concept to determine shotcrete strengths at any given time (maturity is based on strength gain with time and temperature); beam tests to determine Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) strengths both in sprayed beams and in situ on the wall strength tests; portable shear testing enabling determination of on site and in situ shear strengths at an early age; and in situ adhesion testing.
