Shotcrete Archives | Page 20 of 21

Looking for a Faster, Economical Solution?

A new parking structure being constructed in Santa Clara, CA offered challenges similar to many other projects. The owner and the general contractor, Devcon Construction, were looking for ways to get the structure built more quickly and economically. One solution used was to build the 40 feet shear walls using the shotcrete method as opposed to being cast in place.

The project, Lawson Lane Commons, has shear walls spanning 310 lineal feet and 40 feet high. Foundations for the walls were poured on 5/25/2012 and three separate shotcrete pours were done with the final shoot being completed on 6/28/2012. In total, 390 cubic yards of concrete were shot and the walls were completed in only 25 working days.

In reviewing this project, our estimators projected that comparable cast-in-place walls would have taken 24% more man hours to complete. The additional man hours would have equated to higher labor costs and several more days on the schedule to complete the task. By using shotcrete provided by Conco, the general contractor was able to have the shear walls completed in less time than anticipated, saving time on the overall schedule. Furthermore, the shotcrete walls have the same structural characteristics as traditional cast-in-place walls.

Shotcrete is a method of applying concrete pneumatically through a high pressure nozzle. Because it is installed at a high velocity, shotcrete tends to have better consolidation than conventional concrete, making for a denser finished product. The consistency of shotcrete is more easily controlled than cast-in-place concrete as it is impossible to place high water/cement (w/c) ratio shotcrete. As a result, characteristics of low w/c concrete are found in shotcrete, including increased durability and reduced shrinkage cracking. Shotcrete is subject to the same design factors as conventional concrete; therefore, the strength characteristics desired in poured-in-place concrete can also be achieved in shotcrete walls.

Shotcrete offers not only excellent structural properties, but also provides economical advantages over typical cast-in-place concrete. With reduced forming, shotcrete walls can be constructed faster with less material, saving our client both time and money. The absence of tie holes (that need to be filled, leaving visible blemishes) and the ability to easily apply color, stains, and textures makes shotcrete an aesthetically appealing alternative.

Conco operates shotcrete crews in Washington, Northern California, and Southern California. All operators are ACI certified, have years of industry experience, and demonstrate excellent craftsmanship. Our professional estimators can assist you in comparing the time and cost differences of shotcrete walls versus conventional cast-in-place concrete for your specific project. Should you need assistance, please call Chad Watson at 925-685-6799.

Seattle Mat Pour at The Martin

Conco’s regional office in Washington completed a 2,880 cubic yard mat pour on April 7th at The Martin–a 24-story luxury apartment tower located in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood–for general contractor Exxel Pacific.

Located downtown adjacent to Seattle’s Monorail, access and time constraints were a concern. Three pumps–36 meter, 47 meter & 58meter–were used to complete the mat pour, together pumping 450 cubic yards per hour at peak times. Cadman, Inc. delivered the ready-mix with trucks arriving approximately every 80 seconds to fill the mat which measures 7′-6″ at the deepest point.

With 2,880 cubic yards and 275 tons of rebar, The Martin stands as affirmation of Conco’s abilities and reputation.

For more information on The Martin visit www.themartinseattle.com.

Click the gallery images below for a closer look.

Problem: Unappealing Concrete Shear-wall

Solution: Sculpted Shotcrete Mural

The City of Burien, WA sits below the Cascade Mountain range. As such, in the background of the downtown area is Mount Rainier. When building a parking garage to support the bus transit center, the city wanted to avoid having a structure with stark concrete walls. Their goal was to turn the building into a piece of art that highlighted the city’s most visible landmark and surrounding mountain ranges.

Working with the general contractor, Pankow Builders, Conco worked to create sculpted shotcrete murals that depicted views of the Cascades, Olympics, and Mount Rainier on all four sides of the building. The shear-walls were shot from the outside of the building and the area’s where the murals were going to be located were left with a scratch finish to allow the proper bonding of the mural work to the structural shotcrete wall.

As the picture shows, the shotcrete murals provide not only the structural integrity needed for the parking structure but serves as a stunning work of art that highlights the local landscape of Burien, WA.

The application of sculpted shotcrete is only limited by the imagination. It is a great way to either highlight your structure or blend it in with the local landscape.

Click the gallery images below for a closer look.

For more information on sculpted shotcrete contact Chad Watson at 925-685-6799.

Contract Awarded

Concrete package for the San Francisco 49ers stadium

A joint venture between Turner Construction and Devcon Construction has awarded the concrete package to Conco for the $1.2 billion San Francisco 49ers stadium. Designed by architect HNTB, the stadium is scheduled to open in time for the 2014 NFL season.

The project consists of slabs in excess of 2,000,000 square feet and will use more than 65,000 cubic yards of concrete. In order to meet the demands of the ambitious timeline for completion of the foundation, Conco will be working in four separate areas simultaneously. The same approach will be taken for the many deck pours that will need to be completed.

Conco brings to the project its vast experience in public arenas. Among its portfolio of projects include all the cast in place concrete for the San Francisco Giants ballpark (AT & T Park), the foundation package for the HP Pavilion (Shark Tank), all cast in place concrete for the LA Live complex, and ancillary structures for the Seattle Seahawks Stadium.

Visit the Construction Camera page for a live view of the construction.

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