Shotcrete & Gunite

Published Articles

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Formwork in Swimming Pool Construction
It could be said that a swimming pool shotcreted directly against the pool excavation would be considered formless. In reality, isn't the earth surface against which the shotcrete is being applied still a form? Shouldn't all the recommended practices for applying shotcrete against forms still apply?
By Ron Lacher, P.E.
Source: Shotcrete Magazine
Publication date: Summer, 2008

Rough Edges
Although far more common than they once were, pools with vanishing edges are still among the watershaping industry’s most distinctive designs. Their increased popularity, however, has been accompanied by a rash of expensive repairs and structural failures in the walls used to create the edge effects. To get to the bottom of this disturbing trend, engineer Ron Lacher has investigated the causes...

By Ron Lacher, P.E.
Source: Watershapes
Publication date: Summer, 2007

Repair Procedures for Exposed or Shallow Reinforcement
Shotcrete Magazine's second Installment of the Pool & Spa Corner. The goal of this column is to reach out to those with a stake in the pool and spa industry so that our readers can benefit from our perspectives. In this issue, Ron Lacher shares his perspective on issues that can arise in the construction of a vanishing edge-style pool.

By Ron Lacher, P.E.
Source: Shotcrete Magazine
Publication date: Summer, 2007

Shotcrete Workmanship Issues
Several months ago, I ran across a brief article in a swimming pool trade publication co-authored by two shotcrete contractors who presented what they believed to be proper wet-mix shotcrete application in swimming pool construction. In every construction trade, including swimming pool construction, it’s not uncommon for contractors to have different opinions...

By Ron Lacher, P.E.
Source: Shotcrete Magazine
Publication date: Spring, 2007

Bad Benchmarks
For years pool builders have experienced failures of steps and benches in their concrete water-shapes much too frequently. What’s been puzzling is that the majority of these failures have occurred in spa steps and benches – a mystery to which we have responded with a detailed investigation of the problem’s possible causes, and a simple, workman ship-based solution.

By Ron Lacher, P.E.
Source: Shotcrete Magazine
Publication date: Spring, 2007

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