What is Shotcrete?

What is Shotcrete?

Shotcrete is wet-mix concrete sprayed through a hose. It's similar to gunite but pre-mixed—concrete is mixed before being sprayed instead of being wetted at the nozzle. Understanding shotcrete helps you understand the difference between gunite and shotcrete.

What is Shotcrete?

Shotcrete is:

• Wet-mix concrete: Concrete mixed with water before spraying
• Sprayed through hose: Pneumatically sprayed
• Pre-mixed: Mixed before spraying (unlike gunite)
• Similar to gunite: Same application method, different mixing

How It Works

The shotcrete process:

1. Mix concrete: Concrete mixed with water (wet mix)
2. Spray through hose: Pneumatically sprayed through hose
3. High velocity impact: Hits surface at high speed
4. Compacts on impact: Velocity creates compaction

Shotcrete vs Gunite

Shotcrete: Wet-mix (pre-mixed before spraying)

Gunite: Dry-mix (water added at nozzle)

Key Differences

• Mixing: Shotcrete is pre-mixed; gunite is wetted at nozzle
• Consistency: Shotcrete has more consistent water content
• Application: Similar spraying method
• Uses: Similar applications (pools, walls, repairs)

Common Uses

Shotcrete is used for:

• Pool construction: Pool walls and structures
• Retaining walls: Vertical walls
• Repairs: Concrete repairs and patching
• Curved surfaces: Where forms aren't practical

The Bottom Line

Shotcrete is wet-mix concrete sprayed through a hose. It's similar to gunite but pre-mixed—concrete is mixed before spraying instead of being wetted at the nozzle. Both shotcrete and gunite use high-velocity spraying to create dense, compacted concrete. The main difference is when water is added—shotcrete mixes water first, while gunite adds water at the nozzle.

Need shotcrete work? Contact Local Concrete Contractor. We handle specialized concrete applications including shotcrete for pools, walls, and repairs.