Soil Nailing is Designed to Fit
by Marcus H. von der Hofen
[Shotcrete Magazine • Summer 2001]

Extract: Soil nailing has become a popular method to shore excavations and to build retaining walls due to its versatility and cost effectiveness. Generally broken into two categories, temporary and permanent ground retention systems, soil nailing has evolved into many variations. A range of different means and methods have emerged, giving the construction industry an incredibly adaptable shoring system. The importance of a well-seasoned soil-nail team, however, cannot be understated for the success of any project. (To read more: View PDF)

Tieton Dam Spillway Rehabilitation
by Larry Totten
[Shotcrete Magazine • Fall 2002]

Johnson Western Gunite Company rose to the challenge of rehabilitating the Tieton Dam Spillway in Yakima, WA. The spillway, built originally in 1924, was showing significant deterioration due to freezing and thawing, weathering, and erosion due to high-velocity water flow. The owner, the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation, designed a repair consisting of a 12-in.-thick (300 mm) reinforced, cast-in-place concrete overlay on the floor and left wall if one was looking downstream. The budget in the original contract was not sufficient to overlay the right wall. (To read more: View PDF)

Architectural Finishes for Retaining Walls
by Marcus von der Hofen
[Shotcrete Magazine • Fall 2003]

What kind of architectural finishes are possible with shotcrete? From the most basic natural gun finish to exotic carved sculptures, from the gray color of regular portland cement concrete to custom-colored and stained mixtures, shotcrete can take on many different types of finished appearance. Today's designers are continually challenged to provide quality finishes that fit the surroundings' and in many applications, shotcrete can fill these needs. (To read more: View PDF)

Washington State's Capitol Seismic Repair
by Marcus von der Hofen
[Shotcrete Magazine • Winter 2004]

Washington' State's Capitol Seismic Upgrade will surely rank as one of the top restoration projects of this decade and shotcrete proved to be essential to it's success. A with most complex rehabilitations, many of the hurdles face arose after the project had begun. The ability of the contractors, engineers, a and architects working together to overcome these issues proved once again to be the crucial factor in the success of the project. (To read more: View PDF)

Shotcrete Illusions
by Marcus von der Hofen and John Fulford
[Shotcrete Magazine • Winter 2006]

Over the years, we have had the pleasure of being part of a number of shotcrete retaining wall projects that have used a carved shotcrete finish. Some of these were originally designed to be constructed with shotcrete and some have come to fruition only after the owner was presented with the option of an alternative carved shotcrete look. Simulated rock finishes can be surprisingly economical for retaining walls. When it comes to carved appearances, the big question is which appearance is right for the situation. (To read more: View PDF)

The Serb Project
Submitted by Deane Hudson, Project Manager/Estimator
[Johnson Western Gunite Company • November 2006 to December 2007]

In Briones, California, more precisely northeast of Orinda in the East Bay, the initial project was already started by the customer. A soldier pile designed retaining wall was being constructed by infilling between I-beams with cast-in-place concrete.
(To read more: View)

Forming & Constructing Structural Shotcrete Walls
by Marcus von der Hofen
[Shotcrete Magazine • Summer 2008]

For contractor Krekow Jennings, shotcrete proved to be a time-saving, cost-effective alternative for a cast-in-place job in Seattle, WA. The 2008 Chinese Garden Project, originally designed as a two-sided form cast-in-place job, was instead shot against a braced forming system. This value and time-driven change was achieved without any redesign by the structural engineer.
(To read more: View PDF)

Linac Coherent Light Source Project
Submitted by Nur Kasdi, Project Manager/Estimator
[Johnson Western Gunite Company • August 2007 to April 2008]

The Linac Coherent Light Source Project involved the a new extension of an existing linear accelerator near Stanford University.  The work included the installation of final shotcrete lining inside the Undulator Tunnel, X-Ray Tunnel, Access Tunnel, and Far Experimental Hall.  All major contract items of the project were completed in house. (To read more: View)