GUNITE DEFINITION

The term "gunite" refers to a dry-mix process that was invented in 1909 by naturalist Carl Akeley. Gunite is a process involving a "mixture of Portland cement and sand thoroughly mixed dry, passed through a cement gun and conveyed by air through a flexible tube, hydrated at a nozzle at the end of such flexible tube and deposited by airplace of final repose." "When properly mixed and applied, Gunite is extremely strong, dense and highly resistant to weathering and many forms of chemical attack. It is heat resistant to a high degree and can be made more so by substituting refractory aggregates for part or all of the sand. Resistance to abrasion is extremely high. The bond to other Gunite, well cleaned masonry or other materials is equal to or greater than the shearing strength of the material to which it is applied." (from "Gunite and Shotrete" by the Gunite Contractors Association).

"Shotcrete is an all-inclusive term to describe the spraying of concrete or mortar that may be accomplished through either a dry- or wet-mix process. Gunite refers only to the dry-mix process in which the dry cementitious mixture is blown through a hose to the nozzle, where the water is injected immediately prior to application. Because complete mixing of the water and dry ingredients is not possible in the nozzle, mixing is completed as the material impinges on the receiving surface, through manipulation of the nozzle. This requires a very highly skilled nozzleman, especially in the case of thick or heavily reinforced sections. Large aggregate is seldom used with the dry-mix process. Wet-mix shotcrete involves pumping of a previously prepared mixture, typically ready mixed concrete, to the nozzle. Compressed air is introduced at the nozzle to impel the mixture onto the receiving surface. The mixture usually contains minus 1/2 in. aggregate, although larger-size aggregate has also been used. The use of the term “shotcrete” first occurred in Railroad Age magazine more than 50 years ago in place of the then proprietary word “Gunite,” and has been used by the American Concrete Institute since at least 1967 to describe all sprayed concrete or mortar." (American Shotcrete Association)