Bypass shotcrete is an excavation support system innovated & refined by HC Matcon.
Bypass shotcrete is an excavation support system innovated & refined by HC Matcon.
This system consists of piles installed in vertically drilled holes with shotcrete across the bays instead of traditional lumber lagging. Steel piles are installed at regular intervals and shotcrete is installed in lifts between piles to retain the soils behind the excavation and transfer the loads to the piles. The piles are embedded below the depth of excavation to provide the necessary passive resistance. Like traditional shoring systems, piles can be cantilevered or braced with walers, rakers, struts and/or tiebacks.
Working closely with a talented team of engineers HC Matcon worked to develop the by-pass shotcrete shoring system through the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program. In addition to finite element modeling, an empirical design approach was taken, and extensive field testing was completed to prove the structural adequacy of the connection. The result was a mesh and clip connection exclusively implemented by HC Matcon.
Advantages of shotcrete systems:
- Cost effective shoring solution with less labour and material requirements.
- Eliminates voiding behind the shoring as shotcrete is shot directly onto the soil face.
- Can be used next to existing structures replacing traditional caisson wall systems.
- Excavation activities can be expedited as vertical drilling requirements are significantly reduced in comparison to a caisson wall.