Quantifying The Increase In Adhesion Strength Of Shotcrete Applied To Surfaces Treated With High-Pressure Water

Research is currently being conducted at the Colorado School of Mines in the use of high-pressure water for scaling down loose rocks in underground mine openings. In addition to improved miner safety, the adhesion strength of shotcrete applied to rock surfaces treated with high-pressure water is also increased significantly, resulting in improved overall support capabilities of the shotcrete layer. Test results show an increase in adhesion strength by a factor of four on a concrete test wall cleaned with water at 21 MPa (3,000 psi) as compared to a surface cleaned at 0.7 MPa (100 psi).