Most modern construction involves concrete. As technology and construction have evolved, so too has the use of this essential building material. Many techniques have been used to improve the application of concrete since it was first invented. One of the most recent innovations is sprayed concrete. While early forms of sprayed concrete used small cement guns, today’s sprayed concrete systems are extremely precise and powerful.

What is Sprayed Concrete?

Sprayed concrete is a method of concrete application where the building material is sprayed using a hose-like spray nozzle instead of being poured in the traditional manner. It can be applied to a variety of surfaces such as roofs, foundations, floors, walls, columns, and more. When applied properly, sprayed concrete is a durable and strong building material that does not need to rely entirely on metal reinforcement to maintain its structural integrity.

What are the Benefits of Sprayed Concrete?

Compared to conventional poured concrete, sprayed concrete has a lower water-cement ratio which allows for higher compressive strength. It adheres to surfaces and substrates better than regular poured concrete due to its high-pressure application. It can be combined with steel fiber reinforcement, allowing for more flexural strength and making the finished structure much more solid and sound.

Furthermore, sprayed concrete can be applied in large volumes at high speed, allowing for the creation of thick concrete structures. The concrete is applied, placed, and compacted in one process, reducing labor and speeding up construction times. Because of the lack of wastage inherent in this application process, the cost of sprayed concrete is also significantly lower compared to conventional concrete.

Thanks to its versatility, sprayed concrete is utilized in a variety of construction projects. It can also be used to repair damaged sections of existing structures. Some common uses of sprayed concrete include lining the inside of tunnels and mines, building curved structures like skate parks or swimming pools, and creating faux finishes and high-rise facades. In addition, since it is lighter than conventional concrete, it is suitable for use in the construction of taller and larger structures.

Wet vs. Dry Sprayed Concrete

There are two main methods used to apply sprayed concrete. The wet process is known as shotcrete while the dry process is known as gunite.

The Wet Process

In shotcrete concrete, cement, aggregates, and a prescribed amount of water and mixed thoroughly before entering the pump. This dense mixture is pumped through a hose to the spraying equipment where it is pressurized and shot onto the surface being repaired or built. Due to the high pressure that is used in this process, the shotcrete can compact tightly to the substrate without any air pockets.

The one major advantage of using shotcrete is that there is less dust generated in the wet mixture, resulting in a healthier environment for workers. Because of its density and compactness, shotcrete also boasts an extremely low permeability which makes it resistant to numerous environmental factors such as frost, freeze-thaw cycles, fire, mold, and subterranean burrowers.

The Dry Process

In gunite concrete, the ingredients such as sand, cement, and aggregate are dry mixed before being loaded into the spray system. The dry mix is fed through the hose with a high-velocity airstream. Along the way, it passes the water injection nozzle where it is combined with water to form a wet mix. The amount of water fed into the hose is determined by the worker operating the spraying nozzle.

Gunite provides greater control over the finish quality because the worker can control the levels of wetness and texture throughout the application. The holding time of the dry mix is almost unlimited before the addition of water, and it is quicker and easier to prepare than shotcrete mix. However, the success of the application depends heavily on the experience and capability of the hose operator.

Application Considerations for Sprayed Concrete

For optimum results, sprayed concrete has to be applied by trained operators. Sprayed concrete usually requires more experience and expertise than conventional concrete because the operator has to finely manage the water content of the applied concrete as well as the degree of compaction to achieve the desired strength, quality, and finish. Poor control of the application can lead to issues such as unsatisfactory adhesion to the substrate, cracking, sagging, shrinkage, and rippling.

When designing concrete joints and/or steel reinforcements, sprayed concrete is similar to regular poured concrete. It is important to consider the thickness, density, and characteristics of the resulting concrete to ensure its structural performance and durability. Similarly, sprayed concrete should be protected from the water before it sets and be allowed to cure properly for a week or so before any surface finishing to ensure an ideal result.

Modern construction relies on the use of different materials and equipment to improve the efficiency and quality of the end products. One of its main advantages of sprayed concrete is speed, which enables workers to quickly create high-quality concrete structures. Sprayed concrete also is more cost-effective than conventional concrete because it requires less labor and can be applied on almost any surface in any type of weather condition. If you are interested in using sprayed concrete in your next construction project, be sure to contact a reputable sprayed concrete contractor to find out if it is right for your needs.

There are many ways that people can feel out of sorts. Perhaps you feel like you are not performing at a hundred percent or that you have lost your lust for life. Maybe the days seem to be passing by faster than you can handle and you are losing track of your goals and priorities. In some cases, you may even have been to see a doctor—who told you that you are healthy and perfectly fine. Yet, you cannot shake this feeling that something is off. If you are feeling this way, you are not alone. Here are some suggestions to help you address the situation and get back to your best self.

Check Your Aura

Your aura is a manifestation of the energy that surrounds you. With the assistance of an aura machine, you can see your aura as layers of colors around your body. Different colors indicate various mind and body states. By tuning into your aura, you can learn a lot about yourself and what your body is trying to tell you. For instance, if your aura is predominantly blue, it may mean that you are very intelligent yet can tend to overthink things. Likewise, if your aura is largely red, you may be passionate but also prone to anger. A trained aura practitioner can help you interpret this information and guide you in moving forward.

Learn to Meditate

Meditation is a great way to relax and detach yourself from negative thoughts. It can be done just about anywhere and requires only your quiet presence and patience. If you are finding it difficult to count and focus on your breathing, you may want to try guided meditation instead. With guided meditation, a therapist or coach will guide you through a meditative process and help you to observe your thoughts without judgment. Through meditation, you will be able to see things more clearly and understand why you experience certain emotions and reactions. This will help you make better decisions about what to do in the future.

Audit Your Lifestyle

Very often, our lifestyle may contribute to us not feeling quite like ourselves. Take some time out to evaluate your lifestyle objectively and identify the things that may be causing you strain. Are you spending too much time at work? Do you drink too much alcohol? Are you sleeping enough? Maybe you go out with friends too often. Or, you spend too much time by yourself. Sometimes you may not realize the impact that your everyday actions have on your mental and emotional well-being. If you find that some of your choices are affecting your mind and body negatively, try to change them and live a healthier lifestyle.

Unplug

Technology can have many benefits, but it can also be a huge psychological burden. Try taking a digital detox now and then by going offline and away from your phone and computer. This will save you from being bombarded by depressing news or having constant notifications that disrupt your flow. Spending time outdoors and enjoying nature can be a great form of relaxation. It allows you to get in touch with your inner self and focus on the here and now. If you do not want to go out, read a book instead. Just give yourself enough quiet time to remember that there is an amazing world that exists outside the digital realm.

Keep a Journal

Writing down your thoughts can help you process your emotions. While it may not seem particularly useful at that time, writing down how you feel about certain things is a very helpful way for you to understand yourself better, especially in retrospect. By reading back on your old entries, you may find patterns in your behavior that you were not aware of before. You may discover that certain habits are preventing you from reaching your goals or that some people are a source of stress in your life. You can also think about how you can change the way you deal with these events and individuals and track your progress through your journal.

Talk to Someone

Having someone to talk to about the things that are bothering you can be extremely helpful. A therapist can work with you to help you achieve a better understanding of your thoughts and feelings. They will also offer suggestions on how you can overcome obstacles and start living a happier life. If you are not yet ready to speak to a professional, you could also consider confiding in a friend or family member you trust. Just talking about how you are feeling and removing that burden from your mind can provide psychological relief. Alternatively, you could join a support group where you can talk to others who are going through similar situations.

There are many medical reasons why you may be feeling out of sorts. If you have been for a thorough examination and cannot find a cause for your malaise, the root may be emotional or psychological. Be sure to set time aside for self-care and equip yourself with the tools to get in touch with your thoughts and feelings. If you are not making any headway, do consider seeing a professional therapist who may be able to help you work through your challenges.

Every business has an inventory of physical assets from tables and chairs to computers and refrigerators. Some of these assets are essential to the smooth operation of the business while others are costly and must be kept in good working condition. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to keep track of all the items in the business and make sure that they are in working order. To help solve this problem, many companies are turning to facility asset management software.

What are the Benefits of Facility Asset Management Software?

Complete Inventory – One of the biggest benefits of facility management software is that it allows companies to keep track of all their items in one centralized location. This means that managers know where each important piece of equipment is located at any time. It also eliminates the need for manual inventories which can take a lot of time and are prone to human error. Aside from having an inventory of your assets, you can also keep track of spare parts so your maintenance workers can find what they need when they need it.

Efficient Maintenance – Since all equipment is cataloged in one place, it is easy to identify what needs to be repaired or replaced when it is needed. It also facilitates preventative maintenance which prevents problems from developing, saving you time and money in the long run. By keeping on top of your asset maintenance, you can extend the useful life of your expensive equipment. In addition, you minimize downtime that can hurt your business, thus improving customer satisfaction and increasing sales.

Streamline Work Orders – Facility management software makes it easy to create work orders for any equipment that needs repair or replacement. You can assign tasks to specific employees and be constantly updated on the progress of the repairs. This reduces the time it takes to get things done and prevents delays in the work order process. You can also track the work order history for each piece of equipment to identify assets that may be performing less efficiently than others.

Easy Reporting – Most facilities management software comes with built-in reporting tools that allow managers to create reports based on their individual needs. You can schedule reports to be emailed to you automatically so you can stay on top of the condition of your assets as well as sort assets out by type or status. This makes it easy to keep an eye on maintenance costs and make informed decisions about future equipment investments.

Manage Multiple Facilities – Most asset management software can be configured to meet the requirements of multiple facilities, making managing assets across facilities easier. This saves you the time and effort of individually managing each facility. You can also save costs by consolidating work order call-outs across locations. Furthermore, you can use the captured data to determine why some assets may not performing as well in certain locations and remedy the situation.

Who Needs Facility Asset Management Software?

You may be thinking that facility management software is only for huge, multinational companies. However, even small businesses can benefit from effective asset management and preventative maintenance. In fact, it can be even more useful to a smaller business than a large one because it allows you to save valuable resources and maximize your profits. Here are some examples of businesses that could use asset management software.

Restaurant – Equipment like refrigerators, ovens, fryers, and blenders are necessary for a restaurant business to operate smoothly. Unfortunately, these pieces of equipment are prone to failure and need to be maintained frequently. A broken oven can take several items off the menu while a broken air conditioner means your customers will be going elsewhere.

Grocery Store – Unless it is a farmer’s stall on the side of the road, a grocery store will likely need to have working chillers and check-out stations. In addition, a working air conditioning system is essential to keeping food from spoiling and keeping customers comfortable while they shop. Failure to maintain these items can lead to a loss in saleable stock as well as a loss of customers.

Corporate Office – A typical commercial office will house numerous pieces of vital equipment such as computers, printers, and copiers. Failure to properly maintain these items can lead to a delay in production or even a complete shutdown of operations. A broken computer or server can also lead to data loss, which can have a huge impact on your business and reputation.

Real Estate Management – If you lease property, keeping track of your asset inventory is essential. Having equipment that works properly is crucial to tenant satisfaction and retention. Failure to keep assets on your rental properties adequately maintained can lead to loss of rental income and damage to your reputation. In certain cases, it may even result in lawsuits.

From cookers to computers and small to big facilities, assets are integral to the success of a business. Facility management software is a program that is designed to keep an inventory of physical assets and help businesses keep track of them. This helps facility managers and organizations to save both time and money and keep the business running smoothly. If you want to reap the benefits of asset management software, consider implementing it today.