When a parking-structure contractor needed a faster way to build overhead post-tensioned beams, Boulderscape shot them in place — placing structural shotcrete overhead with a nozzle-metered accelerator for instant adhesion, finished to a clean steel trowel in just 6 days at 34% below traditional construction.
Record Installation Time
Savings Over Alternatives
Wall Square Footage
As part of the North Hills parking structure expansion, the project team sought a faster and more economical method for constructing a series of overhead post tensioned beams. Boulderscape utilized the shotcrete process to place the structural beams directly into their forms, eliminating many of the challenges associated with conventional overhead concrete placement.
Each beam measured approximately 16" tall, 84" wide, and 32 feet long. A metered accelerator was introduced at the nozzle to provide immediate adhesion and rapid set, allowing the crew to efficiently place dense structural shotcrete overhead while maintaining the required geometry and finish quality. Once placement was complete, the exposed surfaces were hand finished to a smooth steel trowel finish.
The project encompassed 1,320 square feet of structural shotcrete consisting of a 16" thick structural section with an average 84" thick beam profile over post tensioned beam forms using a 7,000 PSI mix design. The entire scope was completed in just 6 days, delivering a high strength structural solution while accelerating the construction schedule. See our sculpted shotcrete process or explore more shotcrete finishes.
Boulderscape installed all control wires, specialty shotcrete mix design, metering pump, accelerator to shoot a place several overhead post tensioned beams.
Steel Trowel
Gray
16"
84"
Post Tension Beams
7,000 PSI
Specialty accelerator
