Understanding the temperature development of shotcrete mixtures in frozen ground

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Understanding the temperature development of shotcrete is a key to the in-place and long-term quality of**shotcrete and the ground stability. For northern applications, the hydration of shotcrete and temperature must**be accelerated to ensure adequate strength for rock support; however, excessive heat produced by shotcrete**hydration causes thawing of the surrounding permafrost. Thawing is a severe problem as it destabilizes the**ground, making underground operations unsafe. Despite the significance, most projects are just based on**practical experience or the trial-and-error approach. There is a lack of fundamental understanding on the**temperature development of shotcrete mixtures in frozen ground. To this end, we propose research**collaboration between LZhang Consulting & Testing Ltd and the University of Alberta to conduct an**experimental study to characterize the thermal properties and heat source of shotcrete under low temperatures**(i.e., 0 to -10°C). Then numerical modeling will be done using these characterization results to understand the**temperature development of shotcrete. As a result, the findings can guide the application of shotcrete used in**permafrost regions and artificially frozen ground.