46
SPN DEC 2011 ConcretePools
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
THIS: Premier Gunite’s finished pool structure for a Barnham, West Sussex pool RIGHT: Spraying concrete is one of the most demanding activities in construction
specialist swimming pool application. Originally discovered in the US, concrete’ or unite are names used to designate a mixture of one part Portland Cement and four parts sand thoroughly mixed dry, passed through a unite machine and conveyed by air through a rubber hose and deposited by air pressure. The method involves shooting concrete into place at high velocity and offers an extremely effective and revolutionary approach to cement application which can be used on a variety of surfaces such as concrete, brick, rock, tile, stone or steel. This method has proven its strength and durability, far exceeding the shearing strength of good quality brick or concrete against which it is applied. It is heat resistant to a high degree, unyielding to harsh weather conditions, and many forms of chemical attack.
The superiority of such an application means that although the hardened properties of concrete are similar to conventional cast-in-place concrete, the nature of the placement process
provides multiple benefits such as excellent bond with most substrates and instant capabilities, particularly on complex forms and shapes. There is a consistent and growing demand for Premier Gunite’s expertise, with the concrete application being used for an extensive variety of water retaining structures such as swimming pools, water parks, themed pools, as well as pile facings, skate parks, and ground stabilisation. Brian Andrews, Managing Director of Premier Gunite said: “As technology advances, we are constantly reviewing the very latest in construction applications and to date, the ‘concrete’ method still exceeds all expectations. It is fast and reliable, minimises manpower in comparison to traditional methods, generating startling results that have stood the test of time.” Premier Gunite is affiliated to award-winning projects such as the Sea Lion Cove at Woburn Safari Park, and offers a full consultant engineering service together with drawing office and design facilities to undertake most civil engineering
projects using pneumatically sprayed concrete. They do not require a liner membrane so have to be completely watertight and are therefore normally constructed using a double layer of concrete blocks and steel reinforcement. The shell is then waterproofed by the application of a proprietary render. Another popular construction method is carried out using a continuous steel framework reinforced and finished with unite or concrete.
The superiority of such an application means that although the hardened properties of concrete are similar to conventional cast-in-place concrete, the nature of the placement process provides multiple benefits such as excellent bond with most substrates and instant capabilities, particularly on complex forms and shapes. Specialist concrete construction company Contech UK are dedicated to sprayed concrete technology. The company’s use of the technology is used in a variety of applications including building sea defences or building bridges but it is
Premier Gunite is affiliated to this award-winning project for the dramatic shapes at Sea Lion Cove at Woburn Safari Park, near Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire BELOW: Pool shell showing creation of viewing windows BELOW: Finishing touches to the structure
BELOW: The finished project
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92