Mix proportioning of sprayed concrete: A systematic literature review

• Published in: Tunnelling and underground space technology 2022-06, Vol.124, p.104456, Article 104456
• Main Authors: Ikumi, T., Salvador, Renan P., Aguado, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Concrete; Concrete construction; Concrete mixing; Guidelines; Literature reviews; Mix proportioning; Proportioning (mixing); Sprayed concrete; Structural engineering; Systematic review; Technologists
• ISSN: 0886-7798; 1878-4364
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tust.2022.104456

•Sprayed concrete mix proportioning practices and recommendations are reviewed.•Tables summarizing main recommendations in standards and guidelines are provided.•Major areas holding significant potential to improve current practices are discussed.•Practical recommendations on sprayed concrete proportioning are provided. The widespread use of sprayed concrete for structural and non-structural applications. The high performance required demands solid mix proportioning guidelines and procedures that consider the peculiarities of this material with respect to conventional concrete. This review synthesizes current practices defined on standards, guidelines, and scientific literature in a format focused on allowing quick comparison and understanding of the current scenario of sprayed concrete proportioning to specifiers, sprayed concrete technologists, and ready-mix producers. The review highlights a reasonable consensus of standards and guidelines on the mix design approach based on the definition of recommended ranges and requirements on materials and dosages. These are deliberately flexible to account for the different sprayed concrete applications and specificities of work conditions. Based on the systematic literature review, a discussion on major areas holding significant potential to improve current practices is presented and practical recommendations are provided to advance towards more direct and optimized methods.