Shotcrete also known as “gunite” is a widely used speciality concrete or mortar. Unlike the commonly used concrete, shotcrete is projected rapidly onto a prepared surface through a nozzle, rather than cured in a mixer and poured out onto a surface. Depending on the size of the project and amount of concrete required, shotcrete can be applied to a surface either manually or with the use of a machine,using a wet-mix or dry-mix spraying. 
       
This solution is comprised of sand and gravel mixed with cement water. Supplemental fine material additives and chemical additives are then added to create the perfect consistency for the task required.
                 
 The use of shotcrete is beneficial for those within the construction industry as:

• It is strong and highly durable
• The material is well bonded and void free
• It is the perfect material to use for bigger projects thanks to its quick and widespread application.
• It can be used decoratively and has been used in such a way at popular theme parks. 

BellMont have experience with using shotcrete on number of projects which include the retaining wall rectification at Wardell Road,  Earlwood, and the croft at Musgrave Street Mosman to name a few . If you are looking to use this material on your building and require our expertise, remember... our help is only a click away!

​When it comes to the different parties that are present at a construction site, it is fairly obvious why contractors and managers are there. However, it isn’t always clear what role engineers play on site. While all projects require different tasks, the following is an example of the general roles undertaken by an engineer on site.
 
You may imagine an engineer as someone who spends most of their time in an office on a computer drawing up plans and writing reports, however,  this isn’t always the case during the construction process.
 
An engineers role on site begins with the initial inspection of the building which involves identifying issues, assessing the nature of them in relation to the buildings overall health and history and reporting back with solutions to be approved by the client.
 
Once these solutions have been approved, the engineer will supervise the work undertaken by the contractors from time to time to ensure that the job is carried out to specification, on schedule and within the budget. The engineer will also work to ensure that the plans on paper created prior meet the work that is being carried out. 

As the project continues the engineer will manage the project and can offer solutions for unforeseen issues should they arise. When all works have been finalised, the engineer will conduct an inspection and review of the building and ensure that the client is satisfied with the structural condition and aesthetic of the building.
 
Once the client confirms they are happy with the final product, the engineer will head back to the office to write their final reports and get stuck into the next exciting project!
 
Now that you know the role of an engineer on a construction site, why not go ahead and get in contact with us so we can work our magic and give you the healthy building you desire! 

One of the many tasks we commonly undertake at BellMont Façade Engineering, is remedial and diagnostic inspections. You may be wondering ‘but what does that actually mean?’ In short, it is an in depth investigation on defects present within a building/site, where we will then consult on potential solutions to the problem. But there’s a bit more to the process then it would first seem. So we’d like to take this opportunity to let you know what you should expect when an engineer is inspecting.

Firstly, you should expect us to actually be there onsite, so it’s important to make sure that occupants are also available to provide access. It may seem like an obvious one, but it’s important to remember, that access arrangements are followed through on.

After we’re there, you can expect us to undertake our initial investigations of the building/site. This initial inspection will involve us assessing what potential defects are present. During this time we will be liaising with whomever is in charge, asking questions such as the buildings age, for structural drawings, when was it last inspected, etc. It’s important for an engineer to gather as much information about a building as they can, as this will allow for a comprehensive analysis of the situation, therefore leading to better directions on remediation.

After we have conducted our inspection of the project, we’ll return to our offices and look over our site notes, assess all of the data we have at our disposal and write an analytical report. This report will contain a detailed list of defects present, our opinions on the cause(s) of them, as well as suggested actions for remediating the identified issues. Some defects can be dangerous and need to be attended to before others, we will also mark these out clearly for clients to see, so they know what needs attention the quickest.

During our assessment of defects, we also have to determine not just a theoretical solution to the issues at hand, but one can be implemented practically and successfully. This involves us running simulations and calculations on wide number of potential materials to do the job. The results of these simulations and calculations will dictate the final solution, whereon a technical specification will be supplied as part of the solution.

During the construction phase of the project, we would also supervise the project with regular inspections, also reviewing and considering payment claims and variations from contractors. 

At the end of a project, we will also issue a certificate of practical completion, assuming all work has been satisfactorily completed to specifications.

Some suggestions we have in order to be properly prepared, is to: 

• Coordinate access on a timed basis
• Have any and all data/paperwork relevant to the site/buildings construction ready for your engineer
• Keep to a maintenance schedule 
• Have a clear idea about what issues you would like addressed/looked at

If you have need for an inspection to be performed, contact us and talk to BellMont Facade Engineering about how we can assist you.

It’s well known that concrete is one of the world’s most used building materials. Considering its extreme level of versatility in its use, portability and affordability; it makes sense. Coming in a variety of types, with most of them being largely comprised of similar substances, it can be hard to see why there are so many concretes on the market. However it’s those small and often subtle changes from formula to formula that make all the difference. At BellMont we believe it’s important that people stay as informed as they can about the products they’re using, so they can make better decisions towards achieving their goals.

That’s why we’re taking the time to talk about some of the most common kinds of concrete and the sort of work they are suited for.

• Normal: When someone mentions the word concrete this is probably the kind that first jumps into your head. This is probably close to, if not, the most common kind of concrete used in the modern world. It is categorized by the ratio of cement to aggregate and water being 1:4:2 respectively. Normal concrete is mostly used for pavements, driveways and other things that don’t need to be under a heavy load, or for decoration. The reason it is used in decoration and aesthetic work is that it is quite workable and it can be stamped easily.
• High Density: These kinds of concrete are the densest you will find on the market, being categorized by any concrete that weighs 3000 - 4000kg/m3. It is used in construction of nuclear power plants, x-ray rooms, and anything else where radiation may be involved; as it offers protection from it.
• High Performance: This is another widely used concrete and is defined by how workable it is, its early strength, and overall longevity. High performance concrete is the closest thing to something that can do any job, being used in the widest range of situations
• Lightweight This is a special kind of concrete that is used primarily for protecting steel beams. It is also effectively used in bridge work, for long spans of concrete deck that needs to be poured. It is categorized as any concrete that weighs less than 1920kg/m3.
• Asphalt: This is probably something that most people don’t associate as being a concrete, but it is in fact one of the most common used worldwide. Asphalt concrete uses Asphalt, in conjunction with other aggregates in its mixture, and that is how it is categorized. The Asphalt that is present within the mix is what gives this cement its distinct look. Typically Asphalt is usable within an hour or so of being poured which is why it’s a popular choice for roadworks, car parks, runways, etc.
• Polymer: This is a special kind of concrete, which uses polymer as an aggregate in its mix.  Polymers are used because it reduces the amount of void in the concrete. Because of this, the overall strength of the concrete is improved, as well as helping it with waterproofing. There are a few different ways that the polymer material can be introduced in the concrete, and the uses vary between them, however in broad terms this kind of concrete is used commonly in remedial works, underwater construction, and bridges.
• Limecrete: Arguably the oldest form of concrete to be used, lime concrete, or limecrete, uses lime instead of cement in its mixture. Lime is a naturally occurring substance, as such its carbon footprint and overall impact on the environment is reduced when compared to other kinds of concrete. It is largely used decoratively for things such as floors, domes, vaults.

That about covers our quick look into the most common kinds of concrete and their common applications. We hope that from now, you’ll have a little better understanding of some of the products that get used on your site, and you’re better equipped to make a decision.