ABSTRACT
The paper presents results of an experimental program adopting a physical method to increase the early-age strength of shotcrete. The method consists of applying electric gradients to the fresh shotcrete. The first results already published were obtained using non-conventional mixes and materials for shotcrete and electrodes. Strength increases of about 100% at 12-hour age have been reported. In the test program reported here, materials and mixes usual for shotcrete applications and electrodes made out of the same rebars used for lattice girders have been adopted. Scale effects have also been investigated, reproducing dimension ratios more similar to those of tunnel support. The influence of each different material employed is analyzed. The results obtained were even more significant than those of the previous program, with higher strength increase.
