Definition

Noun: A construction material consisting of a dry mixture of cement and sand (or other fine aggregate), which is combined with water at a nozzle and then sprayed onto a surface using compressed air (pneumatic pressure). It is used to form a dense, hard layer for lining, coating, or structural purposes.

Usage

Gunite is specifically used as a sprayed concrete or mortar application. It is a process and the resulting material. - It is commonly used in swimming pool construction, tunnel linings, slope stabilization, and repairing concrete structures. - The key characteristic is its application method: a dry mix is pneumatically projected at high velocity onto a surface.

Examples

• The contractor used gunite to create the shell of the new swimming pool.
• The old tunnel was reinforced with a layer of gunite to prevent further erosion.
• Applying gunite requires skilled operators to ensure an even coating.

Advanced Usage

• Shotcrete vs. Gunite: In modern terminology, "shotcrete" is the broader industry term for all sprayed concrete. "Gunite" traditionally refers specifically to the process described above, where water is added at the nozzle. The wet-mix process (where all ingredients, including water, are mixed before projection) is also called shotcrete.
• As a Verb (less common): The process itself can be referred to as "to gunite."

Variants and Related Words

• Shotcrete (n): The general term for concrete or mortar conveyed through a hose and pneumatically projected at high velocity onto a surface. Gunite is a type of shotcrete.
• Sprayed Concrete (n): A descriptive synonym for shotcrete/gunite.

Synonyms

• Dry-mix shotcrete
• Pneumatically applied mortar

Notes

• Gunite is a proprietary name that has become a generic term, similar to "Kleenex" for tissues. Its defining feature is the dry-mix pneumatic application process.
• It adheres well to irregular surfaces and can be applied without traditional formwork.

Noun

1. a mixture of cement and sand and water that is sprayed on a surface under pneumatic pressure