Optimization Design and Performance Study of Shotcrete Mix Proportion for Tunnels in High-Altitude Mountainous Regions

doi:10.16552/j.cnki.issn1001-1625.2025.1281

Abstract

Abstract:

To prepare shotcrete suitable for high-altitude mountainous regions， this study employed orthogonal experimental design to investigate the effects of early-strength admixture dosage， water-binder ratio， accelerator dosage， and sand ratio on the slump， 8 h compressive strength， and 28 d compressive strength of shotcrete. The results show that the early-strength admixture dosage and water-binder ratio significantly affect the shotcrete’s flowability and compressive strength. The sand ratio influences flowability as well as early and late compressive strength， though to a lesser extent. The accelerator dosage has a minor effect on both early and late compressive strength. Secondly， through range analysis and grey target decision theory， an optimal mix proportion design for shotcrete is obtained： early-strength admixture dosage of 26% （mass fraction）， water-binder ratio of 0.30， accelerator dosage of 7% （mass fraction）， and sand ratio of 50%. Finally， XRD， TG， and SEM microstructural analyses elucidate the mechanisms by which the accelerator and early-strength admixture influence shotcrete performance， the two exhibit a synergistic effect， significantly enhancing the early strength of the cement paste. These findings provide technical support for the optimized design and preparation of shotcrete for tunnels in high-altitude and rugged mountainous regions.

Key words: shotcrete, mix proportion optimization, microscopic mechanism, orthogonal experiment, grey target decision theory, range analysis

CLC Number:

TU528

LI Yue, ZHOU Guanghui, YANG Bin, JIN Kaikai, JIANG Zezhou, QIU Ziheng, SHAO Weiwei. Optimization Design and Performance Study of Shotcrete Mix Proportion for Tunnels in High-Altitude Mountainous Regions[J]. BULLETIN OF THE CHINESE CERAMIC SOCIETY, 2026, 45(6): 1924-1936.

Figures/Tables 20

References 23

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Material	Mass fraction/%
Material	CaO	SiO₂	Al₂O₃	Fe₂O₃	SO₃	TiO₂	MgO	K₂O	Other
OPC	63.22	18.57	5.57	4.35	3.32	2.17	1.58	0.58	0.64
ESA	55.39	30.49	3.10	1.71	4.09	0.57	2.83	0.61	1.21

Material	Mass fraction/%
Material	CaO	SiO₂	Al₂O₃	Fe₂O₃	SO₃	TiO₂	MgO	K₂O	Other
OPC	63.22	18.57	5.57	4.35	3.32	2.17	1.58	0.58	0.64
ESA	55.39	30.49	3.10	1.71	4.09	0.57	2.83	0.61	1.21

Material	Mass fraction/%
Material	C₃S	C₂S	CaCO₃	C₄AF	AFt	C₃A	Amorphous
OPC	57.17	13.72	6.80	10.18	0	6.83	5.30
ESA	50.06	14.09	13.58	6.23	1.54	1.48	13.02

Material	Mass fraction/%
Material	C₃S	C₂S	CaCO₃	C₄AF	AFt	C₃A	Amorphous
OPC	57.17	13.72	6.80	10.18	0	6.83	5.30
ESA	50.06	14.09	13.58	6.23	1.54	1.48	13.02

Setting time/min		Compressive strength/MPa		Flexural strength/MPa
Initial setting	Final setting	3 d	28 d	3 d	28 d
189	246	26.6	48.3	5.2	7.3