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There are two ways to insulate the outside of concrete spas. The first way is to shotcrete the spa and then glue Styrofoam to the outside of the concrete shell or to spray the insulated foam to the outside surface. The second way is to use the ICF (insulated concrete form).

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On large swimming pools, it is not unusual to have joints that are left over a weekend or longer. The key is the means by which the joint is dealt with. As with any concrete joint, the surface needs to be clean and free of laitance or other contamination.

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Shotcrete is pneumatically applied concrete. All surface prep work for concrete will be the same for shotcrete applications. Before a recommendation can be made, is this tank going to be painted on the outside or the inside?

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In many experiences, the spacing and design of the joints are the same as you would expect for a cast in place wall. Walls have been constructed with no joint, with contraction and expansion joints, with a joint that is caulked, with joints containing waterstop, and just about anything else you might see in a cast in place wall.

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Thicknesses depend on the structure and surface (surface prep is the key to proper bonding of shotcrete) the shotcrete is being applied to. Depending on the application 1/4 flash coat to 1 inch thickness can be the minimum.

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Basically, shotcrete is a method of placing concrete that does not require forms. As a matter of fact, shotcrete requires the concrete mix to be proper every time. With formed concrete walls, the ready mixed concrete going in can be substandard and still appear to be okay. Shotcrete also provides a more dense concrete less susceptible to water penetration.