Case Study: A Facelift on Alcatraz Island

Words: Dan Kamys

May 2013

Case Study: Rehabs and Restorations

Case Study: A Facelift on Alcatraz Island

QUIKRETE Cos. recently supplied shotcrete in 3,000-pound bulk bags for a restoration project on Alcatraz Island, also known as “The Rock.”

The QUIKRETE Cos. recently supplied shotcrete in 3,000-pound bulk bags for a restoration project on Alcatraz Island, also known as “The Rock.”

Boulderscape, a design architect specializing in shotcrete application, used QUIKRETE Shotcrete MS – Fiber Reinforced and QUIKRETE Shotcrete MS to successfully repair and stabilize a failing slope on the 22-acre island.

In addition to facing dangerous application conditions, a condensed six-week shotcrete schedule was required to avoid disruptions to regular tour operations, while considering the habitat and migration patterns of local sea birds. “Navigating a variety of unique factors made this a very fulfilling project for everyone,” says Steve Jimenez, senior VP commercial sales for Boulderscape. “We couldn’t start until the indigenous birds migrated from the island in November, and we had to complete our portion of the work before the birds returned in February. “This meant everything had to be expedited, starting with the delivery of material,” he continues. “Beyond the challenging schedule, the application process was full of danger. The nozzlemen had to be hoisted more than 60 feet in lifts to spray-apply the shotcrete before sculptors repelled down the cliff to shape the material. The end result was a structurally sound slope that matched the surrounding environment.” In one weekend, 131 bulk bags of Shotcrete MS – Fiber Reinforced and 126 bulk bags of Shotcrete MS were delivered to Alcatraz Island for the project. QUIKRETE delivered16 truckloads of material to Pier 50 in San Francisco that were later shipped on two barges to Pier 33 on Alcatraz Island. It was offloaded at night by crane, one-by-one, before finally being transported to the jobsite on trailers pulled by four-wheel, all-terrain vehicles. Shotcrete MS – Fiber Reinforced is a single-component Micro Silica enhanced repair and restoration material that achieves more than 9,000 PSI at 28 days, and features very low rebound and permeability characteristics.
For more information on QUIKRETE and its products, visit www.quikrete.com, like it on Facebook and follow it on Twitter @QUIKRETE.
Return to Table of Contents
Brick Remains Top Choice Among Architects & Homeowners, Glen-Gery Survey Reveals

In advance of National Architecture Day on November 1, 2024, Glen-Gery, a premier brick manufacturer that is part of Brickworks North America, released “Trends in Design and Renovation: A Comparative Study Among Homeowners and Architects,” a national surv

By: Stacey Bollinger
Read More
Strengthening the Foundation: Recruitment Strategies for Masonry Companies Amid Employee Shortages

In today’s construction landscape, masonry companies are facing an increasingly pressing challenge: the shortage of skilled labor. This shortage is not just a minor inconvenience but a significant hurdle that threatens the industry's growth and sustainabi

By: Tiffany Tillema
About: Featured
Read More
CITYPARK’s New Soccer Stadium in St. Louis Features Unique Masonry to Achieve Modern, Sleek Design

Completed in Fall ahead of the 2023 Major League Soccer season, CITYPARK St. Louis is a state-of-the-art, soccer-specific stadium in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri. The new stadium features geometric lines and unique masonry, creating a contemporary yet

By: John Cicciarelli
Read More
MASONRY STRONG Podcast Episode 2: Dick Dentinger

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, MCAA Chairman, Dick Dentinger, explains how he got started in the industry and how important he views networking, as well as the association as a whole. Experiencing the MCAA Mid-Year Meetings Attending the

By: Justin Stengel
About: Featured
Read More