Cemrock specializes in the construction of artificial rockwork. We use a variety of materials and techniques, and depend largely on the artistic talent of our skilled employees. We perform projects throughout North America and Europe, and will soon enter markets in Asia. Cemrock is one of the most experienced companies of its type in the world, and has been creating artificial environments and habitats using artificial rockwork for over thirty years.
Most artificial rockwork construction methods have traditionally used cementitious materials or combinations of similar materials, since portland cement concrete, in its many forms, is a simple and benign material, common and conducive to being placed pneumatically. This allows for great freedom in the placement of the concrete to produce intricate, organically-shaped forms, much like is seen in nature. Pneumatically-placed concrete (also known as “shotcrete” or “gunite”) is customarily placed over structural armatures constructed from reinforcing steel and a backing material such as metal lath or construction fabric. The outer layers of the concrete are often carved by hand in the positive to replicate natural geologic forms and textures, then colored using multiple layers of thin acrylic latex paints, acid-based stains and/or integral concrete coloring.
Alternative methods of constructing artificial rockwork use castings made from molds taken directly from natural rock formations. Concrete “panels” cast in flexible molds have intricate, random texture, and can be assembled over steel armatures then grouted into place using structural shotcrete. The seams between the panels are carved and textured by hand, and the formations are colored in the same way as positive-carved rockwork.
Recently, Cemrock has constructed artificial rockwork using new composites of materials that can produce rockwork with special attributes such as lighter weight, improved strength and durability and greater ease of installation through decreased labor or compressed time of construction. Rockwork can be simply decorative, or can serve a dual purpose such as structural retention of soils or stabilization of erosion-prone excavations.
Artificial rockwork is a fundamental tool in the production of naturalistic habitats or environments, replicating natural forms for the education of the end-user and for the beautification of commercial, residential or institutional construction projects.
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