Gunite w/o Bond Beam

[mjkat]

Are there circumstances where a gunite pool can have 5.5" thick walls w/o a 12" bond beam?

 

[JamesW]

Typically, no. What is the reason for not wanting a bond beam?

Also, I would want at least 8 inch thick walls.

 

[PoolGuyNJ]

The top 12" of a shell is where it is most vulnerable and weakest. This is why they are seldom less than 8" and have added rebar.

If you try to drink from a paper cup with it's rolled edge removed, does it keep its shape? No, its very weak. A pool shell is no different except in scale.

Scott