Demolition Excavators

Excavator Demolition

Excavators and Attachments

In the demolition industry, tools and machinery used can change on every demo project, but one machine often used for demolishing buildings and structures are excavators. Even though these are typically seen by many people as digging machines, the addition of attachments enables mini and large excavators to perform expert demolition tasks.

There are many kinds of excavators that offer different options on a job, the array of attachments mean they can be used for all aspects of demolition work, in addition to earthmoving, and handling construction materials.

With a variety of models, sizes, and types available, in the construction and demolition industry excavators are used to help tear down buildings and structures, whether it is for a partial strip out, an old commercial unit, or a big industrial demolition project.

Excavator Demolition

Excavators have specific jobs they can handle, varying from pile-driving to demolishing a high rise block. Some jobs will require a long reach excavator, other projects, a sophisticated crawler with a grapple attachment operated by an experienced professional.

If used for moving or clearing aggregate and rubble, then a large capacity wheeled or crawler excavator with a big bailing bucket will most likely be required. Models and attachments depend on what the machinery is going to be used for, in this article we look at some of the options available.

Long Reach Excavators

Some of these big long reach machines have over 100 feet of horizontal extension and are used for specialised demolition projects. Perfect for working on difficult construction sites and in all conditions, professional operators can strategically position these machines to carry out tasks effectively and safely.

Crawling Excavators

These commonly used machines sit on tracks, named because of the way they impressively crawl across different terrains and have superb traction on steep hills and slopes. They exert much less ground pressure than machines on wheels, making them an extremely popular choice for demolition and construction projects. Crawling excavators range from rubber tracked mini excavators to huge machines on steel tracks.

Wheeled Excavators

These mobile vehicles move a little slower than other excavators and leave a light footprint, they also provide superb traction. Because of their higher gravity centre, they are not as stable as tracked machines, but tyres on the undercarriage increase the machines overall speed and gives it excellent mobility.

Skid Steer Excavators

These fast and versatile machines will accept many types of attachment, including tools like excavation and digging arms, transforming the skid steer into a perfect compact excavator capable of moving heavy material around very quickly.

Suction excavators

These unusual machines can perform utility work with minimal damage and risk to adjacent properties. They move material by shooting a high pressure water jet into the ground creating a vacuum that then sucks up loose material through a hose.

Excavator Attachments

There are many types, sizes, and shapes of attachment available to buy or hire, all of which will make light work of almost any task. Excavators are limited to digging, loading, backfilling, or spreading material, but with the right tool attachments, you can turn these machines into a versatile demolition tool capable of whatever you may need it for.

Previously limited to earthworks, but tool attachments have put excavators right up there in the world of demolition and construction. Below we have listed a few of the more common excavator attachments used in our industry:

Auger – This excavator attachment is a great addition mainly used for digging holes.

Bucket – Expert tool generally used for making trenches and bailing waste.

Compactor – Perfect for pounding groundwork.

Grappler – Secure and safe grapple attachment for lifting all types of material.

Hammer – For breaking up hard materials like concrete.

Rake – Can make light work of cleaning up a construction site.

Ripper – Attachment to help rip up tough building materials.

Thumbs – Expert accessory for picking up heavy loads, there is not much it cannot pick up.

There are many other excavator attachments available, what you need will depend on the job in hand, vehicle operator and machine requirements to help determine the equipment for functional versatility and flexibility.

Regardless of the project in question, all professional demolition companies we be able to source and work with the most excavators and attachments for the demolition work you require.

Read more

Demolition Methods

Methods of Demolition

Methods of Demolition Complete demolition can be achieved by carrying out either a non-explosive controlled demolition service, or an explosive demolition method to erase a building or structure from above
Read More
Demolition

What is Demolition

What is Demolition? For businesses working in the construction industry there may come a time when a project requires consideration as to whether a building needs partial or full demolition
Read More

Methods of Demolition

Demolition Methods

Methods of Demolition

Complete demolition can be achieved by carrying out either a non-explosive controlled demolition service, or an explosive demolition method to erase a building or structure from above ground.

For non-explosive projects which make up around 99% of the industries work, specialist demolition tools and machinery are required, these sometimes involve robotic demolition techniques so that excavating machines can be operated from a safe working distance by the demolition contractor.

Building height generally dictates how a project will be safely managed. Semi and high reach machines can be used on buildings over three storeys high, with standard noise reducing equipment then added to excavators for all work carried out on lower levels.

High rise blocks need to be assessed structurally before top down demolition work starts, scaffolding, dust protection sheets, small excavators and cranes are then used to work from above under controlled demolition conditions. The building or structure will also require adequate support to avoid it from collapsing when work is taking place.

Excavator Demolition

When demolishing homes and offices an excavator is often used to dismantle the building from top to bottom. If the structure is over 60 feet, attachments like shears, crushers, and hydraulic hammers are affixed to a high reach excavator, these specialist machines are considered a safer option causing less noise, flying debris, dust, and risk to workers.

Ground crews then use tools and crushers to reduce the pieces to rubble ready to be removed.

Remote Control Demolition

Brokk Demolition is great for many different types of construction work, particularly for buildings in remote areas. The job will be managed and carried out by certified demolition companies using remote controlled robot machines for efficiency, whilst ensuring the safety of all workers on site.

Wrecking Ball Demolition

When you mention demolition, a wrecking ball may spring to some people’s minds. A giant steel ball weighing up to 12,000 pounds suspended from a crane swinging into buildings like a pendulum letting gravity do the work.

Whether it is swung and released, hoisted then dropped, or whipped from a specialist crane, expert precision is required to break a structure.

Even though wrecking ball demolition can be inexpensive and quick, this method causes a lot of debris, dust, and safety hazards, so this method is seldomly used on construction sites today.

Micro-Blasting

Due to the internal weakness in concrete, demolishing concrete from inside can be easier than breaking it from the outside. The micro-blasting process involves drilling to create holes in the concrete so cartridges can be placed inside. This demolition method demolishes concrete without too much debris, therefore producing less waste.

Hydraulic Bursting

This is a noise reducing demolition method which uses a hydraulic machinery. Similar to micro-blasting, holes are drilled into a structures concrete, spacing the holes in either a straight line or diamond pattern. Then a hydraulic burster determines the hole diameter and spacing, pressure is then repeatedly applied to pistons to crack the concrete until it can easily be removed.

Chemical and Mechanical Pressure Bursting

This type of demolition is one of the safest methods for removing large pieces of concrete, chemical and mechanical are the two different types of pressure bursting used. In both these techniques holes are once again made in the concrete so lateral force can be applied to break it up. Chemical Bursting uses expansive slurry which creeps into boreholes and mechanical bursting uses a hydraulic pressure splitting machine for the process.

Explosive Demolition

Not always the most practical solution, explosive demolition is sometimes referred to as implosion demolition, is often used on large structures like power stations and factories but makes up less than 1% of industry contracts.

It requires removing a building’s foundations and using explosives throughout to control the collapse, this process is rarely used in Towns and Cities. Cables are also generally used to control the building’s collapse, making this method a safer option.

Controlled implosion will either ensure the building falls sideways if there is enough space surrounding it. If not, a fall footprint method will be used instead. For this method explosives are placed into the floors below the middle section of the building, upon detonation the upper part of building will implode falling into the lower sections of the building, the weight and force created will ensure the building collapses on to its own footprint.

Read more

Excavator Demolition

Demolition Excavators

Excavators and Attachments In the demolition industry, tools and machinery used can change on every demo project, but one machine often used for demolishing buildings and structures are excavators. Even
Read More
Demolition

What is Demolition

What is Demolition? For businesses working in the construction industry there may come a time when a project requires consideration as to whether a building needs partial or full demolition
Read More

What is Demolition

Demolition

What is Demolition?

For businesses working in the construction industry there may come a time when a project requires consideration as to whether a building needs partial or full demolition and dismantling, or maybe a partial strip out.

Demolition is skilled and potentially dangerous work, so before any of these processes can be carried out on a building or structure, it is advisable to consult the expertise of a professional demolition company. Experienced demolition contractors will offer a full inspection and site survey of the work required, then report back on the different industry techniques and how best they can be executed.

When looking up the word ‘demolition’ in the dictionary, you will find the following meaning:

Demolition (noun): the act of destroying something, such as a building or other structure:

‘They tried unsuccessfully to stop the demolition of the old building’.

Demolition means to demolish, deconstruct, or dismantle manmade structures or buildings, but there is a big difference between these associated terms.

Dismantle involves taking a building apart piece by piece preserving as many of the elements as possible, maybe for recycling and waste management purposes. Therefore, a site survey is important to assess a building’s overall structure, its components, glass, and woodwork, or to see if there are any items of heritage that may need to be removed carefully for reuse or storage.

Deconstruction considerations are generally based on either structural and non-structural circumstances, non-structural is also referred to as ‘strip out’ or ‘soft stripping’, this involves removing components like windows, doors, and internal materials that can be sold or reused. This process is also referred to as selective demolition which is becoming more popular in our eco-conscious world.

Rather than destroying a building completely, selective demolition involves removing sections of a building while retaining its structure and leaving the shell behind for refurbishment.

Structural deconstruction involves dismantling a buildings structural components to reclaim and salvage costly or other reusable materials like bricks, stone, slate, tiles, and wood for example.

Complete and partial are the two main terms used in the demolition business, with complete demolition the most common process carried out in the industry. This is achieved by removing all trace of a building or structure from above the ground, sometimes also from below ground.

Partial demolition is far more intricate and requires additional planning work, extra support is normally required for the parts of the building that will remain, this may involve the demolition contractor using processes like window strutting, floor props or shoring.

In England and Wales, you will need to inform your local authority building’s control department in writing a minimum of six weeks in advance of any demolition works. In Scotland, you are required to obtain a demolition warrant prior to any work commencing.

It is also important that utilities providers and any adjacent or adjoining building owners are well informed in advance of any planned work, especially if party walls are involved and are affected.

However, not all buildings require such notification, for example: buildings below 1750 cubic feet or 50 cubic metres, or temporary buildings standing for no more than 28 days, greenhouses, prefabricated garages, conservatories, sheds or detached agricultural buildings are not as strict.

To ensure compliance with local by-laws it is recommended checking with your local authority prior to any demolition work being carried out, especially for work on properties in Scotland which require a warrant.

Listed buildings or structures in a conservation area should notify and liaise with the local conservation officer to obtain pre-demolition requirements, this may include shoring to protect adjacent buildings against damage, collapse, water damage, debris-disposal, and safety measures.

Seek professional advice for all medium to large-scale demolition projects, request a report from a structural engineer to carry out a detailed survey to include the demolition process and what impact the removal of parts will have on the structure and neighbouring properties.

You may also want to obtain a pre-demolition asbestos survey in case you need to employ an asbestos specialist to remove material from the construction site before work begins, some demolition companies already have experts on their team and offer this service.

Regarding construction regulations and health and safety requirements, more information can be found on the HSE website: www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/demolition.htm.

Read more

Excavator Demolition

Demolition Excavators

Excavators and Attachments In the demolition industry, tools and machinery used can change on every demo project, but one machine often used for demolishing buildings and structures are excavators. Even
Read More
Demolition Methods

Methods of Demolition

Methods of Demolition Complete demolition can be achieved by carrying out either a non-explosive controlled demolition service, or an explosive demolition method to erase a building or structure from above
Read More