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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.

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