The Contribution of Controlled Demolition (CD) Towards Disaster Effects Reduction

90
The Contribution of Controlled Demolition (CD) towards

Disaster Effects Reduction
A T M Mozaffor Hossain
*

Abstract
Natural disasters are inevitable, followed by catastrophic effects. The increasing
trends of human induced hazards like infrastructure collapses are witnessed over the
recent past. In this paper, an attempt has been made to analyze the nature of disaster
in Bangladesh. Its effects are identified with the evaluation of damage extent. Their
occurrence may be beyond control, but the aftermath effects could be well managed
provided that high technologies are adopted in time. This paper highlights some
widely practiced examples of applied CD technologies and policy implications to
assess their suitability in the context of Bangladesh.
Keywords: Controlled Demolition, Disaster Effects, Nature of Disaster, Non-
Explosive Demolition, NONEL tube.
Introduction
Bangladesh is a low-lying deltaic country with hundreds of rivers and
tributaries. The geographical location, land characteristics, multiplicity of
rivers, monsoon climate and coastal morphology renders Bangladesh as highly
vulnerable to natural hazards. Human induced hazards add a new dimension to
disaster effects. Climate change has become the root causes of many disasters.
The effects due to disaster are multidimensional, causing death toll of lives,
destruction of property and so on.
Demolition is the tearing-down of buildings and other structures; the opposite
of construction. The concept of using energy produced by explosives came up
with the invention of black powder in 808 AD in Tang Dynasty in China. This
invention and application has led the transferring of chemical energy to
mechanical energy. The development of various destructive explosives namely
Picric Acid (PA), Tri Nitro Toluene (TNT), Hexogen (RDX), Nitroglycerin
(NG) and blasting cap enhanced the destructive applications in different field
engineering works in World War II. Controlled demolition, often known as
'Controlled Blasting', is to perform engineering works to a desired extent with
the control of blasting energy released out of an explosive blasting so that
harmful effects are reduced to a tolerable limit.
* Assistant Inspector of Colleges, Bangladesh University of Professionals
Email: atmmozaffor1971@yahoo.com
BUP J OURNAL, Volume 1, Issue 1, September 2012, ISSN: 2219-4851
91
The invention of new demolition theories, technologies, equipments, switching
over to NONEL (Non- Electrical) tube and NONEL detonator from electric
firing system, and overwhelming advantages of CD over manual or mechanical
means have led to an extensive use both in war and peace in different
engineering works in the developed countries.
CD technology can reduce disaster effects, especially aftermath. Simply,
blasting energy used in a controlled way can do and undo many civil
engineering works. Blasting can remove or even build a portion of dam. It can
excavate under water, sand or mud, and remove debris from a drainage outlet.
Safe dismantling of partially collapsed structures, rescue entrapped people and
creating an access to the damaged sites are the remarkable contributions of CD
technology. Even it can fight fires. Most importantly, CD works lead towards
environmental friendly activities.
Objectives of the Study
This study focuses on analyzing the nature of disasters occurring in
Bangladesh with identification of their effects. The concept of CD technology
developed around the world and various examples of its applications are
studied with a view to explore them to reduce disaster effects in the context of
Bangladesh.
Methodology of the Study
This study is based on both primary and secondary data. Primary data includes
the work experiences on demolition works both at home and abroad
(dismantling of high rise building, chimney, rock blasting etc. in China).
Secondary data includes a handbook on CD- Peoples Liberation Army
University of Science and Technology(PLA UST), China; work experiences
of a world leading CD expert-Controlled Demolition Inc. (CDI), U.S.A;
different published materials like 'Applied Explosive Technology for
Construction and Mining'; and writings of some other scholars. The nature of
disaster is analyzed followed by an identification of its effects. A ruthless
study is made on the concept of CD technology developed around the world.
And based on the practical experiences and relevant examples from CD
practices, different applications of CD technologies are brought in to reduce
disaster effects in Bangladesh. At last, a model of CD to reduce the disaster
effects and few policy implications are proposed to make CD technology more
effective in the context of Bangladesh.
The Contribution of Controlled Demolition (CD) towards Disaster Effects Reduction
92
Figure 1: Methodology of the Study
The Nature of Disasters with their Effects in Bangladesh: An Overview
The geographical features of our landscape have made Bangladesh vulnerable
to disaster. Natural and human induced hazards such as flood, tornado,
cyclone, storm surges, earthquake, tsunami, land slide, fire, infrastructure
collapse, and various forms of pollution increase the vulnerability of inland
and coastal dwellers. Climate change adds a new dimension to community risk
and vulnerability. Current indications of disaster or calamity include not only
severances, but also their occurrences outside the established seasons.
Flood and its Effects
Flood is a part of 'Water Cycle' which is natural. Every year Bangladesh
experiences regular river flood affecting 20% to 68% of the country. The
floods of 1988, 1998 and 2004 were particularly catastrophic, resulting in large
scale destruction and loss of lives.
Flood raises water level and thereby everything goes under water. The extent
of damage depends on the withstanding period of water. The 1998 flood lasted
for 65 days and affected about 67% area of the country.
Workshop on Disaster
Response Exercise &
Exchange (DREE-2011)
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Tornado and its Effects
A tornado is a violent, dangerous, rotating column of air that is in contact with
both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or in rare cases, the
base of a cumulus cloud. They are often referred to as a twister, cyclone or
nor'westers (Kalbaishaki). Tornado characterized by local severe storm, waves
over Bangladesh at different times.
Tornado brings two devastating effects, one is the severe storm and the other is
pre-monsoon rain. The high speed wind damages structures like houses,
buildings, towers, pylons, trees etc. completely or partially. And, the pre-
monsoon rain can also cause flood.
Cyclone, Storm Surges and their Effects
Cyclone refers to as a system of winds rotating around a center of low
atmospheric pressure. Cyclonic circulation and relatively low atmospheric
pressure usually coexist. Tropical cyclones from the Bay of Bengal
accompanied by storm surges are one of the major disasters in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has experienced numbers of cyclones over the periods. The country
is one of the worst sufferers of all cyclonic casualties in the world.
Cyclone brings high tidal waves (saline water intrusion) with a plummeted
wind speed. The energy released by the tidal waves and wind destroys the
structures all through followed by a saline water intrusion and mud or silt
deposition.
Earthquake and its Effects
An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the result of a
sudden release of energy in the earth's crust that creates seismic waves.
Bangladesh and the North-Eastern Indian states have long been one of the
seismically active regions of the world, and have experienced numerous
earthquakes during the past 200 years.
Earthquake causes collapsing of all types of structures including towering and
large area structures completely or partially. Earthquake disrupts the entire
utility system including supply of gas, electricity, water, sewerage,
communication etc. leading to a heap of debris. The disrupted utility system,
especially the gas or electricity supply line may cause fire. According to recent
prediction, some 85,000 buildings of the Dhaka city will suffer medium to
more damage if there is an earthquake in the range of 7.0 to 7.5 in Richter
scale. This was revealed in a study conducted on 326,000 buildings under
Dhaka City Corporation. It will kill 90,000 people (earthquake hits at night) or
70,000 (earthquake hits at day). There will be 30,000 million tons of debris
due to the demolition of the buildings with the loss of US$ 6 billion (2010).
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Tsunami and its Effects
A tsunami is a series of water waves caused by the displacement of a large
volume of a water body, typically in an ocean or a large lake. Underwater
strong earthquakes, volcanic eruption or other submarine landslide usually
cause tsunamis. The last major Pacific-wide tsunami occurred in 1960. Many
other local and regional destructive tsunamis have occurred with more
localized effects.
Tsunami makes a series of water waves with a height of 30 feet or more (100
feet in extreme cases). They can even move an island several hundred feet
away. It brings water into the land and leaves back mud, silt etc. deposited.
Land Slide and its Effects
A land slide or land slip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide
range of ground movement such as rock falls, deep failure of slopes and
shallow debris flows. It may occur in offshore, coastal and onshore
environments. In Bangladesh, landslides are mostly triggered by heavy
rainfall. However, underlying causes of landslide include deforestation; hill
cutting, unregulated development works etc. Moreover, poverty and
landlessness force poor people to live in the risky hill slopes.
Land slide disrupts road communication by waving away soil sideways or
underneath. It may deposit soil on neighboring areas. Nearby inhabitants may be
covered by soil, entirely or partially, and people are entrapped in their houses.
Fire and its Effects
Fire hazards occur in Bangladesh causing huge loss of lives and property every
year. Although termed as 'fire accident', most fire incidents are far from being
accidental. Indeed, most fires are preventable. Industrial units, particularly
garments industry, produce deadliest of the fires. There are many such
instances of fire in garments industry. In 2004 alone, a total of 7,140 fire
incident occurred which caused damage to property worth more than 200
crores BDT.
The devastating effects of a blaze are extreme. When a property is stolen, still
something remains; when an area is flooded, it washes away all around and still
leaves it back damaged; but when it is blazed, everything is gutted into ashes.
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Infrastructure Collapse
and its Effects
Infrastructure collapse has
turned into a common
phenomenon in Bangladesh
because of non-adherences
to the standards specified by
Bangladesh National
Building Code (BNBC). A
9-story building housing a
garments factory at
Palashbari, Savar, Dhaka
collapsed on April 11,
2005. It was a total
structural failure. On J une
28, 2010, a 5-storey building
at Begunbari in the Tejgaon
area of Dhaka city collapsed
on nearby tin-shed houses
leading to the death of some
20 people. On September
18, 2011, the 6-story
building tilted towards
another building at Saat
Matha area in Bogra after a
6.8 magnitude earthquake
struck the country.
The tilted or partially
collapsed structures
endanger the neighboring
one. People are entrapped
inside the buildings, and the
total utility systems are
damaged which may lead to
a fire. Lack of appropriate
modern equipments and
technologies make it
difficult to rescue victims
alive. Again, existing
equipments are not
accessible to the spot.
Table 1: The Disasters with their Effects
Disasters Effects

Flood Withstanding of water
Tornado High speed wind
Pre-monsoon rain
Cyclone &
Storm Surges
High speed wind with tidal
waves
Saline water intrusion
Mud or silt deposition
Earthquake Collapsing of structures
Entrapping live stocks
Endangering surroundings by
partially damaged structures
Disruption of total utility system
Blocking the access to the spot
Causes fire
Leads to a heap of debris
Tsunami Saline water intrusion
Mud or silt deposition
Land Slide Disruption of communication
systems
Soil deposition
Fire Everything is gutted into ashes
Infrastructure
Collapse
Endangering surroundings by
partially damaged structures
Disruption of total utility system
Leads to a fire
Blocking the access to the spot
Environmental
Pollution
Polluting environment in the

form of carbon & heat emission
Climate
Change
Affects peoples health, crop
production, biodiversity etc.
Rise sea water level
Root causes of other disasters

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Environmental Pollution and its Effects
Being a developing country, Bangladesh is going for different development
works which lead to use massive engineering works. These plummeted
development works require extensive uses of machines both mechanical and
electrical.
Extensive uses of machines, both mechanical and electrical, pollute the
environment in the form of carbon and heat emission.
Climate Change and its Effects
Impacts of climate change are visible in Bangladesh in the form of extreme
temperature, erratic rainfall, and increased number of massive flood, drought,
cyclone, storm surges, salinity intrusion, permanent inundation, river bank
erosion, prevalence of rough weather in the bay etc. The main causes of
climate change include present trends of moving towards urbanization,
enlarged industrialization, environmental pollution etc.
Climate change is the root cause of many other disasters. Extreme temperature
affects people's health, reduce crop production and raise sea water level.
Biodiversity on Sundarban is highly affected due to climate change. About 18
percent households of the Sundarban's impact zone are dependent on
Sundarban resources (shrimp fry, honey, golpata, shell/crab and medicinal
plant) and are vulnerable to extreme weather and salinity intrusion.
Application of CD Technology: An Assessment
Concept of CD
CD, often known as "Controlled Blasting" is to perform engineering works
based on the works requirements, extent of destruction, degree of
fragmentation, desired collapsing direction, ambient environment, size and
type of object itself with the help of energy released out of explosive blasting
so that harmful effects (blasting shock wave, air shock wave, ground
touchdown vibration, flying fragments, noise, dust, diffusing smoke etc.) are
reduced to a tolerable limit.
Distribution of Blasting Energy Released
The energy released out of explosive blasting is used for breaking the object or
medium, throwing the particles of object (flying fragments, dust etc.),
producing earthquake waves, air shock waves and sound waves. Few portion
goes unused too i.e. loss. The exact ranges of blasting energy distribution vary
according to the objects and the ambient environment. However, CD is
designed to make maximum use of energy for breaking the object or achieve
desired extent of destruction, and minimum use for other effects.
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Figure 2: Distribution of blasting energy released

2 6 4 3 5 1
Total Blasting Energy Released

1. Breaking the object or medium
2. Throwing the particles of object
3. Earthquake waves

4. Air shock waves
5. Sound waves
6. Loss

G= Gravitational Force, W= Withstanding Force
Figure 3: Achieving safe dismantle (at point D)
How to achieve CD
Structures made of any materials withstand because of its strength. There are
mainly two forces that act on them: one refers to the force due to gravity (dead
load and live load of structure, G), and the other is withstanding force (W).
These two forces act against each other. When, withstanding force exceeds its
gravitational force (G<W), then the structure remains stable and withstands. It
reaches critical point, if these two forces become equal to each other (G=W).
When the gravitational force goes beyond withstanding force (G>W), it
crosses the critical
point. The structure
loses its stability and
gravitational balance,
and thereby the
structure collapses.
CD technology takes
the advantages of this
principle which is
known as "Gravity
Unbalance". Here, the
blasting energy is used
to decrease
withstanding force by
reducing load bearing
capacity of structural
members in a
sequence. Beyond the
critical point,
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the desired dismantling is ensured. Again, going too far from critical point
will create excessive harmful effects which are not desirable. So, it is better to
cross the critical point (immediate after the point) which will ensure an
effective and efficient dismantling. The load bearing members are not reduced
completely; rather they are made incapable of bearing the load by buckling.
This phenomenon is known as "Buckling Principle".
Achieving Desired Collapsing Direction
The entire structure is divided into several segments as situation demands and
CD experts design. Blasting energy is released against load bearing members
in a sequence opposite to the direction to be achieved. The sequence is
achieved with time differences by using millisecond detonators.
Non-explosive Demolition
Non-explosive demolition namely Soundless Cracking Agent (SCA) is a
newly invented cracking material (SO
3
-4.5%, Al
2
O
3
-2.4%, Fe
2
O
3
-1.1%, CaO-
81.3%, MgO-0.7%, SiO
2
-8.5%, Ignition loss-1.5%). It goes under hydration
reaction when water is added into it. Then, it condenses, expands and thereby
creates expansion force to break up the objects like concrete, RC structure,
rock, granite, marble quarrying etc.
Harmful Effects and its Reduction to a Tolerable Limit
Demolition creates harmful effects, but CD reduces them to a tolerable limit. If
these are separated with more blast holes and less charges keeping the total
amount same, desired destruction is achieved and least harmful effects are
produced. Heavy protective materials are used to protect the neighboring
structures or objects against flying fragments due to implosion itself. It creates
blasting shock wave (earthquake), air shock wave, ground touchdown
vibration (percussion of collapsing structures on the ground), noise, dust,
diffusing smoke etc. Correct designing of blast hole parameters, blasting parts
and specific charges reduce them to a tolerable limit.
Figure 4: Method of conducting Non-explosive Demolition
Non-
explosive
Demolition
materials
Mixing with
water
Poured into
blast holes
Fragmented due
to the effects of
expansion force
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Table 2: Blasting Effects and its Prevention: Few Examples

Blasting Shock Wave (Earthquake)
Consideration of blasting source, neighboring structure and geological conditions in
transmission areas.
Dividing entire structure into small segments (more blast holes, less charges) with
time interval blasting.
Preparing anti vibration trench all around the object.

Air Shock Wave
Explosive quantity for one-off blasting should not exceed 20 kg.
Covering doors, windows, ventilations etc. especially made of glass by bramble
(bamboo) basketry.

Ground Touchdown Vibration
Reducing the height of falling by designing a cut as low as possible.
Putting loose sand or slack layer on the falling ground.
Preparing anti vibration trench all around the object.
Increasing disintegration of object.

Diffusing Smoke
Can be ignored in most of the cases.

Flying Fragments
Adopting coupling charges.
Covering surrounding objects with old conveyer belt, vehicle tyre, braiding
basketry, cushion, bamboo springboard, grass bag, steel mesh or steel plate (1 cm
thick), timber or wood plate( over 2 cm thick) etc.

Noise
Avoid using skinned charges.
Covering blasting object.
Considering meteorological conditions like temperature, wind velocity, wind
direction, humidity etc.

Dust
Covering the object with water bag curtain.
Spray water (sprinkling) from ground or helicopter.
Water seal blasting (10 kg water with 100 gm explosive inside).

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Overwhelming Advantages of CD over other Means
Time and Safety Dismantling of any structures, manually or mechanically,
is being carried out from top to bottom, and the entire process takes a long
time. As the dismantling goes on, it becomes weak and collapses at certain
time. Uncertainty in collapsing time and direction makes it easier to commit
accidents. CD ensures the collapsing time and direction, and thereby provides
utmost safety to the working staffs, structure itself and the ambient
environment.
Cost CD technology reduces the cost about 40% -60% than that of manual or
mechanical means as the demolition time and labor forces are shortened to a
great extent.
Complexity The complicated structures with height, strength, density and
diversification of structural forms (common frame, frame-shear wall, tube
structure, tube bundle, sleeve tube etc.) need high technology, skilled operators
and more spaces to dismantle them efficiently. CD can be an effective
alternative to handle different materials and work in a complex situation; even
under water.
Towering Structure Dismantling of towering structure (great ratio of
height to sectional breadth) is simply impossible by manual or mechanical
means. A partially damaged chimney, water tower, TV tower, radio tower,
parachute tower etc. endanger surrounding environment, and entail immediate
safe dismantling. Here, CD technology is a very efficient and effective means
to dismantle them in position or at a particular direction.
Effectiveness and Efficiency The short span of time between early warning
and occurrence of cyclone and storm surges will not allow manual or
mechanical means to complete the work. CD is very effective and efficient in
this situation.
Environmental Friendly The process of dismantling structure creates
harmful effects and debris out of its fragmented parts. CD can contribute
towards a non-polluted dismantling process by reducing harmful effects and
recycling of wastes produced. Even, if the structures are contaminated with
arsenic, cyanide, lead, asbestos or other regulated materials, CD technology
brings them down safely. Extensive uses of machines in development works
pollute the environment in the form of heat and carbon emission. Use of CD in
civil engineering works can reduce them to a great extent.
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The Ways CD Reduces Disaster Effects: An Overview
Removal of Standing Water
Creating Outlets in Water Retaining Structures The basin layout and
outlet capacity of existing traditional water control structures like sluice gate,
spill way etc. may not be sufficient to drain out too much water within a short
time. An out let of a dam or embankment may drain out water quickly, and
save important inhabitants, structures, large tributaries, basin etc. A particular
portion of water retaining structure like dam, embankment etc. is blown off
with explosive, and water is drained out towards a suitable and less important
area. On May 3, 2011, a historic flooding in the Mississippi river, U.S.A was
caused by significant and persistent spring rains combined with winter snow
melt. The river and tributaries continued to rise, reaching record crests.
Portions of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas were under
water, with more to come. As a bulge of river water made its way downstream,
levees were stressed and rivers that emptied into the Mississippi had no outlet,
backing up and flooding even more land. The bulge would reach the Delta, and
millions of acres were threatened. Pressure on levees led the U.S.A Army
Corps of Engineers to blast a two-mile hole in a Mississippi river levee to
relieve water pressure that was endangering Cairo, Ill. It inundated 130,000
acres of farmland while saving the town.
Source: J ustin Pummell (DREE 2011); J eff Roberson/AP
Figure 5: (a) Sketch of water control structures on Mississippi river
(Justin Pummell); (b) The Mississippi river basin after flood (Jeff
Roberson/AP); (c) The U.S.A Army Corps of Engineers blasted a two-mile
hole in a Mississippi river levee to relieve water pressure that was
endangering Cairo, Ill. (Jeff Roberson/AP).
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Table 3: Suggested Model of CD to Reduce Disaster Effects

Ways to Reduce Disaster
Effects
CD Operation

Standing water removal

Creating an outlet in water
retaining structures

Blowing off a portion of dam, embankment etc.

Clearance of drainage outlet

Fragmentation and removal of debris
Removal of sand or silt form drainage outlet

Plummeting water retaining
capacity
Excavation of bed level sand or silt

Controlling saline water
intrusion

Blocking of saline water
intrusion

Displacement of earth, sand, silt etc. into canal or river
to block the outlets
Construction of a dam all along the coast line
Removal of saline water
intrusion

Freeing all possible outlets as enumerated in case of
Standing water removal
Safe dismantling of
collapsed structures

Safe dismantling of partially collapsed structures.
Use of non-explosive demolition as situation permits
Rescue entrapped people

Creating few openings (holes) through concrete, earth,
bricks, or even rocks
Effective use of non-explosive demolition
Removal of earth, mud or
silt deposition

Removal of deposited mud or silt by blasting
Debris clearance, access to
incident spot and
reopening the routes
Fragmentation and removal of tree trunk, pylons, debris
etc.
Making diversion of underground routes
Mass area foundation Removal of mass area foundation
Environmental friendly
works
Extensive use of CD technology instead of mechanical
means in civil engineering works reduces carbon and
heat emission
Fighting Fires

Creating a clear line ahead of fire progress by blasting.
Blasting can extinguish fire by itself

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Clearance of Drainage Outlet Under water debris at outlet may block
draining out of excess standing water. CD is very effective to remove them and
facilitate quick drain out. Simply, under water blasting in the debris stacked at
outlet will release them, and water flow will take them away. Another reason of
water logging is the shallow depth at outlet. Removal of sand or silt from bed
level at outlet increases its depth and thereby it drains out more water shortly.
Plummeting Water Retaining Capacity Lowering the bed level of feeder
canal, river or basin increases water retaining capacity. The blasting of ditches
on ground is often resorted to when mechanical excavation is impossible or
impractical i.e. in swamps, forests etc. This method is described as 'Blasting
Ditches' by Stig O Olofsson (1988). Under water CD removes sand or silt very
effectively, increases the depth and thus water retaining capacity is plummeted.
Saline Water Intrusion
In case of saline water intrusion, CD can contribute in two ways: one is to
block all inlets before the occurrence; and the other is opposite of it (freeing all
possible outlets) immediate after the occurrence.
Blocking of Saline Water Intrusion The span of time between early warning
and occurrence of cyclone and storm surges is very short. Available water
control structures are utmost important to block saline water intrusion. Lack of
them may entail the use of CD to block the inlets. CD can displace soil, loose or
hard, into the canal or river and block inlets very shortly. Even, a dam all along
the coast line of likely affected area may be constructed in the same manner.
Removal of Saline Water Intrusion Right after cyclone and storm surges
hit the land, all possible drainage outlets are to be made free to drain the saline
water out along with mud or silt following the methods as enumerated in case
of removal of standing water.
Safe Dismantling of Partially Collapsed Structures
Partially collapsed structures endanger themselves, the occupants and the
property they possess. More importantly, they endanger ambient environment
untill they are dismantled safely. These partially collapsed structures are
dismantled using CD technology. Manual or mechanical dismantling means
are time consuming and impractical, especially in case of the towering
structures. The structures are dismantled at the place where there is no enough
space in and around (In-Place Collapse); in a particular direction where there is
an open space (Directional Collapse); in a particular direction with folding of
entire structure where there is space but not enough to accommodate it
(Folding Collapse); and in one or more directions in case of a large area
structure (Continuous Collapse).
104
High Rise On March 28, 2009, Meize Mansion, Tianjin, China was
dismantled safely using CD technology. The length and width of the structure
were 32.7 m and 32.6 m respectively. Its overall floor area was 14916 m
2
and
its total height was 57.95 m. It was a core tube-frame structure, with 15 stories
above ground and one basement. The elevator raise, floor, pillars and the shear
walls were constructed in place as integrity. The general blasting environmental
conditions were complicated; the Tiantie Hotel at west (31.9 m away), under
construction tunnel at north (10.6 m away), an open area at south (26.1 m
away) and a crossing of J ianguo road and Minsheng road at east (12.9 m away).
It took 6 seconds only to turn the high rise into a lump. It was a complete
success as CD technology is concerned. The high rise collapsed into a desired
direction without hurting anybody.

Figure 6: (a) Meize Mansion, Tianjin, China; (b) Safe dismantling of
Meize Mansion; (c) & (d) Right after the safe dismantling.
Towering Structures On May 6, 2009, according to the blueprint of
Shanghai Yaopi Glass Co. Ltd., China, two weighing workshops and one
chimney were needed to be dismantled. The workshops stood at 2 m away
from each other. One of the workshops was 20.5 m long, 18 m wide and 40 m
high, while the other was 20.5 m long, 12.5 m wide and 36 m high. Five floors
of the southern workshop and 4 floors of the northern one were of RC
structure, while both of their upper structures were of steel. The chimney was
situated to south-east of the workshops, 22 m away, which was RC structure,
90 m high, wall thickness 0.8 m, bottom diameter 6.78 m. These two blasting
went simultaneously. One fell towards east and the other towards west. It
achieved desired direction with utmost safety.
105

Figure 7: (a) Yaopi Glass Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China; (b) Yaopi Glass Co.
Ltd. & Chimney; (c) Preparation for dismantling; (d) Right after the safe
dismantling
Bridges Between 1978 and 1988, West Germany demolished hundreds of
bridges applying CD technology. The demolition of the burning oil derrick
'Abkantun 91,' in the Gulf of Mexico, 90 kilometers from the shores of
Campeche, Mexico was beautifully executed by CDI.
Earthquake The 2008 Sichuan earthquake or the Great Sichuan Earthquake
was a deadly earthquake that measured at 8.0 (Richter scale) occurred on May
12, 2008 in Sichuan province of China, killing an estimated 68,000 people. CD
experts went to the spot, dismantled and removed those partially damaged
structures safely. On February 22, 2011, a 6.3 (Richter scale) magnitude
earthquake hit New Zealand. U.S.A provided New Zealand with technical
expertise (CD technology) in the stabilization of heavily damaged mid and
high rise structures in the Christchurch central Business District.
Non-Explosive Demolition Non-explosive demolition may be adopted to
dismantle partially collapsed structure where there are enough spaces available
and directional collapse is not required.
Rescue Entrapped People
People may be entrapped under buildings, tunnels, flyovers, subways etc. due to
collapsing of structures. The dire situation will ask for evacuation of the alive
people underneath or even the dead bodies very urgently. There are hardly any
methods, manual or mechanical, to be effective under this situation.
Experimental methods using layers, micro waves, and high water pressure jets
have been tried. CD is executed with small charges, causing little damage and is
well controlled. The blasting of holes though earth, brick, concrete or even rock
is possible with the use of explosive. Stig O Olofsson (1988) has referred it to
'Pole hole blasting'. On March 4, 1977, Romania experienced an earthquake.
After the earthquake, the blasting operators from Australia carried out controlled
blasting to bring out a buried man under about 40 cm RCC slab, safely.
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Non-explosive demolition can break up brick walls, concrete slabs or rocks
and make openings as needed. It is completely safe as the process does not
produce flying fragments and other hazardous effects to hit the entrapped
people or even dead bodies. It is used only in the occasion when manual,
mechanical or even conventional CD methods are not effective and efficient to
handle the situation.
Removal of Earth, Mud or Silt Deposition
Blasting operation may be used in land clearance (mud or silt deposition)
including the removal of debris, reduction of rocky outcrops etc. It is referred
to as 'Agricultural Blasting' as it is used in agricultural field preparation.
Simply, a blasting of earth, mud or silt deposition can displace them as desired.
The loosening of earth, especially in hard ground will help the removal work
of heavy earth movers.
Debris Removal, Making an Access to the Incident Spot and Reopening
the Routes
Blasting of concrete is often carried out in connection with the demolition of
buildings in the cleaning up of any collapsed building site where heavy plants
are not accessible. Reopening of routes becomes very important to reach the
victims. A correct quantity of charge with proper placement in the right place
can uproot a tree stump of any size. Concrete, tree trunk, pylon or debris can
be fragmented using explosives followed by manual or mechanical removal.
Applied CD technology along with earth moving equipments can remove earth
or debris from blocked portion of underground route (tunnels, subways etc.);
or construct underground diversion route. Blasting energy helps to loosen the
earth, concrete or rock in a hard ground. Use of non-explosive demolition is
very effective and efficient here as directional collapse is not needed. It can
fragment them to a desired extent.
Mass Area Foundation
Earthquake may cause damage to concrete foundations, helipads, landing
strips, air ports, sea ports etc. These large structures may receive numerous
cracks, followed by undulations. And, these situations lead them to cease
operations. CD is very effective in demolishing or dismantling large area
foundation. In 1976, Engineering Corps of China used CD to demolish old RC
house of post office with an area of 12000 m
2
near Tiananmen Square. Large
workshop of wangling pavilion power plant, one time dismantling area reached
19,400 m
2
. The use of Non-explosive demolition is suitable here too.
107
Moving towards Environmental Friendly Works
Blasting in civil engineering works includes trenching, foundation excavations,
road way cutting, tunneling, pile head excavation, pile head breaking, and so
on. Today's world is performing many colossal engineering works by CD
technology. This reduces extensive use of mechanical or electrical machines,
thus reduces carbon and heat emission.
Conclusion
The very geographical location, landscape, and other factors have rendered
Bangladesh a disaster prone country. Human induced activities add a new
dimension. Recent advancement cannot eradicate them; but prediction or
providing early warnings regarding their occurrences is possible. Even, the
developed countries become helpless with the devastating effects of natural
disasters and human induced activities. The extent of effects and degree of
damages caused due to disasters are quite high. The manual or mechanical
means to handle them may be effective to some extent, but will not be efficient
completely. Again, the complexity of situation and precarious environment
may entail special methods to be adopted to go out of the crisis. There are
many ways and methods to get the engineering works done. Whatever methods
are used, the main driving force is the energy to perform the works. CD is one
of the effective and efficient means where blasting energy released out of
explosion is used. It ensures the completion of works, reduces harmful effects
and takes care of ambient environment. The knowledge on the nature of
disasters with the extents of their effects lead to a physical preparation and
mental set up to mitigate the same. The overwhelming advantages and
examples of widely practiced CD technologies lead towards the adoption of
the same in Bangladesh.
Making a clear line by blasting of
objects ahead of the fire progressed
Densely populated
area
Fighting the Fires
Fires in a
concentrated area or
forest become
unmanageable to the
fire fighters. Blasting
of the objects and
making a clear line
ahead of the fire
progressed, followed by removal of same will obviously discontinue the fire.
CD technology can extinguish the fires by itself.
Figure 8: Fighting a fire with Blasting
108
Policy Recommendations
After a ruthless study on the nature of disaster and its effects, the ways to
reduce disaster effects are identified in the context of Bangladesh and a model
of CD is suggested. Following suggestions are made to make the applied CD
technology more efficient and effective:
CD technology should be introduced in "Disaster Management
Institutions in Bangladesh" at all levels for the effective contributions to
the National Plan for Disaster Management.
Advanced training both at home and abroad on CD technology should
be arranged to grow more expertise in regards to disaster effects
reduction.
All necessary materials, machines, equipments etc. which are not
available in Bangladesh right now but very much essential for CD
operation, should be procured.
Disaster management authority should make an effort to allow CD
experts to practice widely on the subject.
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