Demolition of structures

by

Rajeshwary H.K.
What is Demolition?

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 Demolition is nothing but

Complete destruction and bulldozing of a structure. 2

 Need of Demolition
Structure has been built with faulty design or construction.

Structure is deteriorated because of corrosion

Structure attained its age (i.e., become old and unfit for
occupance)

Structure in unsafe and its repair and rehabilitation proves to be

costlier

Complete removal of structure so as to make way for another

structure or none at all. Example: discarded nuclear power plants

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 Methods of Demolition
Pneumatic and Hydraulic Breakers

Pressure Bursting

(Mechanical Bursting and Chemical Bursting)

Explosives

Ball and crane method

Diamond Wire Saw Method

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Pneumatic and Hydraulic Breaker

These are often used in concrete demolition projects involving

the bridge decks, foundation and pavements. Hand held or
mounted pneumatic and hydraulic breakers are currently the
tools of choice.

The amount of work accomplished using this method depends on

hammer size, strength of concrete, amount of steel
reinforcement used in concrete and working condition.

Machine mounted breakers are able to deliver a work done of 14

– 2766 kg-m.
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Contd…

Advantages of Pneumatic and Hydraulic Breaker

A telescoping boom for easy reach and maneuverability.

Remote control operation.

Under water demolition capabilities.

Disadvantages of Pneumatic and Hydraulic Breaker

The machine mounted breakers include generation of noise, dust

and vibration.

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Contd…

Fig. 1(a): Hydraulic Breakers

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Fig. 1 (b): Handheld Breakers 8
Fig. 1 (c): Power Operated Breakers 9
 Pressure Bursting
It can be used in cases where relatively quiet, dust free,
controlled demolition is preferred.

Both mechanical and chemical pressure bursting split the

concrete, either with a splitting machine operating on hydraulic
pressure provided by a motor in the case of mechanical
bursting, or through the insertion of an expansive slurry in to a
pre-determined pattern of boreholes incase of chemical
bursting.

The split concrete is then easily removed, either by hand or by

crane. 10
 Contd….

Mechanical and Chemical pressure bursting break up concrete

structure with a minimum of noise and flying debris. Both methods
work by applying lateral forces against the inside of holes drilled in
to the concrete.

However, rather than shattering the concrete in to bits as

dynamite and impact tools would, the lateral forces build up over
time to crack the concrete in to smaller sections.

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 Contd…
Advantages of Mechanical Bursting

In expensive, quiet, no vibration.

Diamond tipped core machine greatly reduces the noise and

vibration during work.

Disadvantages of Mechanical Bursting

The initial drilling of holes for splitter dose produce some noise
and vibration.

Controlling crack direction and movement of demolished

concrete is difficult.

Hand held or machine mounted breakers may be needed to

expose the reinforcing bars for cutting. 12
Advantages of Chemical Bursting Contd…

It can split concrete in a controlled manner.

Quiet, no vibration.

Little or no dust.

Disadvantages of Chemical Bursting

A temperature sensitive freezing

greatly reduces the effectiveness.

More costly method.

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 Explosive
Theses are generally used for removing large volume of concrete
via insertion of explosive devices in a series of boreholes.
Advantages
Versatile and flexible in terms of work output

Disadvantages
Vibration and air blast may
damage the surrounding structure
Heightened safety considerations
involved when compared to other Fig. 3: Demolition Using
demolition methods. Explosives
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 Ball and Crane Method
One of the oldest and most commonly used method for
demolition, the ball and crane uses a wrecking ball weighing
about 6125 kg to demolish concrete and masonry structure.

During the process, the ball is either dropped on to or swung in

to the structure that is to be demolished.

The Ball and Crane, however is not suitable for all demolition
applications.

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 Contd…
Some Limitations

Only high skilled and experienced crane operators should be

used on ball and crane demolition projects.

Smoothness in controlling the swing of ball is important. Since,

missing the target may tip or overload the crane and mild swing
back may cause the ball to hit the boom.

The size of building that can be demolished with this method is

limited by the crane size and working room, including the
proximity to power lines.

This form of demolition creates a great deal of dust, vibration

and noise. 16
 Contd…

Fig. 4: Ball and Crane in Action

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 Diamond Wire Saw Method
The applications of diamond wire cutting technique are unlimited.

This method can be applied regardless of thickness of concrete

or amount of reinforcement.

Unusual configurations, angled cuts and difficult areas can be

easily accomplished.

Remote cutting can be performed in hazardous or radioactive

areas where direct access to the cut is impractical.

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Construction details – Diamond Wire
Saw Method
Electroplated beads with compressed steel spring spacers

Impregnated Beads with Compressed steel spring spacers

Impregnated Beads with injection – moulded plastic spacing

Fig. 5: Constructional Details of Diamond Wire 19

 Operation

A small hole is drilled through the concrete at each corner of the

opening or at the end of the cut to be made using precise
instruments.

Now the wire is passed through one access hole and back through
the other.

It is then coupled and placed on the driving wheel and rotated at

a speed of 910 – 1825 m per min.

Wire tension is maintained by rack and pinion arrangement that

moves the driving wheel along the wire saw carriage.
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Water is used as a
coolant for wire.

Fig. 6 represents a
typical wall cutting
Fig. 6: Typical Wall Cut

Fig. 7 represents a
typical floor cut.

Fig. 7: Typical Floor Cut

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 CASE STUDY ON DEMOLITION

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Fig. 8 : Oregon Bridge Pier Project for Hamilton Construction
 SAFETY MEASURES

Do not wear loose clothing that can get caught in machinery

Pull long hair back

Remove any Jewelry that can interfere with safe machinery

operation

Wear safety goggles or glasses with side protection

Use face mask in dusty application

Wear ear plugs when site is especially noisy or for extended

periods of work

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 Contd…

Heavy work glove should be worn to protect against steady

vibration of power tools and heat that can be generated especially
in bit.

Wear steel toed Shoes or Boots

Safety measure should be taken against hand tool hazards

Care should be taken against power tool hazards

Care should be taken against machine mounted tool hazards

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 CONCLUSIONS
In the present seminar various methods of demolition have been
discussed. All the above methods are applicable under certain
conditions and it is advisable to call into consultation an
experienced demolition contractor at planning stage to ascertain
which method is preferable in a particular case.
The magnitude of the catastrophe, which could result from
demolition of modern buildings without full knowledge of their
construction, can be readily imagined. It is important for architects
and engineers to realize that a building will not last forever and its
eventual demolition should be taken into account while designing
and building a new structure. If this is not done the cost of
demolishing certain building may easily exceed their construction
cost 25
 REFERENCES
Books
Hulick, Robert H. and Beckman, Timothy R. (1989), “Diamond Wire
Cutting of Concrete”, Concrete International, March, pp. 29-32.
Price, R.G. (1975), “Civil Engineer’s Reference Book” Butterwork
and Company Ltd., London, pp. 42-6 to 42-21.

Internet
www.concretenetwork.com
www.demolitiontechnology.org
www.newtechnology.com
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