Concrete demolition caters to shattering concrete structures or surface(s) into smaller parts or rubbles. Different methods and approaches are used for this goal, the applicability of which depends on the technical systems (concrete type, accessibility, environmental concerns, and safety aspects).
Here are some techniques that a concrete demolition contractor can use:
Mechanical Demolition: This procedure is the most frequently employed approach for concrete demolition. It entails the application of heavy machines with modified equipment like hammering jacks, breakers, crushers, and more for cement cracking. Using “jack-hamming,” the propping devices repeatedly impact the outer concrete layer. Thus, the surface is broken and demolished gradually. On the flip side, however, the softer versions are larger jackhammers generally mounted on excavators for more force and efficiency. The concrete chunks are sent to the crusher machine to be reduced to small pieces that can be easily transported and dumped in landfill sites. Mechanical demolition involves using tools such as hammers, breaking bars, and drills to break thick concrete structures, including walls, foundations, and roads.
Explosive Demolition: This component is one of the modifications of bringing down the building. It widely uses controlled demolition, which involves the strategic deployment of explosives within the concrete structure and then detonating them to entail the controlled blow-up. In blasting demolition, a more powerful method is preferred for large-scale projects that cannot be dealt with by conventional methods of mechanical demolition, which are impractical and time-consuming. However, it calls for services to be highly specialized, planned, and secure so that the human structural damage and safety near an operation are unaffected. Decent site examination, structural analysis, and fuse board/blast simulations are paramount in targeting the explosives’ exact place and limiting unforeseen consequences.
Hydraulic bursting: It deals with the hydraulic pressure employed to drive the hydraulic breakers to expand, which are drilled holes in the concrete arising from busting specially designed hydraulic ones. The matter is forcing the panels to separate at such a weak point. Thus, the concrete is demolished in directed order. Hydraulic bursting, due to its space limitation potential in confined areas, plus the fact that it barely creates ice noise and vibration, is especially useful when problems in urban environments and sensitive structures occur.
Diamond Wire Sawing: A diamond wire saw is a precision cutting technique that allows the cutting of large or massively reinforced concrete blocks with negligible noise, vibration, and dust involved. Applying a wire gear consisting of industrial micro-diamond skids, it sits under the concrete stretched. The wire is brittle and hardened on its edges by a sequence of diamond steps, leaving it to cut the hardness and toughness of the concrete efficiently. Diamant wire cutting is the best technique for concrete sections with complex shapes or limited access, e. g., bridge piercing, dams, and nuclear facilities. It guarantees that the exact depth of her cuts doesn’t spoil the smoothness or cause damage to micro-fractures or surfaces.
Thermal Lancing: Thermal lancing is a means of burning hot through concrete by burning oxygen and iron rods and developing intensive heat further. The techniques are all similar in that the rebar is inserted into the holes drilled earlier in the concrete using steel pipes filled with iron rods, which are ignited with a high-pressure oxygen supply. The prolonged heat generated in its turn melts and vaporizes the concrete. Consequently, it can be cut effectively. Predominantly, thermal lance works incredibly well for demolishing concrete that is strong and reinforced by steel due to its capability of slicing through both materials concurrently. On the other hand, risks and safe practices must be thoroughly analyzed to avoid fire hazards and secure the people in operation.
Final Thoughts
Every means of concrete dismantling has its good and not-so-good sides, and factors like the size and complexity of the structure, site conditions, environment, and project scheduling determine the choice of technique. By using the right approach and being sure of the experts on board, the operation of concrete demolition can be completed effectively and safely, minimizing the disruptions and maximizing the provision of the recycling and reuse of the resulting materials.
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