Concrete dismantling: technologies, methods, selection criteria

Dismantling concrete is a crucial step in a lot of building and remodeling projects. Knowing the appropriate technologies and methods is essential, whether you’re removing a damaged concrete section or demolishing an old structure to make room for something new. This process uses a variety of techniques, each appropriate for a particular set of circumstances and materials.

Concrete demolition techniques range from basic hand tools to sophisticated machinery. The size and thickness of the concrete, the surrounding area, and the overall scope of the project all play a role in choosing the best approach. Understanding when to apply each technique can guarantee safety, cut expenses, and save time.

With the introduction of new tools and techniques brought about by technological advancements, concrete demolition is now less disruptive and more efficient. From diamond saws to hydraulic breakers, these technologies provide strong and accurate solutions. Knowing these choices enables you to select the best course of action for your unique requirements.

It’s critical to plan for factors like safety, environmental impact, and cost when dismantling concrete. Since every project is different, what works in one circumstance might not be appropriate in another. You can make the best choices and get the best outcomes if you carefully consider these factors.

Criteria for selecting a dismantling method

A reinforced concrete structure requires the use of multiple breaking techniques to disassemble. Additionally, renting specialized construction equipment will be required. The element being disassembled, the concrete’s thickness, and the presence of reinforcement all affect how much force is needed to break something.

A concrete structure should be inspected for work before it is demolished. This will assist you in determining the appropriate tools for concrete dismantling in a given situation, as well as navigating the quantity and quality of activities.

Cost level

Prior to selecting a dismantling technique, a number of factors need to be decided upon. These factors will determine the market price for the work and the timeline for putting the measures into place.

The following parameters must be established:

• Location of the demolition site. Here it is important to determine the distance of the site from residential or operational buildings, as well as the presence of access roads.
• The volume of concrete planned for demolition and its location. Dismantling a concrete foundation in price differs significantly from demolishing partitions.
• Condition of concrete at the time of the planned work.
• Presence of connected utilities. It is especially important to understand whether there are wires in the mass of walls or ceilings with connected electricity.

The availability of housing for auxiliary workers and the ease of access for specialized equipment also have an impact on the cost of labor. The demolition method that was selected in this instance is one of the key elements.

Crucial! It is not possible to use impact or vibrating equipment to break down concrete walls in a functioning building. Such mechanical devices’ mode of operation has the potential to seriously harm non-demolition-planned building components irreversibly.

Concrete dismantling, which uses a variety of technologies and techniques to safely and effectively disassemble concrete structures, is a crucial step in the construction and demolition process. The type and size of the structure, the project’s impact on the environment, and the deadlines for the project all play a role in selecting the best strategy. This article examines various disassembly methods, ranging from manual labor to sophisticated machinery, and offers recommendations for choosing the best solutions for particular tasks while maintaining efficiency and safety.

Methods of demolition and breaking

Concrete building demolition and structural component breaking should be done using a specific technique that works best for that particular object.

It is common to distinguish between various techniques for breaking down monolithic and reinforced concrete structures:

• mechanical, (in.h. semi-mechanical);
• electro-hydraulic;
• explosive.

All disassembly techniques will be conditionally divided into:

In the first, concrete is subjected to mechanical action.

Among them are:

• manual dismantling, carried out using a hammer drill, crowbar, sledgehammer, jackhammer;
• breaking using various types of hydraulic engineering or an excavator;
• destruction of a building by a technological explosion.

In the second scenario, chemical reagents or other non-mechanical processes cause the structure to collapse:

As was already mentioned, using multiple breakdown techniques simultaneously is typically the most effective. It is less expensive to manually dismantle concrete partitions, and more powerful technologies will be needed to break a monolithic base.

Speaking of which, Use cutting to prevent vibration from spreading to nearby structural components. The monolith needs to be disconnected and the reinforcement needs to be reinforced with the aid of a grinder.

Manual disassembly

When a small volume is scheduled for a break, the manual method of dismantling concrete structures is the best choice. Furthermore, you have to break the equipment by hand when there is no way to turn it over to the building. Disassembling by hand is a time-consuming procedure that necessitates the use of personal protective equipment.

Both considerable physical strength and endurance as well as specific skills are needed to operate a perforator or jack of hammer. Right now, manual demolition is the least expensive.

The creation of a lot of dust and debris while working is one of this method’s drawbacks. Furthermore, even though disassembling large-volume structures by hand is inexpensive, the time expenditures may offset any financial gains.

Speaking of which, In circumstances where precise and cautious demolition is necessary, manual dismantling is the best method for making new apertures in concrete walls.

Hydraulic engineering and excavator

It is advisable to use hydraulic engineering or excavator demolition if it is necessary to demolish a low-rise building or dismantle the foundation. One important advantage in the latter scenario is that the excavator bucket loads construction waste for removal right away when the structure is destroyed.

A hydraulic hammer is another detachable attachment that can be used with an excavator; it is fixed to the bucket area.

• The hydraulic hammer is connected to the hydraulic system. This method makes it possible to destroy underground concrete communications and complex monolithic structures, including bridge support pillars.
• Another demolition option is to use a hydrowedge. The principle of operation is based on a stretching mechanism.
• The wedge has an effect similar to pressure of several hundred tons. Low tensile strength of concrete ensures destruction from such an impact.
• The use of a hydrowedge occurs as follows. A hole is drilled with a diamond drill, into which the wedge is inserted. After this, the mechanism is activated, and under the influence of overloads, the concrete cracks.

Hydrorobot

The greenest and cleanest method of tearing down a concrete building is by using this mechanism. Up to 2.5 m3 of concrete can be destroyed and removed in an hour by a single hydrorobot. While the robot itself is meant to work around the clock, two operators must work together to service this equipment.

The following are some benefits of this demolition technique:

• preservation of the integrity of the reinforcing structure;
• complete removal of concrete composition;
• the ability to perform work remotely;
• absence of noise and dust consequences of the activity;
• high efficiency.

Please take note that when a hydrorobot is used to dismantle concrete, the reinforcing belt not only stays intact but also gets cleaned of any corrosion. Simultaneously, its configurations enable the demolition of damaged areas while maintaining areas of excellent quality that are not impacted by the processes of destruction.

The operation of lifting mechanisms is eliminated by the work of such equipment, as it is not possible during the demolition of large fragments.

Take note: The productivity of one of these pieces of equipment is equal to that of a team of twenty-five workers.

The following situations make the use of hydrorobots for concrete structure demolition most pertinent:

• reconstruct a tunnel or road surface;
• repair or dismantle part of a dam or a nuclear power plant structure;
• clean dismantling of part of a supporting structure.

Blasting

It is only permissible to use explosives to demolish concrete structures when there are no nearby residential or commercial structures.

• A special permit is required to carry out such work.
• All activities are carried out in strict accordance with safety regulations only by professional specialists.
• This is one of the most expensive demolition methods. Usually it is used for monolithic structures.
• Correct and accurate calculation of the amount of explosives and placement locations guarantees the result and pays for the costs.
• After a technological explosion, only small construction chips remain at the site of the building.

Chemical method of dismantling

Chemical demolition is an option if the circumstances prevent the structure from being destroyed using any of the aforementioned techniques. There are currently several tested, silent techniques available for tearing down concrete buildings. You can prevent dust buildup, vibration, and mechanical impact by using chemistry.

In real-world construction, chemical demolition has proven to be effective.

There are several benefits to utilizing chemistry to break down a concrete base, including:

• activities can be carried out in densely built-up urban areas without the use of heavy equipment;
• the concrete structure is destroyed without noise;
• preliminary diamond cutting of concrete or dismantling is not required.

Note: Even in an operational building, a concrete wall or portion of the ceiling can be dismantled using chemical compounds.

These methods are employed in order to demolish a concrete monolith:

Powders

The mechanism by which powder chemistry breaks down concrete structures is predicated on a higher expansion coefficient. In essence, NRS (non-explosive destructive agent) is a calcium oxide-based cement composition. Such a powder increases substantially in volume when combined.

The following is the order of work:

1. The concrete mass planned for demolition is excavated. The pits must be made every 25 cm, the standard hole diameter is 8 cm.
2. A mixture is prepared for laying. The powder is diluted with water in accordance with the manufacturer"s instructions, and thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous mass.
3. The prepared reagent composition is placed in the resulting holes;
4. The composition crystallizes within 24 hours, the mass from the inside exerts pressure on the concrete, destroying its integrity.

Concrete pieces are taken out of the site after the necessary amount of time. This article’s video will teach you more about the method used to chemically disassemble concrete structures.

Such demolition has the following benefits, to name a few:

• The required result can be achieved in the shortest possible time. As a rule, destruction takes no more than 24 hours.
• Minimization of costs for technical equipment for demolition.
• Absence of noise and dust.
• Environmentally friendly method: work can be carried out with a minimum of protective equipment, the material is not hot and not explosive.

It should be noted that the amount of calcium oxide present in the powder directly influences the pressure the reagent exerts in a small area.

Mixtures

Any builder knows that chemicals react negatively with concrete when working on or using concrete surfaces. Unprotected concrete surfaces can be destroyed by the active ingredient. This concrete feature is what makes it useful in chemical demolition with acid mixtures.

Concrete is made softer by the preparation’s hydrochloric acid; to achieve this, simply apply the mixture to the surface. Certain inhibitors cause the concrete to expand from the inside out by penetrating deeply into the mass. It’s a pretty aggressive solution. Any work must be completed in accordance with all safety precautions and with personal protective equipment made specifically for handling acids, according to the instructions.

Reapplying the mixture is an option if the concrete could not be completely removed after one application.

Technology	Description
Hydraulic Breakers	Use powerful machines to break up concrete with a pointed tool, ideal for large structures.
Explosives	Controlled blasts to demolish concrete quickly, used for large-scale projects.
Diamond Sawing	Uses diamond-tipped blades to cut concrete precisely, suitable for walls and floors.
Water Jetting	High-pressure water cuts through concrete, minimizing dust and noise.
Chemical Demolition	Chemicals are applied to crack and break concrete, useful for delicate areas.
Selection Criteria	Consider the structure size, location, safety, and environmental impact.

In construction, renovation, and demolition projects, dismantling concrete is an essential procedure. In order to create room for new construction or to clear spaces, it entails demolishing and removing unwanted or outdated concrete structures. To ensure efficiency, safety, and the least possible impact on the environment, this task calls for careful planning and the appropriate approach.

Concrete can be dismantled using a variety of technologies and techniques, each with specific benefits and optimal applications. Techniques range from more sophisticated approaches like hydrodemolition and robotic systems to more conventional ones like hand-held tools and large machinery. The location and size of the structure, the existence of reinforcing materials, and the overall objectives of the project all influence the method selection.

Choosing the right dismantling technique is essential to the project’s success. The scope of the project, financial limitations, safety regulations, and environmental considerations are all significant factors to take into account. Selecting a strategy that strikes a balance between performance, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness is made easier by assessing these variables.

In the end, successful concrete dismantling involves making judgments based on the particular requirements of the undertaking. Through a thorough comprehension of the diverse technologies and methodologies, as well as a meticulous evaluation of the selection criteria, project managers can guarantee the effective, safe, and responsible execution of concrete removal.

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