DEMOLITION

TECHNIQUES AND
CASE STUDIES
SUBMITTED BY
Gulam Hussain A01
Dipta Prasun Paul A02
Pentkar Chaitanya Krishna A06
Venkat Nithesh A09
Th.Poision Singh A10
Shashank Shandilya A11
 Demolition
O Demolition is the tearing down of buildings and other man-
made structures. Demolition contrasts with deconstruction,
which involves taking a building apart while carefully
preserving valuable elements for re-use purposes.
O For small buildings, such as houses, that are only two or three
stories high, demolition is a rather simple process. The
building is pulled down either manually or mechanically using
large hydraulic equipment: elevated work platforms,
cranes, excavators or bulldozers.
 Building implosion
O Large buildings, tall chimneys, smokestacks, bridges, and increasingly
some smaller structures may be destroyed by building implosion
using explosives. Imploding a structure is very fastthe collapse itself
only takes secondsand an expert can ensure that the structure falls into
its own footprint, so as not to damage neighboring structures. This is
essential for tall structures in dense urban areas.
 Preliminary Investigation
O Demolition is a highly skilled and dangerous activity in terms of
damage to life and property and there are certain basic factors to
consider before a contract is placed:
O The demolition contractor should have ample experience of the type
of work to be offered;
Fully comprehensive insurance against all risks must be maintained at
all times;
An experienced supervisor should be continuously in charge of the
work;
The contract price should include all safety precautions included in the
relevant building regulations;
The completion date should be realistic, avoiding and need to take
risks to achieve the date.
 Preliminary Considerations
O Demolition operations are the subject of strict legal controls - there
is a substantial body of legislation and a great deal of case law
relating to such operations. There may also be some regulations
which impose additional restrictions: for example, action against
nuisance such as noise and dust.
O The British Code of Practice for Demolition BS 6187 exerts further
influence, in that if the demolition contractor does not observe the
recommendation of the Code, this may well influence a Court's
decision as to his liability in any legal proceedings.
 General Site Provisions
O Plant and Equipment
O Protective Clothing
O Shoring and Underpinning
O Working Areas
O Debris
O Weather Conditions
O Flooding
O Overhead Cables
O Scaffolding and Hoarding
O Security
O Dust
O Noise
 Demolition Processes
O As an intrinsic part of the construction process, efficient
demolition of structures is an important factors
deserving careful consideration in the evolution of any
redevelopment project.
O Modern emphasis is on reduction of construction
periods to ensure economic redevelopment, coupled
with in creasing town center regenerating calling for
careful demolition on constructed and restricted
site, have resulted in more consideration being given to
demolition as part of the process of construction and
redevelopment than was typical in previous times.
Developing a Demolition Strategy
The strategy will need to take into account the method of construction
used for the original building and its proximity to other buildings,
structures and the general public. These factors, together with
location, the cost and availability of tipping and disposal and the
desirability and economics of reuse, must be taken into account in the
development of an appropriate strategy for the demolition of a
structure.

Building Information
In order to plan the most efficient method of demolition, it is
important to have a full understanding of the method of construction
and the stress patterns imposed upon the building. Failure to do so
may result in risks to the safety of both those involved in the
demolition and those in close proximity to the site.
Selecting Appropriate Techniques
Majors factors to be considered in selecting an
appropriate technique include:-
Safety of personnel and public
Working Methods
Legislation applicable
Insurance Cover
 Demolition Technique Selection
The choice of demolition technique will depend on the nature of the buil
ding or structure and its environment. Risks to the public, operatives
involved in the demolition process and adjacent structures and buildings
should be considered.
Demolition techniques may be categorized as:-
Piecemeal demolition, using hand-held tools
Mechanical method by
O Hydraulic crusher with Long Boom arm
O Wrecking Ball
O Pusher Arm
O Wire Rope Pulling
O Clam Shell
Other Methods like
O Non Explosive Demolition Agent
O Explosive Demolition
O Saw cutting
O Cutting and Lifting
O Water Jet

UNDER WATER DEMOLITION

 Piecemeal Demolition
(Demolition by Hand)
O For demolitions of reinforced concrete buildings by hand
tools such as electric, pneumatic breakers, jack hammers
etc. are commonly being used.
Oxy-acetylene torch could be used to cut the
reinforcements.
The reinforcements shall remain until all the concrete conne
cting to or supported by the reinforcement is broken away or
when its supports are no longer required.
Cantilever canopies, balconies and exterior walls are critical
elements in building demolition.
Demolition Sequence
O Demolition sequence shall be determined according to actual site conditions, restraints,
the building layout, the structural layout and its construction.
In general, the following sequence shall apply:
(a) All cantilevered structures, canopies, verandahs and features attached to the external
walls shall first be demolished prior to demolition of main building and its internal
structures on each floor;
(b) When demolishing the roof structure, all lift machine rooms and water tanks at high
level shall be demolished in top down sequence to the main roof level.
(c) Demolition of the floor slabs shall begin at mid span and work towards the
supporting beams;
(d) Floor beams shall be demolished in the order as follows:
(1) cantilevered beams;
(2) Secondary beams; then
(3) Main beams.
In the case when structural stability of beams is affected, e.g., due to loss of
restraints, the affected beams shall be propped prior to loss of support or restraint;
(e) Non-load bearing walls shall be removed prior to demolition of load bearing walls;
(f) Columns and load bearing walls shall be demolished after removal of beams on top;
(g) If site conditions permit, the first floor slab directly above the ground floor may be
demolished by machine sitting on ground level and mounted with demolition accessories.
 Mechanical Demolition
O Mechanical demolition generally involves the use of
large machinery with attachment to dismantle the
building from outside.
The common mechanical methods include the use of a
Hydraulic crusher with long Boom arm, Wrecking
Ball, pusher arm, wire rope, clam shell etc..
These methods shall only be applied to isolated
buildings on relatively flat ground.
If it is attached to another structure, the two properties
should be separated by the use of hand methods before
the main demolition process begins
O The concerns and good practices of the mechanical demolition generally included
the following:
(1)The machine shall be operated on smooth and firm ground;
(2)It shall also have adequate counter-weight to prevent overturning during the
operation;
(3)The equipment and accessories such as attachments and rope shall be inspected
frequently and shall be repaired or replaced whenever necessary;
(4)The impact of the collapsed structural sections on the floor or ground shall be
checked
to prevent the potential overloading of the suspended floor, vibration and disturbance to
adjacent properties and damage to underground utilities;
(5)The site shall have full time security to prevent unauthorized personnel entering the
site. No person shall stay within the working area of the machine and the building
while the machine is operating.
(6)Sufficient water spray or other anti-dust precautions shall be provided to minimize
air pollution by dust;
(7)The cab of the machine shall be equipped with impact proofed glass and its
construction shall be robust enough to protect the operator from flying debris;
(8)A spot person shall be on site full time to provide guidance and assistance to the
operator in the demolition process
 Hydraulic crusher with Long
Boom arm
The crusher attachment breaks the concrete and the
reinforcement by the hydraulic thrust through the long
boom arm system.
The hydraulic crusher can be operated from the ground
outside the building.
This method is also suitable for dangerous buildings,
silos and other industrial facilities.
For environmental reason, it should be used wherever
practicable because of its quietness.
 Wrecking Ball
O The wrecking ball application consists of a crane
equipped with a steel ball.
O The destruction of the building is by the impact energy of
the steel ball suspended from the crawler crane. The
wrecking ball operates outside the building.
O This method is suitable for dilapidated buildings, silos and
other industrial facilities.
O However, the operation requires substantial clear space.
O The application also demands high level skill operators
and well-maintained equipment.
 Hydraulic Pusher Arm
O Special conditions for pusher arm demolition are listed below:
O (1) The pusher arm shall be constructed of steel or equivalent
material and shall have adequate strength to operate on the
building; a crane boom shall not be used;
O (2) Minimum safety distance of 0.5 times the height of the
building element being demolished shall be maintained
between the machine and the building for pushing into the
building;
O (3) Minimum safety distance of 1.5 times the height of the
building element being demolished shall be maintained if
structural elements are pulling out of the building;
O (4) The point of application of pushing shall not be less than
2/3 of the height and not more than600 mm below the top of
the wall; and
O (5) The pusher arm method shall be limited to buildings less
than 15 m high.
 CONCLUSION
Type of demolition method depends upon various
factors such as site condition, type of structures, age
of building, height of building and economy. Anyway
controlled demolition of building is necessary to
ensure safety. Explosive demolition is the preferred
method for safely and efficiently demolishing the
larger structures. Almost all major building
implosions in the world are handled by 20 well-
established companies, blasting is passed on from
generation to generation.