What is building demolition?

“Demolition is a part of construction”-Daniel H.Wilson

The word demolition implies destruction, and building demolition refers to the
destruction, breaking down or removal of a certain building by the usage of scientific
methods along with adhering to specific safety methods. Yet, how can demolition be a
part of construction if it is about destruction? Let us tell you why…

The demolition of a building has many reasons behind it, but one of the most common
reasons for building demolition is the need for old rusted structures to be replaced.
Usually, a building is constructed over a life span of years, and when the years pass, it will
be high time to get it off the land. And hence, arises a new beginning, which leads to
destruction as a part of the construction process.

In this guide, we will be discussing both the conventional methods of

demolition and the futuristic methods of demolition.

The futuristic methods of demolition

1. Stop motion technique

2. Brokk demolition-remote controlled technique
3. Micro-blasting technique
4. Quake-proof demolition method
5. Tecorep demolition method
The conventional methods of demolition

6. Piecemeal demolition
7. Saw-cutting method
8. Thermic-lance technique
9. High-reach demolition excavator technique
10. High-reach crusher demolition technique
11. Water jet technique
12. Cutting and lifting
13. pile hacking technique
14. Mechanical methods of demolition
15. Non-explosive technique
16. Implosion technique
17. Excavators and bulldozers
• 17.2-Wrecking ball technique
• 17.3- pulveriser
• 17.4-hydraulic shears
 • 17.5-pusher arm technique
• 17.6-grapple

THE FUTURISTIC METHODS.

1. Stop motion technique

This technique is one of the modern techniques which was developed in Japan for the purpose of
building demolition. The stop motion technique uses computer-controlled hydraulic jacks in order
to support the bottom floor so that the supporting columns can be removed, and then the floor is
lowered. This process repeats then and there until the building has been demolished. This is
considered one of the best techniques that could be used in a highly populated area.

2. Brokk demolition

This is one of the most futuristic types of demolition, which is implemented by the usage of robots
with the aid of a remote, making this a remote-controlled method of demolition. Safety is ensured
and is more efficient, while it only requires a small number of workers for the demolition purposes
of the building.

3. Micro-blasting technique

When the traditional method might have a risk of damaging other structures, the new technique of
microblasting demolition ensures that the other structures will not be damaged.

What is the process of the micro-blasting technique?

In the first stage, the drilling tool will make holes in the structure of the concrete. Next, the
“powdered cartridges” will be placed in the drilled holes. And ultimately, the demolition will be
done thoroughly without producing much waste and other debris.

4. Quake-proof demolition method

This technique is developed as a bottom-up technique, and the demolition of the building starts
from the ground level itself. The quake-proof method not only reduces noise and dust but is a great
method to be used if things are needed to be restructured. And at most of this, this method shows
a high-level resistance to earthquakes.
5. Tecorep demolition technique

Under the traditional system, the building is being destroyed from the top down with the roofless
top left open. Yet Tecorep System keeps the building as an enclosed space, retaining the roof of
the top floor for cover and the outer space of the roof is covered with soundproof panels so that
noise is minimised, and so does the air pollution.

THE CONVENTIONAL METHODS OF DEMOLITION.

6. Piecemeal demolition

What is piecemeal demolition?

Piecemeal demolition is also referred to as hand demolition or manual demolition. This method
is generally used for breaking reinforced concrete buildings in highly dense areas when large
machinery cannot be involved due to the massive crowd.

What are the tools used in piecemeal or hand demolition?

There are various hand used tools used in the piecemeal demolition method, and we will discuss
just a few important tools which are used in the process,

a. Pneumatic breakers

A pneumatic breaker is powered by air and is used for tough demolition work such as breaking
reinforced concrete, trenching, and even heavy road work. These hand-used pneumatic tools can
be integrated with buffers, nailing and stapling guns, jackhammers, sanders, and wrenches.

b. Hydraulic jacks

A hydraulic jack is generally used for heavy loads, and they are involved in affording greater lifts
for a larger distance.

c. Other tools

Other than hydraulic jacks and pneumatic breakers, general tools such as hammers, wire cutters,
welding cutters, angle grinders, power saws, demolition saws, crowbars, and concrete (rope)saws
are also used in the process of building demolition.
What is the method used in piecemeal demolition?

This method of demolition demolishes the building from top to bottom. In order to cut the
reinforcements, an oxy-acetylene torch may be used, and in addition to that, we need to note that
this can be used for low to medium-carbon steels and wrought iron. However, high-carbon steels
will be difficult to cut by the usage of this substance.

What are the steps of piecemeal demolition?

To get a more in-depth idea of how piecemeal let’s check into how piecemeal or hand demolition
works,

Step 01: Take down the utilities

All the utilities are disconnected during this stage, including water and electricity connections,
mobile connections and even drainage connections.

Step 02:Removing the top parts.

Since the piecemeal demolition begins from the top of the roof, the structures on the rooftop are
removed. It usually includes cantilevered structures, canopies and verandas.

Step 03: Structures at a higher level being removed

Before the removal of the roof, structures at a higher level are taken down first. These structures
might include water tanks, lift cabins and much more.

Step 04: Breakage of the floor slab

As the next step, the floor slab will be followed up with a breakage beginning from the middle
towards the supporting beams. And the breakage of the floor beam will follow up in the following
sequence:

cantilever beam > secondary beam > primary beam

Step 05:Taking down of walls

When considering walls can be divided into two sectors:

1. a) non-loading bearing walls

2. b) load-bearing walls
Out of these two types of walls, non-loading bearing walls are taken down prior to load-bearing
walls. Moreover, after removing the beams, the top columns will also be taken down along with
the load-bearing walls.

7. MECHANICAL METHODS OF DEMOLITION.

7.1-EXCAVATORS AND BULLDOZERS

Excavators and bulldozers are generally used to demolish small-sized buildings, one or two-storey
buildings. This involves digging, excavating, trenching and transferring debris to the trucks and
doing the work at ease. If the strategy of bulldozers and excavators is considered, it follows up
with a strategy of excavation, which involves eroding the base or foundation while controlling the
direction in which the building falls.

7.2-WRECKING BALL TECHNIQUE

If the building has more than two storeys, the wrecking ball technique will be used since the
excavators, and bulldozer techniques will not be enough to reach such heights. This technique also
uses a crane in addition to the wrecking ball. A wrecking ball which weighs around 0.5 tons to 2
tons, is hung up using a steel rod to the crane. The building demolition in this technique is done
by the impact that it has by the steel balls hung to the crane.

7.3- PULVERISER
Pulverisers are generally used in building demolition for size reduction of reinforced concrete or
brick structures and also the lifting and loading of steel and other materials.
WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES OF PULVERISERS?
When we consider pulverisers, there are 3 categories of pulverisers: crushers, impactors, and
grinding mills.

CRUSHERS.
Crushers are used for the purpose of crushing the materials and reducing the size and the density
of large rocks and stones into dust particles. Crushing is accumulated through the pressure
generated by two forces which oppose each other.

IMPACTORS.
Impactors are also similar to crushers, yet it is different in regards to the method it uses to crush
the materials; hence it is known as impact crushers. During the impaction of impactors, a force is
transmitted through collision or else by striking one another.

GRINDING MILLS.
The grinding mills use the method of friction to break down materials such as lead, brass and even
ceramics.

7.4-Hydraulic shears

Demolition with hydraulic shears involves cold cutting of metal and tearing up sections of
concrete and other materials with its shear jaws. The hydraulic shears consist of a hydraulic system
which consists of a hydraulic oil pump which involves giving pressure to the shears so that the
work can be carried out.

7.5-Pusher arm technique

A pusher arm which is hydraulically powered is lifted using a tracked or wheeled vehicle like an
excavator. The pusher arm technique has a high output, and they are designed to work on vertical
surfaces and floors above the standing levels and used for small sites and not recommended use
for huge buildings or less spacious places. During the process, a horizontal thrust is applied to the
structure using the pusher arm by using it into the structure or out of the structure so that the
building demolition occurs progressively.

7.6-Grapple

A grapple; you need to have something to get the scraps and debris out of your way after all. And
grapple will involve helping with moving the scraps and debris out of your way. These grapples
consist of jaws which helps them to interlock after collecting the partial debris until it is properly
drawn into the appropriate place. Grapple is mostly used for the demolition of steel and concrete
beams, columns, walls, floors and roofs to the ground level.
8.Non-explosive technique

Non-explosive demolition technique is a method which uses soundless chemical demolition

agents(SCDAs) for building demolition. These agents consist of different substances like lime
calcium oxide, aluminium oxide, and magnesium oxide, to mention a few. SCDAs, which are
powdery, are mixed with water so that they are expanded at a considerable level, and this expansion
creates a pressure which is sufficient enough to break rocks and concrete.

9.Implosion technique

Implosion is a technique which is suitable for multi-storey and high-rise buildings. When
implosion is considered, the building implosion technique weakens or removes vital supports;
hence the building cannot be any longer withstand the force of gravity, and it will eventually fall
into the ground. This is less expensive as well as one of the quickest methods for building
demolition, yet as a disadvantage, if it is not done with proper care and safety precautions, it will
cause huge damage.

“Waterfall implosion” technique

This technique of implosion is being used in the demolition of the twin towers, and one famous
example of this usage of technique is the “Noida twin tower demolition.” During the waterfall
implosion technique, the structure is collapsed inward and into each other. This technique is mostly
used in urbanised areas.

10. Saw-cutting method

The saw-cutting method is extremely useful for alternating and other additional work where
accuracy is utterly important. It is especially used when there is a need to repair while demolishing
the building.

What are the methods used in saw-cutting?

a. Wire saw cutting

During this process, the metal blades are replaced by diamond-infused wire, in which the diamond
wires are fed through a series of pulleys. This method is suitable for building demolition work
where complete control is required.
b. Floor sawing

This method is the most commonly used diamond cutting method in the saw cutting technique.
The floor sawing technique is mostly used for concrete pavements and can be used for buildings
as well.

c. Wet saw cutting technique

This technique uses water or different other liquids in order to aid in the process of cutting. This
will help in wetting the concrete, and less amount of dust will be released.

d. Dry saw cutting technique

This technique is the opposite of the wet saw cutting technique, which is much less messy
compared to wet saw cutting.

11.Thermic-lance technique

Thermic lancing is the technique of oxygen cutting with a steel tube which is packed with steel
rods. Pure oxygen gas is provided through the pipe from an oxygen cylinder and regulator, and
then the end of the rod is lit with a high-temperature substance like oxy-acetylene
source. Reinforced concrete is cut off through the thermal lance technique and requires a very high
temperature of about 2000 to 4000°C. This technique is used only when there are no alternatives,
and the facility needs to be free of noise and vibrations.

12. High-reach demolition excavator technique.

High-reach demolition excavator technique uses excavators to reach high-rise buildings. This
technique is being used at places where explosives are prohibited from using or not the best method
to be used.

13. High-reach crusher demolition technique

This method is an efficient method to be used in urbanised areas, and its constant spraying of water
with the pipe attached to the crusher will help in minimising air pollution while also using less
noise and vibration to demolish concrete structures.

14. Water jet technique

Water jet or pressure jetting technique, where a stream of water is pumped to the highest level in
order to erode the reinforced cement and wash out the remains. The stream of the water jet is
released with a pressure of 250-300mPa on the surface of the concrete. This is also known as the
abrasive jet-cutting technique. The water jet technique is mostly used in chassis, enclosures and
panels.

15. Cutting and lifting

In these techniques, the concrete slabs are cut into segments and lifted off from the place to be
further cut into more segments. The cutting and lifting method is usually used for the removal of
canopies, balconies and even other architectural features of a facility.

16. Pile hacking technique

Last but not least, this method of demolition is used for hacking pile heads, specifically for vertical
structures. In this technique, mechanical equipment such as an excavator, air compressor, and
hydraulic jacks are used. This will aid in breaking the strong bond between reinforced steel and
concrete slabs, which will make the demolition process much more hassle-free.

Final touch up

Finally, we need to keep in mind these techniques can only proceed with expertise in the field;
Therefore, it is crucial to get the aid of a building demolition contractor for the services that you
look forward to. They will ensure that you will get the best building demolition services pertaining
to your needs with safety and reliability, withstanding all rules and regulations.