The Ideal Construction Equipment For Demolition

Demolition is a process of tearing down buildings and structures of different kinds and sizes. Many people think that demolition is same as deconstruction, but it is quite different. Deconstruction includes tearing down a building or a structure while at the same time keeping and preserving important elements for reuse. The successful demolition requires extreme machines, equipment and different kinds of attachments. For smaller structures, like residential houses, the demolition is a quite simple and only simple machines are used like wrecking balls, hammers, wrecking loaders and etc. On the other hand, the demolition of buildings, bridges and other big structures is a tough and gritty work, and includes complex machines like high reach excavator.

The demolition is a key process in every construction project. Before any demolition activities can take place, there are several steps that need to be undertaken like: removing dangerous or hazardous materials from the structures, obtaining the required demolition permits, submitting the necessary notifications, disconnecting all utilities, and developing on-site safety working plans and strategies. The typical demolition of a building or any other structure, involves many activities. Usually a hydraulic excavator is used for the demolition of one or two story building. The idea is to undermine the structure, while at the same time controlling the direction where it will fall. The demolition project manager or a supervisor will determine where undermining is required so that the building can fall in the desired direction.

Sometimes, a crane equipped with a wrecking ball is used for demolition of a structure to a certain height. After that, the undermining process takes place. However, the cranes with wrecking balls are not recommended because of the uncontrollable nature of the wrecking ball and other safety issues. Hoe rams are used generally for the removal of the concrete road deck and piers during bridge demolition process. Hydraulic shears are used for removing the bridge structural steel.

Wrecking loaders and bulldozers are also used for building demolition. The wrecking loaders are equipped with rakes, which are used to ram the walls of the building. Loaders and skid steer loaders are also used for taking the materials out of the building and to sort out the metal left. High reach demolition excavator is used in demolition projects when explosives are not recommended or appropriate for demolition. An excavator equipped with a shear attachment is generally used to dismantle the steel elements of the structure.

Hydraulic hammers are used for demolishing concrete structures, and various attachments are used for concrete crushing and for steel removal. One Japanese company has developed a new technique for building demolition. This new technique involves using hydraulic jacks which are controlled by computer. The hydraulic jacks support the bottom floor while at the same time the surrounding columns are being removed. The process is the same for each floor. This Japanese technique is more safe and environmental friendly.