Dismantling of concrete is currently carried out using a hydrocline. This is a special concrete breaker that is successfully used by many construction companies. Traditional methods of concrete dismantling have a number of significant disadvantages: increased noise levels, high costs for various equipment, the work takes a long time due to its labor intensity. There is a high chance of injury.
Traditional concrete dismantling has a number of significant disadvantages: high noise levels, high equipment costs, labor intensity and risk of injury.
Construction activities, especially within the city, are carried out in different directions; very often it is necessary to clear the area for the construction of another facility. In this case, removal of old concrete buildings is required. So, dismantling work begins.
If you start dismantling concrete structures on your own, it will take too much time, cost and effort. The cost of demolition can reach up to 10% of the total construction budget, and labor intensity, including waste removal, can account for 1/3 of the total labor costs. Therefore, it is more advisable to use the services of specialized construction companies.
Dismantling of concrete walls, reinforced concrete and structures
For greater benefits, it is recommended to use the services of professional construction companies.
The dismantling of concrete walls and concrete structures using expanding wedges has been known since ancient times, when construction was carried out using stone blocks. Then it was necessary to crush stones using wooden wedges that were driven into special holes. Subsequently, of course, this method was improved. Currently, a type of dismantling of concrete walls called driving in a hydrocline has become widespread. This allows you to cope with reinforced concrete, large-area concrete structures, and brick walls. Natural stone, in particular granite and marble, can also be suitable for these purposes. Outside our state, in Western countries, the dismantling of concrete walls with a hydrocline has been used for 30 years. The use of hydrocline can be in any field of construction and in any territory. To carry out large-scale work on dismantling reinforced concrete and other structures, it is advisable to use a hydrocline.
The use of hydrocline can be carried out in the following directions:
- When dismantling concrete of various sizes and widths, as well as length.
- Destruction of massifs of concrete structures.
- Reinforced concrete pads can be dismantled.
- Crushing of natural building stone (granite, marble, rubble).
- Dismantling concrete using a hydraulic wedge on brick walls.
- Hydraulic structures are being dismantled using a hydraulic wedge.
Chemical dismantling method
The technology of breaking concrete is in demand in the construction industry. It allows you to perform dismantling work even on objects that are in operation. To break concrete masses, special chemical powders or mixtures are used.
Powders
The principle of action of powder chemical products is to increase the expansion coefficient of concrete. The powder is made on the basis of calcium oxide, which helps to increase the volume of the concrete mass.
Dismantling a concrete wall using such a chemical product is carried out in the following sequence:
- The concrete base, which is subject to demolition, is subjected to preliminary pitting. The holes are holes with a diameter of 8 cm. They are made along the entire plane of the dismantled surface every 25 cm.
- A homogeneous working mixture is prepared from the powder. To do this, the product is mixed with water. Each manufacturer indicates the proportions in the instructions for use of the product.
- The finished reagent is poured into pits (holes).
Complete crystallization of the solution occurs within a day. It increases significantly in volume and destroys monolithic concrete. After completing this process, all that remains is to remove construction waste from the site.
Stages of concrete dismantling
The use of a hydrocline can be carried out when dismantling concrete of different widths and sizes.
In order to proceed directly to the dismantling of concrete, a preparatory stage is carried out. This is voluminous and sometimes lengthy work, which includes the following activities:
- A preliminary inspection of the site where dismantling work will take place is carried out.
- The conditions for the work are being agreed upon.
- Utility networks, if any, are disconnected.
- Preparation of access roads, as empty space for equipment will be required.
- Next, engineering equipment is installed and prepared.
Disassembly work begins, which usually includes two stages:
Concrete walls can be dismantled using diamond cutting.
- Carrying out dismantling of concrete structures. This is the removal of various structures, the division of these structures into smaller parts. If monolithic parts of buildings are unsuitable for recycling, they are destroyed and crushed using a hydrocline.
- Next, work begins to remove debris from the area. The dismantled material is sorted, loaded onto harvesting vehicles and removed from the area.
Such work must be carried out according to a clearly defined plan. An important point in dismantling concrete is that it is necessary to ensure the stability of structures at the time of their dismantling, to try to prevent their premature and arbitrary destruction, since this is very dangerous and can cost the lives of many workers. Therefore, only professionals in their field should be involved in such work, since in this case we are talking not only about the work being done correctly, but also about the safety and health of all workers.
Methods of demolition and scrapping
Dismantling of concrete structures is carried out in several ways:
- mechanical;
- semi-mechanical;
- explosive;
- electrohydraulic.
All of the above options for breaking concrete can be impact or non-impact.
When using impact methods, mechanical effects are exerted on concrete masses:
- destruction of reinforced concrete structures by technological explosions;
- using excavators and hydraulic engineering;
- manual dismantling using crowbars, jackhammers, hammer drills.
Impact-free technology for concrete destruction involves the use of non-mechanical influences, incl. chemical reagents:
- ultrasonic waves;
- corrosive chemical compounds.
To perform dismantling work more efficiently and with high quality, several options for dismantling reinforced concrete structures are simultaneously used.
Demolition of reinforced concrete partitions is carried out manually to reduce the cost of work. But special machinery and equipment is already used to break massive monolithic concrete foundations.
Manual disassembly
To perform small amounts of work related to concrete breaking, the manual method is used. It is also necessary to make do only with the help of workers if it is impossible to deliver technical means to the reinforced concrete structure. This is a rather labor-intensive procedure that requires the mandatory use of personal protective equipment.
Working with a jackhammer requires the operator to have physical strength and skills in handling tools.
This method of dismantling reinforced concrete structures is the cheapest. Its main disadvantages: significant time costs, the formation of large amounts of dust during work, which negatively affects the human respiratory system.
Diamond cutting
One of the most popular technologies for breaking concrete masses is diamond cutting, which provides the ability to dismantle the hardest concrete masses. Cutting is performed using a special diamond disc or drill.
Advantages of the technology:
- minimal dust formation;
- accuracy of work;
- no vibration.
Diamond cutting is used for fragmentary and complete dismantling of reinforced concrete structures.
Electric arc
The technology for dismantling concrete with an electric arc, which melts the composite, is distinguished by the highest quality of dismantling.
This method is often used in combination with other technologies for breaking concrete structures. But if only partial dismantling of a concrete wall is planned, explosions cannot be used.
Hydraulic engineering and excavator
If it is necessary to dismantle the foundation or low-rise building, it is recommended to use an excavator or hydraulic equipment.
The main advantage of using an excavator: after destroying the structure with a bucket, it immediately loads the destroyed concrete onto trucks for removal. This allows you to reduce the cost of dismantling work.
In Moscow, excavators are effectively used, which are additionally equipped with a hydraulic hammer. This tool is located near the bucket and is powered by a hydraulic system. It helps to dismantle monolithic structures and underground communications made of concrete.
Hydrorobot
The most environmentally friendly way to dismantle concrete buildings using hydraulic robots. This technique can perform work all day long without interruption, removing up to 2.5 cubic meters per hour. m of reinforced concrete masses. And to control and maintain the hydraulic robot, only 2 people are needed.
Detonation
The technology for dismantling a monolith using explosions can only be used if there are no residential buildings or other buildings in use nearby.
Features of blasting operations:
- availability of special permission;
- accurate calculation of the amount of explosives and the correct selection of sites for laying them;
- there must be a work plan taking into account safety precautions.
This is the most expensive method, which is most often used to destroy monolithic concrete structures. Its main advantages: minimal time to complete the work; after the explosion, the old structure turns into small construction chips, which makes it easier to remove it from the territory.
Advantages of dismantling concrete and reinforced concrete with a hydrocline
Hydrocline is popularly called a concrete breaker. The latest technologies make it possible in our time to dismantle concrete without causing any problems to others. Modern dismantling work is carried out without noise and vibration, which earlier methods of concrete dismantling could not afford. This method is very good if dismantling of concrete structures is carried out near residential areas. Another advantage of using a hydraulic wedge in dismantling work is the control of the entire work process. For example, it is necessary to break a specific section without damaging the integrity of the entire structure; a hydrocline can easily cope with this.
Dismantling walls using a hammer drill is possible, but it will take a very long time.
In this way, it is possible to avoid problems such as fragments and sharp parts that fly off over distances, which is completely unsafe for this type of work. This method is good if dismantling work is carried out over a rather large area, where other workers may be located at a short distance. At this time, jackhammers and rotary hammers, of course, are still used, but they are already considered outdated methods and not entirely safe. For example, in the West, the method of dismantling concrete using a hydrocline has been used for 30 years.
Another advantage of using a hydrocline is that it is economical to use. Firstly, it costs less on electricity, and secondly, it is compact for transportation. This cannot be said about old air compressors, for example. A more advanced method of concrete dismantling—diamond wire cutting—is becoming widespread.
How concrete dismantling work is carried out
Dismantling using a wall saw is carried out as follows:
- Wiring is removed from the walls or the area where dismantling will be carried out is de-energized;
- The surface is marked into segments;
- The concrete is linearly destroyed into segments, which are pulled out and stored for later removal.
Working in stages, you can demolish or partially dismantle a wall of any size. The wall saw allows you to dismantle walls up to 60 cm thick with one or two reinforcement belts. The advantages of using a wall saw include:
- Minimum level of vibrations spreading over the surface, destroying joints and connections;
- The ability to cut reinforcement immediately with a wall saw, without stopping work and using welding or other metal cutting methods;
- High productivity compared to dismantling manually or using a breaker.
We use electric and hydraulic wall saws that have high productivity and compact dimensions, allowing you to work in rooms with limited space or access to the wall surface.
Dismantling of concrete floors
Concrete floors are the basis of concrete structures; they are characterized by high strength and resistance to various forces. Therefore, the dismantling of concrete floors must be approached with all responsibility; it should be remembered that this work can be not only labor-intensive, but also dangerous.
If you approach your work in an amateurish way, you won't be able to avoid problems. The entire integrity of the building depends on proper operation, since the floors serve as supports for concrete walls. This work should be carried out by trained personnel using good, up-to-date equipment. The construction site must have crane equipment, hydraulic cushions, a jack, diamond cutting power tools, various pneumatic devices, etc. There must be special vehicles for garbage removal.
The primary basis should be familiarization and thorough inspection of the floors, drawing up a work plan. Dismantling of concrete floors can be complete or partial, when, for example, it is necessary to dismantle the floor to install a staircase.
Partial dismantling is more complicated than complete dismantling, as it requires careful calculation of the destruction of the object.
First, the floor or floor coverings are removed, then the screeds are dismantled and the underground embankments are removed, supports are installed, if necessary, the slab is removed or partially dismantled.
When dismantling concrete floors, it is not advisable to use a jackhammer, as this may damage the integrity of other structures that do not require dismantling. When dismantling a certain area, you will need to use jack stands. Previously, when drawing up a work plan, workers must calculate how many jack stands may be needed when dismantling the floors. All these activities must be carried out legally, with all permits available.
Concrete dismantling: screed
Another type of dismantling work is dismantling the floor screed. This process requires special skills and patience. A floor screed will be needed if cracks and unevenness appear on the concrete floor, there is a need to lower the floor covering, communications run under the floor and they require repair, etc. Dismantling of a concrete floor screed can be done manually or “by machine.”
Necessary tools and equipment:
- jackhammer or hammer drill;
- gloves;
- protective mask.
Concrete dismantling can be complete or partial. The best method for dismantling concrete, as mentioned above, is diamond cutting. It provides noise reduction and is more convenient to use. But when this is not possible, you can use a jackhammer or hammer drill. Any method of dismantling a concrete floor is based on breaking the concrete into small pieces. You need to think in advance about how the garbage will be removed after breaking the floor. If the floor is being dismantled in a residential building, you need to discuss possible inconveniences with your neighbors in advance.
Dismantling concrete with jackhammers
If it is necessary to dismantle concrete walls or ceilings, it is best to use jackhammers. It is inexpensive and relatively convenient - these tools are not large in size. A power of 25 J is enough to destroy walls of almost any thickness. The disadvantages of this method include the large amount of dust generated during dismantling, so its use in residential areas is undesirable. In addition, holding a jackhammer for a full shift will require some physical training.
