It is known to us that the structures that we see around us everywhere, each of them has its longevity. Generally, the average life of a structure is 100 years. If a building is older than 100 years, it requires proper maintenance or else the existence of that particular structure becomes a threat to the people living around it or near it.
For buildings that can’t undergo proper maintenance, demolition is the only option. The term demolition means to bring down the building while ensuring that the valuable elements that are present in that building are preserved or can be used in the future as a reusable element.
Demolition can be done in different ways, i.e., manually and mechanically. It depends on the necessity or the urgency. Some common instruments used for demolition are hammers, rammers, excavators, bulldozers, and wrecking balls. Sometimes there is the use of explosives like dynamites and detonators, generally for the demolition of tall buildings.
Demolition is not a standalone process; it involves different steps along the way. There is a requirement to survey the demolition site, eradicate the hazardous material, and take safety measures. It also requires ensuring that the machines which are to be used are proper or not and also looking after the safety of the public who are around it.
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See also: Building construction work: Steps involved in it
Demolition of building: What is demolition?
Demolition is the process of collapsing a building that has crossed its survival period. The entire process of demolition is carried out with the help of machines. It also involves other things, such as legal procedures and the consent of the people living around the structure.
When a building crosses its survival time, it becomes weak, and if demolition of that building is not done mechanically or manually, the chances of occurrence of its demolition become natural and uncertain, which can put many human lives in danger.
Demolition also requires some surveys. Detailed information about the particular building which will be demolished must be taken out before undergoing the process. So, a proper assessment must be done. The site of demolition is a source of a huge amount of solid waste, and they are automatically transformed into landfills.
Recycling building waste is very much helpful for the environment, but the number of building practices is increasing such that the materials which are to be reused are mixed with rubble, stones, and other materials, which makes the process of recycling very much difficult as well as uneconomical. The work that is performed during the demolition is the most important job that needs to be performed very cautiously. Some of the consequences that can occur are listed below:
- The workers who are working on the demolition site can go through severe injury if there is any loophole.
- Accidental fall of small particles from the building which is to be demolished.
- Partial fall of the structure.
- Sometimes it can happen when the original structure collapses; the structures which are unstable around the main structure can also collapse.
- If some inappropriate methods are employed by the contractor
- The machines can also collapse due to a lack of support.
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Demolition of building: Steps performed before demolition of a building
Planning is required so that the process of demolition is done smoothly. So, some pre-planned steps should be performed before the demolition of a building. Let’s have a look at these steps.
Surveying of the site properly
A site must be adequately surveyed before the demolition of a building. When you have a proper idea about the building structure, the process of demolition becomes smoother. Two types of surveys can be performed before the demolition happens. They are the building survey and the structural survey.
Eradicating the existence of hazardous substances present in that site
A building that is over 100 years old can have the presence of different kinds of hazardous substances. There can be material that contains asbestos, radioactive materials, and material which contains petroleum within it. A proper survey must be done to know what kind of hazardous substances exist in that place. If the survey is not done properly, then it can cause severe problems after demolition. A minor mistake can end up causing huge destruction; hence proper elimination of all toxic substances is required.
Making a plan for demolition work
Every task requires a solid plan before executing it. Demolition is a very risky process; many things are dependent on it. If the process is done perfectly, then there will be no consequences, but if there is the presence of minor discrepancy in the process, then it can take down thousands of lives with the building. To make the process smooth, one must make a solid plan first. It must make some strategies, such as the location of the building which is to be demolished and a proper topography of the site.
Stability report
A stability report is very much necessary for the demolition of the building. A report must be prepared on the basis of all the stages of the demolition that has been undergone. Structural calculations are also required for all the temporary supports. It also includes the report of the adjacent building and properties.
Demolition of building: Safety measures that must be taken during the demolition of a building
All the workers who are working on the site should be acquainted with the hazards that can occur with the process of demolition. During the process of demolition, the site which is to be demolished undergoes the process of cleaning. Flammable goods are removed from the site unless it is required to undergo the process. Flammable goods are stored safely and in proper condition. Firefighting is installed to ensure more safety.
In demolition, process workers have to face many problems, such as being exposed to dust for a prolonged time. They also go through constant heat stress. There is the presence of many toxic chemicals on the work site, so the workers are required to be safe from that as well.
There is a constant presence of noise due to the use of heavy equipment and machines. And it can sometimes be stressful for workers when they are exposed to the front of it for a prolonged time. In demolition sites, sanitation is a very important problem that is faced by all workers, especially women. There must also be proper first aid and medical facilities so that treatments are provided to the workers quickly if they are having some health issues.
Demolition of building: Different types of demolition methods
Demolition of the building can be done in two primary methods, i.e., in a non-explosive way which is always the better option or in an explosive way. The explosive way is generally for tall buildings. However, there are multiple ways in which both these methods can be used.
Explosive way
An explosive way of demolition is a very costly one as it requires the involvement of explosives. This harms the environment as well. It causes air pollution as well as noise pollution but the buildings which are of great height cannot be demolished with the help of machines, so there are no other options.
Implosion process of building demolition
This process takes the help of the explosive. When the supports which are holding the building are removed, the building collapses. In this process, the main support of the building, which is generally the columns, beams, and slabs of the building, is fitted with explosives. The columns and structure fall when the explosive is detonated. The fall of the structure is generally of two types:
Falling like a tree
In this type of explosion, the building falls sideward like a tree. The tree-like falling is the most common type of explosion that is used. This is done when ample free space is available around the building. When there is free space along the left side of the building, the explosion is set on the lower left level of the building. When the explosive is detonated, the building tends to fall on the left side, to control the fall of the building, stress cables are attached to the building.
Falling into the footprint of its own
Sometimes there is no availability of free spaces along the side of the building, and the structures along it are required to be protected for those cases. In this case, the explosives are fitted on the floor in between the parts of the buildings. There is a must use of heavy explosives as in this process, explosions must be done in one go.
If the explosion is not synced, then it can affect the fall of the buildings. When the explosion is done first, the upper part of the building falls on the lower part; because of the presence of heavy load and forces, the lower part of the building collapses, resulting in the fall of the building on its footprints. This is a very complex demolition, so only a few companies have performed it.
Nonexplosive way
This is the best way of demolition. It doesn’t undergo any use of explosives. Demolition is done with the use of various equipment.
Sledge Hammer
This is generally used for the demolition of small-sized walls and single columns.
Wrecking Balls
The buildings, which are generally 7 or 6 storied, cannot be demolished with the help of excavators and bulldozers. In these types of cases, cranes attached to wrecking balls are required to undergo the demolition process. It is attached with a huge steel rope.
The ball attached to the steel rope is at first stretched backwards and then released forward. When the steel ball released with great force touches the building, a part of the building gets demolished. This is risky as the regulation of the steel ball is not easy.
High Reach Excavators
This is used for the demolition of the building, which is very tall, and it is not possible to demolish it with an explosion. A building that has a height of 300ft can be demolished with this machine.
Bulldozers
It is used to demolish buildings of small size. They are used to excavate soils or transfer wastage to trucks. Bulldozers are very common in demolition sites.
FAQs:
Why do we need to do demolition?
Demolition is required to ensure more safety around us. Old buildings are prone to collapse; to eliminate that uncertainty, demolition is done.
What happens to the building materials during the process?
The materials are reused after the process of demolition is done. Some structures are preserved, while some are reused again. The carpets, flooring, woods, etc., are the common items that can be reused.
How much does the process of demolition cost?
The cost that is to be incurred is based on the size and the building area to be demolished. The cost also depends on the process of demolition that you are opting for. If you are going for a non-explosive process, then the cost is less compared to an explosive one.
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