The way in which a demolition project is carried out can depend heavily on a number of factors; the area where the demolition will occur, the material of the structure, the purpose of the demolition and the method of debris disposal. Let’s look at the methods most often employed by those who provide demolition services in Ottawa.
Implosion:
Demolition by implosion is a way to get the building to fall in on itself by sequentially eliminating the structural columns and other supports. Explosives are strategically placed on the vertical supports, the placement and the timing of their detonation is absolutely critical otherwise the structure may not collapse as a result of its own weight. Implosion is normally a method of demolition which is reserved for urban areas.
The company that provides the professional demolition services in Ottawa will carefully study the construction drawings for the building. Once there is a complete understanding of the demands, the appropriate explosive is selected and placed in position with appropriate timers down to the milli-second.
High reach arm:
When the area for demolition exceeds 20 meters a high reach demolition machine is often employed. These machines can be equipped with various tools which are suitable for demolishing different materials. This method of demolition is favored when the material is concrete, masonry or steel and mixed aggregate. These high reach arms are used in conjunction with other equipment which is employed for secondary operations such as material crushing prior to disposal.
Crane and ball:
This is the oldest method and has been seen by many on TV programs and perhaps in reality. A steel ball which often weighs in excess of 12,000 pounds is suspended from a crane; the ball is either swung into the structure or dropped on it to demolish it. Although the crane and ball is effective it cannot be used in all situations.
Selective demolition:
There is an ever increasing call for buildings to be taken down after they have been completely stripped of all the useful material. This material is salvaged and re-cycled. Often the interior of old buildings contain architectural moldings, doors, flooring, etc that is in demand for new structures being built to period architecture. The objective of selective demolition is to take out everything that has value and is reusable in a secondary market.
