Often when people think of demolition, they picture a big wrecking ball or a bulldozer. But even though demolition looks like it’s all about destruction and chaos, there is actually a very orderly system at play. Part of this system is the different methods of demolition, and each one has specific advantages depending on the situation. Here are the three main methods of demolition.
Wrecking Ball
First is the most common, and oldest, demolition method, the wrecking ball. It is a large steel ball, weighing up to thirteen thousand pounds, suspended from a crane. A wrecking ball is used by either swinging or dropping it against the structure to be demolished. Usually, wrecking balls are best for demolishing concrete and masonry structures. But you will need an experienced crane operator to use it.
Arm
The high reach arm is a machine with an arm attached that can hold interchangeable demolition tools. This gives you several options depending on your needs such as a hammer, shears, or crusher attachment. The purpose of a demolition arm is to demolish a structure from the top down by removing it in large pieces. Then a demolition crew can further break down the large segments into smaller pieces. A high reach arm is best for tall buildings.
Implosion
The name for this demolition method is a bit contradictory. The reason why is that implosion is performed through the use of explosives. The explosives are placed at strategic points along a building’s vertical support structures so that, when the explosives are detonated, it will cause the building to collapse inward. This method is best for urban areas where there is not a lot of space to work. But implosion is a difficult and time consuming process that involves a lot of careful analysis of the building’s blueprints ahead of time.
Contact Del Prete Masonry Today for Your Next Masonry Project
If you are ready to upgrade your home or commercial building with professional masonry installation or replacement, Del Prete Masonry has the experience and expertise to get the job done right for the right price. To explore our residential and commercial services and set up a consultation, please give us a call at 410-683-0650 or contact us online. We currently serve Baltimore City and County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. To see examples of our work and get more updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Tags: demolition, demolition methods