Getting Better And Better
Frequent innovation is necessary in the Construction and demolition are industries. There is always a demand to provide better environmentally and economically sound solutions for the never-ending development in cities across the United States and the world.
Advancements in concrete cutting allow for more effective demolition methods and the reuse, repurposing, or restoration of existing concrete buildings, bridges, and other structures.
The Need For Improved Demolition Methods
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, construction and demolition waste exceed 600 million tons each year, more than double the waste produced municipally. Concrete makes up a sizable portion of this waste, and inventive new recycling and reusing methods are needed to reduce waste going to landfills.
Significant amounts of materials from concrete demolition are already reused today, making up the aggregate used to produce new concrete structures. However, the separation of materials is a challenge when demolishing many structures.
This difficulty is particularly true for high-rise buildings where concrete is intermingled with all other construction materials, and a simple demolition would leave nothing but mixed rubble. Improved concrete cutting methods are making it possible to isolate and recycle more demolition waste than ever before.
Controlled structure demolition presents several unique engineering challenges. The building must remain supported and standing as materials are stripped away, so contractors must use new methods to ensure safety.
Infrastructure Efficiency Is Key
While infrastructure contractors widely use concrete cutting, it must be combined with additional methods to be used optimally. This combination includes the implementation of engineered shoring that maintains structural integrity as the demolition progresses.
Complex structures like stair towers, roof decks, and elevator shafts require precisely calculated shoring to avoid collapse during the concrete cutting process. Careful planning goes into these demolitions to remove large concrete sections without breaking and messy cleanup.
By implementing these techniques, demolitions can be safer, faster, less costly, and allow for increasing demolition waste recycling. This new approach is changing the way that people see concrete demolition.
Not only does it provide improved performance during demolitions, but there are also many situations where it’s the only viable option. Complex concrete configurations that would have otherwise required traditional concrete breaking demolition can now be removed in slabs through planned cutting and engineered shoring.
Giving New Life To Historic Structures
These advanced methods aren’t only used in the demolition of concrete structures. Developers can also use them for restoration. People could restore many concrete structures if certain sections were to be cut out and replaced.
However, this work is only possible with precision concrete cutting and engineered shoring to maintain structural integrity during the restoration.
This requirement is particularly true for historic building renovations. These older buildings are often deteriorating in certain areas or were never able to meet our modern safety standards in the first place. Implementing controlled concrete cutting while still supporting key structural elements makes these kinds of renovations possible.
Historic buildings aren’t the only benefactors of these advancements. Aging bridges are also prime candidates for restoration and repurposing. As they begin to wear and crumble, concrete cutting makes repair and restoration a viable alternative to demolition and replacement.
With aging infrastructure being a major concern on the national level, concrete structure restoration has never been in higher demand. The focus of the modern industry on avoiding waste has led to concrete cutting being chosen as an environmentally sound choice for the continued use of historic structures.
Concrete cutting can be done with many different techniques, involving unique types of equipment. While some concrete cutting applications include slab trenching and flat sawing to remove foundations or other elements, supporting structures often require more complicated approaches.
Wire sawing is one such method that employs a steel wire studded with industrial diamonds to cut through reinforced concrete at challenging angles. Combined with careful planning, it can make removing even the most difficult to access concrete structural components possible.
Concrete Technology Services
Concrete Technology Services is a concrete cutting and structural contractor providing essential services in Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, and other states along the Eastern Seaboard. No matter how complex the job, Concrete Technology Services has the solution.
Our unique combination of concrete cutting and demolition experience makes us the top choice for any concrete demolition, renovation, or restoration project. Our team implements the latest technologies in structural demolition.
The use of robotic demolition equipment provides greater access to difficult areas, and increases the versatility of our demolition services. Our focus on cutting-edge solutions lets us deliver safer, more cost-effective, and more innovative demolition services.
For any concrete cutting or demolition services, you can reach out to Concrete Technology Services to consult with our industry-leading team of experts. We are ready to help with all of your concrete cutting needs, from the planning stage to execution.
