Demolition
Demolition is a process in which buildings are torn down. Demolition is different from deconstruction, which is carefully taking a building apart to reuse its parts.[1] For small buildings, such as houses, demolition is often simple. Buildings are often pulled down with excavators, bulldozers or small cranes. Other specialized equipment may also be used.[2] Larger buildings may use a wrecking ball swung by a crane.[3] This works well for masonry buildings. Sometimes building implosion is used.[3] This involves using carefully placed explosive charges. If done correctly, the building falls in on itself and not on nearby buildings.
Preparation
Before a building can be torn down, several things have to happen.[4] A demolition permit has to be obtained from a city, town or county. All hazardous waste must be removed. This includes asbestos, lead paint and any flammable materials.[4] All utilities (water, electricity and natural gas) have to be disconnected.[4] Many municipalities have checklists of what to do before a building can be demolished. They also have checklists of things that must be removed first.
Demolition Media
Demolition of the cooling towers of the Athlone Power Station in Athlone, Cape Town, South Africa
A house under demolition in Argos, Greece.
A vacant plot of land in Argos, Greece, after the demolition of the house in the above photo.
A wrecking ball in action at the demolition of the Rockwell Gardens.
House destroyed by an excavator in Invermere, British Columbia.
A high-reach excavator is used to demolish this tower block.
Demolition of a hotel in southern England.
Related pages
References
- ↑ Bob Borson (4 November 2013). "Deconstruction versus Demolition". Life of an Architect. Retrieved Aug 11, 2015.
- ↑ "Demolition Equipment". Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved Aug 11, 2015.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Juan Rodriguez. "Demolition Methods". About.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2016. Retrieved Aug 11, 2015.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Basic Steps to Demolish a House". Express Recycling and Sanitation LLC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2015.
