Controlled demolition allows contractors to safely demolish or deconstruct existing buildings and infrastructure, and as technology advances, the possibilities are greater than ever before.

Let’s take a look at some of the most recent advances in the sector as we update you on the equipment that’s being used.

Hydraulic breakers – here to stay

Hydraulic breakers were first introduced several years ago, with Montabert being among the first companies to produce them.

These versatile machines can be used for total demolition or to demolish and remove part of a structure – and while early models were vulnerable to wear and tear, the latest ones are solid and reliable.

Precision demolition is faster and more cost-effective

One of the biggest advantages of using the newest hydraulic breakers is carrying out fast and precise civil engineering demolitions on roads, bridges and tunnels. A recent project overseas highlights just how effective hydraulic breakers can be:

• Contractors in Colorado, USA had just four hours to replace a highway bridge
• By using hydraulic breakers with cutting and pulverising attachments, they were able to demolish the existing reinforced concrete bridge
• The replacement bridge was fitted and site clean-up carried out within the 4 hour period – mainly due to the precision work that they were able to do using hydraulic breakers

Milling cutters – removing only broken layers

Road construction can be wasteful because the entire asphalt surface is often removed and rebuilt, even though only the top layer is damaged.

Milling cutters offer a solution, with precision settings that allow a certain layer of asphalt to be removed – saving time and money in road projects where speedy repairs are a necessity. As government departments face a budget squeeze, this type of technology could save millions of Rand each year.

The future of controlled demolition

If current trends continue, the future of controlled demolition will see more and more advanced technology making the demolition process more precise and cost-effective.

As the era of “breaking down” buildings comes to a close, future demolitions will allow useable materials to be kept intact for recycling or on-site use. This will help to keep costs low and should do great things for the environment too.

Montabert is proud to be a leader in the construction and mining technology field. We will continue to innovate as we strive to meet the demands of the ever-evolving demolition industry.