Professional Demolition
The right tool for every job
Modern-day demolition
Modern-day demolition bears little resemblance to the demolition work of the past, where the job was
simply to tear down the building.
The straightforward destruction of the fabric of the building and removal of the mixed rubble to a disposal
site has evolved into a high-tech reverse construction process. Advanced demolition tools allow for precision
control of this process and facilitate the separation of materials for subsequent recycling.
s
Raw material
Construction
Utilization
e m o l i t i o n
D
Recycling
Demolition sites as part of the material cycle
The requirements on demolition contractors have grown
significantly in the past few years.
Statutory requirements, new building materials and new
technologies mean that conditions are changing almost
daily.
Expert staff and ongoing education on materials, recycling
processes and statutory requirements are just as impor-
tant as efficient logistics and a modern equipment fleet.
With high levels of investment involved, machinery and
equipment must be used to maximum capacity. This calls
for units with high performance reserves and durability
coupled with the flexibility to allow use in various differ-
ent applications.
Atlas Copco’s range not only covers virtually the full spec-
trum of modern demolition applications, the company also
offers a comprehensive package of services from applica-
tions advice to on-site support.
Atlas Copco and its distribution partners are available to
provide you with expert advice and assistance.
Demolition processes
When it comes to demolishing buildings, there are two basic
approaches: demolition without material separation, and
selective reverse construction. Demolition tools from Atlas
Copco can be used in both methods, either on their own or
in tandem.
Costs are key to decisions on which method to employ.
The costs of material disposal are playing an increasingly
important role, with environmental concerns on the rise. In
many cases, demolition rubble cannot simply be dumped in
landfills. Before proceeding with a demolition project, con-
tractors need to be fully informed about legal and economic
requirements requiring the separation and/or processing of
materials.
Demolition without Selective
separation of materials reverse construction
Wrecking Smooth transition
ball
Decision criteria: CC
Blasting
• Demolition costs
• Time
Hand-held
• Type of building tools
• Surrounding buildings, residents
MB/HB • Regulations
SB
Step-by-step reverse construction
Secondary reduction
BP
Separating and reducing
Recycling
Demolition without separation of materials
In demolition without separation of materials, the fabric of
the building is destroyed and broken down into transporta-
ble sizes. The demolition rubble is a mixture of many materi-
als which makes profitable recycling difficult.
To meet requirements for material separation, contractors
are increasingly turning to secondary reduction.
Demolition rubble
contaminated material
(e.g. containing asbestos)
Demolished
concrete
Metal Light construction
materials ble
re Wood
cl a
cy (insulation)
cla
ble r ecy
ly
part
Selective reverse construction
All construction and equipment parts are dismantled in
accordance with their material composition. The main
objective of this selective approach is to maximize the
recyclability of the demolished materials, for which they are
generally separated into the following fractions:
· Concrete · Nonferrous metals
· Masonry · Plastics
· Wood · Light construction materials
· Steel · Contaminated materials
Demolition object and demolition materials
The composition of demolition materials Composition of a building
mainly depends on the type of building depending on age
being demolished, how old it is and what
it was used for. Specimen building 1900
Brick-built structures require different
demolition methods than reinforced con- Masonry and
Sand Wood
brickwork 60 %
crete buildings. For example, an MG dem- 18 % 3%
olition and sorting grapple is the ideal tool Plaster and
for a brick building built ca. 1900, while mortar 19 %
a CC demolition cutter or DP demolition
pulverizer would be more advisable for a
1970s building of reinforced concrete. An
SB hydraulic breaker or a CC demolition
cutter mounted on a mini-excavator offer
a good alternative for stripping-out work,
while hand-held pneumatic and hydraulic
tools are still a must for stripping out and
demolition.
Specimen building 1900: Masonry and brickwork are the most important building materials.
Concrete is not yet used.
Specimen building 1970
Insulation
Wood materials 1 %
1%
Steel
7% Masonry and
Concrete brickwork 18 %
67 %
Plaster and
mortar 6 %
Specimen building 1970: Concrete has long since become the standard building material. Masonry is
of less importance. Other new materials have been added.
The right tool for all demolition materials
Hand-held pick-hammers Machine-mounted Demolition Pulverizers Demolition
and drills (hydraulic, hydraulic breakers cutters grapples
pneumatic, motorised)
TEX Cobra SB MB HB CC DP/BP MG
Masonry (U-version)
• Brickwork
• Autoclaved aerated
concrete
++ ++ ++ + - + + ++
• Natural stone
Non-reinforced concrete (U-version)
• Light foundations
• Bases
• Wall elements
++ ++ ++ ++ + ++ + -
• Plaster
• Flagstones
Reinforced concrete (U-version)
• Heavy foundations
• Prefabricated elements
• Floors, beams
+ o + ++ ++ ++ ++ -
• Pillars, struts
Wood (U/S-version)
• Beams
• Timber
• Planks
- - - - - + o ++
Structural steel profiles (U/S-version)
• Double-T profiles
• U-profiles
• L-profiles
- - - - - ++ - -
• Tubes
Rock
o o + ++ ++ - - -
Asphalt (U-version)
++ ++ ++ ++ + o o -
++ = outstanding; + = suitable; o = limited suitability; - = unsuitable
Environment and demolition
Environmental considerations are more important than ever
to demolition projects. Regulations relate to:
· vibrations
· noise
· dust
There is now a wide range of rules and regulations aimed at
protecting the environment and residents, and it is impor-
tant that they are complied with when planning and carrying
our demolition projects.
Vibrations
Hydraulic breakers can cause vibrations in the ground which
disturb residents even though they are mostly harmless.
This problem must be taken into account when preparing
demolition projects. If appropriate, an expert should be
called in to assess the actual condition of the structures.
Demolition grapples, cutters and pulverizers generate no
vibrations of note.
Noise
Demolition work can involve substantial noise emissions.
In respect of rules and regulations, it is important to differ-
entiate between demolition employees on the one hand and
residents on the other.
Machine-mounted hydraulic breakers from Atlas Copco are
among the most powerful yet quietest on the market. In
practice this means that the duration of the disturbance for
residents can be minimised through the use of high-per-
formance equipment.
Dust
Most demolition jobs generate dust, e.g. when reducing
mineral-based materials or when falling building parts hit the
ground. The best remedy is to combat dust during actual
demolition work, e.g. using water spray.
Safety during demolition work
Demolition projects call for extremely
careful planning and execution.
It goes without saying that the demoli-
tion contractor is responsible for adhering
to safety regulations both on and near
the site. Information on the safe use of
Atlas Copco Construction Tools products
can be found in the respective operating
manuals.
Demolition work must not commence
until all safety requirements have been
met. The stability of the structure to be
demolished must first be ascertained with
the assistance of a demolition surveyor.
It must be ensured that building parts can
bear the weight of equipment to be driven
over them. All supply lines (electricity,
gas, etc.) to the structure must be cut
before demolition starts.
The customer must clarify beforehand
whether there is any possibility of
encountering hazardous materials. This is
often difficult as documentation is incom-
plete.
Sometimes it is better to use larger equip-
ment units to ensure that safety distances
can be maintained and provide perform-
ance reserves.
Demolition situations
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Demolition work with
all-round hand held tools
For light demolition work, such as facade jobs, cutting
openings for windows or doors, breaking to get access for
plumbing work, etc., hand-held pneumatic breakers from
the TEX series with weights from 3 to 15 kg work extremely
well.
For heavier demolition, the general purpose TEX or LH pneu-
matic breakers from 15 kg to 30 kg are good choices. Larger
hand-held breakers up to 40 kilos, (TEX and LH series) are
excellent tools for tough demolition tasks such as the break-
ing out of industrial plant foundations.
For secondary rock and concrete breaking and charge hole
drilling, hand-held rock drills are the right choice in many
instances. Ergonomically designed rock drills are far less
tiring to work with. They can also penetrate material far
more quickly than similar electric tools due to their high
impact energy to weight ratio.
Pneumatic breakers and hammers in the TEX range are avail-
able in various weight classes and versions. They are suit-
able for many different applications, including breaking of
concrete, cutting of asphalt and other road work, demolish-
ing brickwork etc. Other applications include renovation and
rebuilding, surface conversion/surface treatment, spike driv-
ing, and tamping. Hand held hydraulic breakers are mainly
used in similar applications. They can be powered either by
portable hydraulic power packs or connected to an existing
hydraulic power source, e g an excavator or asphalt paver.
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Demolition work with petrol breakers
The Cobra Combi, a combined drill-
breaker, is used for demolition work when
access for equipment with other power
supplies is difficult or impossible. This
could be the case in remote and difficult
to reach areas, e.g. in the mountains or
in disaster areas. In rescue situations
there is often a need to perform control-
led drilling and cutting to reach people in
collapsed concrete buildings etc. A petrol
breaker can work efficiently and independ-
ently of external power sources here.
Demolition with light breaker and cutter attachments
Used on light carriers or demolition robots, light hydraulic
breakers and demolition cutters can be used efficiently for
most demolition jobs. In difficult to access areas or dan-
gerous environments, a hydraulic breaker attached on a
remotely controlled demolition robot can work safely and
without interruption for many hours in a row.
Light demolition cutters are equipped with mechanical rota-
tion units to allow rapid and precise positioning, making
them particularly suitable for renovating and stripping out
the insides of buildings.
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Demolition of steel structures
The frameworks of many buildings primarily
comprise steel supports and beams. In order
to ensure economic and safe separation and
size reduction, the use of CC demolition cut-
ters with steel cutting jaws is advisable. The
steel cutting jaws differ from the conventional
universal jaws in that they are fitted exclu-
sively with blades and do not have any teeth.
The special shape of the steel cutting jaws
makes it easier to cut into steel plates and
closed structures.
Demolition of concrete decks
DP demolition pulverizers are compact all-rounders suitable for the
primary demolition of light to medium-duty concrete structures and
as secondary demolition tools to separate concrete from rebar.
While a hydraulic breaker is often the ideal tool for thick, but only
light reinforced concrete decks, the use of hydraulic demolition
cutters is recommended for heavily reinforced concrete decks.
The DP demolition pulverizers and large CC demolition cutters
are fitted with hydraulic rotation units as standard for optimum
handling.
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Demolition of light concrete and brick walls
Pneumatic and hydraulic hand-held breakers are easy to use
and flexible, even in conditions where space is limited. They
are mainly used to carry out smaller scale demolition and
renovation work and are safe and comfortable to work with
thanks to their ergonomic design and vibration-damping ele-
ments.
Controlled reverse construction can be carried out with the
DP range of pulverizers. Together with a hydraulic rotation
unit, the compact design ensures high-precision operation.
MG multi-grapples are mainly used to separate demolition
rubble, but can also be used for light demolition work, e.g.
for brick walls or wooden structures.
Pulverizing concrete elements
Hydraulic BP/DP pulverizers are significantly
more powerful than mechanical pulverizers.
They deliver considerably higher crushing
force and are fitted with blades to cut through
rebar, which is rarely the case with mechanical
units.
BP pulverizers are particularly suitable for
secondary reduction and for separating broken
concrete from rebar on the demolition site or
at the recycling yard.
Their angled jaw design makes it easier to pick
up materials from the ground. The pulver-
izers can also be fitted with a 360° hydraulic
rotary drive, enabling them to also be used for
primary demolition.
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Demolition of concrete foundations
Atlas Copco hydraulic breakers of all sizes are ideally suited
to a wide variety of demolition tasks. Their high quality
means that multi-shift operations to meet tight deadlines
pose no problem.
They are commonly used to break concrete structures –
both non-reinforced (e.g. foundations, walls) and reinforced
(e.g. machinery housings, cellars, foundations).
Lighter foundation work can also be carried out using pneu-
matic and hydraulic concrete breakers, with units between
25 and 40 kg being particularly suitable and effective for this
type of use.
Hydraulic tools mounted on long-front booms
In principle, hydraulic attachments such as demolition grap-
ples, pulverizers and cutters can be mounted on long-front
booms. Even hydraulic breakers have been used success-
fully.
The maximum reach of demolition tools depends on the
carrier used. Since the advent of the demolition boom (long-
front boom), they can be put to work at heights of up to 40
metres.
The attachments are generally used in the same way as on
standard excavators, although the special conditions call for
experienced operators. In view of the high boom lengths,
smaller and lighter tools are used than those attached to
standard booms.
For more details, please contact your Atlas Copco customer
advisor and the carrier manufacturer.
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Reverse construction of a
chimney stack
In the past, demolishing chimney stacks
in heavily built-up industrial areas was a
costly and time-consuming job, but the
combination of hydraulic demolition cut-
ters/ pulverizers with cranes provides a
safer and more economical solution.
The following components are needed:
• Pulverizer or demolition cutter with
rotation unit
• Tower crane or mobile crane
• Hydraulic generator of hydraulic excava-
tor to supply oil to the attachment
• Remote control for the demolition tool.
This method has already been used suc-
cessfully for the reverse construction of
numerous chimney stacks. Contact your
Atlas Copco advisor for more details.
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Hydraulic breakers in underwater
applications
Any job in which the hammer casing
comes into contact with the water’s
surface is deemed an underwater applica-
tion as, without protective equipment,
the piston action of the breaker would
pump water into the unit, causing serious
damage.
To allow reliable operation in such condi-
tions, an underwater connector kit with
protective equipment is used which feeds
compressed air from a compressor to the
breaker’s percussion chamber (the area
between the cylinder and lower breaker
section) to prevent water ingression and
the problems of “water hammer”.
The converter kit developed by Atlas
Copco, which can also be retrofitted, has
enjoyed great success for many years.
An automatic switch prevents the breaker
from being started up without ventilation
so as to reliably avoid damage.
Underwater jobs are classified as special
applications. Please consult your Atlas
Copco customer advisor for tips on how
to proceed.
Hydraulic breaker models from MB 700 to
HB 7000 can be used underwater.
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Service you can depend on
Wherever the job, our service engineers and product spe-
cialists are there to help you choose the right demolition
tool, match carriers and attachments, make mechanical and
hydraulic connections, as well as to provide on-site applica-
tions advice and servicing for your Atlas Copco
products.
The specialists from our authorised
distributors and service partners also
receive regular training updates to
ensure they can provide competent
help in all areas – with advice, the
full range of after-sales service,
and the supply of genuine Atlas
Copco spares, working tools and
accessories, all in the quality you
have come to know and expect.
Only genuine Atlas Copco parts
ensure that your Atlas Copco products
maintain the highest levels of perform-
ance, availability and economy.
Your Atlas Copco service partner is never further away
than the next telephone.
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www.atlascopco.com/cto
3390 3302 01 © 2006, Atlas Copco Construction Tools GmbH, Essen, Germany. Subject to technical modifications.
