Explosions at quarry a UK first in demolition
NEW TECHNIQUE TO BRING DOWN BUILDINGS WILL PROVE SAFER
A DEMOLITION contractor has used military-grade “hypersonic” explosives to bring down buildings at a quarry.
AR Demolition used the blasting equipment to slice through, then knock down a large screen house at Croft Quarry.
Company chief executive Richard Dolman said he believed the project was the first time such charges had been used in demolition, without the “pre-weakening” work usually needed to bring a structure down, which can put workers in danger.
He said the techniques could revolutionise safety in the industry.
AR Demolition, of Carlton, has been working at Croft Quarry since the start of the year. It was contracted to complete decommissioning demolition by site owner Aggregate Industries.
The explosives work was part of a project to demolish the 1,200-tonne screen house as well as 150 metres of conveyor belts.
Designed by Wiltshire experts Alford Technologies, the kicking and cutting technique brings together two forms of explosive charge.
Mr Dolman said: “No one has used this technology in UK demolition before.
“It was a project which has taken considerable forethought and planning and we are delighted with the results.
“It’s a major stepping stone for us and, in my view, a huge moment for our industry.
“The fact that you can bring down buildings by severing steel without pre-weakening is a landmark moment.
“Alford Technologies has been working on these theories for a long time but, until now, there has been typical reticence in our industry to adopt new technologies.
“So I’m pleased to have been able to put the ideas into practice and find new ways of increasing safety in our sector.
“It was our first opportunity to test the technology and we have learned lessons along the way. We’re now looking forward to using the method on future projects.”
Roland Alford, managing director and son of Alford Technologies founder and chairman Dr Sidney Alford, said: “We are proud to have worked alongside such an innovative contractor to have brought this technology into practical, commercial usage.
“We look forward to working with AR Demolition on future projects.”