The deconstruction area encompasses all plannable, technically controlled processes for selective demolition, dismantling, and material separation of buildings, industrial plants, and geological formations. It brings together engineering expertise, construction logistics, occupational safety, and environmentally sound recycling. Typical tasks range from low-vibration concrete demolition to precise cutting and gutting works through to rock excavation in tunnel construction. Tools such as concrete pulverizers and hydraulic splitters are considered key solutions when low-vibration, dust- and noise-reduced methods are required.
Definition: What is meant by deconstruction area
The deconstruction area is the technical and organizational field in which buildings and structural components are systematically recorded, dismantled in a safe sequence, and the resulting material flows are separated by type. This includes subfields such as concrete demolition and special demolition, gutting works and cutting, rock excavation and tunnel construction, natural stone extraction, and special operations in sensitive areas. Execution uses hydraulic and mechanical methods selected according to the structural system, degree of reinforcing steel, boundary conditions, and environmental requirements. Tools such as concrete pulverizers, hydraulic wedge splitters, combination shears, Multi Cutters, steel shears, and tank cutters are operated in practice via hydraulic power packs and matched to the specific application.
Structure, fields of activity, and delineation in the deconstruction area
The deconstruction area is divided into several focal points with different technical approaches, safety levels, and quality requirements. The choice of method is based on structural analysis, construction materials, accessibility, emission targets, and recycling rates.
Concrete demolition and special demolition
In concrete demolition, load-bearing components are removed in a controlled manner. Concrete pulverizers grip, crush, and separate concrete from the reinforcing steel. For massive, heavily reinforced cross-sections, a combination of concrete pulverizer, steel shear, and hydraulic power pack is common. For measures with low vibration levels, hydraulic splitters or hydraulic wedge splitters are used to generate cracks along defined lines with controlled splitting forces. Special demolition covers complex conditions such as heritage protection, work under restricted plant operation, or activities in highly sensitive zones.
Gutting works and cutting
Before structural demolition, non-load-bearing components, installations, and contamination-critical substances are removed. Cutting techniques (e.g., with Multi Cutters) serve to cleanly separate thin-walled materials, while concrete pulverizers create openings in concrete walls. Steel shears are intended for separating reinforcement, structural steel sections, and pipelines. Tank cutters are used for dismantling vessels and tanks under suitable protection and approval conditions.
Rock excavation and tunnel construction
In rock removal and tunnel construction, low vibrations, predictable fracture patterns, and precise edges are crucial. Hydraulic splitters produce pinpoint splitting without explosives, which offers advantages in urban areas and near sensitive infrastructure. In headings, niches, or enlargements, splitting technology is often combined with pulverizer or shear tools to further size the loosened material.
Natural stone extraction
In quarries, targeted splitting technology exploits natural rock rest to release blocks along natural joints. Hydraulic wedge splitters enable reproducible, material-friendly cuts. After release, grapples, concrete pulverizers, or shears are used for sizing and handling.
Special operations
Special operations include work in potentially explosive atmospheres (e.g., ATEX zone contexts), during ongoing industrial plant operation, or under extreme space and load constraints. Low-emission, handy tools with precise controllability are in demand here. The combination of a compact hydraulic power pack and application-specific attachments (e.g., tank cutter, steel shears, concrete pulverizers) enables controlled work with increased requirements for safety and documentation.
Methods and tools: selection according to boundary conditions
The choice of method is based on component thickness, degree of reinforcing steel, accessibility, and emission targets (noise, dust, vibrations). A modular set of hydraulic tools has proven itself:
- Concrete pulverizers: For targeted gripping, crushing, and separating concrete, as well as exposing reinforcing steel.
- Hydraulic splitters / hydraulic wedge splitters: For low-vibration, controlled splitting of massive components and rock.
- Combination shears and Multi Cutters: For versatile cutting and separating tasks on mixed materials and thin-walled components.
- Steel shears: For clean separation of structural steels, reinforcement, and metal parts.
- Tank cutters: For cutting tanks and vessels under suitable approvals.
- Hydraulic power packs: Supply the tools with the required oil flow and pressure; can be used mobile, stationary, or by remote control.
Planning, structural analysis, and occupational safety in the deconstruction area
Every deconstruction begins with an as-built assessment and a structure-related concept. Load transfer, shoring, and demolition sequences are defined to avoid uncontrolled failure mechanisms. Occupational safety planning takes into account risks such as crushing, cutting, and fall hazards, noise and dust exposure, residual media in pipelines, and possible hazardous substances. Depending on the project, permits, approvals, measurement/monitoring concepts, and safety zones are required. Requirements may vary according to local regulations, standards, and authority stipulations and should be checked on a project-specific basis.
Material separation, resource conservation, and disposal
Selective deconstruction enables high recycling rates. The goal is the clean separation of concrete, masonry, steel, non-ferrous metals, and engineering plastics. Concrete pulverizers support exposing reinforcing steel, while steel shears take over the separation of reinforcement and profiles. Hydraulic splitters help create fracture surfaces that facilitate downstream sorting. Disposal is carried out in accordance with the applicable regulations; evidence of proper recycling is provided through accompanying records and documentation.
Performance indicators and selection criteria for tools
Technical parameters are crucial for proper selection. Important parameters:
- Pressing or splitting force, jaw opening, blade geometry, and cycle time for pulverizers and shears
- Drill hole diameter, wedge geometry, and required hydraulic pressure for hydraulic splitters
- Oil flow rate, maximum pressure, power supply, and cooling for hydraulic power packs
- Weight, dimensions, and carrier machine compatibility for work in confined or height-critical areas
Practice-oriented selection
- Define the component: material, thickness, reinforcing steel, accessibility.
- Set emission targets: low vibration levels, low dust, noise reduction.
- Determine tool combination: e.g., concrete pulverizer + steel shear or splitter + pulverizer.
- Design the hydraulic supply: pressure, flow rate, number of parallel tools.
- Execute a trial section and fine-tune parameters.
Deployment realities: city, industry, mountains
In city centers, low vibration levels and quiet methods are required. Hydraulic splitters and precise concrete pulverizers reduce vibrations and secondary damage. In industrial plants, process safety, ATEX zone contexts, and sharply defined work windows take precedence, for which tank cutters, steel shears, and Multi Cutters are combined. In mountainous terrain, controlled fracture guidance, edge quality, and access in narrow headings are decisive; splitting technology is combined with downstream size reduction.
Process flow in deconstruction: from analysis to execution
- As-built assessment: drawings, site inspections, material testing, exploratory openings.
- Risk assessment and deconstruction concept: demolition sequence, load transfer, safeguarding measures.
- Gutting works: removal of non-load-bearing components, building services and media, selective separation.
- Structural demolition: use of concrete pulverizers, steel shears, hydraulic splitters in accordance with the concept.
- Logistics and disposal: containers, transport, weighing and recycling records.
- Control and documentation: measurements, approvals, acceptance of individual steps.
Technology comparison: splitting versus gripping and size reduction
Hydraulic splitting is suitable when vibrations and noise must be minimized or when precise fracture lines are required. Hydraulic splitters generate controlled split cracks with high repeatability. Concrete pulverizers excel when components must be gripped, moved, and crushed at the same time. In practice, both methods are often combined: split first, then reduce size and separate reinforcement.
Challenges and typical sources of error
- Unknown reinforcement layout or prestressing: conduct exploratory surveys and create test openings.
- Insufficient shoring: verify load transfer and demolition sequence structurally.
- Emission limits exceeded: provide dust protection and noise control, and use low-vibration methods.
- Inadequate tool sizing: match jaw opening, splitting force, and hydraulic performance to the component.
- Unclear media in lines/tanks: clearance measurement, flushing, and documented approval must be ensured.
Documentation and quality assurance
Quality assurance includes approvals, measurement logs, photo documentation, evidence of material separation and recycling, as well as the continuous updating of the deconstruction concept. For sensitive projects, monitoring measures (e.g., vibrations, dust, noise) are common. Requirements may vary depending on the project and the responsible authority; early coordination supports a safe and traceable project process.