Field trials/tests are practice-oriented evaluations carried out directly on the construction site or in the quarry. They bridge the gap between theoretical planning, laboratory testing, and real implementation. In the application areas concrete demolition and special demolition, building gutting and cutting, rock excavation and tunnel construction, as well as natural stone extraction, field trials/tests provide robust data on how methods and tools perform under real conditions. For Darda GmbH, field trials/tests are an integral part of methodological advancement: whether concrete demolition shear or hydraulic wedge splitter — only structured on-site evaluation shows which parameters actually determine performance, safety, and environmental compatibility.
Definition: What is meant by a field trial/test
A field trial/test is the systematic, documented evaluation of a method, a tool, or a work sequence under real operating conditions. In contrast to a laboratory test, the in-situ assessment takes place on the actual object — for example, on a reinforced concrete wall, in a tunnel heading, or within a massive rock mass. The objective is a reliable assessment of performance, quality, emissions (noise, vibrations, dust), risks, and resource use. Field trials/tests follow a plan with clear objectives, defined measurement variables, reproducible work steps, and a transparent evaluation. They thus form the basis for well-founded decisions, e.g., choosing between a concrete demolition shear and a hydraulic wedge splitter in sensitive environments.
Process and methodology of a field trial/test on site
A convincing field trial/test is leanly organized and technically precise at the same time. It begins with a hypothesis (e.g., “splitting-based demolition reduces vibrations compared to cutting methods”), defines the relevant variables, and ends with a robust assessment. Planning takes into account the specifics of the structure, the rock fabric, the reinforcement, accessibility, and environmental requirements. Darda GmbH uses field trials/tests to combine work steps, hydraulic parameters, and tool geometries so that performance, quality, and safety fit together.
Objectives and key questions
- Performance: removal rate, cycle time, advance rate per shift
- Quality: cut and fracture pattern, crack control, fragment size, component conservation
- Emissions: sound level, vibration velocity, dust concentration
- Resources: energy demand of compact hydraulic power units, tool wear, number of retoolings
- Safety: stability of the remaining structure, load transfer, hazard analysis
Test design and variables
- Tool selection: concrete demolition shears, hydraulic wedge splitters, combination shears, multi cutters, steel shears, tank cutters
- Hydraulic parameters: pressure, flow rate, cycle frequency; hose lengths and couplings
- Tool geometry: jaw opening and blades of the concrete demolition shear; wedge and spring sets for splitting; tooth profile and jaw shape
- Structure/rock: concrete strength class, reinforcement ratio, moisture; jointing, bedding, anisotropy in the rock
- Process sequence: pilot drilling, positioning of split cylinders, splitting sequence; advance pattern for cutting
- Boundary conditions: accessibility, bearing capacity of setup areas, weather, water ingress
Metrics, key figures, and documentation
The quality of a field trial/test stands and falls with the measurement strategy. In addition to performance values, safety and environmental parameters are recorded continuously. For concrete demolition shears and hydraulic wedge splitters, the following key figures have proven effective:
- Cycle time per work step and removal output per hour
- Sound level at the workplace and in the surroundings
- Vibrations on the component and on sensitive neighboring structures
- Dust generation at the source and effectiveness of suppression
- Energy uptake of the hydraulic power pack and fuel/power consumption
- Tool condition: blade wear, wedge and spring wear, hydraulic tightness
- Quality indicators: fracture pattern, crack propagation, dimensional accuracy, fragment size distribution
Data capture and evaluation
Instruments such as sound level meters, vibration sensors, pressure and temperature transducers, flow meters, and portable dust monitors provide objective data. Photos and short video clips document the condition before, during, and after the test. For the evaluation, the data are normalized to uniform reference values (e.g., per linear meter or per cubic meter of removal). A clear comparison of “as-is” versus “target” or “variant A” versus “variant B” supports the decision as to whether, for example, a concrete demolition shear or a hydraulic wedge splitter better meets the requirements.
Application examples from concrete demolition and rock excavation
The following examples show typical field trials/tests in Darda GmbH’s application areas and the conclusions that can be drawn from them.
Concrete demolition and special demolition
For massive reinforced concrete components in sensitive environments (hospital, laboratory, listed buildings), it is often assessed whether splitting methods generate lower vibration and noise exposure than cutting or percussive methods. A field trial/test then compares a sequence of pilot drilling and splitting with hydraulic rock and concrete splitters against using a concrete demolition shear with different jaw geometries. Evaluations include vibrations at defined measurement points, fragment control along the split line, and cycle times during deconstruction.
Building gutting and cutting
In building gutting, space is tight, bearing capacity is limited, and emission limits are often low. Field trials/tests examine the combination of a concrete demolition shear for removing cantilevering components and controlled splitting on load-bearing cores. In addition, tests can assess how far combination shears or multi cutters influence cycle time at varying rebar diameters without exceeding noise and dust targets.
Rock excavation and tunnel construction
In tunnel construction and slope stabilization, rock splitting cylinders (rock splitters) are used to determine how splitting wedges should be placed along joint systems to create controlled fracture surfaces. Borehole spacing, splitting pressure, and the activation sequence are varied. Key figures are advance rate, fracture pattern (overcutting vs. undercutting of layers), stability of adjacent areas, and dust generation in enclosed environments.
Natural stone extraction
In natural stone production, block quality is what counts. Field trials/tests with hydraulic wedge splitters focus on aligning the split line with natural bedding, the block size achieved, the share of usable material, and the surface quality of the split faces. Metrics include fragment share, rework required, and energy input per cubic meter recovered.
Special application
In critical deconstruction work — for example, in potentially explosive areas or facilities with restrictive emission limits — field trials/tests assess the suitability of low-spark methods. The combination of targeted splitting, cutting tools with low heat input, and closely tuned extraction is evaluated for safety, process stability, and documentation capability.
Safety, environmental, and permitting aspects in the field trial/test
Safety takes precedence. Before starting, hazard analysis, instruction, and coordination of shutdown and emergency routes are required. Environmental requirements for noise, vibrations, dust, and wastewater must be coordinated with the stakeholders involved. The following points have proven effective in field trials/tests with concrete demolition shears and hydraulic wedge splitters:
- Clearly cordon off the work area, secure load paths and drop zones
- Personal protective equipment, especially eye and hearing protection, gloves, cut protection
- Check hydraulic systems in advance for tightness, document pressure stages
- Water or mist suppression at the source; dust measurement at representative points
- Vibration and noise monitoring on emission-sensitive neighboring structures
- Orderly disposal of drill dust, splitter lubricants, and concrete debris in accordance with general guidelines
Note: Legal requirements are project-specific and vary by region. The aspects mentioned are general in nature and do not replace binding advice.
Planning, resources, and roles
Well-structured field trials/tests define clear roles: site management, tool operators, metrology, safety and environmental protection, documentation. A short pre-briefing (“start-of-test”) sets objective, duration, abort criteria, and communication channels. For Darda GmbH, the interface between operating personnel and those responsible for measurements is crucial so that parameter changes (e.g., hydraulic pressure, wedge sequence, jaw change) are cleanly logged.
Evaluation: transferability and scaling
Results from a limited test area must be transferred to the overall project. To this end, boundary conditions are recorded (component thickness, reinforcement ratio, moisture, temperature, logistics). The field trial/test data yield robust work instructions: which concrete demolition shear or which hydraulic wedge splitter in which configuration is to be applied to which component type — and with which expected cycle times, emissions, and quality values. It is important to state uncertainties transparently and to set safety margins conservatively.
Typical pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Unclear target variables: define key indicators and thresholds in advance
- Missing baseline measurement: capture the baseline condition before intervention
- Non-representative test spots: align selection with the main task
- Parameter changes without a log: document every adjustment
- Mixed influencing factors: change only a few variables at a time
- Insufficient ventilation and dust suppression indoors: plan early
Checklist for field trials/tests with concrete demolition shears and hydraulic wedge splitters
- Set the objective: performance, emissions, quality, safety
- Select the test location: realistic, safely accessible, measurable
- Configure tools and hydraulic power packs; check wear condition
- Create a measurement plan: sensor positions, intervals, log forms
- Conduct briefing: roles, signals, emergency procedures
- Establish baseline: pre-measurements (noise, vibrations, dust)
- Run the test: vary parameters systematically, flag changes
- Check quality: fracture/cut pattern, crack control, dimensional accuracy
- Secure and sanity-check data; explain deviations
- Results debrief: transferability, risks, next steps
Terminology and language in practice
In practice, field trials/tests are also called practical tests, evaluations, site trials, or in-situ tests. They often involve a limited pilot operation to establish the subsequent working method in the project. The decisive factor remains methodological rigor: clear objectives, suitable metrics, clean documentation, and an evaluation that enables robust conclusions for the use of concrete demolition shears and hydraulic wedge splitters in the stated application areas of Darda GmbH.