DIN 19700 is the central series of standards for the planning, construction, operation, monitoring, maintenance, and the deconstruction of storage structures in Germany. These include, in particular, dams, weirs, and flood retention basins. Its requirements shape not only new construction but also structural preservation, refurbishment, and the selective deconstruction of concrete and reinforced concrete components. In these areas of work, methods of concrete demolition and special demolition are frequently used in practice, where low-vibration, controllable tools such as concrete demolition shear or rock and concrete splitters from Darda GmbH play a key role.
Definition: What is meant by DIN 19700
DIN 19700 refers to a series of standards that define the safety-related, structural, and operational requirements for storage structures. It describes protection objectives, verification methods, monitoring measures, and organizational obligations along the entire life cycle—from project planning through construction and operation to decommissioning. The series addresses structures made of concrete, reinforced concrete, earth and rock fill, as well as their equipment, including intake and outfall structures, tunnels, shafts, and auxiliary facilities. Its aim is to minimize risks to people, the environment, and property and to ensure the structural stability, tightness, and functionality of storage structures.
Structure and organization of the DIN 19700 series
DIN 19700 is modular and divided into parts that cover terminology, principles, and specific applications. Central topics include regulations on design and structural detailing, on monitoring during operation (inspections, measuring points, thresholds), on maintenance and refurbishment, as well as on deconstruction and decommissioning. These core contents are supplemented by requirements for documentation, hazard analysis, and crisis and emergency preparedness. For practice, this means: measures on the structure—such as concrete removal at a stilling basin wall, opening an outlet channel, or removing a built-in component—must be planned and executed in context according to the safety objectives of the respective parts of the standard. Tools and methods for concrete demolition must be selected so that the functionality of remaining structural areas, ongoing operation, and water quality are not impaired.
Scope and delineation
The series of standards applies to storage structures that retain or convey water. These include dam and weir structures, flood retention basins, and associated structures such as throttle organs, relief facilities, tunnels, and shafts. Typical building construction and civil engineering without a storage-related function are not the focus. For measures on storage structures that require concrete separation/cutting and deconstruction works, additional discipline-specific standards (for example, for concrete construction, geotechnical engineering, or occupational safety) must be considered; coordination is always project-specific and responsible.
Safety concept, load cases, and monitoring
The safety concept of DIN 19700 is based on protection objectives and transparent verifications against governing actions. These include hydrostatic loads, overpressure and underpressure, temperature and shrinkage deformations, earthquakes, erosion, abrasion, and operational actions. The standard emphasizes robust operation with graded monitoring—visual inspections, measuring points (e.g., deformation, pore water pressure, seepage), inspection cycles—as well as consistent documentation. During intervention phases, such as special demolition, construction stages and temporary load redistributions must be assessed. Low-vibration methods such as controlled biting with concrete demolition shear or splitting with rock wedge splitter and concrete splitter have a positive effect on the assessment because they limit the dynamic excitation of the structure and help maintain low vibration levels.
Importance for maintenance, refurbishment, and deconstruction
Repairs on storage structures aim to restore tightness, durability, and functional safety. Typical tasks include creating or opening working openings, removing deteriorated concrete layers, removing embedded parts, structural cutting, and exposing cracks, joints, and anchors. In deconstruction—such as during decommissioning or replacement of structural parts—DIN 19700 requires a planned, risk-minimizing approach. Methods with low vibration and good controllability, including concrete demolition shear and rock wedge splitter and concrete splitter from Darda GmbH, support a selective approach and reduce impacts on adjacent areas, measuring points, and water-carrying sections.
Procedure selection in the spirit of the standard
The selection of separation and deconstruction procedures depends on component thickness, reinforcement content, accessibility, environmental conditions (water level, splash water, sediment transport), permissible vibrations, and noise. In practice, an integrative approach has proven effective:
- Concrete removal on massive components: stepwise splitting with rock wedge splitter and concrete splitter to reduce internal stresses and minimize vibrations.
- Selective deconstruction of reinforced concrete: concrete demolition shear for controlled biting with clean edge formation and low risk of flying debris.
- Dismantling steel components: steel shear or hydraulic demolition shear for railings, racks, shafts, and beams; suitable steel shears for mixed material packages.
- Cutting of tanks, pipelines, and vessels in the inlet/outlet area: cutting torch, matched to material and safety distances.
- Energy supply and mobility: hydraulic power pack in an adapted performance class, for example via adapted hydraulic power units, with attention to tightness, leakage prevention, and safe setup.
Advantages of low-vibration methods
Low-vibration methods support compliance with thresholds, protect sensitive measuring and sealing systems, reduce secondary damage, and facilitate documentation of construction states. They thus contribute to achieving the protection objectives of DIN 19700.
Rock excavation, galleries, and tunnels in the vicinity of storage structures
Intake and outfall structures, service galleries, and relief tunnels often connect rock with concrete. For adjustments or extensions—such as creating niches, shafts, or cross-section expansions—rock excavation and tunnel construction techniques are used. Rock splitting cylinders and rock wedge splitter and concrete splitter enable controlled opening of the rock, while concrete demolition shear precisely deconstruct concrete components. In the sensitive environment of water-carrying areas, these methods reduce vibrations, the introduction of crushing forces, and the risks associated with blasting effect.
Planning, construction stages, and temporary measures
DIN 19700 calls for forward-looking planning of construction states: water level management, diversion measures, temporary seals, temporary structural supports, and crisis reserves. For concrete demolition, this means a coordinated sequence of separating, loosening, securing, and transport. Where discharge or shut-off devices are affected, functionality must be prioritized. The method must fit: stepwise splitting and metered biting limit uncontrolled load redistributions.
Documentation, quality assurance, and monitoring
Measures must be documented transparently: initial condition, method, work sequence, control and measuring points, assessment of construction states, deviations, and approvals. Quality controls include visual inspections, dimensional checks, evidence of compliance with vibration and noise requirements, cleanliness of joint and abutment surfaces, and adherence to defined tolerances. Accompanying monitoring (for example, crack monitoring, deformations, pressure, or flow measurements) is set up and evaluated according to plan.
Occupational safety, water, and environmental protection
Occupational safety and water protection are integral parts of project planning. These include fall protection and drowning protection, safe routing of lines, emergency concepts, retention and containment measures for operating media, dust suppression and noise reduction measures, as well as sediment management. Hydraulic power pack must be set up stably and leak-proof, hydraulic hose line protected, and couplings secured. Material removal and transport must be organized so that no hazardous substances reach the water.
Interfaces with other sets of rules
Depending on the task, there are interfaces with standards for concrete and reinforced concrete construction, geotechnical engineering and seismic verification, corrosion protection system, machinery safety, as well as regulatory requirements from water law and immission control. These sets of rules must be coordinated within the project. Information in standards is general; the specific interpretation and implementation are the responsibility of qualified professionals.
Areas of application and typical tasks
The requirements of DIN 19700 permeate numerous activities in the application areas of Darda GmbH:
- Concrete demolition and special demolition: Opening an outlet cross-section, removal of damaged concrete layers, removal of anchor heads, deconstruction of shafts and walls.
- Building gutting and cutting: Selective exposure of built-in components, dimensionally accurate creation of openings in service buildings and control structures.
- Rock excavation and tunnel construction: Cross-section expansions, connection chambers, integration of new pipelines.
- Natural stone extraction: Extraction or adaptation of blocks for armor layers or berms, with attention to formats and edge quality.
- Special operations: Measures under confined, noise-sensitive, or water-carrying conditions with increased requirements for controllability and safety.
Practical notes for procedure selection and execution
- Capture boundary conditions: component geometry, reinforcement ratio, accessibility, permissible vibrations, water levels, protected assets.
- Define the method: splitting, shear-based demolition, cutting; combine if necessary and plan in stages.
- Set up field test and measurement plan: vibration and noise monitoring, visual checks at measuring points and joints.
- Define the work sequence: fix, separate/loosen, secure, recover/haul off, clean, inspect.
- Document quality assurance: evidence of tolerances, monitoring results, approvals for subsequent steps.
Tool-specific aspects
Concrete demolition shear enable finely metered removal of reinforced concrete with good visibility of the intervention. Rock wedge splitter and concrete splitter open massive components in a controlled manner from the inside, reducing the risk of uncontrolled spalling. Steel shear, hydraulic demolition shear, and cutting torch cover the removal of metal components; selection is based on material thickness, geometry, and accessibility. Hydraulic power pack provide the required energy—with a focus on reliable, tight connections and safe hose routing.
Key advantages of compliant deconstruction procedures
Compliant procedures support the protection objectives of DIN 19700: predictable load-bearing and tightness performance, low vibration impact, minimized entry of substances into the water, verifiable construction states, and traceable documentation. This increases execution reliability—especially for work within the immediate influence of dewatering systems, measuring points, and operating devices.