Specialist site management is the technical backbone of demanding construction and deconstruction projects. It translates design specifications into safe, economical and high-quality execution—especially where concrete demolition, special demolition, building gutting, rock breakout, tunnel construction, natural stone extraction or a special demolition requires precise procedures. In the context of Darda GmbH’s tools and systems—from concrete demolition shears and hydraulic rock and concrete splitters to hydraulic power units, combination shears, Multi Cutters, steel shears, tank cutters and stone splitting cylinders—specialist site management defines methods, parameters and sequences, coordinates interfaces and monitors quality, safety and environmental protection.
Definition: What is meant by specialist site management
Specialist site management refers to on-site construction supervision focused on a specific trade or method. It plans, controls and inspects the technical execution, ensures compliance with accepted engineering practice, coordinates the involved trades and is responsible for the acceptance of partial works. In demolition and deconstruction, this particularly covers process engineering (e.g., hydraulic splitting, crushing with shears, separation and cutting operations), technical occupational safety, the assessment of structural boundary conditions, and documentation. Specialist site management is distinct from general site management in that it brings deep method- and product-specific expertise—for example in selecting and parameterizing concrete demolition shears and rock and concrete splitters from Darda GmbH for the respective application.
Tasks and responsibilities of specialist site management in demolition and deconstruction
Specialist site management links design intent, the permitting framework and actual execution. Core tasks include:
- Method selection: Defining suitable methods (e.g., hydraulic splitting, crushing with concrete demolition shears, cutting with steel shears or Multi Cutters) aligned with structural analysis, material, surroundings and schedule.
- Parameterization: Determining hydraulic pressure, oil flow, cycle sequences, gripping and splitting sequences; selecting suitable hydraulic power packs and attachments.
- Interface coordination: Alignment with structural analysis, H&S coordination, surveying, disposal contractors, subcontractors and the asset owner’s representatives.
- Quality assurance: Defining control points, trial sections, dimensional and flatness checks, fracture-surface and crack monitoring.
- Occupational and environmental safety: Planning low-vibration, noise- and dust-minimized methods; securing hazard zones and utility lines.
- Documentation: Site diary, photo documentation, measurement and test records, equipment and maintenance certificates.
- Risk management: Identifying critical steps (e.g., when intervening in prestressed components), defining stop criteria and alternative methods.
Method selection in concrete demolition: Shears, splitters and cutters compared
The choice of demolition or separation method affects safety, quality, emissions and project duration. Specialist site management assesses boundary conditions and assigns Darda GmbH tools appropriately:
- Concrete demolition shears: For controlled size-reduction of reinforced concrete components—particularly suitable for pinpoint deconstruction, confined spaces and components with a medium reinforcement ratio. Advantages include good control over fracture edges and reduced secondary damage. In combination with hydraulic power packs, reproducible work cycles are possible.
- Rock and concrete splitters with splitting cylinders: For low-vibration, non-explosive separation of concrete and rock volumes. Suitable near sensitive infrastructure, in existing buildings or in tunnel construction. The splitting effect can be precisely controlled via drilling pattern, stroke sequence and pressure.
- Combination shears and Multi Cutters: For cutting profiles, lines and composite components or switching between crushing and cutting within a single operation—useful in building gutting and selective deconstruction.
- Steel shears and tank cutters: For ferromagnetic components, tank deconstruction and the dismantling of steel structures; specialist site management evaluates spark formation, fire loads and required protective measures.
Selection criteria for specialist site management
- Material and composition: strength, reinforcement ratio, prestressing, rock structure.
- Boundary conditions: vibration and noise limits, dust and water management, spatial constraints.
- Geometry: component thickness, accessibility, edges and connections.
- Risk profile: proximity to sensitive areas, utilities, operating equipment.
- Logistics: lifting equipment, feeds and supplies, hydraulic capacity, disposal routes.
Planning and execution by application area
Concrete demolition and special demolition
For load-bearing components, specialist site management defines load transfer, temporary shoring and sequencing. Concrete demolition shears are used for sectional deconstruction, rock and concrete splitters for low-vibration separations. Interfaces with structural analysis and surveying must be kept tight.
Building gutting and cutting
In early project phases, dismantling, separation and sorting dominate. Multi Cutters, combination shears and steel shears enable selective interventions. Specialist site management defines material flows, intermediate storage and fire protection.
Rock breakout and tunnel construction
In geologically complex environments—see rock demolition and tunnel construction—rock and concrete splitters minimize vibrations. The drilling pattern and splitting sequence are adapted to bedding and jointing; monitoring (settlements, vibrations) is essential.
Natural stone extraction
For contour-precise extraction without blasting, specialist site management controls splitting lines and cylinder arrangement. The aim is damage-minimized edges and a high yield with reduced noise and dust emissions.
Special demolition
In areas with sensitive use, limited access or special protection requirements, specialist site management prioritizes low-vibration and low-spark methods. The appropriate combination of hydraulic power packs, shears and splitting cylinders is determined project-specifically.
Safety and environmental aspects
- Occupational safety: Protected zones, load uptake, restraint systems, safe hose routing and pressure relief.
- Structural analysis: No interventions without approval; consider component reserves, load redistributions and temporary shoring.
- Vibration, noise, dust: Hydraulic splitting and shears reduce vibrations; plan for fine-dust suppression and noise reduction.
- Utilities and hazardous substances: Utility locating, isolation and emergency plans; for tanks and hollow bodies, organize draining, gas-freeing and disposal in a professional manner.
Legal and normative requirements depend on the situation. Specialist site management is guided by accepted engineering standards and applicable occupational safety and environmental regulations; these notes do not constitute legal advice.
Technical parameters and selection criteria for tools and power packs
- Hydraulics: Required pressure and flow rate of the hydraulic power pack relative to the concrete demolition shear, splitting cylinder or shear; hose lengths and pressure losses.
- Tool geometry: Jaw opening, blade or jaw shape, wedge geometry matched to component thickness.
- Process control: Cycling (grip–break–reposition or drill–set–split), temperature management and maintenance intervals.
- Ergonomics and access: Equipment weight, handling, carrier compatibility, clearance and approach angle.
Process, control and documentation
- Preparation: As-built assessment, clearance measurements, trial areas.
- Method statement: Description of tools (e.g., concrete demolition shears, rock and concrete splitters), parameters and sequences.
- Execution: Pilot axis or pilot area, then area-wide implementation.
- Monitoring: Measurement points, photos, records, adjustments in case of deviations.
- Close-out: Visual inspection, target–actual comparison, evidence for quality and disposal.
Coordination with structural analysis and building diagnostics
Specialist site management reviews reinforcement locating, material parameters and potential pre-damage. In areas with high reinforcement or prestressing, splitting and shearing points must be selected carefully; if necessary, alternative lines are defined or loads are temporarily redistributed.
Typical sources of error and how to avoid them
- Unsuitable method: Early verification of material and boundary conditions prevents wrong decisions.
- Over- or under-sizing of tools: Match performance and geometry to component thickness and reinforcement.
- Insufficient decoupling: Use low-vibration methods such as splitting in a targeted manner, protect adjacent components.
- Unclear interfaces: Fix responsibilities, handovers and approvals in writing.
Sustainability and resource conservation in deconstruction
Selective deconstruction using controlled methods increases material purity, protects adjacent structures and reduces emissions. The precise use of concrete demolition shears and rock and concrete splitters supports high-quality separation of concrete, steel and natural stone—forming the basis for reuse and recycling.