The transport route is the backbone of material flow on construction sites, in deconstruction, in tunnel construction and rock excavation, as well as in natural stone extraction. It connects the point of extraction or demolition with staging areas, processing, loading, and disposal. In projects where Darda GmbH tools such as concrete demolition shears or hydraulic rock and concrete splitters are used, a properly planned transport route determines cycle times, safety, emissions, and costs—regardless of whether debris, reinforcing steel, muck, or natural stone blocks are being transported.
Definition: What is a transport route
A transport route refers to the entire route and the associated technical equipment through which material is reliably, safely, and controllably removed from a work area. This includes fixed and mobile conveying equipment (e.g., belt conveyors, chutes, debris chutes, chain conveyors), transfer points, screens, magnetic separators, surge bins, as well as the organizational elements of haulage logistics such as cadence, control, and access regulation. In underground applications (drifts, tunnels, caverns), the transport route often includes ventilated haulage paths; in the deconstruction of inner-city buildings, it frequently involves vertical chutes and horizontal sections leading to loading into containers or trucks.
Importance of the transport route in the deconstruction and extraction process
The performance of a construction site is largely determined by the sizing and guidance of the transport route. It influences dust and noise emissions, occupational safety, the purity of fractions, and cost efficiency. The use of concrete demolition shears for separating concrete and reinforcement, or rock and concrete splitters for controlled block formation, directly affects the design of the conveying equipment, since particle size, shape, and bulk density determine mass flow and system choice.
Components and systems of a transport route
Different elements are combined depending on the task. Typical building blocks include:
- Belt conveyors: continuous transport of bulk material or small-piece demolition material over medium to long distances; belt width, belt speed, incline, and discharge height are key.
- Debris chutes and lined troughs: vertical or inclined discharge via drop pipes or lined chutes; suitable for strip-out work in confined spaces.
- Chain and scraper conveyors: robust for wet, sticky material or steep sections.
- Mobile conveyors and stockpiling conveyors: flexible adaptation to changing discharge points, e.g., after each deconstruction step.
- Surge bins and buffers: decouple tool cadence (e.g., concrete demolition shear) from haulage; reduce downtime.
- Pre-screening and classification: removal of fines to minimize dust and to match downstream units.
- Magnetic separators: removal of reinforcement; particularly effective when pre-separated with concrete demolition shears.
- Dedusting and encapsulation: water mist, enclosures, dust skirts at transfer points; contribute to occupational safety and low-emission construction sites.
Sizing and key metrics of the transport route
Practical key figures take priority for design. Critical influencing factors are:
- Throughput: required capacity in t/h or m³/h over the daily or shift profile; buffers accommodate peak loads.
- Conveying length and profile: horizontal distance, inclines/declines, number of transfer points, and curve radii.
- Material characteristics: block size/edge length, particle shape (platy or needle-shaped), bulk density, moisture, abrasiveness.
- Drop heights and discharge points: the lower, the less fines, wear, and dust.
- Availability and maintenance: cleaning intervals, belt scrapers, accessibility for service.
The choice of primary tool significantly influences these parameters. Rock and concrete splitters typically produce cubic material with a moderate fines content—favorable for belt conveyors and chutes. Concrete demolition shears separate reinforcement and reduce contaminants in the bulk stream, which relieves transfer points and enables magnetic separators to work more efficiently. If combination shears, multi cutters, or steel shears are additionally used for secondary downsizing, maximum piece size decreases, allowing smaller belt widths—though the increasing fines content and associated dust must then be considered.
Material processing along the transport route
Processing stages are arranged to support, not slow down, conveying logistics. A proven sequence is: primary removal (e.g., concrete demolition shear or splitter) – pre-screening – metal separation – buffer – optional secondary crushing – loading. Short paths and few transfer points are important, as each transfer point potentially increases wear, dust, and blockages. For reinforced concrete, pre-separation by concrete demolition shears facilitates downstream sorting. For large-format rock or natural stone blocks won with rock splitting cylinders, the transport route can consist of special chutes with wear-resistant liners and low discharge heights to avoid edge spalling.
Transport routes in rock demolition and tunnel construction
Special conditions apply in underground drifts and during heading: tight radii, limited construction height, ventilation, and the need to remove muck continuously. Belt conveyors with raised sidewalls, scraper chain conveyors, or rail-bound haulage are used. Rock and concrete splitters as well as rock splitting cylinders produce controlled block sizes matched to the conveying technology. Reduced blasting or impact energy thanks to splitting technology lowers the fines content—an advantage for dust management and wear. Transfer points are encapsulated and equipped with water mist nozzles; control of the transport route is synchronized with the advance cycle to avoid queues and downtime.
Transport routes in natural stone extraction
In natural stone extraction, blocks are often split on site, lifted, and guided over short, robust conveying sections or special chutes to storage areas. Here, shape and edge stability take priority: low discharge heights, cushioned deflection points, and lined chutes prevent damage. Sizing is based on block dimensions and stacking and loading processes; the primary tool (e.g., rock splitting cylinder) defines the maximum block cross-section, which in turn determines chute width and the load-bearing capacity of the conveying equipment.
Strip-out and cutting in existing structures
In existing buildings, removal often takes place via vertical debris chutes with low-dust feed hoppers, combined with mobile conveyors on intermediate floors. Concrete demolition shears minimize vibration and enable step-by-step dismantling that can be well sequenced. Residual materials such as lines, beams, or sheet parts are segmented with steel shears and multi cutters so that the transport route does not have to accept long, hook-shaped pieces. hydraulic power units from Darda GmbH must be positioned so that service paths remain clear and escape routes and transport routes do not intersect.
Special operations and sensitive materials
For work on tanks, vessels, or plants with potentially hazardous residues, closed material flows, tight transfer points, and clear separation of pedestrian and conveying traffic are required. Tank cutters and steel shears produce defined geometries that can be safely packaged and moved through encapsulated conveying sections. Legal requirements for occupational safety, fire and explosion protection, and waste legislation must be reviewed on a project basis; the design of the transport route should generally take these requirements into account without anticipating case-by-case assessments.
Planning, safety, and environmental aspects
A good transport route is as short as possible, as long as necessary—and consistently safety-focused. Key points include:
- Separation of pedestrian and material paths; clear marking of transfer points.
- Dust control: water mist, covers, reduced drop heights, speed adjustment.
- Noise mitigation: padded impact plates, wear-resistant liners, smooth belt tracking.
- Fire protection and emergency concepts: escape routes, extinguishing agents, shutdown logic.
- Clearing and cleaning routines to prevent material build-up and belt carryback.
Practical tips for coordinating tool and transport route
- Define maximum piece size: choose splitting and cutting strategy so transfer points and belt widths are not overloaded.
- Use pre-separation: separate reinforcement early with concrete demolition shears; magnetic separators then operate more reliably.
- Minimize drop heights: track discharge points; design mobile belts with adjustable height.
- Plan buffers: surge bins smooth cadence differences between tool and haulage.
- Provide wear protection: plan liners on chutes, scrapers, and belt centering.
- Encapsulate transfers: use dust skirts, enclosures, and directed drop shafts.
- Calibrate regularly: measure and adjust throughput, belt speed, and material moisture.
Quality assurance and documentation
The performance of the transport route is secured by continuously recording mass flows, downtime, and causes of disturbances. Weighing data, delivery notes, and shift logs are reconciled with tool performance (e.g., the cadence of the concrete demolition shear or splitter). Clean documentation of material flows facilitates proof of compliance and optimizes the purity of fractions for subsequent recycling.
Avoid common planning mistakes
Typical mistakes include too many transfer points, drop heights that are too large, insufficient buffers, a lack of separation between reinforcement and concrete, belt widths that are too small, or incorrectly positioned hydraulic power packs. Those who plan tool selection and transport logistics together prevent bottlenecks, reduce emissions, and increase occupational safety—whether it is concrete demolition, strip-out, rock removal, natural stone extraction, or special operations.