International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering

Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 4, April 2013)

Building Demolition: Ground to Earth Important as

Construction
M.G.Bhandari1, V.K.Kulkarni2, R.K.Malviya3
1

M.G.Bhandari Asst.Prof.J.T.M.C.O.E. Faizpur

V.K.Kulkarni Lecturer J.M.C.T.Polytechnic, Nasik
3
R.K.Malviya Assc.Prof.J.T.M.C.O.E, Faizpur

Greenhouses, conservatories, prefabricated garages and

sheds do not require permission to be demolished.

Abstract Demolition of any structure is a ground to earth

technique which means destroying down or falling down of a
building with the help of equipments, machineries, explosives
or with manual techniques without affecting the surrounding .
Demolition is a simple process for small buildings or houses.
The building is brought down either manually or
mechanically using large hydraulic equipment: elevated work
platforms, cranes, excavators or bulldozers. Demolition work
is to be performed safely and with number of different steps
involved before and during the execution of a demolition
process. The various steps involved before the demolition
process includes surveying the site of demolition, removal of
hazardous materials if any, and preparation of demolition
plan with techniques to be implanted, stability report and the
precautionary safety measures to be taken for the workers
and the surroundings. Equipments used for these demolition
activities are like sledge hammer or rammers; excavators,
bulldozers, tearing balls etc. and main explosives used are like
dynamites and RDX. When explosive are used for the
demolition, it is known as Implosion, which is generally
preferred for high and tall towers.

II. DEMOLITION
Demolition of any structure is the process of destroying
down or falling down or collapsing down of large buildings
after its useful life period with the help of some equipment
or other method with a legal procedure followed by the
consent of the local authority. Buildings when demolished
with the help of explosions are called as an implosion a
systematic technique of bringing down the structure. Every
civil engineering structure is designed for a certain life
period generally 100 years. After that the existence of a
structure is very dangerous and unstable which may cause a
severe impact and be a cause of many deaths. So removal
of such structures with proper safety measures has got great
importance. There are different steps involved before and
during the time of a demolition activity. They are described
as follows.

I. INTRODUCTION

III. PRE-PLANNING OF DEMOLITION ACTIVITY

Any demolition activity to start with, there are many

steps that need to take place forehand including but not
restricted to performing asbestos abatement, removing
hazardous or regulated materials, obtaining necessary
permits from the authority, submitting necessary
notifications, disconnecting utilities, and development of
site-specific safety and work plans for the workers as well
as the surroundings with a detail planning of every stage
with a working strategy. We know every structure is
designed for a specific life period generally 100years. The
existence of the structure after the service life period is
over is very dangerous to its occupants and surrounding
buildings .The building act usually based on the provisions
that enable in charge authorities to control demolition
works for the protection of public safety with their
belongings and to ensure adjoining premises and the site
are made good on completion of the demolition.

The different steps before the start of a demolition

process are:
A. Surveying of site
B. Removal of hazardous materials from the site
C. Preparation of plan along with strategy to implement
D. Stability report from local authorities
E. Safety measures to be used
A Surveying of Site
Study of different parameters with different views of the
structure and its surroundings with structural point of view
is carried in surveying.Two types of surveying which are
mainly conducted. They are
1. Building surveying
2. Structural surveying

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International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering

Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 4, April 2013)
A.1 Building surveying
It includes the following,

(4) When the site has previously been used to store

explosives, special procedures to ensure no explosives
remain on site will be required.

(a) Record Drawings

Prior to the Building Survey, the existing record plan,
including layout plan showing various adjoining properties,
pedestrian walkway, roads and street, etc. shall be shown
and studied.

A.2 Structural surveying

(a) Record Drawings
Before Structural Survey, the existing record layout,
structural plans and structural details shall be studied
carefully. The Registered Structural Engineer or the
concern local authority shall check the presence of unusual
detailing that may cause abnormal structural behavior
during demolition, e.g., upward anchor of tensile
reinforcement in cantilevered structures. If existing record
plans are available, these plans shall be used as reference
and preferably be brought along with the Structural Survey.

(b) Survey of Buildings

The Building Survey shall cover the following:
(1) The construction materials used and its quality;
(2) The existing use and, if possible, the past uses of the
building prior to demolition with maximum utilization;
(3) The presence of wastewater, hazardous materials,
matters arising from toxic chemicals, flammable or
explosive and radioactive materials, etc. and possible
presence of materials which can create air pollution and
soil contamination;
(4) Dangerous areas, e.g., abnormal layouts,
(5) Surrounding properties and site conditions, such as the
presence of slope and retaining wall, wall supporting
ground, illegal structures, bridges, underground railway and
its above ground structures, including entrances, vent
shafts, distribution substations, plant rooms, overhead
railway structures, overhead cables or guy wires, and other
utility Service connections should be considered;
(6) Drainage conditions and possible problems on water
pollution, flooding and erosion,
(7) Common facilities with adjoining building, including
common staircases, walls, and possible effect on it, such as
self-enclosed walls to the adjoining buildings,
(8) Hoarding and covered walkway requirements;
(9) Adjoining pedestrian walkway and vehicular traffic
conditions;

(b) Survey Items

The Structural Survey shall cover the following:
(1) The structural materials used with quantity;
(2) The original structural system employed in the design;
(3) The method of construction;
(4) Any disintegration and deterioration on any structural
elements;
(5) The structural conditions of adjoining structures
(6) The presence of continuous structures that may be
affected by the demolition;
(7) The presence of basements, underground tanks or
underground vaults;
(c) Special Structures
The Structural Survey looks at the following:
(1) The correctness of structural data available;
(2) The presence of any unconventional structural elements
which may require special attention and well-defined
modification procedures;
(3) The possibilities of structural modification to enable
efficient demolition traffic during demolition; and
(4) Any limitation on shoring and other temporary
supports.

(c) Hazardous Materials on and in surrounding

(1) Unless and until the Building Survey found that no
obvious hazardous material is present in the building, the
Authorized Person shall carry sampling and testing for the
hazardous materials;
(2) When hazardous materials e.g., asbestos containing
materials, or petroleum, are present, they shall be removed
and cleaned/disposed of according to the statutory
requirements administered by the Environmental Protection
Department.
(3) When the site has previously been used to store
chemicals, and other dangerous goods, soil contamination
assessment shall be required at pre-demolition stage and/or
post-demolition stage; and

(d) Investigation and Testing at site

When no structural details are available, the structural
survey includes on site measurement and finds any
structural framing as much as practicable, performing tests
and exposing some key structural elements to facilitate
checking on present structure. This allows the development
of procedures that ensure the stability of the building at all
stages during demolition.

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International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering

Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 4, April 2013)
B. Removal of Hazardous Materials from site
Hazardous materials if any, such as asbestos containing
materials, petroleum contamination and radioactive
contamination, etc exist in the building, further
investigation and removal of such hazardous material or
contamination by experts shall be done.

C.3 A Detail plan showing the structural arrangement

Construction of all unconventional structural elements,
such as prestressed concrete structures, precast concrete
members, stressed skin structures, steel framed structures,
hangers, hanging ties, trusses or girders, deep beams, long
span beams (greater than 10m), arches shall be studied

B.1 Asbestos Containing Material if any on site

Experts shall be employed to take samples and such
samples shall be tested for asbestos containing material.
When asbestos containing materials are found, expert
contractor shall be employed to remove such asbestos
containing material.

C.4 A Detail plan showing the steps for the demolition

Detailed sequence of demolishing particular structural
members; and the method of demolition to be adopted
including the restrictions on the use of any particular type
of equipment if any shall be highlighted.
When powered mechanical plants and equipment are
used, a plan showing the route of movement of powered
mechanical plants and equipment including the method of
lifting mechanical plant, where necessary, onto the top
floors of the structure; any structural alterations required to
suit the demolition.

B.2 Presence of Soil Contamination Material

When possible soil contamination material is present,
experts shall be employed to prepare soil contamination
test proposal and submit such proposal to the
Environmental Department for comment. Upon agreement
by the Environmental Department, and completion of the
tests, a Soil Contamination Assessment shall be submitted
to the Environmental Department for acceptance. When
remedial works are required, the remedial proposal has to
be submitted to the Environmental Department for consent
approval before implementation of such remedial works.

C.5 A plan showing all precautionary and emergency

measures for the protection of the public including
hoardings, covered walkways, platforms, scaffolding,
protective screens and safety nets;
C.6 A plan showing the proposed shoring and
precautionary measures for all affected adjacent buildings,
slopes, retaining structures and services at each stage of the
demolition works;

C Preparation of plan and strategy

A Demolition Plan and strategy shall include the
following:

C.7 A plan showing the proposed shoring and temporary

support to be provided to the building to be demolished;

C.1 A detail plan showing:

(a) The building location to be demolished;
(b) Topography of the site with its ground level contours
and sections of the slopes and ground supported by the
building where appropriate in detailed;
(c) Details of ground removal and/or backfilling; and
(d) The distances from the building to be demolished to its
adjacent buildings, streets, structures and significant street
furniture.

C.8 A plan or descriptive notes on the proposed methods

for handling and disposal of debris including
(a) The permissible temporary accumulation of building
debris at upper floors and at ground floor;
(b) Method of handling demolished building debris;
(c) The routing and movement of debris from each floor to
on grade holding area prior to leaving the site;
(d) Means of transportation of debris off the site;
(e) Time and frequency of debris disposal off site;

C.2 A detail layout plan of all floors of the building to be

demolished, showing:
(a) The resident usage of the floors;
(b) The structural support;
(c) Materials of construction with quantity;
(d) Building Condition e.g. the degree of deterioration; and
(e) The relationship of the building to be demolished with
surrounding properties affected by the demolition, which
include all adjoining buildings and unauthorized structures,

D Detail Stability Report

According to Building (Administration) Regulation, the
Demolition Plan must be accompanied by a Stability
Report with supporting calculations. The Stability Report
shall include the following parts:
(1) A report on the stability of the building to be
demolished during all stages of demolition;

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International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering

Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 4, April 2013)
(2) In the case when powered mechanical plants or
equipment are used, a report on the stability of the building
with supporting calculations to demonstrate that the use of
the plants and equipment will not render inadequate the
margin of safety of, or cause damage to any building,
structure, street, land and services;
(3) In the case when powered mechanical plants or
equipment are used, structural calculations for all
temporary supports and bracings;
(4) A report on the stability of neighboring buildings,
adjoining properties.
(5) In the case when temporary or permanent supports are
required to these neighboring buildings, adjoining
properties, and party walls, structural calculations for these
temporary and permanent supports; and

Fire fighting appliances along with enough man power

shall be provided with appliances maintained in working
conditions. The Construction Site (Safety) Regulations
require the contractor to maintain in good condition and
free from defects all fire fighting appliances provided in
such construction site.
E.5 Occupational Health a priority
Health of workers on site shall be properly protected in
accordance with the regulations of the Factories and
Industrial acts and the Occupational Safety and Health acts,
as well as various acts by State of Maharashtra with
particular attention to the following areas:
(A) Exposure to Dust;
(B) Chemical Exposure;
(C) Heat Stress and Ventilation;
(D) Noise Exposure;
(E) Medical and First Aid Facilities;
(F) Sanitation; and
(G) Occupational Diseases.

E Safety Measures
E.1 Training to workers
Demolition workers, including plant or equipment
operators, shall be given proper job safety training and be
informed of the hazards by attending training sessions as
well as on-the-job training. Such type of trainings shall be
constantly carried so as to create awareness in workers

E.6 Emergency Exit in Demolition Sites for safety

Emergency exits shall be provided during building
demolition. In case of any emergency evacuations, the
emergency exit will serve as a lifeline for transportation of
injured workers. A minimum of one exit route shall be
maintained and designated as the emergency exit at all
times during the demolition. Adequate lighting and fire
extinguishing equipment shall be provided. Emergency exit
shall be properly protected, free of obstruction, and
properly marked with exit signs or other indications to
clearly show the route. All workers shall be informed about
the exit route.

E.2 Maintenance of equipment from time to time

Proper maintenance of all equipment shall be carried and
tested and examined before use. They shall be properly
stored and maintained time to time by experts and
technicians. The equipment shall be inspected daily and
results of the inspection shall be recorded accordingly with
the consent of the experts periodically. A detailed safety
instruction shall be provided to cater for specific situations
of the project, if necessary.

E.7 Vibration and its Effect

Demolition work causes vibration to surrounding
buildings or structures to various extents, depending on the
method of demolition adopted. The most serious vibration
is caused by implosion. The effect of vibration caused by
implosion is categorized as follows:1. Permanent ground distortion produced by blast-induced
gas pressures;
2. Vibratory settlement of foundation materials;
3. Projectile impact (i.e. blast fly rock); and

E.3 Electrical appliances Safety

A properly connected power source from a local electric
utility supplier or a mobile electricity generator shall be
utilized in demolition sites with an emergency services kept
in hand in case if required. The safety requirements given
in the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Electricity)
Regulations shall be adhered to with precautionary
measures kept ready to hand.
E.4 Fire and fire extinguishers
All goods which are flammable shall be removed and
cleared from site unless they are necessary for the works.
Remaining flammable goods if any shall be stored in
proper storage facilities with proper attention of the expert
in charge. All furniture, timber, doors, etc. shall be
removed before any welding work is performed.

IV. METHODS OF DEMOLITION

There are two types of demolition
A. Non explosive demolition method
B. Explosive demolition method
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International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering

Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 4, April 2013)
Demolition blasters or blasting expert (Blasting expert
means a person who is the holder of a valid mine blasting
certificate.) load explosives on several different levels of
the building so that the building structure falls down on
itself at multiple points. When everything is planned and
executed correctly, the total damage of the explosives and
falling building material is sufficient to collapse the
structure entirely, so cleanup crews are left with only a pile
of rubble.
The main challenge and risk in bringing a building down
is controlling which way it falls. There are mainly two
ways to bring down a building,
1. falling like a tree
2. Falling from crest to foot

A Non explosive demolition method

Demolition of a structure done with some or other
equipment without use of any explosive. Different
equipments used for the demolition activity are
A.1 Sledge Hammers and rammers
A sledge hammer and rammers, equipment used for
removing a stone wall or a single column. It consists of a
long stem with a metallic head. It is used to give impacts on
the surfaces and that cause the demolition of structure. It
cannot be used for removal of large buildings.
A.2 Excavators and Bulldozers
Hydraulic excavators may be used to topple one-or twostory buildings by an undermining process. The
undermining process means erode the base or foundation,
i.e., dig or excavate beneath the foundation so as to make it
collapse. The strategy of excavation is to undermine the
building while controlling the manner and direction in
which it falls. The demolition project manager will
determine where under mining is necessary so that the
building is pulled into the desired manner and direction.
Safety and cleanup considerations are also taken into
account in determining how the building is undermined and
ultimately demolished.

B.1 falling like a Tree

In this method the blasting crew to collapses the building
over on one side, into a parking lot or other open area with
the help of blast. This sort of blast is the easiest to execute,
and it is generally the safest way to perform demolition
which is something like felling a tree. For example to
topple the building to the north, the blasters detonate
explosives on the south side of the building first , in the
same way you would chop into a tree from the south side if
you wanted it to fall in that direction . Blasters may also
secure steel cables to support columns in the building, so
that they are pulled a certain way as they crumble.

A.3 Wrecking Balls or Spilling Balls

In case of buildings have greater heights 5 onwards story
machineries like normal excavators and bulldozers are not
sufficient. In such cases crane with wrecking balls or
spilling balls are used to perform the demolition activity.
The wrecking balls are steel balls hanging from a steel rope
which is attached to the crane. This method is more
effective only for high rise masonry structures because of
the uncontrolled backward movement of steel ball after the
impact on the wall surface. Nowadays this method is not
commonly used because of this uncontrolled behavior of
wrecking balls which may cause some other accident.

B.2 falling from crest to foot

Many times, a building is surrounded by numbers of
structures that must be preserved. In this case, the blasters
are used for true implosion, demolishing the building so
that it collapses straight down into its own foot (that means
the total area of building is removed into the base of the
building). This requires great skill that only some handful
of demolition companies in the world attempt it.
V. CONCLUSION

B Explosive Demolition method

The basic idea of explosive demolition is quite simple,
easy and fast. If we remove the support of the structure of a
building at a certain point, the section of the building above
the point will come down on the part of the building below
that point from where it is exploded. If this upper section is
heavy enough, it will collide with the lower part with
sufficient force to cause significant damage. The explosives
are just trigger for the demolition. Its gravity that brings
the building down.

Any type of building to be demolished, its method

depends upon various factors such as site condition, type of
structures, age of building, height of building and economy
and most important its location with presence of its
surrounding with its structural stability. Controlled
demolition of building is necessary to ensure safety of both
the workers and the surroundings so as to cause least
amount of injuries and accidents. Explosive demolition is
the most preferred method for safely and efficiently
demolishing the larger structures which requires a very
high precision.
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International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering

Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 4, April 2013)
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]

Almost all major building implosions in the world are

handled by 28 well-established companies, with lots of
advancement coming day by day.
REFERENCES
[1]
[2]

Code of practice for demolition of buildings by Building

Departments of Hong Kong in 2004.
Planning committee of India, New Delhi.

401

Tom Harris, An article on How Building Implosions work.

www.freelandconstruction.com/page75/page15/page64/index.html
www.n-somerset.gov.uk Environment Building Control
www.ispesl.it/risk_profiles/_building_demolition/index.pdf