What is Hydro Demolition and how can it better your project?

Hydro Demolition

Hydro Demolition is a method of using high-pressure stream(s) of water to blast away concrete. It provides a precise way to remove layers of concrete and can remove concrete below the reinforcement bars. This process will also clean the rebar while simultaneously preparing the remaining concrete, thus providing an excellent surface for the new concrete to bond to.

How does Hydro Demolition work?

This video provides a great example for you to see exactly how our robots remove the concrete, while cleaning the rebar. This process is called ACR- automated concrete removal. When the water fractures the concrete it leaves a rough surface which is an ideal bonding surface. This process does not create micro fractures in the existing concrete, which would weaken the existing structure. The robots also clean the expose and clean the rebar so will be able to see if any need to be replaced.

Applications For Hydro Demolition

• Roads, Bridges, & Runways

• Ports and quays

• Canals and locks

• Dams, spillways, and turbines

• Vertical Walls

• Parking Garages

• Water & Sewer Plants

• Pillars, piles, and columns

• Underwater Demolition

• Mines, Refineries & Chemical Plants

• Post-Tension Concrete

• Nuclear Power Plant Refurbish

• Hydolasing & Nuclear Silo Decontamination

• Concrete Membrane Removal

• Tunnels & Mine Shafts

• Post-Hurricane Demolition

• Post-Storm Demolition

  
  

What are the two main category's of Hydro Demolition

Selective Removal- In front of the robot you can see the weak concrete that has been chipped away.

Selective Removal- Selective removal is the service that we use when only the deteriorated concrete needs to be removed. When this is done, all of the weak concrete breaks away. Leaving the structurally sound concrete in place, and without creating micro fractures in the structurally sound concrete like other demolition methods do. If any rebar is exposed in this process the water jet will clean the rebar without damaging it. This is the preferred method for resurfacing any concrete structures, such as bridge deck overlays.

Non Selective Removal- Five feet of concrete was removed to expose the mechanism.

Non-Selective Removal- Non-Selective removal is used when we need to get to a predetermined depth, independent to the quality of the concrete. This is common when customers need to expose a part of the structure covered in concrete, such as when there is a bad concrete pour, and the concrete has to removed but the steel structure is new.