Technical

Temporary Works Toolkit | Part 19 thestructuralengineer.org

Temporary Works Toolkit

Part 19: An The Temporary Works Toolkit is a series
of articles aimed primarily at assisting the
permanent works designer with temporary

introduction to the works issues. Buildability – sometimes

referred to now as ‘construction method
engineering’ – is not a new concept and one

demolition of large always recognised as vital to the realisation

of one’s ideas; it ought to be at the forefront
of an engineer’s mind.

stuctures www.twforum.org.uk

Angus Holdsworth
IEng, MICE   Figure 1
Specialist cranes developed
by Coleman & Co and Andun
  Figure 2
Specialist
cranes and
for Birmingham New Street crane rails
Managing Director, Andun, Chelmsford, UK station project developed by
Coleman &
Co and Andun
for demolition
of MAN gas
Introduction holders

This article provides a brief introduction to

demolition practice in the UK, addressing
the more technical aspects which require
engineering input. It will focus primarily on the
demolition of large structures.
Demolition covers a wide spectrum of
work, from simple ‘cut and carve’ to the
total demolition of large and complex
structures across a multitude of disciplines.
These include transport, nuclear, oil and
gas, industrial, commercial and residential
schemes.
The effect of this is that demolition is
becoming an increasingly complex and
technically challenging sector of the
construction industry. Recent years have Co and JCB specifically for the Birmingham required significant temporary works
seen demolition contractors developing and New Street station redevelopment and sophisticated analysis to confirm the
using highly specialist plant and techniques to  gantry cranes erected within the structure stability of the structure1.
assist in these challenging projects, alongside at Birmingham New Street station (Figure
complex temporary works designs. Specific 1) to facilitate the removal of one floor All demolition work can be considered as
highlights with which the author is familiar (developed by Coleman & Co and Andun) falling under one of two broad categories:
include:  cranes and associated crane rails (Figure  progressive demolition
 high-reach excavators capable of 2) for the demolition of MAN gas holders at  deliberate collapse mechanism.
demolishing structures up to 70m tall Battersea, London (developed by Coleman
(developed by DSM for the demolition of & Co and Andun) The former is the most common. Partial
Tottenham Hotspur FC’s White Hart Lane  partial demolition of the 33-storey demolition works will be progressive
ground) Centre Point tower in London by John demolition work.
 the ‘megamuncher’ (as it came to be F Hunt, requiring the removal of the
known) – a remotely operated 25t majority of the top five floors of the Progressive demolition
excavator developed by Mace, Coleman & tower while maintaining the facade. This Progressive demolition involves the controlled

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thestructuralengineer.org Part 19 | Temporary Works Toolkit

  Figure 3
Dismantling of shopping centre

As with most forms of engineering, the scaffolding designer has considered this in
"PROGRESSIVE DEMOLITION success of the project comes down to the their design calculations.

INVOLVES THE CONTROLLED engineer’s understanding of the structure.

The more information provided to the
 If scaffolding cannot be erected, then
suitable exclusion zones and edge
REMOVAL OF PORTIONS OF engineer, the better the assessment of the protection should be provided. Further
THE STRUCTURE" structure will be. guidance on this subject can be found
within BS 61872.
Key points  Site investigation should include breaking
removal of portions of the structure while  A proper engineering assessment should holes in slabs to expose the reinforcement,
ensuring the remaining structure remains be undertaken. Partial load factors should as well as breaking out sections of beams
stable. In general terms, the demolition is be used as appropriate to the code in and columns to expose steelwork and/or
carried out working from the top to the question, thereby ensuring a suitable factor reinforcement. This information will be the
bottom of the structure, usually working of safety for the works. key input for design appraisal.
towards the structural core to ensure that  The assessment should use recognised
stability is maintained. Partial demolition of engineering methodology, taking account High-reach demolition
a structure will follow similar constraints. of the likely operating loads imparted In this method, a high-reach excavator
However, the works will not necessarily be on the structure, i.e. plant operating on on a suitable working platform is used to
from top to bottom. Progressive demolition ‘tiptoes’. It is here that experience of the demolish the structure in a controlled manner.
can be further subdivided into three broad realities of demolition work comes to the A number of floors will be tackled at the
methods based on the plant used for the fore. same time, leaving a staggered profile when
works. It is not uncommon for a combination  Propping of the structure may well be viewed from the side. This allows the high-
of all three methods to be used on a single required to permit intended plant to travel reach machine driver to see the work being
project. safely on the structure. undertaken and reduces the likelihood of
 Rubble should be included in the rubble falling onto the machine.
Top-down demolition assessment, with suitable clear limits on
If access to the structure is limited by permitted rubble build-up shown in the Key points
adjoining properties, roads or railways, then drawings.  High-reach excavators are large and
top-down demolition work will be undertaken.  The structure should generally be encased heavy machines, which require working
The plant will be lifted onto the roof and the in scaffold. The scaffold should be platforms to operate on. These should be
structure will then be demolished floor by dismantled in tandem with the demolition designed and checked using the same
floor; to ensure stability, the core is generally works. One lift of scaffold should be methodologies as working platforms for
left as the last section on each floor to be permitted to project above the highest any other plant.
demolished. Rubble is generally cleared by level of the structure, with ties removed  Particular care is needed when undertaking
skid steers. in an agreed sequence. Ensure that the the demolition of large-panel system (LPS)

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Temporary Works Toolkit | Part 19 thestructuralengineer.org

buildings, as they are prone to uncontrolled secondary beams. Sit cuts and hinge cuts will Concrete structures
collapse due to latent defects. be formed in the column sections to ensure To prepare concrete structures for deliberate
 For the demolition of an LPS building, that the structure collapses as required. collapse, key structural elements are
consideration should be given to the The final cuts should be made only when weakened. Explosives are typically placed in
temporary restraint of panels and the everything is ready. Explosive or pulling with holes pre-drilled into the key elements that
provision of temporary bracing. a wire rope is then used to provide the trigger are to be fragmented. Once detonated, the
 Rubble should be cleared regularly; if to cause the structure to collapse, generally solid explosive converts instantly to a gas of
rubble is allowed to build up, it can lead to by knocking out columns. much higher volume, which effectively blows
unintended collapse. These works need careful planning to the concrete off the reinforcement; gravity
minimise the risks of working in a weakened does the rest.
Dismantling structure. However, the use of cutting
In this method, the structure will typically charges (shaped charges) is becoming more Key points
be dismantled using cranes (Figure 3) with common, reducing the risk of undertaking the  These are similar to the key points
cutting techniques to release suitably sized final cuts. presented earlier for pre-weakening a steel
sections. In some cases, it may be possible structure.
to simply reverse the original construction Key points
methodology by undoing bolts; or in the case  If shaped charges can be used, they General considerations
of precast sections, simply breaking out in should be used. They significantly reduce Key information
situ concrete to release. the hazards associated with the works, The availability of original drawings of the
although the risk of damaging adjacent structure can give the engineer a head-
Key points buildings with the air overpressure needs to start when working out how a structure
 Weights should be accurately calculated. be given careful consideration. behaves. However, the information contained
Sufficient load factors should be applied  The deliberate collapse of structures in the drawings should be verified on site
to estimated weights in line with industry can be completed within a few seconds; by carrying out opening-up works. If all is
practice. Refer to BS 71213,4 and speak however, it should be borne in mind that well, the capacity of the structure can be
to an Appointed Person for further the preparation of these works can take a ascertained using traditional design formulae
information. long time. suited to the material in question. Suitable
 Consideration must be given to stability of  The simplest collapse mechanism possible design formulae can be found within the
remaining elements; temporary works may should be used to ensure the lowest risk; Eurocodes or British Standards.
be required to provide stability. as is often the case with any design: ‘keep If the original drawings are not available,
 Proposed sections must be suitable for it simple’. then the assessment of the structure
lifting, and the centre of gravity must be  Design should utilise the minimum of pre- will require site investigation. This will
accurately assessed if required. weakening necessary. Positioning of the require opening up the works following the
 Changes in wind loadings must be cuts should be considered carefully. completion of the soft strip. This should
considered, particularly the effects of  The works should be planned by a suitably include breaking holes in slabs to expose
dominant openings being created. See BS experienced engineer with a track record the reinforcement, as well as breaking out
EN 1991-1-45 and the National Annex6. of undertaking similar works. sections of beams and columns to expose
 Calculations should be sufficient to justify steelwork, connections and reinforcement.
Deliberate collapse mechanism the design. This information will be the key input for
Typically, this is referred to as a ‘blowdown’  The age of the structure must be design appraisal.
or a ‘pull-down’. Many people mistakenly recognised and appropriate design factors
believe that an explosive actually blows the and material strengths incorporated. Key points
structure apart; in reality, it is used to trigger  Clear drawings should be provided detailing  It is worth considering that the design
the collapse of the structure by weakening or all cuts and locations, and workmanship codes in use at the time the structure was
removal of key structural elements, allowing tolerances. designed and constructed are likely to
gravity to do the rest. The mechanism  Stability must be maintained; release cuts differ significantly to those in use today.
for triggering the collapse can be either should be made only after all preparations In addition, the materials will be different;
explosive charges or pulling with a wire or are completed. concrete strength is likely to be lower,
chain attached to an excavator.  Accurate setting-out of the cuts is critical reinforcement may well be mild steel,
Planning the deliberate collapse of a and must be given particular attention. the yield stress of steel lower. There is
structure requires an engineer to have a  Workmanship is critical when pre- guidance available on this subject from
very good understanding of the structure weakening a structure, and only suitably numerous sources7–9.
and experience of how structures behave qualified and competent burners should  Any historical information or site
in extreme conditions. Steel and concrete be permitted to undertake this work. There investigation of the structure should be
structures require different approaches. should be a clear specification and method passed to the engineer planning the
statement. demolition works.
Steel structures  An exclusion zone(s) should be planned  Beware of using the latest design codes
For the deliberate collapse of a steel and enforced, based on the worst-case to analyse older structures; they are not
structure, the structure is pre-weakened. collapse radius. See BS 61872 for detailed necessarily the correct choice. In particular,
This can include cutting out bracing and guidance on exclusion zones. Eurocodes specifically exclude the use

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 Technical
thestructuralengineer.org Part 19 | Temporary Works Toolkit

CASE STUDY: WHITE HART LANE – DEMOLITION OF SOUTH STAND PRIMARY TRUSS

Method: Demolition by deliberate collapse

 

e
fre
Figure 4 Tandem

uss
excavator if

n tr
mechanism Planned pull-down of required

he
pw
340t truss at Tottenham EXCAVATOR TRACK Aim is for excavator to pull truss

Sto
1m before West excavator pulls
Demolition contractor: DSM Demolition Hotspur FC stadium
LIMITS FROM POINT
WHEN STRUCTURE
MOVEMENT
EXCAVATOR TRACK
LIMITS FROM POINT
WHEN STRUCTURE
COMMENCES MOVEMENT
COMMENCES

Stop when
Background
40mm 6x19 Filler Wire

truss free
During the demolition of Tottenham Hotspur 40mm 6x19 Filler Wire
Rope. Min 870kN BS
Rope. Min 870kN BS

FC’s White Hart Lane stadium, the south OPERATIONS NOT TO COMMENCE IF WIND SPEED EXCEEDS 12m/s

stand primary truss was the final truss to be

removed. The truss was approx. 110m long,
8m high and 3.5m wide; its estimated weight These bearings sit on
top of columns, will fall 25°
Min 60m long rope

This end
between if pulled first
was approx. 250t. The truss was set 26m 20m from stand
pulled first

above pitch level. CoG

500kN
The truss was initially to be subject to a 500kN
5°

blowdown using shaped cutting charges

to sever the supporting chords. However,
concerns regarding blast overpressure
PLAN VIEW 1:250
resulted in this proposal being dropped.
The second proposal was for a tandem
lift using two large crawler cranes. However, a) Pull-down scheme developed by DSM and Andun
when examined closely, the works required
became prohibitive. The cranes were Solution
currently being used for construction of After considerable thought, a solution was
the new stand, and to reconfigure them for developed which required pulling at various
the truss lift would require significant work. angles and timings (Figure 4). The plan was
Boom changes, addition of a super-lift and to release the east end of the primary truss
other works would have denied the cranes from the gallows truss and then, as soon as
to the construction works for at least a it was free, to give a quick tug on the west
week, which would have had significant end to ensure a clear drop from the west
programme implications. tower.
In addition, the principal contractor’s A weight would be attached to the
engineer had concerns regarding the lift gallows bracket on a steel wire, with the
and required a cradle to be designed and weight buried in a pile of fill. This system
fabricated for the lift. Again, this would would act as a dashpot piston to slow
involve a significant amount of additional the release of the strain energy from the
work and would delay the demolition works, gallows truss.
which were on a very tight schedule. A 3D model was drawn up and a series of
Up to this stage, Andun had had no drawings prepared to illustrate the scheme.
involvement, but was now invited to attend Andun attended site on the appointed
site to see if an alternative solution could be day to supervise the preparation works and
developed. DSM proposed a cut and drop; the pull-down. Although there was a slight
however, a review on site indicated that this delay in completing the preparation works,
was not feasible due to truss geometry and the pull-down in front of a crowd of approx.
the inability to time the works to give a clean 2000 people was undertaken successfully.
drop.
A review on site confirmed the
feasibility of a pull-down; however, there
b) Demolition in
were a number of issues which required progress – to view
considerable thought. The east end of the video, scan QR code or
visit: https://youtu.be/
truss was supported on bearings on a skew XnixiRwN7Lo
bracket supported on the gallows truss.
The west end sat on simple pot bearings
supported on the east legs of the support
tower. These were a particular problem, as
it was feasible during the pull-down for the
truss to sit into the tower and get trapped,
with the potential to overturn the support
tower and cause significant unintentional
damage.
A further complication was the strain
energy in the gallows truss: when the weight
of the truss was removed, unintentional
damage might result from the release of this
energy.

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Temporary Works Toolkit | Part 19 thestructuralengineer.org

of low-yield (mild steel) reinforcement in FURTHER READING

concrete. "DEMOLITION PROVIDES
ENGINEERS WITH E British Standards Institution (2008)
Load-testing of slabs
TECHNICAL CHALLENGES BS 5975:2008+A1:2011 Code of practice

UNLIKE ANY OTHER FORM

In recent years, load-testing of slabs within for temporary works procedures and the
permissible stress design of falsework,
OF ENGINEERING"
structures has become established, often
London: BSI
driven by the contractor wishing to use
larger plant on the structure. While this form
E National Federation of Demolition
of testing has its place, it can equally lead Contractors (2012) High Reach
the contractor into a false sense of security. construction. LPS tower blocks built in Demolition Rig Guidance Notes [Online]
Where previously a smaller machine may the 1960s are particularly prone to latent Available at: https://demolition-nfdc.
have been used, a heavier machine may be defects such as missing reinforcement, com/?wpdmdl=9380 (Accessed: July
used now; should the structure contain a loop and pin connections not being 2018)
latent defect (or have been adapted), it is connected, etc.
more likely to lead to serious consequences.  Car parks, particularly of lift-slab E National Federation of Demolition
Contractors (2011) Guidance for
If load-testing is to be used, it should construction, are prone to failure during
Deconstruction of Tower Blocks
ideally be undertaken only once the capacity demolition. floor by floor/piecemeal [Online]
of the structure has been calculated by Available at: https://demolition-nfdc.
traditional means. Failure to do so can lead Conclusion com/?wpdmdl=9266 (Accessed: July
to overloading of the structure. These load Demolition provides engineers with 2018)
tests should be planned by an engineer, technical challenges unlike any other form
based on the identified likely failure of engineering. It is one of the few remaining E National Federation of Demolition
Contractors (2014) DRG 106:2014
mechanism of the structure: typically shear areas where design codes are not always
Temporary Works [Online] Available
at the support in short-span structures and directly applicable, and the engineer must at: https://demolition-nfdc.
failure in bending in long-span structures. often rely on engineering judgement and com/?wpdmdl=9388 (Accessed: July
The results should be interpreted by an relevant experience. 2018)
engineer to ensure that a sufficient factor
of safety is in place for the intended plant Acknowledgement E National Federation of Demolition
loadings. Choosing the location of a load This article draws on content from ‘Chapter Contractors (2014) DRG 110:2014
test is often difficult, as many structures 34: Temporary works in demolition’ of Demolition Exclusion Zones [Online]
Available at: https://demolition-nfdc.
have been adapted over the years and the forthcoming book Temporary works:
com/?wpdmdl=9378 (Accessed: July
the changes may make determining Principles of design and construction from 2018)
representative locations challenging. ICE Publishing.
E Pallett P. and Filip R. (eds.) (In
Key points HAVE YOUR SAY press) ‘Chapter 34: Temporary works
 A graph showing load applied against in demolition’, In: Temporary works:
To comment on this article: Principles of design and construction
deflection should be provided.
Eemail Verulam at tse@istructe.org (2nd ed.), London: ICE Publishing
 Loads should be held for a period of time Etweet @IStructE #TheStructuralEngineer
and increased in controlled stages.
 There should be a fixed-level datum
to ensure accurate deflections are REFERENCES
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 Loading should allow a suitable factor of
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