Electric-impulse-technology: results of a basic investigation into the use of the technology as a selective demolition method in the construction industry

Abstract

A large proportion of today's building projects are realized in existing buildings. This almost always requires the sensitive deconstruction of existing building fabric. Deconstruction technologies have to fulfill high requirements particularly in inner-city residential areas and during ongoing building use, both for construction projects in the existing building stock and for new construction activities. Currently used demolition technologies rarely meet the growing requirements in building practice. Common demolition and separation methods are characterized by high emissions, such as vibrations and noise, large quantities of blasting material, slow performance progress or high physical effort. An alternative technology is the electrodynamic Electric-Impulse-Technology (EIT). The process technology, initially developed for applications in mining and special civil engineering, is based on the destruction of solid materials by high-voltage pulses. On the basis of large-scale tests in mining dimensions, it was possible to demonstrate high dissolving capacities with low energy input. The research project aimed to investigate the basics for transferring the EIT to low-emission and selective material removal in civil and structural engineering. Extensive laboratory tests were conducted on sand-lime and concrete specimens to verify the adaptation of the EIT. It was found out that the technology is suitable for use in the construction industry. Further research is to be conducted to investigate the identified areas of application in greater depth and to further develop EIT for practical use.