Case Study: Destruct Engineering.
Location: Birmingham.
Download: destruct-engineering.pdf

Brief

Carisbrooke house was a 17 Storey block of flats situated in a densely populated residential district of Wednesbury, Birmingham. The flats formed part of Sandwell Metropolitan Council's Housing Stock and were constructed using a reinforced concrete frame and flat slab construction.

Solution

IKM Consulting Ltd were appointed to determine the extent of the pre-weakening that could be carried out without compromising the stability of the structure prior to blasting. Pre-weakening, achieved by selectively removing structured concrete and steel, ensures the building can be demolished using the minimum amount of explosive. Highly detailed structural engineering calculations are required in this process.

Outcome

Demolition of the flats was achieved on time and on budget, and in a highly controlled fashion.