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By Felix Chesterfield

There is more to the demolition industry than blowing up buildings – fun as that may be. In order to bring down outdated or unsafe structures and clear the way for new construction, there are a variety of demolition techniques available. The method and scale of each demolition strategy typically depends on the size of the project, the budget available, and any specific external factors that may in play – for example, the need to bring down a building without dealing any damage to nearby structure. Contrary to popular belief, there is an art to effectively destroying a building. Here is a look at some of the more common methods used to tear down a structure and where and why each would be used.

Explosive Demolition: When one thinks of a building being demolished, explosive demolition is typically the thought that comes to mind. This is the variety where the button is pushed by a foreman leading to charges being set off and (slowly at first), the structures crumbles almost straight down into its own heap. This version is often used when the structure to be destroyed exists in the middle of a city block or urban area. It is also the quickest method of demolition as most of the destruction is done in a matter of minutes. At the same time, explosives require the highest level of care and precautions. The explosion must be completely controlled or disaster could ensue. Beyond just ensuring that the explosion does not extend to other areas, it must be balanced perfectly to make sure that the structure collapses vertically – falling at an angle could cause just as much damage as an out of control blast.

Non-explosive Demolition: This type of destruction is best symbolized by the wrecking ball. The manner of razing a building may be done independently or in conjunction with explosives. In some cases, the wrecking ball is used to take out difficult areas or knock the overall height of a building down to a level where it can be safely imploded. The advantage of this style is that it is quick, relatively easy, and more inexpensive compared to explosive demolition. The downside is the lack of control available with a wrecking ball. It is a lot more difficult to determine where debris will fall or how exactly the building will break down. A lack of predictability is not a good thing in this industry.

Selective Demolition: This aspect of demolition refers more towards preparing structures for some type of renovation, addition, or rebuild as opposed to the full blown razing of a building. This requires a great amount of care as it is extremely difficult to take out only certain aspects of a location while still maintaining the structural integrity of the edifice as a whole. This requires architectural research, careful planning, and a level of precision that not every construction or deconstruction team is capable of performing. Figuring out what areas need to be ignored, reinforced, or destroyed completely is as much art as science and requires some of the most talented professionals in the industry.

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