QSD 382 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

DEMOLITION

DEMOLITION
1.0

INTRODUCTION
Demolition of a building or structure can be considered into two types which is taking

down and demolition. Taking down requires a good comprehensive knowledge of building
construction and design so that load bearing members and walls can be correctly identified and
adequately supported by struts, props and suitable shoring. Demolition is the tearing or taking
down of buildings and other structures, the opposite of construction. Basically most partial
demolition works will need to be carried out manually using hand tools such as picks and
hammers. Demolition contrasts with deconstruction, which involves taking a building apart while
carefully preserving valuable elements for re-use.
For small buildings, such as houses, that are only two or three stories high, demolition is
a rather simple process. The building is pulled down either manually or mechanically using large
hydraulic equipment: elevated work platforms, cranes, excavators or bulldozers. Larger
buildings may require the use of a wrecking ball, a heavy weight on a cable that is swung by
a crane into the side of the buildings. Wrecking balls are especially effective against masonry,
but are less easily controlled and often less efficient than other methods. Newer methods may
use rotational hydraulic shears and silenced rock-breakers attached to excavators to cut or
break through wood, steel, and concrete. The use of shears is especially common when flame
cutting would be dangerous.
Before any demolition activities, there are many steps that need to take place including
but not limited to performing asbestos abatement, removing hazardous or regulated materials,
obtaining necessary permits, submitting necessary notifications, disconnecting utilities, rodent
baiting, and development of site-specific safety and work plans. To control dust, fire hoses are
used to maintain a wet demolition. Hoses may be held by workers, secured in fixed location, or
attached to lifts to gain elevation.

QSD 382 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

DEMOLITION

2.0

PROJECT BRIEF
PROJECT TITLE :
Kuarters JKR 1231 A-B & 1232 A-B, Daerah Kerian, Perak

CONTRACT SUM :
RM 1.5 million, demolition cost including cost for new building
Demolition cost

- RM 42,000.00 : Earthwork
- RM 15,000.00 : Building cost and fees for labour
- RM 6,000.00 : Remove existing services
- RM 3,000.00 : Site clearance

TYPES OF CONTRACT :
P.W.D. 203 A

DATE OF CONSTRUCTION :
START : 1980
COMPLETE : 1981
AGE OF BUILDING : 30 years

SIZE OF THE BUILDING :

21.30 meter width x 36.00 meter length

QSD 382 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

DEMOLITION

2.0

PROJECT BRIEF ( contd )

DEMOLITION PERIOD :
17 Days

CONTRACTOR :
Wira Baru Sdn. Bhd. ( Class D )

CLIENT :
Kementerian Kesihatan, Malaysia

APPROVED BY :
JKR Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

LABOUR :
20 labour -

2 skilled labour ( RM 100/day )

18 unskiiled labour ( RM 60/day )

REASONS FOR DEMOLITION :

The building is too old and have crack at certain part.

QSD 382 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

DEMOLITION

3.0

METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION

3.1

Basic method that done before demolition.

(1) Photograph existing

defects

(2) Check the condition

of adjoining properties

(3) Examine of building

structure

(5) Selection of method

of demolition

(4) Notice to local

Authority

a) Photograph existing defects

The photograph existing defects done for adjacent properties

b) Check the condition of adjoining properties

All condition of adjoining properties must be checked which maybe affected

by the demolition.

For examples : Existence of easement, way leaves, party rights and

boundary walls.

c) Examine of building structure

For examine the building structure shall included roof and framed, walls,
basement, cantilever and all existing services.

Existing services such as electrical services, piping services and

mechanical services.

QSD 382 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

DEMOLITION

d) Notice to local Authority and public

The notice should give to the building owner and public.

Their agent must notify and give notice to the Local Authority for at least 6
weeks before the demolition works are done.

e) Selection of method of demolition

The selection are depends on a few factor which are type of building
structure, type of construction and site location.

Type of building structure are depends on :

-

Structured of the building

Load bearing wall of the buildings

The material used of the building whether used precast concrete or prestressed concrete

Type of construction are depends on :

-

The construction of building are done by using in-situ or steel structure

which is Industrialise Building System ( IBS ).

Site location are depends on :

-

The location of the site whether it is near to conjusted area or urban like
town or sub- urban.

The heights of the building are also considered to choose the type used
for demolition.

QSD 382 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

DEMOLITION
3.2

Method that used for demolished the Kuarters.

a) Hand Demolition

This is the easiest method than the other types.

This method of demolition is a progressive demolition of a structure.

Hand demolition are starting reversely to the construction which is from top
( roof ) bottom ( ground floor ) of the building.

Lifting appliances are needs to hoist release the material that had
demolished from upper floor to the ground floor.

To bring down debris from upper floor to ground, chute or skip should be
used.

Debris should only be allowed to fall freely where the horizontal distance
from the point of the fall to the public walkway or an adjoining property /
building is greater than 6.00 meter or half the height of the building which
the debris is dropped whichever is greater.

Tools :
-

Hammer

Hand saw

QSD 382 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

DEMOLITION
a) Pusher Arm Demolition

This is a method of progressive demolition by using a machine fitted up with

a steel pusher arm.

This method should only be used when the machine can be operated from
a firm level base with a clear operating base of at least 6.00 meter equal to
4 storey building.

The height of the building should be reduced by hand demolition if

necessary to ensure that the height above the pusher arm does not exceed
6000 mm.

Generally, the pusher arm should not be overloaded.

The pusher arm are also should be operated from outside of the building.

An experienced operator is required.

The operator should work from within a robust cab. The robust cab should
capable of withstanding the impact of flying debris and fitted with shatter
proof glass cab window.

If the building is attached to the other, the structure must be detached from
adjoining structure by using hand demolition technique.

Tools :
-

Pusher arm

Wheels barrow

QSD 382 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

DEMOLITION

QSD 382 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

DEMOLITION

4.0

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

A. HAND DEMOLITION

ADVANTAGES
I.

The easiest method which used hand tools like hammer and hand saw. This
method no need any large equipment which is complicated to be operate.

II.

Cost saving because this method of demolition is the cheapest method because
only required small and simple equipment and unskilled labour in order to
demolish the building

III.

It was free from dust,noise and vibration because theres no machine that
produce noise in order to demolish the buildings. So, it is not disturb the public
around the demolition work area.

IV.

This method can be apply in congested area which is difficult for large plant and
equipment to enter into the site area.

DISADVANTAGES
I .

Hand demolition was often slow whereby only rendering the use of

hand-held

tools such as hammers, wrecking bars, shovels and cutters. The process to
demolish takes time because it can be done a little at one time by only a few
workers.
II.

Most often used in small scaled demolition operations because this method takes
time if want to apply on large scale demolition and only for easy demolition works
because it just use a skill of the workers to do the works.

III.

The labour is exposed to danger from the area being worked on. If people have
to work in a place without guardrails, from which they could fall, they must
wear a properly anchored safety harness or safety belt.

IV.

May also needs lifting appliances to hoist released materials from upper floor to
the ground floor.

QSD 382 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

DEMOLITION
B. PUSHER ARM DEMOLITION

ADVANTAGES
I.

Pusher arm demoliton was a faster demolition works because it use a large
machine or plan in order to demolish the buildings with a large progress and
also faster to clear the debris away from site.

II.

Can used in large scaled demolition operations because this method does not
takes a longer time to demolish the building and easy to apply for large building
compare to hand demolition.

III.

The labour does not expose to danger compare to hand demolition method
because it only needs a labour to operate the machine.

DISADVANTAGES
I.

This method should only be used when the machine can be operated from a firm
level base with a clear operating base.

II.

Difficult to use this method of demolition at congested area because it need a

large area for the plant in order to do the demolition works and makes the palnt
difficult to operate and move in the site area.

III.

Need a experienced operator that expert in order to operate the machine.

IV.

Expensive method because need to use the large plant and equipment like
excavator that fitted with a steel pusher arm that need a high cost.

V.

This method produce noise and vibration when the machine attached to the
buildings which will disturb public people near the site of demoliton works.

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QSD 382 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

DEMOLITION

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QSD 382 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

DEMOLITION

5.0

PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED AND SOLUTION

During the demoliton works, there was some problems encountered by contractor which
are:

I.

Soil condition

Problems
The soil condition for this project was low bearing capacity , so it cause a
problem for the crane to enter the site. The heavy load of crane make it sunk in
the soil and difficult for the crane to be operate and move. Everytime the crane
loading a material, it makes the crane more difficult to move because the load
from the crane is increase.

Solution
Place the crane on the stable soil to make sure the crane not sunk in the soil
which mean loading an unloading the material on the stable area. The material
from and to the demolition area will be loading by using the small plant which not
heavy.
II.

Bad weather

Problems
The demolition works always being distructed by the bad weather at the site area.
During the demolition works,the site area always in rainy condition, so this event
makes the workers have to stop the works and it cause the works delay.
Sometime the site was flood . Because of this rainy condition, it also make the
material from the demolition works damage and cannot be used anymore.
Solution
Do a research on the weather during the demolition works to know the weather
for the month, then the Contractor can make a schedule of work to make sure the
demolition works not being distructed and the Contractor can plan their wor

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QSD 382 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

DEMOLITION
III.

Congested area of site

Problems
The site area was a congested area, so, it cause a lot of problems such as
difficult for the machines and plants to move in the site area. The machines also
cannot being operate at the same time in the site area, and the debris from the
demolition need to be clear away faster because it makes the site more
congested and become dirty.
Solution
Do not apply the arm pusher demolition because by using the machine and plant,
it makes the site more congested.
IV.

Termite

Problems
There was a termite arise from the ground during the running of demolition works.
This insects always enter into the machine, then it will make the machine
damage and cannot be operate. The Contractor need to repair the machine
because of this problem. This problem lead to another problem which is the cost
that the Contractor need to cover for maintenance the machine is increase
Contractor.

Solution
Do a fogging on site concurrently to make sure the site and works free from
insects and termite that can disturb the demolition works. The Contractor also
need to do a cleaning works to meke sure site clean.

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QSD 382 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

DEMOLITION

V.

Safety

Problem
By applying the hand demolition method, a few workers was injured during the
work which are cause of fall of material that being demolished, the bad condition
site arising from the works like like debris that have a danger materials like nail,
sharp material, rock and glass that cause an accident happen on site. This things
make the work being delay.

Solution
Prepare a safety attire for all the workers such as glove, safety boots,
goggles,safety helmets and othe precaution method need to be practice on the
site to avoid any accident happen during the demolition works.

VI.

High cost

Problem
The cost was increase in order to buy all the tools like hammer, hand saw was
high because the tools always broke and damage, so, the Contractor need to buy
the tools always.

Solution
Repair the tools that broke or damage to make sure the tools can be use again
and reduce the cost to buy the new tools. It will help the Contractor to save the
cost.

VII.

Delay

Problems
The works being delay because the Contractor have insufficient money or
financial to proceed the works. So, the works have to stop for a moment.

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QSD 382 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

DEMOLITION

6.0

RECOMMENDATION
After go to this site visit and get all the information that is needed like the
information of the project, the method of demolition that being use for this project and we
also identified some problems and the major problems is the financial problem. As we
see we recommend that this demolition works should use totally Pusher Arm method
because it can reduce the workers so, the cost to pay for labour also will reduce. The
Contractor can save his financial cost and solve his financial problems.
Besides that, the Contractor also needs to re-setup the layout plan to know the suitable
area to place the crane to avoid from sunk.
For other matters, there is no huge problem and generally this demolition project in a
good condition.

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QSD 382 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

DEMOLITION

7.0

I.

OTHER INFORMATION

This demolition works cause noisy that disturb people around and it makes many
people complaint about the noise from this work, but the Contractor already give a notice
about this demolition works to all people that live around this area, so they cannot
complaint anymore regarding this works.

II.

The Contractor already submit the Letter of Acceptance of authority to Jabatan Kerja
Raya before start the demolition works

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QSD 382 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

DEMOLITION

8.0

CONCLUSION

Demolition works can be done in many ways with different types of demolition. There are
several types of and for choose the suitable types it is depends on type of building structure,
type of construction used and the site location. alternative types of equipment may be used to
ensure the safest and most efficient means of operation. Generally, no matter what types
demolition are used, safety requirement are need because demolition works is involved with
high risk.

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QSD 382 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

DEMOLITION

9.0

REFERENCES
I.

Interview with site engineer of Wira Baru Sdn Bhd on 23rd March 2011

II.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/28190638/Code-Demolition

III.

www.conjet.com/method/methodofdemolition.htm

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