Skip to main content

Challenging bridge demolition

DEMOLITION and blasting experts Philipp Halter of Berlin, Germany, faced a challenging job: in just 48 hours it had to demolish the southern section of the Spandau Dam Bridge crossing the A 100. The efficient interaction of Atlas Copco hydraulic breakers and hydraulic CombiCutters, mounted on seven Volvo excavators, is said to have played a crucial role after following a carefully planned schedule. During Friday night a bed of sand was placed under the bridge to allow the girders and reinforcements torn dow
March 2, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
DEMOLITION and blasting experts 1215 Philipp Halter of Berlin, Germany, faced a challenging job: in just 48 hours it had to demolish the southern section of the Spandau Dam Bridge crossing the A 100.

The efficient interaction of 161 Atlas Copco hydraulic breakers and hydraulic CombiCutters, mounted on seven 2394 Volvo excavators, is said to have played a crucial role after following a carefully planned schedule. During Friday night a bed of sand was placed under the bridge to allow the girders and reinforcements torn down by the Atlas Copco CombiCutters to be safely collected
and transported.
 
Three 283 MB 1700 hydraulic breakers (each weighing 1,700kg and suitable for carriers in the 19-32tonne weight class) began with preparations on the bridge foundations. An SB 302 was used for the less demanding preparatory and finishing work, such as in narrow places. The light hydraulic breaker weighs 304kg and is suitable for carriers in the 4.5-9tonne weight class.

The main part of the work was handled by two Atlas Copco hydraulic CombiCutters (a CC 1700 U and a CC 2500 U) equipped with 'Universal' jaws, which crushed the concrete and cut the strong rebar of the bridge in one go. The cutters weigh 1,680kg and 2640kg, respectively. The roadblocks were removed at 5am on Monday, according to schedule, making way for one of the most significant roadwork projects in the capital on the banks of the River Spree.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Effective, efficient long reach excavators
    February 15, 2012
    Long reach excavators now dominate the demolition sector - Mike Woof reports
  • Crushing basalt with MB Crusher
    October 4, 2018

    Equipment from Italian firm MB Crusher is playing an important role in the crushing sector in Djibouti

  • Launch soon for the Sunderland Bridge’s deck across the Wear
    March 24, 2017
    The team constructing the New Wear Crossing near the English city of Sunderland is preparing for the final launch of the 300m bridge deck. In recent weeks, the legs of the 100m-tall centrepiece have been secured to the foundations within the riverbed and most of the rigging used to raise it into place has been removed. While the bridge deck was being painted, the bottoms of both pylon legs were filled with 175tonnes of concrete, The next major process will be to slowly pull the bridge deck out acr
  • Chile's challenging bridge and tunnel construction
    February 27, 2012
    SACYR Chile is constructing a bridge on the new Northeast Access Highway in the capital Santiago, and when complete the 22.5km route will link the suburbs of Vitacura and Colina to the city. Acceso Nororiente, opening this year, is the fifth urban freeway in Santiago and stands out because of the challenges in the construction of its bridges ands tunnels.