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.
Earthmoving & soil compaction

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • New EU-Russian highway connection
    February 18, 2013
    Among the forests and lakes of Finland, one of Europe's newest motorway links is being built as a Green highway linking Europe to Russia - Adrian Greeman reports The road eastwards from Finland's capital Helsinki, along the north coast of the Gulf of Finland, has not carried heavy traffic volumes, at least until recent times. Highway seven as it is designated locally, or E18 in European nomenclature, is partly motorway but in some sections still dual carriageway or even just a single lane each way, finishin
    Read More
  • Mexico: underwater tunnel in Latin America
    May 8, 2015
    Mexico will benefit from an important new underwater tunnel - Mauro Nogarin writes. The city of Coatzacoalcos is located at the mouth of the river of the same name, in the Gulf of Mexico, 302km from the city of Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, in the east end of trans-isthmian corridor and at the southern end of Veracruz State. The city is seeing a key development as currently construction is 85% completed on the first immersed tube, underwater tunnel in Latin America. The reasons why experts chose this type of tunne
    Read More
  • Work on St Petersburg bridge project
    June 20, 2016
    Contractor ICA Construction used two Aquajet robotic hydrodemolition machines at the top of a 120m-high bridge pylon located in the city of St Petersburg. The two Aquajet robotic water cutters were used to remove surplus concrete from around the inner steel structure of the bridge pylon. This link spans the River Neva and forms part of the Western High-Speed Diameter (WHSD) route in St Petersburg. The WHSD is a highly important route for the region and will provide a key connection between the Scandinavi
    Read More
  • Emergent aggregates market vitality
    March 12, 2014
    New research shows the vital importance of emerging markets to the aggregate production industry, while leading aggregate production equipment manufacturers have brought new cutting-edge models onto the market. Meanwhile, recent equipment purchases are playing a key role in boosting the commercial success of customers in France and Malta. Guy Woodford reports Demand for construction aggregates in the Asia/Pacific and Africa/Middle East regions is fuelling global aggregates sales growth, according to the
    Read More

Highlighted Content