The demolition specialist says it employed military-grade hypersonic “kick and cut” charges to bring down a large screen house at Croft Quarry in Leicestershire.
Richard Dolman, CEO of AR Demolition, believes that the project is the first time such charges have been used in the demolition industry, without the normal pre-weakening activity usually needed to bring a structure down.
He added that the techniques can now be used to improve safety in the industry while minimising danger to on-site personnel.
AR Demolition, which is based in Carlton near Market Bosworth, has been working at Croft Quarry since the start of the year after being contracted to complete decommissioning demolition by site owners Aggregate Industries.
The explosives work was part of a joint project to demolish the 1,200 tonne screen house as well as 150 metres of conveyor belts at the bottom of the quarry pit.
Designed by Wiltshire-based Alford Technologies, the kicking and cutting technique brings together two forms of explosive charge.
Dolman said: “No one has used this technology in UK demolition before. It was a project which has taken considerable forethought and planning and we are delighted with the results.
“It’s a major stepping stone for us and, in my view, a huge moment for our industry. The fact that you can bring down buildings by severing steel without pre-weakening is a landmark moment."
Dolman added that Croft Quarry represented AR Demolition's first opportunity to test the technology and it is now looking to use the method on future projects.
