An Integrated System for Demolition Techniques Selection

Abstract

The limited availability of greenfield sites has led to more developments being situated on brownfield sites, which have been used for other purposes. In many cases, such development involves the demolition of existing buildings and structures. It is very important that the most appropriate methods are used in the demolition of such facilities, as this has serious implications for safety, the recovery and recycling of materials and components, and cost (among other factors). This paper is concerned with the considerations that are involved in making the right decision for each demolition project. It presents an intelligent system that is intended to guide engineers in choosing the most appropriate demolition technique for a given project. Details of the development, operation and evaluation of the system are presented, with examples to illustrate the key concepts. It is concluded that systems such as the one presented in the paper have considerable potential for contributing to the sustainability agenda by ensuring that consideration is given to the most sustainable and economical options.