Incredible HEIGHTS
Publish Date: 15 December 2011
McMahon Services were contracted to complete the $3.2million of demolition works for Adelaide’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
The final phase of this challenging project was the demolition of the boiler house and the associated 40m high chimney stack. The concrete stack was internally lined with masonry fire brick and was situated in a highly confined location, immediately adjacent to an operating research facility and the adjoining boundary residential properties.
Demonstrating innovation at its best, the team tackled the tallest mechanical demolition project ever completed in Australia using the $3 million Ultra-High Reach Excavator, the latest addition to the McMahon Services company-owned fleet of equipment.
With a reach capable of up to 45m from ground level, the mammoth excavator deconstructed the colossal chimney working around the circumference of the stack from top to bottom.
“The successful demolition of this challenging structure in such a sensitive location is a testament to the capabilities of the demolition team” said Demolition & Operations Manager, Chris Latham.
“An eight week risk assessment, planning and engineering review fully established our methodology which enabled the dedicated team of 8 to complete the deconstruction of the enormous concrete and steel structure within a 10 hour period” he said.
A fully rotating cutter-crusher attachment was fitted to the excavator to carry out the works. This attachment can process both concrete and steel reinforcement in the one operation. High volume water spray nozzles located on the end of the excavator boom also provided full dust suppression.
"The Ultra High Reach Excavator is ideal for confined suburban projects, as there is less noise and significantly less dust emissions".
"The machine not only brings structures down faster but it is much safer than other methods of demolition" he said.
McMahon Services continues to encourage a strong culture of innovation, continually investing in new technologies and methods to minimise overall costs of operations, and to provide practical approaches that ensure efficient and effective results.
