Thanks to its impressive strength, durability and versatility, concrete is widely used in most residential, commercial, and infrastructure construction projects. In fact, after water, concrete is the most consumed material on Earth.

But while concrete is designed to last, demolition may be required during renovations, redevelopment projects or when concrete is damaged beyond repair.

Breaking concrete is never an easy project, but the right tool can make a tough job much easier.

Choosing the right demolition method and tools depends on several factors, including:

• size of the structure

• location

• noise or vibration limits

• safety considerations

• environmental concerns

• budget

• time constraints

• equipment availability

• personnel skills

• any permitting requirements

• location or accessibility considerations

If you’re facing a tough concrete demo job, this guide outlines different concrete breaking methods and a detailed look at Demolition Grout — an innovative way to demo concrete on challenging or sensitive projects.

The Ultimate Guide to Demolition Grout

IN THIS GUIDE

Traditional Concrete Demolition Methods
Comparison of Demolition Methods
Challenges of Concrete Demolition
Introducing Demolition Grout
What is Demolition Grout
How do you use Demolition Grout
Why use Demolition Grout
Reduce Risk & Liability
Applications
Users of Demolition Grout
Brands of Demolition Grout
How does Demolition Grout work

TRADITIONAL CONCRETE DEMOLITION METHODS

Standard concrete demo methods generally require the use of specialized, expensive equipment and generate a large amount of noise, dust, and vibrations negatively affecting surrounding structures, environments and populations.

These conventional methods of concrete demolition include:

• Mechanical Impact (jackhammer, chipping hammers, or machine-mounted hydraulic breakers)

• Hydrodemolition (high-pressure water jetting)

• Grinding (drum wheel)

• Cutting (diamond wire saw or concrete saw)

• Hydraulic Splitters

• Explosives

• Heat (thermal lance)

Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, and typically, a combination of techniques is necessary to complete a job with maximum efficiency, cost-effectiveness and safety.

COMPARISON OF DEMOLITION METHODS

CHALLENGES OF CONCRETE DEMOLITION

When tackling full demolition, deconstruction, dismantling or selective concrete removal - care, attention and planning is often necessary to:

• improve worker safety

• minimize noise, dust or vibrations

• reduce negative impacts on nearby homes, businesses and people

• avoid repetitive strain injuries on workers

• reduce wear and tear on equipment

• protect environmentally or historically sensitive sites

• ensure nearby infrastructure is unaffected

• get the job done in remote or confined locations that prevent the use of more powerful equipment or machinery

• develop alternative strategies to improve productivity when dealing with very hard materials resistant to existing machinery

• achieve controlled targeted breaking

What do you do when traditional methods and equipment for breaking concrete are ineffective, impractical, prohibited or create too much noise, dust, vibrations or safety concerns?

You still need to get the job done. Time to think “outside the box.”

INTRODUCING DEMOLITION GROUT

On challenging and sensitive projects, demolition grout provides a simple, safe and effective way to break concrete with no noise, dust or vibrations.

Demolition grout can help you get the job done, on time and on budget when you’re unable to use conventional demolition equipment or methods.

WHAT IS DEMOLITION GROUT

Demolition grout is a gray powder that resembles Portland cement. It is made primarily of quicklime, plus several additives that adjust setting and maximize expansive pressure.

While demolition grout is not a widely known product, it was first developed in Japan in the 1980’s and is now used around the world as a quieter and safer way to fracture rock and concrete.

Demolition grout is also known by several names including:

• soundless chemical demolition agent (SCDA)

• non-explosive demolition agent

• cracking agent

• expansive agent

• expansive grout

• expansive mortar

• demolition mortar

• cracking powder

HOW DO YOU USE DEMOLITION GROUT

Demolition grout is simple to use and doesn’t require permits, special training or complicated equipment.

Drill Drill holes into concrete
(1 ½-inch diameter holes are recommended, spaced 12 inches apart)

Mix In a bucket, mix demolition grout powder with water

Pour Pour mixture into pre-drilled holes

Over 18 to 36 hours, the grout gradually cures, then expands with increasing force that quietly and safely breaks even the hardest most heavily reinforced concrete.

WHY USE DEMOLITION GROUT

Demolition grout is versatile, safe, cost-effective and convenient for jobs of all sizes. It can save you time and money, helps prevent worker injuries, expensive repair bills and avoids delays waiting for permits.

"Using demolition grout increased our productivity, saving us days on a challenging selective demolition project. The crew was happy they didn't need to rivet bust everything for hours and hours each day. The lack of dust was an added bonus. Everyone was impressed on how well it worked and an email has been sent out to other sites to make them aware of the product."

— Dallas Jacobucci, Assistant Project Superintendent, NAC Constructors

Reduce Risk & Liability

Civil engineers and structural engineers recognize demolition grout as the safest, most effective method of concrete demolition in projects near densely populated areas, airports, hospitals, schools, gas lines, and other sites where there are concerns related to vibration-induced damage from explosives or percussive equipment, such as jackhammers and hydraulic breakers.

Environmental consultants also prefer non-toxic demolition grout for concrete demolition in ecologically sensitive areas, like river and forest conservation zones.

APPLICATIONS

Demolition grout can be used on nearly any concrete demo project that comes your way, including:

• Foundations

• Pads

• Blocks

• Walls

• Pillars & Beams

• Piers, Piles & Caissons

• Dams & Bridges

• Steps & Stairwells

• Wall openings

• Driveways

• Patios

• Pools

• And even bank vaults!

USERS OF DEMOLITION GROUT

Just as there is a diverse range of materials and projects where demolition grout can be used, numerous individuals and businesses count on this product to get tough jobs done.

• General Public on DIY Projects

• Demolition Contractors

• Drilling & Blasting Companies

• Home Builders

• Road Builders

• Landscapers

• Municipalities

• Utility Companies
  

“Our customers typically learn about Dexpan when they need an outside-the-box solution. They need a different way to get a tough job done. The first time they use it, there is uncertainty and skepticism on how pouring a liquid into holes can be an effective way to break concrete, but once customers learn more, try our product, and see the results, they’re hooked. We hear time and again that drilling holes wasn’t fun, but it actually made their tough job easier and faster. They just wish they knew about it sooner.”

Shawn Patton, Dexpan Canada

BRANDS OF DEMOLITION GROUT

There are multiple brands of demolition grout on the market. The most popular in North America are Ecobust, Bustar, and Dexpan. Internationally, demolition grout is sold under such brand names as Betonamit, CRAS, Bristar, Expando, Trollkraft, Expansivo and ROAR.

While performance, availability and safety vary among these brands, they all share a similar process to fracture concrete. 

HOW DOES DEMOLITION GROUT WORK

When breaking concrete with a sledgehammer, jackhammer or hydraulic hammer, percussive force is applied to the “outside” of the concrete and must overcome the significant compressive strength of the concrete.

Demolition grout exploits the weaker tensile strength of concrete, breaking the material from the “inside.” Different chemical reactions occur gradually generating increasing expansive pressure making concrete demo substantially safer, more productive and quieter.

CONCLUSION

Let’s face it—typical concrete demolition can be time-consuming, labor-intensive and challenging, So if you find yourself frustrated by the costs, limitations, negative impacts, and risks of traditional demo methods, it may be time to add demolition grout to your toolbox. Tackle concrete demo projects the smart way with demolition grout—your budget, schedule, and workers will all thank you.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM THE EXPERTS

Call +1 (604) 340-7106
Email patton@dexpan-canada.com
FAQ’s LINK

“A new tool for your toolbox”