Demolition

Demolition is in direct contrast to construction, meaning the tearing down of a building or other structure. Although, it is different than deconstruction in that nothing is preserved when the building or structure is taken down. Most two to three story demolitions, such as houses, can be a fairly simple demolition process. These buildings are ripped down manually or mechanically. Mechanically would be done by cranes, dozers, or elevated work platforms.

Large buildings, over a few stories, might require wrecking balls, which are heavy objects suspended by a cable. The object is swung by a crane into the side of the structure. Wrecking balls are efficient for masonry buildings, but maybe less efficient on steel structures. New methods include rotational hydraulic shears and silenced rock breakers attached to excavators. These methods would be used to bust through steel, concrete and wood. Flame cutting is sometimes used, but this can be dangerous.