AR ZONE
BUILDING DEMOLITION EXPL AINED
How houses, high-rises and other tall structures are collapsed into rubble
WORDS AILSA HARVEY
W hen a new building is being designed and constructed, careful calculations and weeks of labour go into producing strong homes, offices and recreational spaces. The materials used are often chosen to brace against the weather and remain in place for many decades. However, some buildings are purposefully removed before they can stand the test of time.
There are many reasons why a building may need to be demolished. Older buildings are often targeted for demolition because they require too much maintenance. To increase their value, other properties can be partially demolished and rebuilt with extensions. Other times a building is deemed to be unsafe: the foundations may be faulty, or the building may have been built with dangerous materials such as mercury, lead or asbestos –a naturally occurring mineral sometimes used in insulation that can damage the lungs when inhaled.