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Diamond Core Drilling
Saves The Day at Halifax Hospital
Concrete Cutting & Breaking, Inc. - Del Ray Beach, Florida
- was contracted by Centrex Rodgers Construction, Inc., a
large hospital niche contractor, to provide feasible options
for the cutting and removal of an abandoned tower crane footing
at Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach, Florida. The need for
this job was discovered during an initial site excavation
in an open air atrium. During this excavation, it was discovered
that the original builders of the hospital had left a tower
crane footing which measured 20' by 20' by 4'. This unforeseen
obstacle had brought construction to a standstill.
Alternatives for the demolition were examined
and diamond cutting was chosen as the best method of controlled
demolition. Diamond wire sawing was the method initially selected
to expedite this challenging footing removal project. Representatives
of Halifax Hospital and Centrex Rodgers Construction, Inc.
then met and determined that diamond wire sawing, while the
preferred method of demolition, was not "budget friendly"
and other alternatives needed to be considered. Line drilling
was then proposed as an equally effective and less costly
option to sever the footer structure. This technique was ultimately
approved.
In addition to budget constraints, line
drilling was selected because impact methods could not have
been employed due to the confined work area, the close proximity
to operational areas , and the possible damaged due to vibrations.
Line drilling a structure of this magnitude
within the allotted 10 day time window required precise planning,
experienced personnel, and professional drilling equipment.
The footer had to be partitioned into 4' by 4' by 4' 6"
sections weighing approximately 11,000 lbs. each. Sling holes
were required as each piece had to be raised by crane, out
of the atrium, and over the existing fully operational emergency
room wing of the hospital. The horizontal distance from the
center pin to pick point was 93.1 feet. It was calculated
that a total of 355 total holes, 6" in diameter and 4'
6" deep, needed to be cut to achieve the necessary dimensions
and weights.
Three Diamond Products' 3-phase, 3-speed
core drilling units were employed for the duration of the
project. Power was supplied from on-board generators. In addition,
tube bits measuring 6" diameter by 36" long were
instrumental in insuring the success of this project. Three
experienced operators drilled approximately 9 hours per day
for 10 days to quickly and efficiently section the structure
in preparation for removal by crane.
This project utilized diamond tool cutting
technologies as opposed to breaking methods. Diamond tool
cutting methods once again proved to be effective within the
constraints of the project, as well as cost effective. By
remaining within budget, allowing undisturbed use of existing
facilities, and demonstrating the advantages of today's diamond
tool cutting technologies, this project truly demonstrated
the advantages of diamond cutting verses alternative and more
antiquated breaking methods.
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| Footing
pad before removal of sections. |
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| Large
sections removed after line drilling. |
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