A brief review on demolition of bridges

摘要

A brief review of the demolition methods and its applications to concrete, steel and brick masonry bridges is given in this paper. Different demolition/dismantling methods applied for bridge demolition depending on case-to-case study is illustrated through ten case studies. Novel methods were executed for construction of new bridges in the place of old bridges during demolition without hindering regular heavy rail/road traffic is discussed. One of the worst method of demolition, killing about 30 passengers during demolition of brick arch, due to negligence is explained. Current method of demolishing aged brick arch bridges to avoid such type accidents is also discussed. Demolishing of old bridges having lesser pier height above the railway track, which are not suitable for current standards of track electrification to increase train speed is presented. The demolition methods which are discussed here will be changed from case-to-case basis and it cannot be generalized. If the methods were applied wrongly without detailed analysis of the bridge, it could cause catastrophic failure.