Concrete Demolition and Surface Scraping using High Voltage Pulse Discharge

Abstract

The demand for safe reuse of material from aged concrete structures is increasing. This report describes a technology for concrete demolition and surface concrete scraping for reuse of the material based on high voltage pulse discharge (HVPD) while immersed in water. The technological advantages of the new method compared with conventional methods are explained. The principle of concrete demolition using HVPD, experimental results on actual concrete structures (with and without steel reinforcement), and the influences of the immersion water are reported. A method of immersing a vertical surface (concrete wall) in water is described. Finally, the concept of mass reduction of radioactive concrete waste is discussed.