World Demolition Awards shortlist: Civils

This category recognises excellence in demolition and deconstruction associated with major civil engineering and infrastructure projects, where careful planning, technical expertise and effective risk management are essential.

D&Ri congratulates the companies and projects that have made this year’s shortlist. They are (in alphabetical order):

ARMAC DEMOLITION (UK)

PROJECT: Clifton Bridge Demolition

CLIENT: Network Rail, Skanska

Armac Demolition

The demolition of Clifton Bridge involved the removal of a 140 m-long post-tensioned concrete structure spanning the M6 motorway during a closure coordinated with a West Coast Main Line possession.

Armac worked with Skanska, Network Rail, National Highways, Andun Engineering and Ramboll to develop a methodology that addressed the deteriorating structure while protecting existing piers and bearing shelves for reuse. With reliable as-built drawings unavailable, investigations during demolition identified significant differences from previous assessments, including 11 unreinforced joints rather than four and a structure approximately 18% heavier than assumed.

Work was suspended while the structural behaviour was reassessed and the temporary works and demolition sequence revised. The resulting methodology incorporated progressive de-stressing of the post-tensioning, validated temporary support systems and coordinated working platforms, allowing demolition to proceed within strict structural loading limits while retaining the required substructures.

CMA CONTRACTING (Australia)

PROJECT: Cape Lambert CD1C Fixed Asset Closure

CLIENT: Rio Tinto

CMA Contracting

This project combined demolition, engineering, environmental remediation and rehabilitation within an operational iron ore export port in Australia. CMA Contracting carried out the works alongside live rail and port operations, including the permanent closure of a 37 m-deep rail car dumper vault and 160 m-long underground conveyor tunnel.

A specialist Controlled Low Strength Material mix and placement methodology was developed to stabilise the underground structures, with more than 7,400 cubic metres of engineered grout placed during a continuous 14-day programme involving more than 100 truckloads per day. The works required management of brownfield interfaces, live rail operations and confined-space risks, supported by engineering and monitoring systems.

Revised sequencing, digital quality management and an alternative contaminated-soil remediation method also reduced hazardous waste disposal by approximately 600 cubic metres. The project was completed without disrupting ongoing port operations.

DESPE (Italy)

PROJECT: Demolition of Via Lampedusa Complex

CLIENT: Colliers Global Investors Italy

Despe

The ‘zero-impact’ demolition of three towers in central Milan was carried out alongside the operational Quark Hotel, requiring measures to control dust, noise and vibration while maintaining neighbouring activities.

To avoid conventional top-down deconstruction, the two levels of underground parking were reinforced with a dense temporary shoring system, allowing a 100-tonne CASE CX 800 high-reach excavator with a 40 m boom to operate above them. The tower closest to the hotel was isolated using corrugated metal-sheet scaffolding and an HDPE protection panel positioned by mobile crane to contain demolition debris and reduce noise.

Following removal of the above-ground structures, the two basement levels were demolished using smaller equipment. Selected beams and columns were retained during this phase to counteract soil pressure in accordance with the structural design. The demolition was completed within the required programme.

RK & Co (India)

PROJECT: Mokama Railway Over Bridge Dismantling

CLIENT: Afcons Infrastructure (IRCON International)

RK & Co

The controlled dismantling of the Mokama Railway Overbridge in Bihar, India, involved the removal of a 51.214 m-long and 10.9 m-wide prestressed concrete structure above an operational railway corridor.

RK & Co removed four 33 m-long PSC girders weighing approximately 98 tonnes each, together with the deck slab, diaphragms, portal beams and associated structural elements. Restricted railway traffic blocks required detailed sequencing and coordination with railway authorities to maintain operations. The deck slab was removed using floor-saw cutting, while diamond wire-sawing was used for controlled structural separation.

A purpose-built spreader beam system enabled the girders to be lifted out as complete units using heavy cranes. The project was completed within 33 days with no lost-time injuries, railway incidents or operational disruption, while approximately 90% of dismantled materials were recovered and recycled.

The winner will be announced at the World Demolition Summit in Madrid, Spain.

BOOK now to attend the event which takes place 3–5 November.