Project Details
Bedrock removal in residential area in between houses – located Vancouver, BC – completed August 2018
Scope of the Project
- Use non-explosive solutions (GeoBreak Expanding Grout) to heave apart rock to allow for machine excavation
- Remove rock with less labour intensive approach without the using of permits
The rock needing to be broken and removed was directly beside a structure, in this example, a house in a residential area. The close proximity of the bedrock to the house made the use of high explosives prohibited due to its destructive shock wave effects. Due to the hardness of the rock and congested work site, using a hydraulic hammer would be inefficient and even more so with a smaller machine that is burning fuel, melting bits and wasted time. Hand held rock drills or “pluggers” were used drilling 38mm (1.5”) diameter holes with 305mm (12”) spacing. Other holes were also drilled using a hand held Hilti hammer drill. Once the drill pattern was selected and holes were drilled, GeoBreak Expanding Grout was poured into the holes and covered with a tarp allowing for the product life cycle to begin to successfully break the rock.
Which GeoBreak Products Were Recommended
The close proximity to the house required a non-explosive demolition agent where GeoBreak Expanding Grout was used to split and heave apart the rock to get the material moving for a small machine to handle easier and more efficient.
Expected Outcome
The expected outcome of using GeoBreak expanding grout was to fracture and weaken the rock to allow a machine to pull apart the bedrock.
Actual Outcome
GeoBreak Expanding Grout was used to break the rock without the use of permits making the use of the handling equipment more efficient.
Final Thoughts From The Project Contractors
Minimal equipment was required for this rock breaking project. GeoBreak’s Expanding Grout allowed for the contractor to break the rock without the use of permits or training. No vibrations, no noise and no dust produced made this approach to rock breaking easy and less labour intensive without creating issues and complaints with neighbours as this product eliminates those environmental effects. The key is to choose the appropriate GeoBreak type to match the ambient temperature and rock temperature so the rock breaks quicker. Cracking should begin within 4-24 hours. If cracking does not appear on the surface level there is fracturing within the drill holes where the chemical reaction is causing the holes to heat up and heave apart the rock. Plan ahead and give the Expanding Grout time to break for best results.
