Advice needed ,best way to remove footings ?

clive12345 · 3 Mar 2015

Hello,
Advice would be very much appreciated.

I have a , 500mm wide , 550mm deep , 5 meter length of
concrete footing that needs to be removed.

The top of the concrete is at ground level.
When this has been removed it will be replaced with
deeper footings for an extension.
They have been in the ground for 25 years , I am on clay.
The BCO is okay with them being removed .
Would a mini-digger with pecker be up to the task ?
There is no access for anything bigger.
Does anybody have experience of removing concrete this thick.?
Thanks for your time .

maltaron · 3 Mar 2015

That is an awfully large block of concrete. I would not think that a mini digger would be man enough ( although I could be proved wrong). The only way that I can think of would break it relatively easy would be a rock drill and plugs and feathers, if they are still available. There may be laser or hydraulic systems these days, it may be worth talking to a demolition company for some ideas.

r896neo · 3 Mar 2015

You'll have no chance breaking it with a mini-digger. a 16t machine with a rockbreaker might be a better bet.

Even if you break it up getting it out will require freeing one edge.

Something like sylentmite would be better. but as said a demolition company might be a better bet.

clive12345 · 4 Mar 2015

Thanks for the advice , it does not sound like a DIY job .
There is no access for the 16t machine .
Rock drill and plugs , sylentmite , lots of deep drilling into concrete .
As you say I should ask a demolition company , I was hoping to do it myself .
Clutching at straws , would digging under the footings and attacking it from below help ?
Thanks again.

WabbitPoo · 4 Mar 2015

20" wide and deep isn't that thick - I don't get why you think it'll be that hard. Dig under one end to create a void and pound it with a heavy tool of your choosing - its the getting out and getting rid that will be the hard part.

r896neo · 4 Mar 2015

you really need to free one edge of it so it has somewhere to expand into when you do break it.

I'd be surprised if any kind of handheld breaker even touched it without heavily stitch drilling it first.

I think relentless stitch drilling and wedges/ chisels will be the only way if you want to diy.

noseall · 4 Mar 2015

If you can get a three tonner on it, then you stand a good chance.

You best bet would be to try and undermine from the end then stitch break it with a big Bosch electric or the Hilti electric big fella. It will break.

You will likely find that after a fair bit of wresting the concrete will start to pry upwards, particularly if you just use the power of the bucket pivot ram. This is an extremely powerful way of lifting stuff, if only for a short distance. The bucket stays on the ground and just tries to rotate like forming a scoop with your hand and wrist.

Try and lift with the entire arm and all you will do is pull the machine towards the concrete.

Once you create a void between the concrete and the soil, you will find it easier to break.

Nige F · 5 Mar 2015

clive12345 said:
Hello,
Advice would be very much appreciated.

Does anybody have experience of removing concrete this thick.?
.

Well when @ primary school I watched 2 workmen with pneumatic drills demolish a WW11 pillbox @ the bottom of the playing field - took them weeks . (that was 1960 ) With your access problem and the advice from guys who use the modern equipment, I would say it might be the only way

clive12345 · 5 Mar 2015

Thanks again for your time and advice .
I have taken on-board everything , everybody has said .
A 3t machine will just fit through neighbours fence .
Breheny are building a by-pass near us . I was passing by yesterday ,
and they were breaking out some concrete with a mini-digger and pecker.
Passed by this morning and they had replaced it with a 20t machine and pecker.
The highs and lows of breaking out concrete , (before i have even started ).
Sounds like it is do-able with a good digger driver and me on a kango .
Thanks ,any other hints would be very welcome .

noseall · 5 Mar 2015

A three tonner has some serious hoof. Once you actually have the concrete moving then you will be surprised at what you can do.

clive12345 · 5 Mar 2015

Thanks for the last reply .
My on- off extension of nearly a year might finally
get started .

Hugh Jaleak · 5 Mar 2015

I'd try Jackson Demolition at Thurleigh, ask them for a price. They've got some specialised kit that may make short work of that. To DIY it you've got to break the stuff out then you still need a method of disposal, fair bit of weight there and will take a few skips to get rid I would think.

Arguing with a lump that size is only going to result in one winner, and it may not be you.....

mikric · 5 Mar 2015

Google a petrol heavy duty breaker then head down your hire shop
I did a 600x600 foundation with a 2 stroke one a few years ago and it easily coped with it, very impressive piece of kit.
Really is a 2 man job as they are pretty heavy to move about but if you dig out a free edge to work in from i am sure it will cope with ease.

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Advice needed ,best way to remove footings ?

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