When larger equipment could not be used to excavate a swimming pool on a prestigious harbour-side property, a hand-held, hydraulic-powered rock splitter from Kennards Concrete Care proved to be the answer.
After carrying out a major renovation and refurbishment of the house overlooking Sydney Harbour, building contractor, I BLD, supervised the installation of the 21,500 litre concrete pool.
George Akkary, of I BLD, explained that the pool was built in a confined position between the high water mark of the harbour and an extensive sloping rock formation.
“We had to excavate about 30 cubic metres of very solid sandstone without damaging the over hanging rock,” he said.
“The rock splitter was great. We drilled holes in the sandstone with a 47mm bit core drill and then inserted the splitter, which prised out large slabs of rock at a time.”
Rock splitters, which can also be used on concrete, are well suited for areas where conventional demolition equipment is unusable due to access, dust, flying debris, vibrations, noise or exhaust fumes.
Hydraulic pressure provides 365 tonnes of effective splitting force in a process which is quiet, fast, vibration-free and easy to control.
The splitting cylinder functions according to the proven wedge principle, and is very effective because rock and concrete are much more susceptible to force applied internally rather than externally.
Work starts with a hole of a precise diameter and depth being drilled into the concrete or rock. Containing one wedge and two counter wedges, the wedge set is then inserted into the drill-hole. Hydraulic pressure from a 240V power pack drives the centre wedge forward, forcing the counter wedges apart, resulting in the material splitting within seconds. The split can be expanded to a greater width by enlarging counter wedges.
Reinforcing rods break, or can be cut up, with a suitable power tool, such as combi shears. These are also available for hire from Kennards Concrete Care.
The tool hire company has centres throughout Australia.
