Telescopic Jack System for Demolition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building demolition methods by jacking face challenges in reducing the number of jacks required, protecting the jacks from high stress, and achieving precise control over the demolition process, particularly in multi-storey buildings with load-bearing walls and slabs.

Innovation Solution

A cylinder frame and thrust device system that allows jacks to act between distant load-bearing walls, using hydraulic cylinders for precise control, and incorporating bracing devices to distribute forces and prevent damage to the jacks, while allowing for adaptable use with single or double-acting cylinders and multiple stages for increased amplitude and force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If standard jacks of lower cost are used, then the cost is reduced, but the length is insufficient to act between distant load-bearing walls

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecostVSAvoidjack length
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The jack system is divided into multiple stages arranged in series, where each stage consists of one or more standard-length jacks. This segmentation allows the total effective length to span distant load-bearing walls while using only commercially available standard-length jack components, thereby maintaining cost effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple jack stages are nested or arranged in series within a common frame structure. The output of one jack stage feeds into the input of the next, creating a telescopic effect that achieves greater total stroke length than any individual jack could provide, while each component remains a standard-length unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Length of moving object

If jacks are used to act between distant elements, then the spacing between load-bearing walls can be accommodated, but the jacks are subjected to very high stresses and are not always reusable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespacing between elementsVSAvoidjack reusability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A bracing device is installed beforehand to provide structural support and distribute the thrust forces across multiple load-bearing elements. This cushioning effect prevents any single jack from bearing excessive stress that would compromise its integrity or reusability, while still allowing the jacks to achieve the necessary spacing between distant elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Quantity of substance

If the number of jacks is reduced, then the cost and complexity are reduced, but the ability to control the demolition process precisely is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of jacksVSAvoidcontrol precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple jacks are combined in parallel stages within a single frame structure, allowing them to be controlled simultaneously through a common hydraulic system. This merging approach reduces the total number of independent control systems needed while maintaining precise control over the demolition process through centralized hydraulic pressure regulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the position and load of each jack stage, allowing precise adjustment of thrust forces. This feedback control enables accurate management of structural displacements even with a reduced number of jack assemblies, maintaining demolition precision while reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces the number of jacks needed, protects the jacks from excessive stress, and enables precise control over the demolition process, allowing for synchronized collapse of buildings by optimizing the use of hydraulic pressure and structural displacement measurements.

Implementation Method 1

a given floor among one or more floors called critical floors having tilted or offset walls under the effect of jacks relative to the other non-critical floors of the building

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

A cylinder frame (5) for a thrust device (1) as well as a thrust device (1) with said frame and its cylinder(s), a bracing device (20) and their implementation methods are also presented

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force transmission: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2817466B1Method of demolition by jacking, chassis for (a) jack(s) and thrusting and bracing apparatuses
Publication Date: 2016.02.24 COLAS LTD
  • EP2817466B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2c
  • EP2817466B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c
  • EP2817466B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for demolishing a building with a plurality of floors by jacking with thrusting apparatuses arranged obliquely between two opposing bearing walls. Each of the thrusting apparatuses is arranged in order to exert a thrust between two opposing bearing walls which are a wedging wall and a thrust wall. The thrust and wedging walls are weakened by making at least two main saw lines, at least one on the thrust wall and at least one on the wedging wall, the main saw line of the thrust wall being towards the top of the thrust wall, below the level of the head end of the thrusting apparatus, the main saw line of the wedging wall being towards the bottom of the wedging wall, above the level of the foot end of the thrusting apparatus, the main saw lines not passing fully through said thrust and wedging walls, and leaving a predetermined thickness of material at the level of said lines. The invention further relates to a chassis for (a) jack(s), thrusting and bracing apparatuses and the methods of use thereof.