Removal and Reuse of Hardened Concrete

ACI 555R-01 This report presents information on removal and reuse of hardened concrete. Guidance for assessment of concrete structures for complete or partial demolition is provided. The applicability, advantages, limitations, and safety considerations of various types of concrete removal methods, including hand tools, hand-operated power tools, vehicle-mounted equipment, explosive blasting, drills and saws, nonexplosive demolition agents, mechanical splitters, heating and thermal tools, and hydrodemolition (water-jet blasting), are provided. The available surface removal systems, their probable applications, and advantages and disadvantages of various types of surface removal systems are discussed. Considerations for evaluating and processing waste concrete for production of aggregates suitable for reuses in concrete construction are presented.