About Services Knowledge Markets Case Studies Contact Us Sustainability Sustainability Rampart’s hydrodemolition, surface cleaning, and water filtration services deliver sustainable benefits beyond our hydrodemolition competitors and traditional, mechanical impact methods. When a contractor can do more with less, everyone benefits: the customer, future generations of users, and, for public works projects, both current and future taxpayers. For example, if you can give more–by, say, extending the useful life of an asset–with the same or less resource commitment then you’ve made a real contribution. With only 50% of the water usage of our competitors, our process is environmentally-friendly. For infrastructure projects, many factors, like terrain and design, are outside the control of contractors. However, they often may choose removal and rebuilding methods and techniques, as well as certain specifications, that affect the asset’s operating life (and long-term value). In that regard, one can assume that bridge repair or rehabilitation has a single purpose: to cost-effectively extend the useful life of the public asset, where “useful life” means the number of years of safe operation. So, what does sustainability have to do with hydrodemolition? The answer is “a lot!” Given the job’s location and terrain, when the quality of (1) design, (2) new materials and (3) reconstruction services are held constant, what matters is how the old or deteriorated materials and concrete are to be removed. In particular, there are three major ways that hydrodemolition of reinforced concrete extends the life span of repaired or rehabilitated bridges, parking garages, or other structures: The coincidental (and beneficial) removal of weak or delaminated concrete in adjacent areas during normal removal. The reduction of collateral damage (to structurally-sound adjacent concrete and steel reinforcements due to bad strikes and vibrations). The improved adhesion and bonding properties of the remaining, roughened aggregate structure. In fact, these three benefits are hydrodemolition’s largest advantages over traditional, mechanical or impact methods that use jackhammers or rotomilling equipment. These benefits are detailed throughout our site. However, if you prefer to read about the benefits from an independent industry group, we recommend ICRI Technical Guideline No. 310.3. Coincidental & Beneficial Removal of Weakened, Adjacent Concrete The above-mentioned ICRI guideline explains, with a proper bonding surface, failures usually occur in the substrate, rather than in the new surface or at the bond point. At ultra-high pressure, hydrodemolition is much more likely to eliminate those deeper weaknesses or delaminations that would go untouched by mechanical methods. Weak concrete beneath the surface of the substrate is removed, and the repaired surface is stronger, sturdier and will last longer. Less Collateral Damage Hydrodemolition is a non-impact method that, in some sense, differentiates between concrete and denser materials like rebar. Mechanical methods that use rotomillers and jackhammers are far less discerning and are much more likely to damage surrounding rebar and (otherwise) sound, adjacent concrete. Sustainability Compare the concrete profiles below. The left is a typical profile from Rampart’s hydro-scarification process, where the exposed aggregate remains above the rest of the surface (sample shows 1/4″ amplitude). On the right is an profile from rotomilling where aggregate, cement, and sand are all sheared, leaving a relatively smooth surface. Notice the differences in height and, therefore, surface area. That difference directly translates into substantially improved bonding for new surfaces laid over hydrodemolished substrates compared to mechanical impact methods. Note: similar profiles exist for deeper removals, i.e., partial-depth removals, too. Longer-lasting, less-expensive, environmentally-friendly – those are a few of the reasons why hydrodemolition is the proper and sustainable way to prep concrete repairs for infrastructure projects. Company Contact Us About Careers Location Terms of Use Privacy Policy © Copyright 2021 Structural Group Inc. | EOE/M/F/D/V