Chemical Demolition of Unit Masonry: A Preparatory Study

Abstract

Chemical demolition of concrete and rock has been conducted on a commercial basis since the 1970s, although not widely adopted. Furthermore, to date there have been no publications on the application of this class of products to unit masonry. To begin to fill this gap, this paper documents a laboratory study on the insertion of a soundless chemical demolition agent into a series of unit masonry wallettes. The paper introduces initial steps towards developing a procedure for the non-percussive demolition of such a wall and observations on the progressive nature of cracking in such arrangements. Although neither the assembled units nor the mortar in these tests were of historic material, the paper provides critical insight into the application of this technology into a building configuration in which it is not usually seen. The results show the promise this technology holds for highly selective material removal, without endangering the surrounding material for historic brick and stone buildings.