Summary of "4 Ways to Demolish a Building" by Juan Rodriguez Draft 2

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In this article "4 Ways to Demolish a Building", Rodriguez (2018) discusses the four methods demolition experts use during demolition. The author begins with implosion, the detonation of explosives along the main structural components, causing the building to collapse onto itself. The second method is known as the high reach arm demolition, where a base machine attached with a demolition tool will tear down tall structures from the top down for a ground team that will clear the fallen debris. The author then moves on to its riskier counterpart, the wrecking ball method. Limited only by the surroundings and the size of the crane, a skilled crane operator can easily decimate the building either by striking a 13,500 pound wrecking ball repeatedly, producing dust, vibration and noise. The author then ends with selective demolition, where builders recycle materials for new buildings, reducing overall cost with its downside being higher labor demands and its incompatibility for light-framed buildings. Although the author elaborates each demolition method concisely, the article could be improved with further elaboration on not only the monetary benefits, but also the environmental benefits of selective demolition.

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Summary of "4 Ways to Demolish a Building" by Juan Rodriguez Draft 1

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