Turbine Hall Decommissioning — Bulk Concrete Cutting with HILTI Wire Sawing

Following HILTI wire sawing, the bulk concrete sections are progressively craned out and removed from site.

Progress in decommissioning this Turbine Hall is proceeding smoothly, thanks to the expertise of GnatUK's skilled HILTI concrete wire-sawing team. Their precision and efficiency in utilising this advanced method are driving the project forward, yielding outstanding results.

Diamond wire sawing is the method of choice for cutting bulk reinforced concrete sections that are too large or too heavily reinforced for track sawing. A diamond-impregnated wire is run through pre-drilled access holes and tensioned around the section to be cut. The wire is driven at high speed by a hydraulic drive unit; a small pulley system guides it cleanly through the cut.

For turbine hall decommissioning specifically, wire sawing is well-suited to the heavy reinforced foundations, plinth blocks and pedestals that supported the original turbine generators. The method produces clean cuts through metre-thick reinforced sections, generates very little dust and no vibration, and the resulting blocks can be craned out intact for off-site break-up — keeping the working environment clear for follow-on trades.