Anglian Demolition deploys “chemical weapons” in assault on RAF Marham.
Work is underway to help make the RAF Marham facility in Norfolk ready to receive the Air Force’s new F-35B Lightning aircraft that will operate from the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.
To speed up the demolition process, principal contractor Balfour Beatty and sub-contractors Anglian Demolition have utilised a new chemical demolition technique called Autostem.
The primary use of Autostem is to rupture the concrete to separate it from the reinforcement and create fissures which can be exploited by secondary hydraulic breakers and munchers. The technique involves drilling holes into the concrete, inserting the Autostem cartridges.
“As a Royal Engineer I’m used to loud bangs, but this one was a little louder than expected,” says Royal Engineer Lt Col Grant Kerr. “However, with Autostem there is no mass explosion, thus no flying debris which is clearly an advantage on a live airfield when what we call Foreign Object Debris is a concern and a danger to people, equipment and aircraft.”
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