The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 8
Concrete Bridge
Pier Removal
in an Environmentally
Sensitive River
By Paul Kunze
Abstract
When a new bridge was needed across the upper reaches of the Yellowstone River in Montana, removing
the old concrete bridge piers became an environmental concern for the highway department engineers. The
location is about 50 miles downstream from the north edge of Yellowstone Park. The determination was
made by federal and state agencies charged with protecting the resource, that the old piers had to go but
the river bed had to remain unchanged. Concerns were expressed that removing the concrete presented
the potential for environmental damage to this protected portion of the river. These concerns prompted the
state to place stringent restrictions on the contractor in the way they carried out the demolition and disposal
of the piers. The reinforced concrete masses had to be removed to an elevation of at least 15 feet below the
river bed and every bit of concrete debris had to be removed from the river channel. Explosive removal was
discouraged, but the only other options of saw cutting, mechanical, or chemical breaking were not viable.
This article describes the techniques employed in the demolition of the reinforced concrete bridge supports, and the method used to contain the blasts and remove all the debris. The piers were drilled, a cofferdam was built around each structure, the concrete was confined and broken with explosives, and all the
rubble was removed without adversely affecting the stream bed to the complete satisfaction of the skeptical
custodians of the river.
8
The Journal of Explosives Engineering
January/February 2015
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015
From the Executive Director
Concrete Bridge Pier Removal in an Environmentally Sensitive River
Industry News
Chapter News
Calendar of Events
Explosives, 100 Years Ago, More or Less
The Recovery of a Dozer from a Highwall Using Blasting
Safety Talk
21st Annual Photo Contest
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - cover1
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - cover2
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 1
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 2
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 3
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - From the Executive Director
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 5
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 6
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 7
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - Concrete Bridge Pier Removal in an Environmentally Sensitive River
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 9
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 10
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 11
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 12
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 13
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 14
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 15
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 16
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 17
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - Industry News
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 19
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 20
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 21
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - Chapter News
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 23
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - Calendar of Events
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 25
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - Explosives, 100 Years Ago, More or Less
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 27
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 28
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 29
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - The Recovery of a Dozer from a Highwall Using Blasting
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 31
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 32
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 33
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 34
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 35
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 36
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 37
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - Safety Talk
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 39
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 40
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 41
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 42
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 43
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 21st Annual Photo Contest
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 45
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 46
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 47
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - 48
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - cover3
The Journal of Explosives Engineering - January/February 2015 - cover4
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