T he construction of modern buildings in dense urban areas often requires the creation of multi-level underground parking lots.

Therefore, foundation excavations in rock are one of the most demanding technical challenges for engineers. Specifically, controlled blasting in urban environments offers the safest and fastest solution when breaking the hard rock next to adjacent buildings seems impossible.

The challenge of urban excavations 

Construction sites in city centers operate under strict space and noise constraints. However, the presence of solid rock makes the use of simple excavators uneconomical and extremely slow. As a result, builders face specific dilemmas:

  • Proximity to partition walls. Neighboring buildings are often located within a few centimeters of each other.
  • Load-bearing structure stress. Continuous vibrations from hydraulic hammers cause limit stresses in adjacent foundations.
  • Schedule pressures. Delay in excavation dramatically increases the overall cost of the project.

Microblasting and continuous vibration control

The technical solution is based on the low-load micro-blasting method. For this reason, the engineers of EXORIXI S.A. design the configuration of the face with absolute mathematical precision. At the same time, we use instantaneous micro-firing timings for the controlled fragmentation of the rock.

In addition, vibration control is an essential condition for the safety of surrounding structures. We install digital vibrographs in the partition walls of the neighboring buildings. Thus, we record particle velocity values ​​(PPV) in real time, ensuring full compliance with the German standard DIN 4150-3.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are controlled explosions legal in an urban environment?

Yes, they are completely legal as long as there is an approved technical study, special permits and the execution is carried out by certified engineers.

How are neighboring buildings protected from cracks?

They are protected by the use of low-power microblasting and continuous monitoring by digital field vibrographs.

What is the advantage of micro-blasting over hydraulic hammers?

Micro-blasting completes the excavation much faster, therefore reducing the overall disturbance and cost of the work.

Controlled blasting in an urban environment unlocks development potential even on the most difficult plots. Finally, EXORIXI S.A.. combines years of experience with advanced measurement equipment, guaranteeing the rapid and faultless completion of every urban excavation.

Contact us to analyze the needs of your project.

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