The superior method

We rely on concrete for many aspects of life – the roads we drive on, the dams that help produce power or control flooding, and structures that form our cities, to name a few. But like all building materials, it deteriorates over time. This is where hydrodemolition has proven to be the most ideal method of repair.

Hydrodemolition is ideal for removing selected parts without damaging the rebar. Basically you leave the good concrete and reinforcements undamaged. It’s the sustainable way to protect and preserve concrete constructions. Life cycle analyses shows that hydrodemolition superiors other methods and gives a durability that equals a new construction.

Ideal texture

The impact-free process of hydrodemolition eliminates microfractures that jeopardize the integrity of a structure while also cleaning and descaling rebar without damaging it. In addition to precise removal, hydrodemolition leaves behind a rough, craggy surface that provides an ideal texture for bonding new material.

Pull-off tests

Independent pull-off tests show that the bonding strength achieved through hydrodemolition is much higher than that of jackhammers or other mechanical methods. According to the Swedish Cement and Concrete Research Institute, using hydrodemolition for concrete repair results in a life expectancy of 21-35 years versus 7-12 years with mechanical chiseling.

High performance and safety

Compared to other methods, such as chipping hammers and handheld water jetting equipment, robots reduce labor and minimize the risk of injury. Robots also perform repeating cycles 24/7, which means that you get the same speed, the same performance and the same quality from start to finish. Also, increased speed of concrete removal reduces the total project time.

A greener method

The presence of water is the very basics of hydrodemolition; water source, wastewater and the discharge of wastewater. As water source, fresh water can be pumped from tank or direct from natural water source, such as river or damm. Polluted wastewater can easily be collected in an embankment and be pumped to Aquajet’s EcoClear water treatment system. Treated water can then be discharged into the environment or recirculated back into the fresh water tank, where the process starts over, eliminating the need for a constant fresh water source or a third-party to collect and remove water. Some of the water evaporates during the hydrodemolition process, but up to 90% can be collected, treated and recirculated.

Pressure and flow

The key element of hydrodemolition is to pressurize and widen existing pores and micro cracks in the weakened concrete structure using high-pressure water penetration. Material is removed as the build-up pressure exceeds the tensile strength of the concrete. In
addition to the water pressure, the volume of water also contributes to the system’s efficiency. The rate of removal, for example, depends not only on the water pressure but also on the amount of water directed towards the concrete surface in order to rapidly and continuously pressurize the areas being treated. This combination of water pressure and flow, together with the precise robotically controlled movements of the water jet nozzle, creates the necessary effect criteria for the hydrodemolition process.

The water jet penetrates existing cavities and cracks.

By exposing the concrete with the water jet for a certain time you reach the desired depth.

By changing the angle of the lance the remaining material under the rebar (the shadows) will be removed. With the EDS system the impact force of the water jet is maximized.

A perfect removed area of detoriated concrete which now are ready for a new layer of concrete.

Follow the flow at the jobsite

Aquajet products is inspired by our customers and the problems they encounter that can be solved through new technology. When a customer comes to us with a jobsite challenge, we look to see if there’s a way to upgrade our equipment to solve the problem because other people are probably experiencing it, too.

To help contractors maximize space and streamline logistics on urban jobsites, we ensure our equipment has a compact footprint. We offer the smallest hydrodemolition robot on the market — our Aqua Cutter 410 — as well as the larger, more versatile Aqua Cutter 710/750. Our high-pressure pumps, the Ecosilence Power Pack, and the EcoClear water treatment system each fit in an easily transportable standard, 20-foot shipping container. This allows operators to conserve space compared to other setups, which might involve several pieces of equipment spread across the jobsite.

Meet the regulations

The EcoClear can also help hydrodemolition contractors meet increasingly stringent water treatment regulations. The system treats collected wastewater after it’s generated by the hydrodemolition process by neutralizing water pH and greatly reducing the suspended solids so that it can be safely released back into the environment or reused as part of a closed loop system. Until now, methods to treat wastewater on site were inefficient, took up too much space, or were simply unavailable. This led to significantly increased costs and logistical challenges. The EcoClear system enables hydrodemolition contractors to treat wastewater in real time and maintain an environmentally sound jobsite.

Maximize productivity

These units are fully automated, requiring minimal staffing for better workforce utilization. Along with our Aqua Cutter hydrodemolition robots and extensive line of attachments, they allow operations to maximize productivity on a range of applications from surface cleaning and preparation to removal and demolition.

The right equipment for the job

To perform the very best hydrodemolition operation, you have to take in to consideration what type of hydrodemolition method that is most applicable. No matter if you have a preset deepth of concrete needed to be removed, a surface to be prepared for a new coat of material or if there’s need of rust removal – there’s always a solution with hydrodemolition. It all comes down to the pressure and flow of the water.

Pressure vs Flow

In short, when you use ultrahigh pressure and low flow you get a sharper and more precise cut. But when you have low pressure and high flow of water you get a selective removal, where only the bad concrete is removed and all good concrete is left intact. By changing the pressure and flow, and by using the correct equipment, you’ll get the job done both faster and better.

Make the right choice

All Power Pack´s have specific pressure and flow. To choose from example 100 l/min to 212 l/min is not possible without doing alteration on your Power Pack, piston head, pistons and hoses. The unit also has to be re-calibrated with the new technical data. We therefore recommend choosing a unit which covers most of the tasks that you are planning to do. You can never take out more than rated pressure and flow but you can provide less by changing RPM and size of nozzle. Choosing the best hydrodemolition robot and accessories is just as important. Our Aqua Cutter robots, as well as Ergo systems, all provide a complete solution for the best possible performance and efficiency, whether it is concrete repair, surface treatment or industrial cleaning. Regardless of the task, we have a solution.

  • Selective removal

    Selective removal is one of the basic principles of hydrodemolition. It means that you only remove the amount of concrete needed for the refurbishment. By using a lower water pressure (typically 1000 bar / 14 500 psi) the effect on the concrete will be selective. The sides and the bottom of the cut will be a little rough since it follows the quality of the concrete. The concrete will be removed where the quality is poor. The good concrete will be left undamaged.

    Robotic process:
    » 1000 – 1400 bar / 14 500 – 20 300 psi
    » 180 – 264 l / 48 – 70 gal of water
    Recommendation:
    » Aqua Cutter 410 / Aqua Cutter 710 / Aqua Cutter 750
    » Ecosilence

  • Controlled depth removal / Hydromilling

    Controlled depth removal means that you use higher water pressure (2500 bar/36259 psi), that will have a more cutting effect on the concrete. The result will be more even both on the sides and the bottom of the cut. It will remove all that is set in the control system, regardless of the concrete quality.

    Robotic process:
    » 1500 – 3000 bar / 21 800 – 43 500 psi
    » 38 – 130 l / 10 – 35 gal of water

    Recommendation:
    » Aqua Cutter 410 / Aqua Cutter 710 / Aqua Cutter 750
    » Ecosilence / Power Pack 270

  • Rust and paint removal

    High-pressure water can also be used to remove paint or rust, avoiding use of grid blasting. This means no dust pollution, no contaminated sand to dispose of, just a clean steel surface left after removal. Rubber coatings or rubber on, for example, airplane runways from the tires can also be removed.

    Robotic process:
    » 1000 – 3000 bar / 14 500 – 43 500 psi
    » 38 – 264 liters / 10 – 70 gal of water

    Recommendation:
    » Aqua Cutter 410 / Aqua Cutter 710 / Aqua Cutter 750 /
    Aqua Cutter PCM / Ergo go / Ergo Spine go
    » Rotolance / Ergo Rotolance / Aqua Spine / Aqua Centralizer
    » Ecosilence / Power Pack 270

  • Scarifying and surface preparation

    To make a god bounding on a surface for the new material you need to roughen up the old surface. If you want to make a good bounding surface but at the same time remove as little material as possible, the most effective way to do that is to use a rotolance. The Rotolance tool will produce precise and fast removal of a shallow concrete layer. And will leave a superior rough bonding surface, for a new coating. This is also the best and most efficient way to roughen a slippery concrete surface.

    Robotic process:
    » 1000 – 3000 bar / 14 500 – 43 500 psi
    » 38 – 264 liters / 10 – 70 gal of water

    Recommendation:
    » Aqua Cutter 410 / Aqua Cutter 710 / Aqua Cutter 750 / Aqua Cutter PCM / Ergo go / Ergo Spine go
    » Rotolance / Ergo Rotolance / Aqua Spine / Aqua Centralizer
    » Ecosilence / Power Pack 270

  • Industrial cleaning

    Traditional industrial cleaning has historically been carried out by handheld tools. This is a very dangerous operation and something that could be avoided by the use of robotic cleaning. More and more contractors are switching from manual to automated cleaning, increasing both safety and efficiency.

    Robotic process:

    » 1000 – 3000 bar / 14 500 – 43 500 psi
    » 38 – 264 liters / 10 – 70 gal of water

    Recommendation:
    » Aqua Cutter 410 / Aqua Cutter 710 / Aqua Cutter 750 / Aqua Cutter PCM / Ergo go / Ergo Spine go
    » Rotolance / Ergo Rotolance / Aqua Spine / Aqua Centralizer » Ecosilence / Power Pack 270

A healthy way of work

Taking responsibility for the impact of our products and services on people in their everyday lives is a key factor of our success. Hydrodemolition should always be safe, healthy and sustainable. Noisy, unwieldy and dangerous products are not our cup of tea. It’s the other way around. We care about you and the world around us.

Noise has become a major concern on many jobsites. The negative effects of sound exposure on employees and the public has led to sound abatement practices in construction and demolition practices as contractors work to minimize noise pollution. Solving this problem was the driving factor behind our Ecosilence 3.0. By enclosing the high-pressure pump in a 20-foot shipping container with advanced sound-absorbing cassettes and an integrated muffler system, our engineers were able to greatly reduce decibels while the machine is in operation. We were also able to employ start/stop technology to improve fuel consumption for a greener machine overall. Aquajet’s products are designed to meet all possible needs and safety regulations. Our products provide the best possible performance and efficiently remove concrete in constant or variable thickness.

Clear difference

The presence of water is the very basics of hydrodemolition. Our customers use the power of water to remove deteriorated and damaged concrete in the safest and most efficient way possible, but there’s more to hydrodemolition than meets the eye. Hydrodemolition is also about protecting water and discharging water back into the environment in a safe way. No pollution. No fuss. No remorse.

The circle of water

Our EcoClear is another example of Aquajet technology for a greener jobsite. There are several ways to handle wastewater from the hydrodemolition process — collecting and trucking it out, constructing a complicated homemade filtering system, or acquiring an OEM system. Onsite water treatment with an OEM system is the greenest and most cost effective. It minimizes fuel consumption and emissions.

Be autonomous, not dangerous

Furthermore, hydrodemolition is safer than any other concrete removal method due to its automatic nature. It basically eliminates manual labor from the picture, keeping the operator out of harm’s way. Our automated robots and fixed hydrodemolition equipment are always operated from a safe distance with a remote control. The operator at the site doesn’t have to worry about debris or projectiles flying around, nor dust pollution in the air or the potential risk of silicosis. With our innovation, Ergo Systems, you can also automate your sanitization operations and make your everyday work a whole lot easier, safer and faster.