Building implosion

In the <a href="/facts/Demolition/205k0BUM">controlled demolition</a> industry, building implosion is the strategic placing of <a href="/facts/Explosive_material/sUme5Pp8">explosive material</a> and timing of its detonation so that a structure collapses on itself in a matter of seconds, minimizing the physical damage to its immediate surroundings. Despite its terminology, building implosion also includes the controlled demolition of other structures, like <a href="/facts/Bridge/vBJ7Hw8v">bridges</a>, <a href="/facts/Chimney/8aQXjVzj">smokestacks</a>, <a href="/facts/Tower/3k5G8kJt">towers</a>, and <a href="/facts/Tunnel/PJNSaSIw">tunnels</a>. This is typically done to save time and money of what would otherwise be an extensive demolition process with construction equipment, as well as to reduce construction workers exposure to infrastructure that is in severe disrepair.
Building implosion, which reduces to seconds a process which could take months or years to achieve by other methods, typically occurs in urban areas and often involves large landmark structures.
The actual use of the term "implosion" to refer to the destruction of a building is a <a href="/facts/Misnomer/P4TnsX3H">misnomer</a>. This had been stated of the destruction of <a href="/facts/1515_Tower/NC47RKCK">1515 Tower</a> in <a href="/facts/West_Palm_Beach,_Florida/dosDAoz0">West Palm Beach, Florida</a>. "What happens is, you use explosive materials in critical structural connections to allow gravity to bring it down."

Building implosion open-in-new

Building implosion