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 Special Coverage: Stack Implosion




On Saturday June 28, 2008 the skyline in Saint Paul, Minnesota was
changed forever.  The 570 foot tall concrete stack was built in 1972 and
was estimated to weigh in the neighborhood of 5,770 tons.  Brandenburg
Industrial Services contracted Controlled Demolition Incorporated (CDI)
to do the implosion on the High Bridge project.  At 5 structurally critical
points around the base of the stack a total of 404 holes were drilled and
loaded with 200 pounds of emulsion explosives.  During the week leading
up to the implosion, Brandenburg built a line of 10 sand berms that would
act as a cushion for the initial impact while the peaks and valleys would
help break-up the stack for removal.  It was estimated that demolition of
the stack would have taken 14 months if Brandenburg went with the
conventional method.  Once the explosives were detonated it took the
stack 16 seconds to hit the ground.

 June 28, 2008