Changing the face of Charleston : The unbuilding of the Grace and Pearman Bridges
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Blog: 2005
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Blog: 2006
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Unbuilding Highlights
(Apr 10)
Meeting St. Stories
(Jul 10 2006)
East Bay Stories
(Oct 10 2006)
Drum Island Stories
(Feb 17)
Pearman Bridge Stories
(Apr 3)
Grace Bridge Stories
(Apr 3)
Imposions: Prep and boom
(Mar 27)
Unbuilding Bridge Blog
(July 23 2006)
Unbuilding Challenges
(Mar 13)
Learning Links
(Feb 20)
Unbuilding Stories
(Mar 13)
Video and Sounds
(Feb 28)

October 31, 2005:
A new hammer for the team

Here is the Kamatsu 1250 - so tallk that I was not able to get a full photo of it. The reach with the hammer is 125' and the cab (with Michael driving) can elevate itself (as seen on the left). This is what I call the launching position - complete with a water spray (managed by Bryan and David) for dust control.

Here Michael is working on the right side of the pier cap David managing the water and Steve Testa as the choreographer of this dance of the hammer (lower right).

Here is a close view of the hammer chipping away at the corner of the pier cap

and here you can see the hammer head

Michael is repositioning the 1250 to work on the left side of the cap

Again, with a silhouette of the 1250 arm, David and stream of water. The late afternoon sun creates the opportunity for interesting images.

Here is another view of two processes - to the left, lifting one of the concrete floor girders and to the right - breaking the left side of the pier cap

Meanwhile, Ponch is directing traffic while Scott gets ready to remove some debris

and a nice reflection

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Attribution: C. Frank Starmer and Sparky Witte from http://oldcooperriverbridge.org