October 5, 2005:
Dropping a Pearman Support Column
Sort of like dropping a tree. You tie a rope near
the top, notch the bottom and then pull the tree top with the rope while a
brave soul cuts away
at the opposite side of the tree. Here instead of a rope, there is
a cable, instead of someone pulling the rope, there is a CAT and instead
of cutting away at the opposite side of the tree with an ax - small
explosive charges are placed near the bottom of the column.
Click for a composite video of the falling
column
On the left you can see the cable looped around the cap, in the middle,
the grapple that will tension the cable and on the right, the grapple
in its final position. (Click on the image for a larger view)
On the left, the cable is tight but in the middle, the cable broke and
as luck would have it, you can see the wiggles in the cable as it recoils.
On the right - a limp cable, waiting for repair. Click the image for
more detail.
Here are the guys investigating the end
making a new loop
and then the cable is pulled tight - final inspection of the site.
and the charge is triggered (left) and you can watch the column fall forward -
just like dropping a tree
a little bit further
and a bit further
until its down and the dust begins to settle
Here is final resting place until it is broken up
and a different view
