Engineers in China are using a giant cutter to torn down buildings that are damaged by the Sichuan earthquake in May 2008.

The hydraulic machinery could apply a maximum of 300 tonnes of force, which is enough to cut through most buildings’ pillars and structure. It can only be used to dismantle buildings with max 8-9 floors because of its limited arm-reach.

Giant hydraulic cutter in ChinaGiant hydraulic cutter in China
The giant cutter in action [via Xinhuanet]


3 Responses to “Let’s cut some buildings”

  1. #1. kyon on August 3rd, 2008

    i remember a documentary of people creating some giant scissors, but that was for fun. good to see that this crazy inventions are doing good for the society.

  2. #2. bb on August 3rd, 2008

    wow. what are they gonna do with all that garbage?
    could the materials be recycled?
    if not, that’s a lot of waste for our earth.

  3. #3. Yein Jee on August 3rd, 2008

    kyon… I remember something similar on Discovery too… something like a giant dragon that cuts through cars etc.

    bb… interesting point; never thought of that before. I guess the priority for them now (and most other disaster zone) is to clear the area so that it could be rebuilt asap.


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