Demolition - Gove 710 Roof
Nhulunbuy, NT, AustraliaProject Spotlights
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On October 19th, 2025, Liberty Industrial, in collaboration with Applied Science International (ASI), successfully executed the controlled demolition of the Gove Silos roof structure at the Alcan Gove Site in Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Australia. ASI carried out a detailed structural study to evaluate the behavior of the silos during the planned demolition sequence. Using its Extreme Loading® for Structures (ELS) software, ASI developed advanced numerical models to simulate the progressive collapse process and verify that the proposed demolition approach would perform safely and as intended.
The structure consists of a complex arrangement of three reinforced concrete silos and an integrated stair tower system. Silos 1 and 2 are symmetrical units, each approximately 50 m high, positioned on either side of a central 70 m high stair tower, while Silo 3, with a height of 53 m, is located adjacent to Silo 2. All silos are topped with steel roof structures and connected through a series of steel gantries and truss systems, including a gantry trestle supporting the connection between Silo 2 and Silo 3. This configuration introduced a high degree of structural interdependence.
ASI developed a comprehensive 3D model incorporating the reinforced concrete silos, steel roofs, stair tower, gantries, and supporting structural elements. The analysis simulated a progressive demolition sequence involving mechanical removal of selected components, air gapping of roof and structural elements, and the controlled blasting of key members. Using the Applied Element Method (AEM) within ELS, ASI tracked the nonlinear structural response, including cracking, element separation, and subsequent collapse mechanisms. Special attention was given to stress concentrations at critical cut locations, ensuring that all preparation works remained within allowable structural limits and did not introduce unintended failure modes.
The analysis results confirmed that the proposed demolition scenario performs effectively. Each silo was shown to collapse in the intended direction, with impact times of approximately 2.9, 3.1, and 3.6 seconds for Silos 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Stress evaluations at the cut locations demonstrated controlled increases within acceptable limits, verifying the safety of the preparation sequence. The highest stress was observed in Silo 1, where the stress increased from 45 MPa before the cut to 85 MPa after the cut. Overall, the simulations verified a stable and predictable demolition process, providing high confidence in the execution of the project.
ASI’s analysis validated the effectiveness of the proposed demolition scenario for the Gove Silos roof structure. The collaboration between Liberty Industrial and ASI, leveraging advanced engineering tools like ELS software, ensured a planned and controlled collapse. This successful demolition demonstrated that critical engineering decisions were fully supported by accurate simulation and a comprehensive structural understanding.
