IN THE EARLY 1980S, DIAMOND WIRE SAW CUTTING TECHNOLOGY WAS TRANSFERRED FROM THE MARBLE AND GRANITE QUARRIES OF EUROPE AND ADAPTED TO THE CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION INDUSTRY FOR CUTTING CONCRETE AND STEEL STRUCTURES. OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, DIAMOND WIRE SAWING HAS BEGUN TO REVOLUTIONIZE RENOVATION AND DEMOLITION JOBS IN MANY DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES. DIAMOND WIRE SAWING HAS DISMANTLED BRIDGES OVER RIVERS AND HEAVILY TRAFFICKED HIGHWAYS, AND REMOVED DAMAGED CONCRETE FOR REHABILITATION OF DAMS AS WELL AS RENOVATED SUBWAYS, AND RETROFITTED MANUFACTURING PLANTS SUCH AS PAPER MILLS, WITH LITTLE OR NO INTERRUPTION OF THE OPERATION OF THESE FACILITIES. IN SITUATIONS WHERE THERE ARE SPACE, FACILITY, OR TIME RESTRICTIONS, WIRE SAWS HAVE TREMENDOUS ADVANTAGES OVER MORE CONVENTIONAL RENOVATION OR DEMOLITION EQUIPMENT SUCH AS JACKHAMMERS, WRECKING BALLS, OR EXPLOSIVES. THIS PAPER GIVES AN OVERV