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By Clarence R. Zink

A problem has always existed in deep and fast drilling situations such as coal overburden drilling, or when drilling with a tight annulus, such as 9 7/8" bits and 8 5/8" pipe. This problem is the difficulty experienced by blasthole bit and blasthole drill rig manufacturers to attain large jumps in bit and drill rig productivity through bit and rig design, when drilling in these specific situations. In other drilling situations, these large jumps in productivity have been easily attained.

Jan 1, 1998

By M. Roy

Safety and stability of underground coal mine workings are always in danger when opencast mines are operating in close proximity. A study was conducted to investigate the level of vibration generated from opencast blasting at similar distances on the surface as well as in the nearby operating underground coal mine openings. Eight blasts were performed and nineteen vibration data were recorded on the surface behind the opencast blasting face and also in underground openings at similar distances. It was observed that magnitude of vibration recorded on the surface were more than those recorded in underground.

Jan 1, 2007

By Nick Lewis

Farce Mining of Texas is a surface coal mine located in Laredo, Texas. Farce mines and sells approximately 600,000 tons /year of bituminous coal. A map showing the location of Laredo is provided in Figure 1. As shown, Laredo is located on the border between the United States and Mexico. The mine property runs to the Rio Grande River, the border between the two countries. Farce pumps water from the Rio Grande for use in their coal preparation plant. Laredo’s climate is quite dry with annual rainfall averaging about 12” per year. Also, due to the southern location, Laredo is quite hot. It is common for the temperature to reach 100” F in March and maintain these temperatures through September.

Jan 1, 1994

By Robert Hopler

In issuing this pamphlet on stump and boulder blasting for the use of farmers, we wish to call attention to the fact that Du Pont High Explosives have been used with universal satisfaction for many years under diverse conditions, and have never failed to give satisfaction in mining, quarrying, roadmaking, blasting stumps and boulders, or for any other work where regard to economy and safety in use is the object.

Jan 1, 2008

By Calvin Konya, Anthony Konya

State and Federal construction specifications require the Blasting Contractor to prepare a Master Blasting Plan which is reviewed by the Owner’s Representative. The Master Blasting Plan requires the Contractor to submit the design of a typical blast. Most blasting specifications also require the Blasting Contractor to submit Daily Blasting Plans. The Master Blasting Plan and the Daily Blasting Plan require that the Blasting Contractor also submit the types and quantities of explosives and initiators used. The specifications also request that the Blasting Contractor submit the pounds of explosive used per delay for both production and presplit blasts. The Blasting Contractor may also be required to predict the anticipated ground vibration and air overpressure levels for the proposed blasts. There are equations that can be used to predict the ground vibration. There are also equations that can be used to predict the air overpressure levels. The data for these equations were primarily derived from quarry and surface coal mine and some construction blasts. Data from major construction projects were analyzed in this study to determine new air overpressure propagation equations for construction blasting. These new prediction equations compare calculated results analyzed from field data with other existing air overpressure prediction equations. Production blasting air overpressure values are also compared to air overpressure from presplitting

Jan 1, 2015

By Benjamin Cebrian

Wall control blasting is an expensive and labor intensive operation. Obtaining a good design is a first step that is not enough to ensure desired results. Experience shows that designs are not always well implemented, not only in the contour blast itself, but also in surrounding production blasts that can affect the final pit wall. In this paper techniques and reference indicators are described in order to audit and evaluate if correct implementation of designs have been done.

Jan 1, 2013

By Kevin Phelps, Jason Baird

When dealing with high velocity projectiles, the ability for researchers to accurately and precisely measure the velocity of the projectile is of great value. This report will analyze three different methods of recording high velocity projectiles for: their ability to record velocity data, pros and cons for each method, and any possible bias or limitations that would result. Method 1 uses a Phantom V10 high-speed video camera and a velocity reference screen to record the projectile’s path and proprietary Phantom software to analyze the data and determine velocity. Method 2 utilizes two break screens. This method, consisting of strung copper wire as the break material, is one that has been used in the past by Missouri University of Science and Technology (MS&T) researchers in assisting in finding velocities of high-speed projectiles. Method 3 is a pair of make screens, similar to Method 2 in that two screens were used for each test but relies on a projectile making a circuit between two sheets of metal separated by an insulation layer, to find a velocity. All three methods will be used simultaneously in each shot to rule out any projectile differences in subsequent shots. Projectiles of three different relative velocities, low, medium, and high, will be fired and analyzed to determine strengths and weaknesses of each method.

Jan 1, 2014

By John Babcock, Gregory Poole, Ron Hudson

In January 2007, Fultondale Alabama opened a new elementary school. Site work at the old school location included blasting activities and the old school building was scheduled for demolition. With help from Apache Construction, blasting was scheduled to be performed in close proximity to the old school building prior to the demolition. Arrangements were made to perform extensive monitoring on the old school building during the blasting activities. The monitoring plan for the project included: • Pre and post blast inspections were performed on the structure; • Conventional crack monitors were installed at 22 locations throughout the structure; • Digital displacement monitors were installed at 6 locations on the structure; and • Seismographs were used to monitor structure vibration at 6 locations and ground vibrations at 9 locations. Blasting activities were allowed to produce vibration levels well above the safe levels established by the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM). Vibration levels up to 7.44 in/sec were recorded with no damage noted. Permanent deformation was recorded on vibration levels of 9.68 and above. Not only did this project reinforce previous studies which indicate that concrete block walls can withstand vibration levels well above 2.0 in/sec, this study was also a good example of employing new technology to help determine if/when damage occurs on a specific structure.

Jan 1, 2009

By Wang Hong Qu

This paper observes the shape of throw explosion crater its ejecta locus of internal medium and the process of distance along with slope's angle developing. It was discovered that initial velocity is inversely proportional to slope's angle. The velocity of surface distribution at the lower half crater of explosion is larger than at upper one. It carries the relevant calculated formula and physical process of explosion crater forming under the inclined boundary conditions, and some important law. It proved that the gravity influence is very distinct for the blast action in the little resistance line.

Jan 1, 1991

By Michael F. Barber

"Highway slopes are intended to remain stable over a long period of time. Unexpected slope failures can be costly in terms of human life and property damage or loss. Cleanup of failures can prove to beextremely expensive."

Jan 1, 1999

By Rudi Toba

Several areas at the DOZ haulage were observed for the crusher’s location. Initially the new crusher designed position was west of the crusher 1, but due to concerns of the mine crack zone (deep MLZ) the crusher position moved to the south. The new crusher location is situated in a diorite rock massive between 3053 – 3079 levels, with the overall excavation of 2500 cum and dimension of 14m long, 14 m wide and 14 m high. Main Crusher chamber itself excavated by development jumbo in three lifts. Development of access to the bottom crusher was developing the same time as chambering the top crusher. The pocket of the crusher mined with vertical crater retreat system which is initiated in one time after middle slot raise. Collaboration between production and perimeter blast holes to be obtaining in control the actual cuts as per the design shape.

Jan 1, 2007

By Paul Downing

Identity Theft Outline • What Are MY Chances??? • Types Of Thefts • Sources Of Theft Info • Stolen Identity vs. Background Checks • Information/Data Safeguards • Corporate Data Handling • Reclaiming Your Identity • Monitoring Your Identity

Jan 1, 2006

By Young-Dong Cho, Yonghun Jong, Dong-See Shim, Seokwon Jeon, Chung-In Lee

The most important operation in the tunnel blasting procedure is to create an opening in the face in order to develop more free surface in the rock mass. This operation is highly dependent on the cut holes. In general, the burn-cut or V-cut is commonly adopted to blast the cut section. But, these traditional methods often raise problems. There are instances (a) that the actual advance is considerably less than the designed advance depending on the rock mass, (b) that they cannot sometimes enlarge the free surface efficiently and (c) that the blast vibration resulted from the cut blast exceeds the allowable vibration level. In order to resolve the problems, many different kinds of the cut blast can be considered.

Jan 1, 2005

By Martti Hagfors

UNDERWATER EXPLOSIONS - Part 6 - EFFCTS OF CYLINDERICAL SHAPE OF CHARGE TO THE RESULTS OF ENERGY MEASUREMENTS OF EXPLOSIVES

Jan 1, 2008

By John Brulia

You’ve probably heard the old expression, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” But the adage doesn’t seem to hold much water when it comes to making a telephone call on the road. Thirty years ago, a “powder hound” had to stop his 2-wheel drive vehicle at either a roadside diner or a telephone booth to make a call using a public telephone. But, fast-forward to 2007, and a contemporary “explosives engineer” driving his or her 4-wheel drive vehicle simply makes a call “on-the-fly.” The fundamental difference between these two eras is the result of the introduction and the proliferation of cellular or wireless technology. On the one hand, this fundamental difference is much welcomed in the form of personal and business conveniences; and improved productivity. On the other hand, this fundamental difference creates a new set of un-welcomed conditions causing a potential “digital danger.”

Jan 1, 2008

By Hae-Moon Choi, Sang-Don Lee, Chang-Ha Ryu

The purpose of the study presented in this article is to establish a standard blast pattern to yield optimum blasting performance along with an attempt to reduce a difference between design and construction. A series of test blasts were carried out at two tunneling sites of Central Inland Highway crossing in Korea. Long-hole blasting was tested in rock mass whose RMR value is over 60.The blasting results were evaluated by measuring degree of fragmentation, advance rate,muckpile distribution, overbreak, etc. Based on the results of test blast, several patterns were proposed for a two-lane highway tunnel.

Jan 1, 2006

By Rennie Kaunda, David Streeter, John Kemeny

This paper describes a field/laboratory study that was conducted in cooperation with a mine in Arizona. The primary purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of blasting energy on the crushability and grindability of the post-blast rock fragments. The crushability and grindability of the rock fragments were evaluated through laboratory comminution tests. A secondary purpose of the study was to investigate different laboratory methods for estimating the comminution properties of the rock fragments. In particular, a number of standard rock mechanics tests were conducted and compared with the comminution test results. Finally, the study was used to evaluate new technologies for estimating insitu rock mass strength and for assessing post-blast fragmentation. To estimate in-situ rock mass strength, the specific energy of drilling (SE) was calculated during blast hole drilling utilizing a continuous drill monitoring system. Post-blast fragmentation was estimated using the Split image processing system. Results from the study support the idea that increases in blast energy can enhance crushing and grinding. Also, several simple rock mechanics tests were found to correlate well with the results from standard comminution tests, which could prove to be useful in practice.

Jan 1, 2003

By Shi Hongchao, Zou Zou Xinkuan, Zhang Jichun

As drilling and blasting is carried out in an urban tunnel, which is adjacent to an existing building or structure, the balance between blasting-induced vibration reduction and drivage efficiency is a most important issue that must be resolved properly. Therefore, a new cut blast method named Stepped V-cut millisecond blasting (SV-cut) was developed by optimizing the most common used Vertical V-cut blasting method (V-cut). The most significant features of SV-cut lie in the utilization of sublevel interval charging structure and millisecond delay blasting technology in cut hole and the cut-cavity formed from outside to inside sequentially. SV-cut provides advantages of high borehole using ratio, low vibration level, and satisfied advance per attack. Based on the principal of millisecond blasting, the rock fragmentation process and the vibration reduction mechanism of SV-cut are analyzed. Determining methods of blasting parameters, which do have significant effect on vibration intensity and cut-cavity formed quality, are proposed according to the forming requirement of both outer and inner cut-cavity and vibration reduction. In order to compare the performance between SV-cut and V-cut, field blasting experiments were performed in the blasting engineering of Yamalike twin-arc tunnel, which closely passes over aged parallel tunnels. Blasting results show that SV-cut blasting is proven as an effective tunnel blasting method for both increasing blasting effects and decreasing blasting vibration. Comparing SV-cut with V-cut, the SV-cut can increase blasting drivage about 8.5% and reduce the vibration intensity induced by cut hole blasting 30% at least.

Jan 1, 2015

By James H. Owen

Because of price structure, ANFO is normally considered to be the most cost effective explosive used in quarry blasting. Results indicate that bulk smulsion can be more cost effective in applications where hole sizes range up to 6.5 inches in diameter while providing the simplicity of single product loading and storage. This can be accomplished without any fragmentation and/or movement loss usually in patterns which are about twice the size of ANFO patterns, allowing the combined drilling and blasting cost to be less when using bulk emulsions. Examples are presented supporting this concept using actual field results along with some simple calculations which take into account differences in the products such as density, matrix and detonation velocity.

Jan 1, 1998

By M. Hagfors

When establishing an underwater testing site for the energy measurements of the explosives, the dimensions of the measuring pool have to be measured to find out what is the maximum weight for the test charge. Secondly one has to decide the distance between the pressure gauge and the shooting point. Thirdly the pool has to be calibrated because of the reflections of the explosions by measuring the bubble periods of the calibration charges. The calibration shots can also be used to estimate the minimum weight of the explosive charge for the reliable energy measurements by calculating the shock, gas heave and total energy values and their standard deviations.

Jan 1, 2007