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By R. F. Mehl, A. H. Geisler, S. Barrett

The studies of the mechanism of pre= cipitation and of the resulting property changes in aluminum-silver alloysl-3 have presented some new concepts of the aging reactioxl—concepts that may be fundamental in establishing a complete quantitative theory of age-hardening. With both aluminum-copper and aluminum-silver alloys, thin platelike aggregates form parallel to the Widmanstätten planes of precipitation.l,4 These platelets grow in lateral dimensions and in thickness with aging time until they arc thick enough to produce an X-ray diffraction line pattern. Their structure is that of a transition lattice which is coherent with the matrix, since the atomic spacings in the matrix and the precipitate are the same on each side of their common interface.2,4 The equilibrium precipitate forms later from and at the expense of the transition lattice. Since age-hardening occurs during the formation and growth of the transition lattice, the major contributor to the hardening no doubt is the stress condition in the matrix resulting from the matrix holding the precipitate in the coherent condition. The development of these stresses also appears to be responsible for an increase in the electrical resistance superimposed on the normal decrease resulting from a change in the concentration of the matrix during aging.3 The two consecutive reactions constituting the aging process are accompanied by characteristic microstructural alterations. The initial precipitation process results in the formation of a Widmanstatten figure, while the later transformation of the transition lattice to the equilibrium lattice is accompanied by a coalescence, in the case of aluminum-copper alloys,5 and by the appearance of light areas at the grain boundaries with aluminum-silver alloys showing a structural rearrangement of matrix and precipitate.3 This latter reaction is similar microscopically to the so-called "discontinuoils precipitation." Possibly discontinuous precipitation is a process that often if not always follows true precipitation of a coherent lattice and during which the transformation of the coherent transition lattice to the equilibrium lattice takes place accompanied by matrix recrystallization.3 Expermental Procedure The alloys were made using 99.97 per cent A1 or distilled magnesium, with

Jan 1, 1943

By B. F. Oliver, F. Garofalo

Gas-metal heterogeneous reactions and zone-lrelting were sinultarneously employed to produce several high-purity irons with low interstitial contents in a levitating- zone melter. Successive zone-tneltitzg pusses were made in carious sequences of atmospheves which included prepuvified tank hy-drogeta, water vapor hydrogen, palladiuril-purified hydrogen, and vacuunm of 2 x 10-6 Torr. Different irons ranging in purity from 99.89 to 99.996 pct with residual curbon contents of 17, 8 to 10, and 3 to 5 ppm have been Drepared. No measuvable gradient in the residual carbon content was observed along the entire zone-melted length (6-10 in.) in I-ilz.-diameter bars. The absence of a carbon-concentration gradient in the solid indicates an apparent distvihution coefficient of 1, an unusual condition. Internal friction, solid-state extraction, and hot-hardness results indicate that the level of mobile carbon in a iron depends on the gas-metal heterogeneous reactions employed. Purification under an oxidizing atmosphere resulted in the immobilization of nearly all of the carbon present at leuels of 10 ppm or less. Continuation of purification in a reducing atmosphere veturued the carbon to a state of mobility which was aguin reversed by further purification in all oxidizing atmosphere. The immobilization of curbon at "vesidual levels " is believed to be associated with a strong interaction between carbon and oxygen atoms. frons with low carbon and nitrogen contetzts which did not exhibit a hot-hardness peak were produced after zone ynelting in vacuum. CARBON, nitrogen, and oxygen have strong and well-known effects on many properties of iron. These effects persist even at concentrations of 5 to 20 ppm. The intent of the present investigation was to establish procedures for the preparation of high-purity iron with concentrations of these elements in the range of 5 to 20 ppm and lower. The results reported here deal with the procedures employed to prepare high-purity iron, and with observations on the behavior of certain elements at "residual levels": particularly carbon. The details of the (levitating) zone melter in which the final purification steps are performed and the necessary control of the pertinent solidification variables have been described previously.1,2 MATERIALS AND PROCEDURES Commercial electrolytic iron was induction vacuum-melted and cast into 30-lb ingots. Melt additions and ingot analyses for carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen are noted in Table I. All ingots were melted in stabilized zirconia crucibles conditioned with one iron wash heat. Middle sections of the ingots were forged to 1-1/4-in. rounds, machined to 1-in.-diameter bars, then cut to 36-in. lengths. The zone-melting operations were performed on six iron bars (A to F) at a freezing velocity of 2 in. per hr with the freezing interface rotating2 at 200, 300, or 400 rpm. Liquid zones were passed through the bars in various sequences of atmospheres, Table 11, including prepurified tank H2, palladium-purified Hz, wet H2, and system vacuum of 2 x 1018 Torr. Wet-Hz atmospheres were obtained by bubbling palladium-purified Hz through water exhibiting a resistance of 3 megohms. This water was heated with a platinum-immersion heater and was degassed prior to use. Zone melting in a wet-HZ atmosphere resulted in oxidation of the elements which are oxi-dizable with respect to iron. Fine oxide particles were observed on the surface of the liquid zone, and were encased in the bar surface with the passage of the molten zone. Between each zone pass, the surface of the bar was removed by filing and deep etching; this was continued until the oxide formation ceased. The filings were magnetically separated and the residues analyzed by optical spectroscopy. These were especially high in silicon and manganese. Samples were removed from the iron bars, with few exceptions, following each zone-melting operation. A 0.08-in.-thick disc was cut with an Al2O3 cut-off wheel at a point 1/2 in. above the beginning of freezing. Material from each disc was used for hot-hardness measurements, resistivity-ratio measurements, and carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen analyses. Analyses for most other elements were

Jan 1, 1965

By A. McIntyre, L. R. Plitt

Both the Bond and the Hardgrove grindability tests are widely used in the mineral industry to measure the ease of the comminution displayed by a material. The Hardgrove test is mainly used for coals, whereas the Bond grindabifity test is mainly applied to hardrock minerals. The Bond grindability has the advantage that it can be empirically related to the energy required for comminution (work index), whereas the Hardgrove grindabifity test has the advantage of being easier to perform. In an effort to establish a valid correlation between work index and Hardgrove grindability, a series of parallel grindability tests were carried out on a wide variety of rocks and minerals. The standard Hardgrove test was modified to allow for materials with a higher density than coal. A new, satisfactory relationship was established which permits rapid estimation of work index from Hardgrove test data.

Jan 1, 1980

By D Kepert, C Simpson, D Edwards

Channel iron deposits (CID) currently supply over 40 per cent of the seaborne iron ore trade out of the Hamersley Province. The two well documented producing systems (Robe and Marillana palaeochannels) were both discovered during early reconnaissance mapping principally by BHP Billiton (BHPB) and Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) during the mid 1950s to early 1960s. Both crop out extensively over the majority of their length. Hot on the heels of Fortescue Metals Group 2004 - 2005 discovery of approximately 2.6 billion tonnes (Bt) of undercover iron ore mineralisation in the Chichester Range, the Fortescue Exploration Department turned its attention elsewhere throughout the Hamersley Province. Reappraisal and analysis of publicly available data and ground truthing of developing models led to the recognition of the Solomon palaeochannel system. Subsequent exploration defined a world-class Resource of some 1.9 Bt of iron ore mineralisation of which the great majority is buried CID. Apart from the Marillana CID system, the Solomon region is the only major CID with significant tonnes of sub two per cent alumina CID with over 500 Mt delineated to date. Exploration has also outlined significant supergene bedded and detrital iron ore mineralisation. Ongoing drilling is expected to increase the resource base both in terms of tonnes and confidence. This paper outlines the principal contributing factors which led to the discovery of the Solomon CID and compares its geology with the Robe and Marillana palaeochannel systems.

Jan 1, 2009

By Robert K. Koch

Laboratory-scale studies on defluorination of natural and synthetic fluorspars by pyrohydrolysis at 1,500° C. were made to determine the feasibility of developing a process for producing hydrogen fluoride from siliceous fluorspars. It was found that the reaction (at 1,500° C.) is not promising for process development, even though a silica-free offgas can be generated. The primary difficulty is the low hydrogen fluoride content of the offgases; an HF content of 6 percent was the best achieved. Previous research by the Bureau of Mines has demonstrated that offgases averaging 27 percent hydrogen fluoride can be produced under carefully controlled conditions at 1,280° C. The lower temperature process is a better method for production of HF. However, charges in which the CaF to Si02 mole ratio varied from 0.4 to 2 could be processed with similar results. Also, combined alumina and ferric oxide contents up to 25 mole-percent did not noticeably alter the rate of defluorination. Therefore, virtually any natural siliceous fluorspar would respond in essentially the same manner when exposed to water vapor at 1,500° C.

Jan 1, 1962

By Andrew J. Neale, Brian C. Flintoff

"In most mineral processing operations the term ""audit"" is usually reserved for the exercise of checking financial records and/or safety practices. While these activities are time-consuming, no one disputes their necessity or value. If these areas are subjected to such careful scrutiny, why is it that the same principles are not normally applied to critically examine process operation. After all, the operating efficiency of the plant impacts directly on the measures of profitability.A mineral processing plant is a complex system that has a number of distinct, but mutually dependent elements: process equipment, instrumentation, operating policies, maintenance policies, control strategies and people. To ensure maximum economic performance in the dynamic environment that characterizes a concentrator, requires a periodic review of each of these areas. However, to be useful, the study must be based on sound metallurgical principles and be conducted in a highly focussed manner. Experience has shown that the exercise is very revealing and rewarding.This paper will discuss the plant audit process and illustrate its potential value through examples taken from plant studies."

Jan 1, 1992

By Chris Mark

Perhaps the most significant development in coal mine ground control during the last century was the introduction of roof bolting during the late 1940's and 1950's. From an engineering standpoint, roof bolts are inherently more effective than the wood timbers they replaced. Roof bolts promised to dramatically reduce the number of roof fall accidents, which then claimed hundreds of lives each year, and they were initially hailed as "one of the great social advances of our time." Roof bolting also emerged at a time of rapid technologic transformation of the coal industry, and greatly accelerated the transition to trackless, rubber-tired face haulage. The U.S. Bureau of Mines quickly became the new roof support's strongest advocate. Some state agencies and miners were skeptical at first, but nearly everyone was soon won over. Case histories were reported showing that roof falls could be largely eliminated while productivity increased dramatically. Little wonder that, in the words of one contemporary observer, "roof bolting has been adopted more rapidly than any other new technology in the history of coal mine mechanization." Yet by the end of the 1950's, it was clear that roof fall fatality incidence rates had actually increased. It would be another decade before the superior ground support provided by roof bolts would clearly save lives, The story of how roof bolting was implemented by the mining industry, but took so long to live up to its promise, is a fascinating example of the interaction between economics, technology, regulation, and science. It still has important lessons for today.

Jan 1, 2002

By C. Baldwin Sawyer

During the last half century, much time has been devoted to investigations of the effect of nitrogen on the physical properties of steel, but in all discussions of results there is considerable doubt as to the accuracy and interpretation of analyses. No conclusions concerning the effects of nitrogen on the physical properties of steel can be more reliable than the methods used for determining the quantities of nitrogen present. The work described in this paper endeavors to establish some additional conditions required by the customary distillation method for reliable and nccurate determinations. Results by a combustion method of analysis for total nitrogen content are presented; these indicate that all of the nitrogen in steel, exclusive of that contained in blowholes, may be determined by the distillation method. Based on these more sound and more reliable analyses, results havc been obtained that bear on the following divisions of the general subject, nitrogen in steel: Nitrification of steel by melting in nitrogen, nitrification of steel by heating in ammonia, decomposition of nitrified steel by heating, and thermal analysis of nitrified steel. Consideration of Two Methods of Analysis and Some Results The details of the distillation and combustion methods are chemical in character and of little interest to most readers. They are therefore described in an appendix. The distillation method is essentially that described by Hurum and Fay1 and was generally used throughout this work. It is capable of the greatest accuracy and all results given are significant to the last, figure. Where analyses do not check, the samples

Jan 1, 1923

By Thomas Barczak

Pumpable roof supports provide an alternative longwall tailgate roof support and have grown in usage during the past few years. Heintzmann Corporation has been installing pumpable roof supports at the RAG Resources Emerald Mine in western PA since 1998, where they have provided effective roof control in their longwall tailgates. Despite the success of these supports in this application, questions remain regarding critical design issues for optimizing the use of this support technology. The support loading profile is characterized by a high initial stiffness with peak loading occurring at less than one inch of convergence, followed by significant load shedding with a post failure capacity comparable to that of wood cribbing. Therefore, the key to optimizing the support utilization is to provide sufficient load density to prevent convergence from occurring beyond the peak loading capacity. This requires an understanding of how the supports interact with the ground conditions, hence measurement of the ground reaction curve. In order to obtain this information, pumpable roof supports were instrumented to measure support loading. Roof deformation and roof-to-floor convergence measurements in the vicinity of the instrumented supports were also made. The experimental parameters for the installation were the support spacing and water¬to-solids ratio of the grout, which controls the grout strength and ultimately the maximum capacity of the support. The study clearly shows that at this mine a 24-inch diameter support is fully capable of providing adequate ground control under depths of cover of 750 ft as only 50 pct of the available support capacity was utilized outby the longwall face. It was also shown that the 2.00 to 1 water¬solids ratio, despite providing a slightly softer support response, is sufficient for maintaining the same degree of roof control provided by the traditional 1.75 to 1 grout mix. The 10-ft spacing of the supports did not cause any ground control problems outby the face. However, inby the face the performance of the support is degraded once the peak capacity of the supports is exceeded. It appears that the large load shedding behavior, which is characteristic of this support following peak loading, allows the immediate roof to separate. When this happens, the support is unable to regain control of the roof in time to prevent failure of the immediate roof beam.

Jan 1, 2003

By M. Gauthier, A. C. Brown

"Monometallic zinc mineralization associated with marbles of the Grenville Supergroup in the Mont-Laurier Basin of Quebec is found to be stratiform and to occur (1) within limited zones of dolomitic marble and (2) more precisely along contacts between these marbles and adjacent metaclastic units. Massive sphalerite with accompanying pyrrhotite and pyrite is the prime exploration target, and commonly gives rise to good geochemical anomalies, but generally weak and ambiguous geophysical responses. Disseminated sphalerite in dolomitic marbles may signal proximity to interesting massive mineralization, although, due to weathering, this broadly disseminated mineralization may not be detected easily on outcrops. It is concluded that the western and possibly the eastern margin of the Mont-Laurier Basin constitute favourable areas for continued exploration.IntroductionThe Grenville Supergroup marbles of Ontario, Quebec and New York State host numerous occurrences of zinc mineralization (Fig. I) , several of which have been periodically mined since the beginning of this century (Fig. 2). The Balmat Edwards district of New York is the giant of this depo sit-type, with the production since 1915 of some 20 million tons of ore grading 10% zinc, and acknowledged current reserves of approximately equal tonnage and grade. At present, there is renewed interest in the potential for similar mineralization throughout the Grenville Supergroup, and this paper outlines some of the geological, geochemical and geophysical guidelines that may be employed in the search for new ore. The geologic guidelines are derived especially from lithologic and stratigraphic features which survived intense, multiphase deformation and metamorphism.Although major portions of the extensive Grenville Supergroup hold potential for zinc mineralization, the present study is confined to a known zone of mineralization in the Mont-Laurier Basin of Quebec. Concurrently, we are compiling information on the regional metallogeny of the basin so that our conclusions can be applied to areas of similar Grenville Supergroup host-rocks elsewhere."

Jan 1, 1980

By Jean-Yve Tremblay, Michel Prud'homme

"Industrial minerals include a group of more than fifty minerals which are marketed into almost all the sectors of industry; they are the backbone of many manufacturing industries. Table I shows major end-uses for industrial minerals in manufacturing sectors. At Energy, Mines and Resources, industrial minerals are divided in three major categories: (I) agro chemicals and chemicals, (2) construction mineral s, and (3) ceramics and specialty minerals. A listing of the major groups of minerals is shown in Table 2. Agro-chemicals and chemicals are sold on the basis of their chemical content and purity. Construction minerals or structural minerals are distinguished by their performance as low cost and bulky commodities. Ceramics and specialty minerals are performance-specific and are sold for their property on imparting functions on end-products. Industrial minerals have unique characteristics that are useful in many stages of processing; from crushed size to micronized fillers a single mineral ca n serve a broad range of industries because of its intrinsic properties."

Jan 1, 1988

By D. M. Milne, R. F. Stoner, W. Bakiewicz

The Lower Indus Basin deposits form a substantial unconfined alluvial aquifer of excellent quality. This aquifer contains basically highly saline groundwater, overlain in places by considerable amounts of fresh water whose origin can be traced to the present and historical courses of the River Indus. In the past, the main source of groundwater recharge has been direct river seepage and water tables were generally deep. Since the establishment of a perennial irrigation regime however, deep percolation from the increased irrigation supplies has predominated and the water table has risen to within a few feet of the surface. The river system itself is being progressively devel-oped for irrigation and very shortly a situation will arise where the entire low winter flow will be utilized. Fresh groundwater will then be exploited to supplement the surface supplies, and at the same time a drainage system, mainly based on wells will be used to stabilize the water table at safe depths. This paper discusses some of the methods used to ensure optimum economic development of the fresh groundwater and describes the general design philosophy evolved by the authors' firms for both irrigation and drainage wells, with respect to both well configuration and operation. Water quality standards are discussed insofar as they affect subsequent use of the groundwater. A few particular aspects are considered, including the values of the relevant aquifer constants, the construction of wells, and the determination of screen losses. A major problem solved during the Lower Indus Project investigations has been the design of wells to produce fresh water from layers overlying saline water. This solution is also discussed. The recent interest in the groundwater of the Lower Indus Plains of West Pakistan has two main aspects. Firstly, soil waterlogging and the associated salinity hazards caused by rising water tables are a serious problem in agriculture, and the ease with which drainage requirements can be met by aquifer pumping makes this an obvious solution. The second interest stems from the rapid intensification of irrigation agriculture and the growing shortage of water supplies. In the areas where the groundwater is of suitable quality it can be used immediately for irrigation at relatively small cost and with large financial returns. In addition, the aquifer forms a potential storage reservoir which could be recharged from high river flows and depleted by pumping at times of scarcity. SOURCE OF GROUNDWATER The Lower Indus plain is a relatively long and narrow alluvial basin on a north-south axis, some 23,000 sq miles in area, bounded by higher land to the east and west. One hypothesis to explain the distribution and quality of groundwater in the region1 presupposes a river system considerably larger than, but very similar to the present river. This is characterized by a single mainstream, with subsidiary overspill channels in times of flood, running along the crest of a self-deposited ridge and with an extensive advancing delta. Sea water is contained in the alluvial pores of the advancing delta, forming the native groundwater. This has been partially displaced from two sources, namely direct seepage of fresh water from the river channel in meander flood plain areas and percolation from flood spillage in cover flood plain areas. Percolation has been subject to much re-evaporation and is thus slightly saline even as it reaches the groundwater. The whole complex has been further affected by two main influences: evapotranspiration from the land surface that tends to salinize the groundwater and down-valley flow that tends to bring fresher water

Jan 1, 1970

By W. W. Mullins, F. A. Nichols

Solutions are developed, assuming surface diffusion and both internal and external volume diffusion, for the relaxation of bodies slightly perturbed from spherical and cylindrical geometries. Combined with those previously published for the nearly planar case, these results provide a means of gaging the relative contributions of the two diffusional proc-cesses in any given case. It is shown that in all sintering experiments to date, and probably in any attainable in practice, surface diffusion has played the dominant role, although most previous authors have assumed otherwise. It is also shown that surface diffusion predominates in normal field-emission tip blunting and also for the coalescence of gas bubbles introduced into metals by a bombardment. The surface-diffusion solutions for a perturbed sphere are combined with previous results for volume diffusion to show that the inclusion of interface diffusion permits considerably larger spheres to develop in diffusion-controlled precipitate growth before the onset of instability. A mechanism is also proposed for the spheroidization of precipitate platelets as well as rods. In a previous paper1 the relaxation of a nearly plane surface to flatness by the combined action of the transport processes of viscous flow, evaporation-condensation (in a closed system), volume diffusion, and surface diffusion has been analyzed under the assumption that all surface properties are independent of orientation. In this treatment, criteria were developed for deciding which process predominates, and solutions valid in the latter stages of the sintering of small wires and particles to a plane were obtained. A numerical solution, valid throughout the entire particle-sintering process for the case of surface diffusion, was subsequently obtained by the present authors.' It was found that the analytic solution (which assumed small slopes everywhere) is accurate to within -10 pct when the maximum slope of the profile is less than 0.3; the wire-sintering problem has also been solved nu- merically for the case of surface diffusion and here again the results converge to the analytic small-slope solution at late stages of the process, the two solutions agreeing in this case to within 10 pct when the maximum slope of the profile is less than -0.6. The purpose of this paper is to extend the perturbation solutions to nearly spherical and nearly cylindrical geometries. We treat only the two principal diffusional processes, i.e., surface and volume, but for these geometries we discuss volume diffusion both inside and outside of the solid. Our results, when coupled with Mullins' solutions1 for nearly planar surfaces, provide criteria for gaging the relative contributions of surface and volume diffusion to the over-all transport process in three basic geometries. A very interesting feature in the cylindrical case is the occurrence of instability for longitudinal perturbations with wavelengths greater than the cylindrical circumference, a classical result. This instability of the cylindrical surface is applied to give a quantitative explanation for the often-observed "erratic" pore closure in the late stages of the sintering of wire compacts; also, the theory previously presented for the spheroidization of rod-shaped precipitates by surface (interface) diffusion' is expanded now to include volume diffusion inside and outside of the particle. The results for circumferential perturbations on a long cylinder allow quantitative estimates for gaging the relative importance of surface or volume diffusion in the early stages of the sintering of spheres or wires. The results here demonstrate clearly that surface diffusion has played a very important, if not dominant, role in all sintering experiments discussed in the literature, although the surface-diffusion contribution to the kinetics has usually been ignored. The results for the sphere (surface-diffusion case) are added to the results obtained previously by Mullins and sekerka3 concerning instabilities of a growing spherical precipitate particle (with interface diffusion disallowed) to obtain a general solution to this problem including interface diffusion. The inclusion of interface diffusion is found to increase significantly the range of stability of a growing spherical precipitate for typical metallurgical cases. The following assumptions are made: (i) the initial surface lies everywhere near and has a slope differing only slightly from that of the reference

Jan 1, 1965

By L. S. Jen

Canadian copper, nickel, zinc, lead and molybdenum mines are characterized by the mining of ores from which more than one metal is recovered. During the 1980s, approximately 15% of the gold, 25% of the zinc, 30% of the copper, 55% of the molybdenum, 80% of the silver and 90% of the lead produced from Canadian mines were produced as co-products and by-products of base metal mining operations. This trend is not expected to change significantly in the near future. The presence of co-products and by-products affects the level of production and the level of revenue from base metal mines in several ways: (I) in general, production of one base metal cannot be expanded or cut back without affecting the amount of production of another metal;(2) the commercial success of certain base metal mining operations depends on the substantial bonus revenues from co-products and by-products; (3) the quality and economic viability of many ore deposits are significantly improved by the presence of co-products and by-products; and (4) while coproduction is critical to the survival of some mines, bonus revenue from by-products can also be life saving to others during economic downturns. For these reasons, deposits with significant co-product or by-product values are likely to continue to be significant targets for exploration and for acquisition.

Jan 1, 1992

By N. E. Chaouai, M. Lavigne

"Indicator kriging is one of the non-parametric geostatistical techniques, ideal for estimating the reserves of irregular mineralizations (e.g. gold, uranium, platinum, diamonds, etc.). Such mineralizations are characterized by variograms which are very sensitive to extreme values (outliers) and very difficult to model.The classical approach to this problem in the industry is to trim off these high grades using arbitrary empirical upper limits established either from practice or subjectively. Contrary to this simplistic approach, indicator kriging discretizes the histogram of the grades (usually log normal) in several classes and carries out interpolation separately for each class. This paper gives an overview of the differences between ordinary and indicator kriging along with the steps required to carry out indicator kriging. The paper concludes with a case study involving a gold deposit estimation.IntroductionParametric geostatistics (ordinary kriging) has given us satisfactory results over the years in estimating the reserves of well behaved deposits with coefficients of variation close to 1 (e.g. sedimentary and porphyry type deposits). However, numerous problems have been encountered in estimating irregular mineralizations (e.g. small vein deposits of precious metals) with high coefficients of variation in the range of 2 to 5. Such deposits are characterized by a very small proportion of extreme values (outliers) which create distortions on the variograms (pure nugget effect) and render them useless(1,2).The solution often followed by the mining industry today is to trim off these values based on empirical limits. These limits are derived either by comparison with production results (or bulk samples) or by geological interpretations. Needless to say that such manipulations can lead to serious errors in estimating ore reserves (usually underestimation of total metal quantity), especially when production results or bulk samples are absent.On the other hand, the solution followed by the geostatisticians in the past was to smooth out the data using transforms (e.g. normal-score or natural logarithms). Such transforms are nonlinear and they required non-linear estimation techniques such as disjunctive kriging (DK) or multivariate gaussian kriging (MG) which require normal related hypotheses, not necessarily true in geology.Nonparametric geostatistics (indicator and probability kriging) have been -developed in order to handle these problems related to highly skewed distributions."

Jan 1, 1990

By Don Deardorff, Ke Yang, Yingcai Han, Ken Sorensen, Robert Kruger, Mark Petersen, Diane Fiorelli, Larry Goldfarb, Kathryn Petek, Kwabena Ofori-Awuah

Design of deep foundations for lateral loads requires an understanding of soil-foundation-structure response during loading. Lateral loads on a deep foundation (piles) could be due to earthquakes, winds, waves, and/or machine vibrations. Over the years, analysis of response of piles due to lateral loads evolved from closed-form solutions to p-y methods to strain wedge to finite element/finite difference modeling. Although analysis of lateral response of piles and shafts is routinely performed, there is no single guidance document and/or standard for design and testing. Several different analytical methods are available for the analysis, and the resulting design can result in significantly different responses which can create confusion. This is especially true for analyzing and designing piles in potentially liquefiable soils with lateral spread issues under seismic conditions.This guidance document is intended to assist geotechnical engineers, pile designers, and contractors in analysis, design, and testing of piles and drilled shafts for lateral loads. This document discusses the background of different analytical and testing procedures and presents the recommended methods for analysis, design and testing of piles for lateral loads.Chapter 1 defines the different kinds of lateral loads to which a single pile or pile group may be subjected. This first chapter also presents different types of piles used to resist lateral loads.Chapter 2 discusses geotechnical issues related to lateral pile design such as liquefaction and lateral spreading and other non-seismic issues. Also addressed in Chapter 2 is geotechnical site characterization (as related to lateral loads) in terms of site investigation, in-situ testing, geophysical testing, laboratory testing, and estimation of soil/rock properties.Chapter 3 discusses the background and available analytical methods and tools for the analysis and design of single piles and drilled shafts. Several methods of analyses from closed-form elastic solutions to the finite element/finite difference solutions and their applicability are discussed. Available commercial computer software packages for analyzing single piles and drilled shafts are also presented.Chapter 4 expands the discussion of single piles and drilled shafts into the analysis and design of pile groups. In addition, group effects, resistance of pile caps, results of previous experimental and analytical studies, and available analysis tools and software for pile groups are discussed.Chapter 5 presents the issue of lateral resistance of piles and drilled shafts as discussed in different national and international building and non-building codes. A summary of extensive research on several codes are presented to facilitate the compliance with different codes.Chapter 6 discusses structural design issues of individual piles and drilled shafts such as depth of fixity.Chapter 7 discusses soil structure interaction issues related to kinematic and inertial effects due to seismic loading and available methods of analyses.Chapter 8 discusses and presents the typical procedures for the lateral load testing of piles. This guideline was developed as an aid to the practicing engineer in providing information, direction and commentary on the lateral design of deep foundations. Although all reasonable effort has been made to accurately compile the material and information contained herein, no warranty is made with regard to any such material or information and the Deep Foundation Institute assumes no responsibility for any possible errors or any direct or indirect result of the use of any such material or information. It is not intended that this document address every factor affecting lateral design for every situation. Therefore it is the responsibility of the person utilizing information from this document to confirm that it is appropriate and correct for their situation as well as to understand and properly apply

Jan 1, 2012

By Russell W. Dayton

The metallurgical polarization microscope has been utilized in several researches in the last few years, thus attaining a fair degree of prominence, but little has been written in a manner suitable to a metallurgist concerning the theory of this instrument. In this investigation the theory was carefully studied, and the results are presented here in a detailed manner, yet as simply as possible. The theory is discussed with particular reference to the three chief functions of the instrument: (1) determination of anisotropy; (2) effect of strain; and (3) identification of inclusions. Each of these is investigated experimentally, with especial attention to the mechanism of producing any effect. Where possible, the discussion is supplemented by photomicrographs. The instrument used had numerous defects as a polarization microscope; these and their remedies are discussed. In the microscopic study of transparent mineral sections (chalcography) the use of polarized light has aided tremendously in the identification of a mineral. The determination of strain in transparent substances (photoelasticity) by the use of polarized light has lately become a commercial process, used in testing finished glass articles. The success of the use of polarized light with opaque materials has not been so great. The magnitude of the effects obtained is much less than that of the corresponding effects with transparent materials, and the mechanical difficulties are much greater. Königsberger,"' i in 1909, was the first to apply polarized light to the microscopic study of opaque substances; Endell and Hanemann(2) were the next, in 1913. In 1919 and 1920, Wright(3,4) prepared two papers on the subject. In the first he developed the detailed mathematical theory from the viewpoint of the electromagnetic theory of light, and in the second described the various methods in use, giving improvements of his own. Schwarz(5)

Jan 1, 1935

By Robert Lee Stahl

Comprehensive field tests were made by the Bureau of Mines at the Schwartzwalder mine near Golden, Colo., to determine whether surface geophysical techniques could be used to detect and delineate faults in uranium deposits. The tests included seismic refraction, magnetometer, electrical resistivity, airborne infrared thermal scanning, and airborne photography. Of the several geophysical techniques tested in the field, horizontal resistivity profiling with electrode spacings in the range of 10 to 15 feet was most diagnostic of faults. The method is quick, inexpensive, and accurate and can be easily used by mining company personnel to detect and delineate faults.

Jan 1, 1974

By P. Saayman

The mining industry has much potential for automation. A great deal of work has been done on this subject and is still ongoing. With automation comes the possibility for optimization, because more information is available and actions can be repeated with more accuracy. This paper looks at possible solutions to the problem of optimizing the autonomous vehicle dispatch system in an underground mine. Possible optimization strategies are evaluated using a simulated environment. The majority of the results indicate that improvements on current methods are possible. Keywords: mining automation, simulation, vehicles, dispatching strategy, optimization.

Jan 1, 2006

By G. J. Kipouros, P. W. Kingston, W. F. Caley

"Current practice in advanced materials processing has involved the dispersion of a second-phase, commonly SiC, glass, or other non-metallic fibres/whiskers/particulates to enhance physical characteristics of the matrix. These matrices may be either ceramic or metallic but in either case it is important that the physical and chemical properties of each phase be compatible. The dispersed, finely divided second phase is often both expensive and foreign-produced and may exhibit chemical instability at elevated temperatures. Thus, it would appear that certain naturally-occurring industrial mineral fibres/whiskers/particulates might offer an attractive and low-cost alternative. Suitable candidates, such as wollastonite and sillimanite, are available in Canada and may be milled to produce particles whose shape is appropriate for this application. It is suggested that wollastonite, in particular, may be a useful modifying agent in metal matrix composites utilizing AI, Al-Si, Zn-Al or other light metals and alloys. In addition, the possible use of these minerals in ceramic matrix materials is also addressed, with reference to a preliminary thermodynamic analysis of the systems involved.IntroductionBackgroundA composite material may be thought of as consisting of a matrix component, the properties of which are improved by the addition of a second component or dispersed phase which forms a distinct three-dimensional interface with the matrix. This matrix is commonly either metallic or ceramic, which leads to the two most popular types of composites: metal-matrix composites (MMC); and ceramic-matrix composites (CMC).Such materials are by no means new. Early composites include fiberglass, mixtures of plaster and horsehair in wall plastering, as well as use of natural materials such as bamboo in fishing rods. Some of the newer applications include high strength, low-weight bicycle rims, as well as the more familiar role in aircraft and automobile engine components."

Jan 1, 1993