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By Ta M. Li, Russell A. Carter

The first century of mining in northern Idaho's Couer d'Alene District will soon he drawing to a close. Like so many other great raining districts, it has been a period accompanied by a rich and colorful history. From its early days as a gold rush camp, the district has evolved into the leading silver producer in the US, but the going has not been easy: early-day labor disputes, the challenge of mining for profit in some of the deepest mines in the Western hemisphere, and the constant search for new reserves at great depths have taken their toll of mines-and miners-along the way. To these traditional mining problems have of late been added the burden of inflationary cost increases, pollution control, and reclamation. A recent visit to the district by MINING ENGINEERING, how ever, revealed that the deep commitment of the operating companies and the quiet competence and vitality of their engineering personnel are key factors in the continued prosperity of the district.

Jan 7, 1976

By E. R. Borcherdt

METHODS and equipment are subject to study in the Butte district at all times in order that advantage may be taken of any new developments that might serve to increase efficiency and lower costs. Detailed time studies of each operation involved in the entire mining process have been of invaluable assistance in analyzing the individual operation for possible improvement. In other words, the fact that a practice has been in vogue for many years does not exempt it from change provided an easier and cheaper method can be found. EXPLORATION Ore occurs in the Butte district in such manner that structures must be drifted on, no matter how small or unimportant they appear when intersected by a crosscut. Parallel structures also add to the crosscut requirements. This prospecting work, which formerly was done entirely by drifting and crosscutting, is now being supplemented by diamond drilling, to aid in greatly decreasing the amount of waste. In long-shot prospecting, or in second or third class prospecting, where the chances of developing commercial ore are not very great, diamond drilling is of particular value. In prospecting where chances of encountering commercial ore are certain or where crosscuts can be used later for haulage or ventilation, drilling obviously is not applicable. Improvement in drilling machines and bits has contributed greatly to the present success of diamond drilling. STOPING For many years square-set filled sloping was the principal mining method used in the Butte district. Later timbered and untimbered rill stopes were used, also some horizontal cut-and-fill sloping where both ore and walls were particularly strong. Because of the amount of timber required for square-set stoping, and the relatively low production per scope unit, experiments with horizontal cut-and-fill scopes were begun in ore bodies of which many had fairly weak walls. It was felt that increase in the speed of the stoping operation, followed closely by filling, to avoid weight being produced by permitting ore and walls to remain insufficiently supported over comparatively long periods, would maintain the walls and backs in safe condition without the use of timber and without ore dilution from wall slough. Cycles of drilling, scraping ore, and filling were devised, which have materially increased stope production and decreased timber consumption, so that both stope labor and supply costs were lowered appreciably without materially affecting grade control. In the larger mines of the district, where wide veins favor this stoping method, half of the total production is now being mined by horizontal cut-and-fill stopes (Fig. I). The increase of the filling rate demanded by the increased stoping rate was the greatest obstacle encountered in the accelerated stoping operations. Finally this problem was solved by replacing the time-honored method of transferring filling waste by small cars, which were hoisted or lowered in the auxiliary shaft, by a transfer

Jan 1, 1941

By Robert E. Bush, E. S. Mardock

The objective of this paper is to present practical methods of applying radioactivity logs to problems of interest both to those engaged in evaluating fundamental reservoir data as well as to those engaged in subsurface structural work. The basic theories underlying the operation of radioactivity logging methods are briefly discussed along with some of the problems arising in the interpretation of the log. Relative methods of quantitative interpretation are described, with a discussion of relative reference lines and specific examples are given showing the application of these relative quantitative interpretation methods. To show the variation of the methods described, specimen wells penetrating formations widely divergent in point of geologic age were selected to demonstrate the application. A relative reference line is determined for the Neutron Curve and by comparison to known petrophysical data such as porosities from diamond cores, a direct quantitative relationship is developed. The application of this relative calibration curve to logs of unknown wells will permit a reasonably accurate determination of porosity in limestone and dolomite formations. Specific examples are given showing the application of these relative methods of interpretation to logs of the Smackover limestone in Louisiana, the Edwards limestone and dolomites of South Texas, and Permian dolomites of West Texas. Radioactivity logs have been used extensively by the petroleum industry for a number of years and recognition of their value has grown steadily, not only as tools to aid in the solution of specific stratigraphic problems, but also as potential sources of the basic data necessary for the estimation of net pay and reserves. The value of radioactivity logs for stratigraphic work has been pointed out in the literature,1,2,4,5,6 and now has long been recognized by the industry, but the quantitative application of the logs has advanced but little beyond the stage of a strong conviction that radioactivity logging curves will some day provide the information on such important quantities as the porosity and the liquid saturation of the formations. During the past few years the staffs of the Lane-Wells Company and Well Surveys, Incorporated, have devoted a great deal of time, thought, and experimentation to the relationships existing between radioactivity curves and the lithologic conditions encountered, and this paper is, in a manner of' speaking, intended as a progress report of this work and includes suggestions which the authors have found useful in the interpretation of radioactivity logs. The section on theory is not intended as a complete exposition of the physical processes involved, but rather as a brief introduction to the reader of these processes so that he may acquire a better understanding of the behavior of the radioactivity curves under the varied conditions encountered in normal well logging. Three relative methods for using neutron logs for the quantitative estimation of porosity in limestone or dolomite are presented. These methods are based on the comparison of logs and porosity data from wells in Louisiana, South Texas, West Texas, and New Mexico. These areas were selected because not only were there more core data available from these areas but also the majority of these data were from limestone or dolomitic zones. The correlation between core data and logs is simpler for limestones and dolomites than it is for sandstones due to the fact that sandstones are more complex than limestones and differ more widely among themselves as to composition of cementing materials, siltiness, etc. When data applicable to the various types of sandstones are available, the authors hope to present a discussion similar to this paper covering sandstones or possibly a more general discussion covering all types of reservoir rocks. The relative methods for estimating porosity which are presented in this paper fall short of the absolute method sought. However, these methods possess the advantage that they can be applied to almost any neutron log as long as the range of application is held within the limits imposed by the local lithologic conditions which prevailed during calibration, i.e., these methods are for short range application only. THE THEORETICAL BASIS FOR RADIOACTIVITY LOGGING The two redioactivity logging curves commercially available today are the

Jan 1, 1950

Jan 1, 1915

By Rudolf Gahl

Some time ago the Detroit Copper Mining Co. had to decide the question whether it would pay to re-treat slime-tailings, and several machines were tested in order to ascertain the type of construction which would give the greatest saving. In previous tests on the ore of this company, several tables proved far inferior to the Frue vanner, and for this reason they did not receive any serious consideration. In the late tests, however, one table was found to surpass the vanner in the percentage of saving made. The Frue vanner used in these tests had been adjusted approximately to the slope which the slime-vanners in the concentrator of the Detroit Copper Co. had at that time, about 2 in. between the inside of the wooden posts, or 0.272 in. per ft. It had not been determined, however, if this slope was the most economical one for treating the slime-feed in the mill, or for re-treating the tailings from the slime-vanners, and I was instructed to ascertain by test-runs, under different conditions, the best adjustments for the work to be done. In order to determine if a change in the adjustments of the machines would improve the results, it seemed sufficient to continue running the tests between the vanner and the table before mentioned, keeping the feed and all other conditions the same, but varying the adjustments of the vanner from run to run. I employed a vanner-man of long experience to operate these machines, who expressed the opinion that a slope between 28 and 2.5 in. between the posts (0.323 and 0.340 in. per ft.) would give the best results. Some runs made this way gave a considerable improvement. While for a slope of 2 in. (0.272 in. per ft.) the saving had been only 40.5 per cent. of that of the table, it was 49.2 per cent. for 2.5 in. (0.340 in. per ft.) slope. A decrease of

Jan 1, 1910

By H. E. Mussey

When the American Institute of Mining Engineers visited the Birmingham district in May, 1888, the four Ensley furnaces (Fig. 1) then completed were referred to as monumental.' Their dimensions are givcn in Table 1. Mr. Gordon stated, with considerable satisfaction, that on the preceding day one furnace had produced 165 tons. The blast was

Jan 1, 1925

By Daniel R. Stewart, Ralph R. Sacrison

The function of the geological engineer is to assist in mine planning and operations by collecting, interpreting, and applying geologic data to the solution of engineering problems. The geologist supports this effort by collecting additional geologic information specifically useful to the engineer. This use of geologic information reinforces the value of mine geology to the mining process beyond the traditional role of orebody definition. Work discussed includes: evaluation of caving strategies at the Climax and Henderson mines, support definition and slope stability at the Climax mine, and some uses of geology in cavability estimation for the Mount Emmons project.

Jan 1, 1984

By T. A. Rickard

Among the gold-deposits discovered in recent vears none is more extraordinary in richness or interesting in structure than that of the famous mine at Mount Morgan. At a time when but few Australian mines were known to the world outside the colonies, Mount Morgan was quoted as an occurrence, unusual not only in its origin (for it was said to be dye to geyser-action) but also in the purity of its gold. The mine is situated just within the tropics, twenty-six miles southwest of Rockhampton, in central Queensland. Queensland attained in 1889 the first place among the gold-producing colonies of Australasia, a position previously always held by Victoria. In that year Queensland produced 737,822 ounces, while Victoria cape second with 614,838 ounces. Of the four chief mining districts Rockhampton stood first, as the following figures show: Quartz crushed, Yield,. Average per ton, Tons. Ounces. Oz. Dwt. Rockhampton ,....81,138 340,669 4 4 Charters Towers,.. .. 109,328 165,551 1 10 Gympie,.....106,625 112,847 1 1 Croydon,.....29,423 51,156 1 15 It should be added that Queensland has but little alluvial mining, the total output from this source in 1889 being only 5044 ounces, none of which came from the four principal gold-fields. Leaving out Rockhampton, the output of which is practically that of the Mount Morgan mine, it will be noted that the more northerly goldfields show the highest average (Gympie being furthest from and Croydon nearest to the equator). This is largely explained, however, by the increased cost of milling, due chiefly to the want of water for batteries and the consequent economical necessity of selecting high-grade material only for crushing. During the year ending November 30, 1889, the Mount Morgaq

Jan 1, 1892

By John J. Egan, A. B. Kinzel, Walter Crafts

The demands of the petroleum and chemical industries for steels to be used in pressure vessels and similar structures at artificially low temperatures are continually increasing, and the writing of proper specifications with suitable tests becomes increasingly important. Likewise, the selection of suitable steels for such applications is of increasing concern to the metallurgist. It is generally recognized that highly alloyed steels of the austenitic stainless type retain their properties even at very low temperatures and represent the best technological solution of the low-temperature steel problem. However, in many instances less expensive carbon or low-alloy steels suitable for service within limited temperature ranges are available. The problem thus becomes one of defining the various factors involved in the production and fabrication of these less expensive steels and determining the temperature ranges in which their properties justify engineering application. Most of the applications involve welded structures, and the heat effect of welding as well as the nature of the weld metal are matters of prime concern. The first problem that the metallurgist faces is the determination of the type of test to be used as a criterion of the performance of the steel in low-temperature service. It has been generally recognized that the static properties of steel as determined in the ordinary tensile test undergo a gradual and relatively slight change as the temperature of test is lowered in the range of current interest; i.e., from room temperature to minus 120' C. It is further generally recognized that the behavior of steel under impact involving notch sensitivity is definitely affected at the lower temperatures. While the major subject of this paper is the effect of grain-refining deoxidizers, of low-alloy additions and of welding on the low-temperature notched-bar impact properties, an inquiry into the general behavior of steel under low-temperature impact testing is included. This is a pertinent portion of the investigation and the results thereof are

Jan 1, 1937

[NOTE.-The following discussions of papers contained in this volume are printed without regard to order of succession. It has been impracticable to secure from the various parties, corrected reports of their contributions in time to effect any particular desired arrangement in this respect. The papers of Messrs. Pourcel, Osmond and Sauveur, were considered at Chicago together with others of cognate character ; and the whole discussion will be found in vol. xxiii., under the head, " Physics of Steel."]

Jan 1, 1894

By P. W. Bridgman

During the war, the Navy undertook the construction, under my direction, of an experimental gun embodying features designed to lessen the cost and time of production. These experiments were initiated after representations as to their desirability had been offered by myself, by the Naval Consulting Board, and by the National Research Council. The first drawings were made in June, 1917, and the experiment was completed in November, 1918. For the sake of clearness it will pay to recapitulate briefly the fundamental idea of gun construction. It is well known that if a hollow cylinder is subjected to internal fluid pressure, the maximum stress occurs in the inside layers, the outer parts carrying much less than their due share of the stress. This inequality of stress is more pronounced the thicker the walls of the cylinder. If such a cylinder is pushed to the elastic limit, failure in elasticity will take place long before the outer lagers have reached the limit of their capacity. Economical use of the material would demand, however, that all parts of the cylinder reach the limits of their capacity simultaneously. This may be brought about, at least in cylinders of not too great thickness, by producing in the inner layers an initial compression, and in the outer layers an initial tension. The effect of internal pressure is at first to relieve the compression of the inside layers, while increasing the tension of the outside layers. If the initial stresses are properly distributed, all parts of the cylinder will reach their elastic limits simultaneously, thus giving a cylinder of maximum strength for its weight. In gun construction as hitherto practiced, this initial distribution of stress is produced either by winding the inner tube with wire, a common English practice, or by shrinking hoops over the inner tube, which has been the standard American practice. Either process is long and expensive, particularly with the larger guns, 12- or 14-in., which require

Jan 1, 1922

By P. W. Bridgman

During the war, the Navy undertook the construction, under my direction, of an experimental gun embodying features designed to lessen the cost and time of production. These experiments were initiated after representations as to their desirability had been offered by myself, by the Naval Consulting Board, and by the National Research Council. The first drawings were made in June, 1917, and the experiment was completed in November, 1918. For the sake of clearness it will pay to recapitulate briefly the fundamental idea of gun construction. It is well known that if a hollow cylinder is subjected to internal fluid pressure, the maximum stress occurs in the inside layers, the outer parts carrying much less than their due share of the stress. This inequality of stress is more pronounced the thicker the walls of the cylinder. If such a cylinder is pushed to the elastic limit, failure in elasticity will take place long before the outer lagers have reached the limit of their capacity. Economical use of the material would demand, however, that all parts of the cylinder reach the limits of their capacity simultaneously. This may be brought about, at least in cylinders of not too great thickness, by producing in the inner layers an initial compression, and in the outer layers an initial tension. The effect of internal pressure is at first to relieve the compression of the inside layers, while increasing the tension of the outside layers. If the initial stresses are properly distributed, all parts of the cylinder will reach their elastic limits simultaneously, thus giving a cylinder of maximum strength for its weight. In gun construction as hitherto practiced, this initial distribution of stress is produced either by winding the inner tube with wire, a common English practice, or by shrinking hoops over the inner tube, which has been the standard American practice. Either process is long and expensive, particularly with the larger guns, 12- or 14-in., which require

Jan 1, 1922

By AIME AIME

THE 123d meeting of the Institute was held in New York Feb. 14 to 17, 1921. The total registration was 1199, as compared with 1138 at the New York meeting in 1920. The weather was a strange and welcome contrast to that of last year, when New York was buried under six feet of snow as the result of the fiercest blizzard in its history. This year there was no snow, and the weather was said to be much more like an Arizona winter than New York. A complete program of the Technical Sessions is on p. 9. The discussions of the papers presented will be published in pamphlet form as soon as possible and will be noted in MINING AND METALLURGY in the usual way.

Jan 1, 1921

By Walter Harvey Weed

introduction,.............715 "WHY ORE-DEPOSITS ARE Common about Igneous Contacts,. ..716 Outline of a Genetic Classification OF Ore-Deposits,.. .. 717 Ores of Igneous Origin.. .. .. .. .. 717 Igneous-Emanation Deposits........ 719 Fumarolic Deposits..........719 Gas-Aqueous Deposits.........719 Deposited by Meteoric Waters ........720 Contact Metamorphic Deposits.........720 Classes of Deposits......... 731 Contact Zones..........722 Character of Gangue..........722 Character of Ore-Deposit.........723 Literature...........724 Geographic Distribution.........724 Copper-Deposits—Cananea Type......725 British Columbia—Boundary District....725 Mexico..........727 Germany.......... 729 Gold.Deposits,...........731 Bannack Type.........732 Elkhorn..........733 Similkameen.........734 Changes in Rocks due to Contact Metamorphism....735 Changes in Mass. Volume. and Mineral Composition... 736 Genesis of Contact Metamorphic Deposits..738 Cause of Contact Metamorphism..738 Permanence in Depth............744 Mineral Veins near Igneous Contacts........745 Conclusions..............746 Introduction. This paper deals with certain ore-deposits whose structural features or mineral contents (or both) result. directly or indirectly. from igneous intrusions and their afier-effects. It is largely a discussion of contact metamorphic ore-deposits based upon the physical changes in rocks due to contact action. It involves a classification of ore-deposits only so far as is abso-

Jan 1, 1903

By Carl A. Zapffe, M. Eleanor Haslem

The present investigation has three principal purposes: 1. To develop a method for measuring hydrogen embrittlement that avoids cer, tain errors complicating previously used methods. 2. To explore in a preliminary way some of the fundamental factors controlling embrittlement. 3. To apply the measurements specifically to stainless grades of steel, whose sensitivity or insensitivity to hydrogen embrittlement has never been clearly defined. Selecting a Test Method Hydrogen embrittlement is a condition of low ductility resulting from excessive absorption of hydrogen by the steel at some period in its history, and may be revealed by almost any test involving cold deformation. Tensile tests, impact tests, and bend tests are commonly used for detecting hydrogen embrittlement; although numerous other tests, such as cold-upsetting or extrusion, could be used. The simplicity of using a wire specimen for cathodic and acid pickling tests, and the especial adaptability of the bend test to wire specimens, led to selection of the bend test for the present research. Bend tests usually have been of three general types: (I) fatigue, (2) reversed bend, and (3) single bend. The first two types, though widely used, are inaccurate because their measurements are counteracted by an aging effect; and the third type has not been developed to its fullest utility. The effect of cold-working in removing hydrogen is well known. During a bend test hydrogen can be observed escaping from the convex side simply by coating the specimen with oil; and any technique employing flexing or reverse bending may therefore have its measurements masked because the mechanical action reduces the embrittlement during the test. This factor is so important that even elastic flexing of a hydrogen-charged wire specimen should be avoided before testing if accurate measurements are desired. Developing a Machine for Measuring Hydrogen Embrittlement As for the single-bend test, its theory is good, and recovery caused by mechanical work is kept to a minimum. With a given degree of hydrogen embrittlement, a specimen will break at a given angle if the bending is applied unidirectionally and uniformly. The radius of the bend must be kept constant; and the rate of bending should be a constant, slow enough to allow reading of the breaking angle, and yet rapid enough to prevent significant recovery from the escape of hydrogen during bending. A simple apparatus (Fig. I) was constructed using a type H Foxboro drive unit A, which is a synchronous motor with a gear-reduction ratio of 600 to I. A cord, fixed at one end to a wooden pulley B on the drive shaft of the motor, follows the pe-

Jan 1, 1947

By Carl A. Zapffe, M. Eleanor Haslem

The present investigation has three principal purposes: 1. To develop a method for measuring hydrogen embrittlement that avoids cer, tain errors complicating previously used methods. 2. To explore in a preliminary way some of the fundamental factors controlling embrittlement. 3. To apply the measurements specifically to stainless grades of steel, whose sensitivity or insensitivity to hydrogen embrittlement has never been clearly defined. Selecting a Test Method Hydrogen embrittlement is a condition of low ductility resulting from excessive absorption of hydrogen by the steel at some period in its history, and may be revealed by almost any test involving cold deformation. Tensile tests, impact tests, and bend tests are commonly used for detecting hydrogen embrittlement; although numerous other tests, such as cold-upsetting or extrusion, could be used. The simplicity of using a wire specimen for cathodic and acid pickling tests, and the especial adaptability of the bend test to wire specimens, led to selection of the bend test for the present research. Bend tests usually have been of three general types: (I) fatigue, (2) reversed bend, and (3) single bend. The first two types, though widely used, are inaccurate because their measurements are counteracted by an aging effect; and the third type has not been developed to its fullest utility. The effect of cold-working in removing hydrogen is well known. During a bend test hydrogen can be observed escaping from the convex side simply by coating the specimen with oil; and any technique employing flexing or reverse bending may therefore have its measurements masked because the mechanical action reduces the embrittlement during the test. This factor is so important that even elastic flexing of a hydrogen-charged wire specimen should be avoided before testing if accurate measurements are desired. Developing a Machine for Measuring Hydrogen Embrittlement As for the single-bend test, its theory is good, and recovery caused by mechanical work is kept to a minimum. With a given degree of hydrogen embrittlement, a specimen will break at a given angle if the bending is applied unidirectionally and uniformly. The radius of the bend must be kept constant; and the rate of bending should be a constant, slow enough to allow reading of the breaking angle, and yet rapid enough to prevent significant recovery from the escape of hydrogen during bending. A simple apparatus (Fig. I) was constructed using a type H Foxboro drive unit A, which is a synchronous motor with a gear-reduction ratio of 600 to I. A cord, fixed at one end to a wooden pulley B on the drive shaft of the motor, follows the pe-

Jan 1, 1947

By A. W. D. Hills, M. R. Moore

An apparatus has been developed in which metals can bc solidified under closely controlled unidirectional heat flow conditions. The metals are cooled by a multiple-air jet system, designed so that the heat transfer coefficient is uniformly distributed over the cooled surface. They are contained in a special furnace system of low thermal mass which enables unidirectional heat flow conditions to be rigorously maintained for certain specific cooling rates. This apparatus has been used to study the solidijication of pure lead and pure tin at zero superheat, solid metal thicknesses being determined by thermal analysis, and by dipstick readings. Detailed thermal balances have been drawn up on the experiments in order to determzne the cooling conditions that most rigorously correspond to unidirectional heat flow. Solid metal thicknesses, measured experimentally for these conditions, have beetz shown to agree closely with the theoretical wedictzons of different integml-profile methods. lt is concluded that any errors inherent in the integval-profile method are no greater than the errors inherent in experimental investigations of solidification. A knowledge of the influence of heat transfer rates on the solidification of metals is essential to the understanding and control of industrial casting processes. Since very few formal methods are available for solving the heat conduction equation under solidification conditions several authors have developed approximate techniques for doing so. One of the most promising is the integral-profile technique that has been used by Goodman,1 Hills,2,3 Tien4 and Hills and ~oore' to predict solidification rates under certain specific heat transfer coniditions. In the first of this present series of papers6 Hills has further generalized the method and developed a universal integral-profile technique that can be used to predict solidification rates under a wide variety of unidirectional heat flow conditions. Since the method is approximate it is necessary to investigate the accuracy with which it predicts actual solidification rates. A review of the literature7 shows that solidification rates have seldom been measured under accurately known heat transfer conditions and it was therefore decided to develop experimental techniques that would enable this to be done. Results obtained would then be available as a check on the approximate solutions already developed, and in the development of further solutions that would be applicable under more complicated conditions. The initial work in this experimental program which is described here, is concerned with the solidification of pure metals at zero superheat under unidirectional heat flow conditions. Subsequent experiments have been concerned with the solidification of pure metals at appreciable superheats, under varying unidirectional heat flow conditions and under two dimensional heat flow conditions. In a series of experiments recently initiated, the solidification of binary alloys is also being investigated. The results of these subsequent experiments, together with relevant theory, will be described in later papers. The solidifying metal has been cooled in all the experiments, by a multiple air jet system designed so that the heat transfer coefficient to the cooled surface is constant and is uniformly distributed over the surface. This type of system has been chosen since only one parameter is needed to specify the heat transfer conditions and since these conditions are analogous to those met in certain continuous casting processes.' Air cooling was chosen in preference to water cooling, however, since it offers a wider range of heat transfer conditions, and since it can be investigated by analogous mass transfer techniques. The first part of this paper discusses the existing integral-profile solutions that correspond to the heat transfer conditions used in the experiments, and describes the development and use of the experimental apparatus. In subsequent sections the heat transfer and solidification results are presented, and the various theoretical predictions are compared with them, and with one another.

Jan 1, 1970

By J. R. Long, E. T. Hayes, D. C. Root, R. S. Dean

THE U. S. Bureau of Mines has recently reported on the development of a process for preparing pure ductile titanium in substantial quantities' and on the physical properties that may be attained in the metal, when consolidated by powder metallurgy methods and fabricated by certain hot and cold-working procedures.2 The high physical properties (Table I), combined with excellent corrosion resistance and light weight, will lead no doubt to appropriate applications of the metal. In any application, methods of joining will be of considerable importance. The relatively high activity of the metal toward the common gases raises the question of weldability and conditions that might be required for successful welding. Since hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen embrittle the metal, it should be protected from these gases at elevated temperatures. This was demonstrated by a few preliminary trials of arc, gas, and resistance welding. In these trials only the resistance method proved to be immediately applicable. While atomic hydrogen welding of titanium may be successful in some instances, a considerable amount of development work will be required to prove its worth. In addition, it would be suited only to small assemblies that could be heated subsequently in a high vacuum to remove embrittling hydrogen. Heli-arc methods likewise would be limited to small assemblies, which could be completely protected by a helium atmosphere. It was quite apparent that titanium required more protection than was afforded by the normal flow of helium gas used for welding magnesium and aluminum. The hot metal is attacked by oxygen and nitrogen, and the rapid diffusion of the oxide into the metal prevents the formation of a protective coating and requires the helium atmosphere to be maintained until the weld has cooled nearly to room temperature. The preliminary work indicated that titanium could be successfully spot-welded without deterioration of the metal and that the microstructures of the welds were normal, exhibiting good bonding, and no oxidation. The high resistivity of titanium (53 microhms per cu. cm.) suggested that it would behave somewhat like stainless steel and allow considerable latitude in the several welding variables. The results reported here are intended to give a general picture of the effects of varying welding current, welding time, and tip pressure on single spot welds made on several different thicknesses of titanium sheet. The work was undertaken to demonstrate the feasibility of welding titanium rather than as an exhaustive study of spot welding. There are, therefore, a number of factors that will require further investigation to establish the specific controls required for actual applications.

Jan 1, 1946

By H. L. Hartman

The estimation of the magnitude of pressure changes which occur in mine ventilation circuits is of primary importance to the mining engineer in making changes in an existing mine or in projecting the ventilation requirements of a new mine. It is a formidable task in many cases, because no adequate theory is available and empirical data are unreliable or even lacking. The common practice of increasing one's estimate of the mine static pressure by an arbitrary "safety factor" to compensate for the unknown is a poor substitute for accuracy. Generally little difficulty is encountered in calculating friction losses in mine airways. As long as the friction factor can be reliably estimated, the well-known Atkinson formula gives accurate results. However, it is in the determination of shock losses that the ventilation engineer encounters difficulty and is apt to resort to an arbitrary allowance. Shock losses may constitute as little as five or as much as twenty-five percent or more of the overall pressure drop in the mine, and such allowances are generally completely unsatisfactory. Since other shock losses have been covered by McElroy (1), this paper deals with a long-neglected source of shock and pressure change in ventilation circuits, divergence and convergence of airflows, here referred to by their more common mining terms, splits and junctions. PREVIOUS WORK There is practically no fundamental information available in ventilation literature on the splitting and junction of airflows, either in mining or mechanical engineering periodicals or handbooks. Fluid mechanics textbooks seemingly avoid the subject of divergence and convergence, except for brief empirical treatment. The only investigation reported for mine ventilation systems was by Weeks, et a1 (21), in 1933. Although applicable to the case of line brattices in coal mines, it cannot be applied to the general case of mine splitting and junctions involving change of direction with little or no area change. In dealing briefly with the subject of shock losses at splits and junctions, McElroy (1) suggests only that they be considered comparable to bends, with losses at junctions being increased 50 pct to allow for interference of merging streams. He recognizes the importance of quantity ratio but concludes that exact quantitative data are lacking to compute losses at splits and junctions. A very capable summary and analysis of the state of knowledge in industrial ventilation and fluid mechanics regarding losses due to divergence has recently been reported by Gilman (3). In considering all earlier work dealing with both air and water as fluids, he compares results on a common basis and obtains good empirical agreement. For divergent flow, the controlling variable in each branch is the quantity ratio, although the deflection angle is of secondary importance. Empirical equations are presented for straight and 90-deg branches with varying velocity ratios, assuming branches smaller than the main duct. These formulas are modifications of the Borda equation for abrupt contraction and expansion. The only information available on shock losses in convergent flow are approximate experimental data presented by Alden (4) and the Manual of Recommended Practice for Industrial Ventilation of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Alden considers the effects of both quantity ratio and deflection angle. The data indicate an effect opposite to that observed in divergence, the shock loss varying directly with quantity ratio. SHOCK LOSS THEORY Because pressure losses due to shock have been found to bear a constant relation to the mean velocity of flow in a given conduit, they are frequently expressed as a dimensionless function of the velocity head, termed the shock loss factor. For airflow in ducts and mine airways, the shock loss may be represented by the formula (1): Hx - XHv, (1)

Jan 1, 1961

By Roger V. Pierce

INTRODUCTION IN the last few years, much study has been devoted to increasing stoping efficiency. The reasons for this are shortage of manpower, shorter working hours, operating regulations, and shortages of essential materials. More efficiency in mining methods is needed to offset these adverse factors. In the past, attention has been centered upon haulage, hoisting equipment, mill flowsheets, etc., but recently the spotlight has been focused on the cost of stoping and the cost of handling materials. Scrapers and scraper hoists have thus assumed greater importance. In order to make it possible for certain ore bodies to be mined at a profit, it has been necessary to apply assembly-line practices to the streamlining of mining methods. All cycles of the mining operation must balance, and the sooner broken ore is removed from the working face, the sooner another round can be started. Since the introduction of scraper hoists in metal mines more than thirty years ago, much progress has been made in their design and application. Alert operators are now constantly watching for methods in which to apply scrapers. The saving of manpower in development work and the changing of mining methods that once employed manual handling of materials are increasing vital wartime tonnages. Essential ores from newly discovered ore bodies are moving rapidly from stopes to reduction plants-because it is now possible to develop an ore body and place it in production with a minimum of manpower and development work. Today, speed is one of the prime essentials of mining. Everywhere, there is a concentrated effort to use experienced miners in breaking rock, in timbering, and in carrying out the various phases of mining that require many months of training. Much effort is being made to mechanize the working places because experienced men naturally prefer to work where the majority of materials are handled mechanically. In line with this policy, many new men are being taught the details of scraper work, because even green men can quickly become acquainted with scrapers and thereby release older heads to perform the more skilled phases of mining. In some places it has been found economical to change from one system of stoping to another that more readily allows the application of mechanical muck-handling equipment. Where blocks are worked faster, the cost of materials, time, and labor is cut drastically. This favorable situation allows more manpower to remain on straight breaking and timbering-or straight production mining. More-over, when blocks are mined faster, more floors can often be mined vertically before the mucking or wheel floor is moved. This results in several direct savings. There are cases where it has been proved that by working a given block faster more area, longitudinally or vertically, could be mined at one time, thus permitting the reduction of development cost. (Fig. I.)

Jan 1, 1943