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By R Deshaise, B Mbhanty

The importance of controlling density of commercial explosives, and the various means to achieve it are described. m e field conditions responsible for density changes during blasting and their effect on blast results are examined. Understanding of the behaviour of density control ingredients such as gas bubbles, glass and plastic microballoons under pressure, is considered essential to predicting explosives performance. Both static and dynamic pressure effects have been studied for typical donor-receptor cartridge configurations. The amplitude and temporal characteristics of dynamic pressures inside receptor explosives have been studied by means of the underwater test, and guidelines developed to limit density changes due to external pressures.

Jan 1, 1989

By Travis Watts, Chris Prater, G. T. Lineberry

Moving overburden at minimal cost is becoming increasingly important to coal mining companies throughout the U.S. The coal market is currently doing well, with an average spot coal price for Central Appalachia product (12,500 Btu, 1.2 SO2) standing at $62.00 for the week ending November 11, 2005, so it is at this time that companies stand to achieve healthy rates of return on their investments. Cast blasting is one method of blasting used effectively by some surface mining operations. This method allows most of the overburden to be removed and placed (cast) directly in the spoil pile by the use of explosive energy. With the proper design of a cast blast, a high percentage of overburden material can be directed into piles without the use of earthmoving equipment, hence increasing production and lowering the cost associated with overburden removal.

Jan 1, 2006

By Rolly Thorpe

Bulk emulsion explosives have been used at surface mines and quarries for many years. Recently, this technology has been adapted for underground use in relatively confined work areas and in smaller diameter blastholes.

Jan 1, 1994

By Gungor Tuncer, Erhan Bakirci, Ali Kahriman, Atilla Ozmen, O. Nuri Ucan, Savas Gorgun

There are several methods for demolition of structures but most of them depend mostly on conventional ways of using machines for breaking and crushing structural elements. However the need for lots of work force, expense and extreme amount of time for demolition, made most of these methods non-popular nowadays. Therefore, trials to accomplish a more economic and less time taking method lasted with the use of blasting. By applying controlled blasting on a suitable structure, the structure can collapse and break down to pieces in very short period of time, with no extra work force and cost. In spite of advantages of explosive demolition, the potential danger of explosives and the damage that the blasting may cause to surrondings, if not controlled properly, made people timid to the method especially in urban areas. Therefore, the pre-assumption by computational analysis has become an essential matter in the process.

Jan 1, 2002

By Robert C. Fouchard, Gordon Chalmers, David E. G. Jones, Ivana Alilovic, Phillip D. Lightfoot

There have been numerous international instances over the last several years in which pumping emulsion explosives has resulted in accidents, apparently as a result of increased thermal sensitivity under these conditions. The key questions for the explosive industry are (1) what are the parameters that influence the sensitivity of emulsion explosives and, (2) how do these various parameters interact. To address the sensitivity of emulsion explosives to various parameters, a study was undertaken using an accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC) and a heat flux calorimeter (HFC). The effects ofthe addition of ammonium nitrate (AN) prills and different grades of aluminum (Al) on the thermal behaviour of emulsion explosives were determined. Additionally, changes in pressure, atmosphere (inert or oxidizing) and sample vessel material were assessed for their impact on thermal sensitivity. Addition of AN prills, fine granular Al or atomized Al did not affect the onset temperature for exothermic decomposition, so that the maximum “safe” temperatures for emulsions containing these additives will be similar. There were differences in the rates of self heating, however: AN prills decreased the rate of self heating, whereas atomized Al increased it. The emulsion formulations containing atomized Al produced small holes in titanium vessels. This phenomenon did not occur in Hastelloy C vessels, providing a reminder that materials of construction need to be carefully considered for equipment used to manufacture or handle emulsion explosives.. Both ARC and HFC experiments gave lower onset temperatures in air than in argon. We attribute this to oxidation of the oil phase by air. This result is significant for dry-running pumping conditions, where emulsion is heated in the presence of excess air.

Jan 1, 2000

By Don Larson, Gordon Coleman

The United States Department of Energy, through its contractor Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, has entered into a contract with Alpha-IRECO, Inc. for the emplacement of approximately 2.9 million pounds of a 50% RX-MD emulsion 50% ANFO blend into an underground chamber for initiation to produce the 12 trillion caloric equivalent of 1,000 metric tons of TNT. The detonation will be closely monitored to determine the characteristics of a large chemical explosion for comparison with data collected from previous like-sized nuclear events in the same location. This data will be shared with former Soviet block countries to facilitate enforcement of the various non-proliferation treaties currently being negotiated between the countries.

Jan 1, 1994

By Donald D. Eilers, Pharis E. Williams, Thomas O. McKnown

The Continuous Reflectometry for Radius vs. Time Experiment (CORRTEX) system was developed by the Los Alamos National Laboratory for determining the energy released in a nuclear explosion by measuring the position of its shock front as a function of time. The CORRTEX system, fielding techniques, and the methods and software for data reduction and analysis were developed over a 15 year period with hundreds of measurements made on nuclear tests and high explosive experiments. CORRTEX is a compact, portable, fast-sampling, microprocessor-controlled system, based on time domain reflectometry, requiring only a 24 volt power source and a sensing element. Only the sensing element (a length of 50 ohm coaxial cable) is expended during the detonation.

Jan 1, 1995

I am interested in experiences people have had with blasting near existing railroad tracks: What kind of vibration criteria are used, and how successful you have been in gaining approval for blasting in the vicinity of railroads. This would both be for passenger and freight railroads

Jan 1, 2008

By J P. Tidman

The demand for more data on the detonation properties of commercial explosives grows as blasting becomes a more exact science. Proper use of this information by blasting engineers depends on the appreciation of the assumptions and limitations inherent in calculating energies and pressures of explosives. The strength of an explosive is usually a calculated energy value derived from a model of the explosive. The model may be simple or complex, depending on the thermo-hydrodynamic assumptions made. The calculated energy and pressures of commercial explosives are sensitive to assumptions about their reaction products. The equation of state describing the reaction product gases, the treatment of solid reaction products (e.g. reacted calcium and sodium nitrate and aluminum) and the reaction time are examined to show the variability of calculated results as a result of different assumptions. These same models of explosives also serve to explain phenomena of explosives such as the effect of charge diameter on V.O.D. (and strength) and decoupled explosives.

Jan 1, 1981

By John J. Ridgeway

Habits take us where we were yesterday and attitudes tend to keep us there. Until recently, little had been accomplished to improve conventional explosive energy for use offshore. But with the special requirements of the Offshore Oil Industry, and particularly in the North Sea, most equipment, products and services must be specialized as well. Previous attempts to excavate a trench for a sealine in surf areas had been impossible to accomplish. But with the application of safe, controlled explosive energy, an impossible task to accomplish yesterday has now become a reality. Explosive energy, often overlooked as a convenient and economical offshore tool, excavated a clean trench underwater for a 40" sealine at Djeno in the African Congo recently.

Jan 1, 1977

By Carlos Agreda

The rock blasting environmental impacts such as: flyrock, groud vibrations,airblast,and/or noise, dust and fumes are identified and mentioned. Some comments on the correction factors that might be taken into consideration to calculate the initial velocity and the maximum projection of the rock fragments are mentioned as well.

Jan 1, 1995

By Donelson A. Robertson

Proper coupling between the seismograph transducer and the surface is the most important aspect of seismograph monitoring but probably receives the least attention in many blasting situations. Without good coupling, particle velocity measurements may be higher than actual and frequencies may be lower. If the field data are inaccurate, sophisticated instrumentation and computer programs cannot correct the readings.

Jan 1, 1993

By R R. Vendebeek

The continuing evolution of explosives has most recently introduced emulsion explosives and heavy ANFO's to the market place. An explosives engineer has a multiplicity of explosives to choose from: dynamites, slurries, water gels, emulsions, ANFO's, and mixtures of some of these products.

Jan 1, 1987

By Deane Tunaley, Paul Tidman, Qian Liu, John Mullay

Laboratory studies have indicated that the crystallization and desensitization of microballoon sensitized emulsion explosives start immediately after shocking or pre-compression. However, the question of whether or not the shocked emulsion could be worsened by the growth of crystallization or recovered by rebounding back to lower densities has been rarely examined under actual rock blasting conditions. This study was primarily intended to investigate the desensitization characteristics of two commonly used emulsion products in terms of blasthole spacing and delay duration. In the experiment, two parallel blastholes, 32 mm in diameter and 1.7 m deep, were drilled downwards in an underground drift.

Jan 1, 1995

By Paul V. Sterk, James Wieser

Mining in underground situations requires constant change due to changing ore bodies and economics. The Homestake Mine in its 122 years of existence has gone through numerous changes due to these factors. Recent sustained low prices in gold and ore bodies that are smaller or within mined out areas have forced the mine to reevaluate how these ore blocks will be mined. This paper will describe the design, drilling, and blasting of a complex ore block using the blind raise uphole bulk mining method.

Jan 1, 1999

By John L. Floyd

One of the key factors that controls the overall profitability of surface operations is the required volume of excavated material. If the overall angle of final walls can be maximized the amount of material excavated will be reduced. However, as the slope angle becomes steeper the wall's factor of safety decreases. As a result, the development and implementation of efficient wall control blast designs becomes critical to achieving stable walls. Many site specific conditions should be taken into account when defining the methods that will be used to lessen blast induced wall damage. This paper will discuss the steps needed to properly evaluate the site and develop efficient designs. Four variations of wall control blast designs will be evaluated in terms of cost and performance. In addition, the paper will include the quality controls needed to successfully implement and refine the blast design.

Jan 1, 1998

By P. D. Lightfoot, C. Badeen, R. Turcotte, D. E. C. Jones

Following localized (i.e. hot-spot) ignition, there is a minimum pressure required for combustion to propagate in water-based commercial explosives. The latter is usually referred to as the ‘Minimum Burning Pressure’ (MBP) of the explosive. In the present work, both an apparatus based on hot-wire ignition and an associated methodology were developed to measure the MBP of water-based explosives. It was demonstrated that the MBP constitutes a sharp pressure threshold below which the probability of inducing sustained burning in these explosives becomes very small. It was found that each emulsion explosive tested has a distinct MBP value, which depends critically on its formulation. It appears that this test may offer a firm basis for the classification of emulsion explosives for regulatory purposes.

Jan 1, 2004

By George P. Jr Schivley

Data is presented showing Penetration Rate (PR) versus Force-on-the Bit (FB) and Bit Angular Speed (N). Using this data, it is shown how FB and N each uniquely contribute to the PR for any particular drilling situation. This data represents many mining situations; including coal, copper, gold, iron ore and limestone quarrying. The important relationship between Penetration per Revolution (P/R) and the height of the cutting elements of the bit (CH) is discussed. Drill performance is then reviewed, considering the effect of FB and N on bit life. All this leads to recommendations for the operating values of FB and N for drilling situations where the rock is not highly abrasive and bit replacements are because of catastrophic failure of the bit cone bearings.

Jan 1, 1995

BLASPA is the name for a computer code which can assist in the rapid optimisation of blasting procedures in an open-pit mine. BLASPA is based on a mathematical model of the blasting process, a model which has been developing since 1963 as a result of blasting research carried out at the College Militaire Royal de Saint-Jean under sponsorship of the Defence Research Board, and in co-operation with the mining and explosives industry. The model presently includes the following aspects: (1) Geometry, i.e. spacing, burden, bench height, collar, sub-grade drilling; (2) Explosives, i.e. types and grades of explosives, distribution into bottom and top load or decking, size of hole and coupling; (3) Hookup, i.e. parallel or angled firing, delays, location of primers. Computer costs are very small, by comparison with purely spherical AEC codes, so that any number of simulations can be carried out very efficiently. The system has already been used to carry out thousands of simulations for over 40 mines in Canada and abroad. It will be explained how such simulations become a useful guide for a mine's blasting engineer who wishes to optimize his blasting and drilling costs.

Jan 1, 1980

By Theodore A. Christensen

Besides the moral responsibility for ensuring worker safety, today's blasting contractor has a major financial incentive for establishing an effective safety program: on-the-job accidents have a direct impact on a very sensitive cost area - Workers Compensation. Within specific parameters, a good safety program can reduce WC costs by lowering the Experience Modification Rate.

Jan 1, 1993