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By Claude Cunningham

Simple bulk energy rating of explosives obscures the realities of how these deliver their energy, and diverts attention from the key question of controlling blasting results. Explosive performance is directly related to the pressure pulse impacting on the blasthole wall. This is helpfully visualised by comparing the adiabatic expansion plots for explosives of interest on the right scales and axes. The simple comparison of a pure emulsion with pure ANFO illustrates the practical significance of the intrinsic behaviour of these opposed formulations, showing that the emulsion can be expected to work more by softening rock, while ANFO will tend more to crack it. The explanation for these differences lies in the high shock, low sustained pressure of the former relative to the latter. The technique is readily applied, if a good detonation code is available and able to swap data into a spreadsheet. Any differences between codes will emerge most strongly in comparing the gamma plots.

Jan 1, 2002

By Johan Finsteen Gjodvad, Mathias Jern

The paper is part of the ongoing work of the Environmental committee of EFEE. To assist the European experts working with explosives one of the aims is to improve the common knowledge of similarities and differences between national legislation, standards or guidelines on vibration monitoring and other environmental monitoring during blasting in Europe and abroad.

Feb 1, 2020

By John R. Schuring, Walter Konon

The 2.0 in./sec. peak particle velocity criterion traditionally used to protect structures from blast induced vibration damage is non-conservative for landmark structures. Various factors which must be considered in establishing vibration criteria for landmark structures are discussed. Existing criteria by past investigators for this class of structure are presented.

Jan 1, 1984

By H Y. Fang, H Sutherland, R M. Koerner

Due to the increased number of complaints by property owners to blasting related industries an apparent need for a clearer understanding of blasting-related damage is needed. We feel that direct structural crack monitoring during such blasts is the appropriate measurement technique. Instrumentation and interpretation of results for taking such measurements are described in this paper. Typical results from blasting and other environmental effects are also described which can eventually be related to Fracture Mechanics principles in the hope of clarifying such disputes in an equitable manner.

Jan 1, 1976

By Johan Finsteen Gjødvad, Mathias Jern

The paper is part of the ongoing work of the Environmental committee of EFEE. To assist the European experts working with explosives one of the aims is to improve the common knowledge of similarities and differences between national legislation, standards or guidelines on vibration monitoring and other environmental monitoring during blasting in Europe and abroad. This has been done by use of an online survey through the most of 2018. Questions have been raised on vibration monitoring during blasting. The existence of norms, guidelines or standards and how they are used. Even though the questions have been kept at a high level they are formed to try to map the different national standards use of such things as frequency, guidance on monitoring position, distinction between different types of structures, requirement to the equipment and more. Furthermore a few initial questions have been raised on other environmental monitoring relevant for blasting. The respondents are national, cooperate or individual members of EFEE. The answers are experts in the use of explosives and vibration-monitoring in their respective countries. More than 60 have answered the questionnaire from 29 different countries. Mainly European as well as other nations including India, Israel, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA, Greenland and Hong Kong. By analysing the incoming answers, the differences and similarities in vibration monitoring of the respondents has been clarified and mapped. Where possible other environmental monitoring has also been analysed. Where needed the different guidelines, standards and regulations have been visited to verify the answers and further elaborate on the comparison.

By Gimtong Teowee

SDI has launched the Electronic Detonator Blasting System containing a set of robust serial protocol and hardware exhibiting great ease in field usability and deployment. Programmable delay time with increments of 1 ms up to 10s is possible with excellent timing accuracy. Bus length of up to 2 km containing 1600 EIMs can be employed. A key feature of the SDI Electronic Blasting System has been its high tolerance towards current leakage in the bus line.

Jan 1, 2007

By Donald H. Matthews

The usual method of dismantling massive concrete formations with explosives, is to totally demolish the entire concrete structure. If any portion of a concrete structure is required to remain in its original form and retain its structural integrity, the use of explosives is usually forbidden and the portion to be dismantled is demolished by mechanical means, using various techniques and equipment that are tedious and expensive.

Jan 1, 1978

By Ingvar Hansson, Bjorn A. Jonsson, Bernt Larsson

In the Kiruna Research Mine, Sweden, four large open stopes have been mined, leaving intermediate piIlars and crown pillars. At the final stage of mining mass blasting of the crown pillars above two of the stopes was carried out. The crown pillars contained some 290,000 tons of iron ore. In the mass blast a new initiation technique was used, utilizing the new non-electric system NONEL ? UNIDET. The blasting technique including vibration control is described. The mass blast resulted in high recovery, good fragmentation and low vibration levels.

Jan 1, 1986

By Winston Wilches B., Scott Scovira

This paper discusses recent changes to the emulsion blend blasting agent used at the Drummond Pribbenow Mine in Colombia, one of the world’s largest open pit coal mines, and the resulting improvements in rock breakage and excavator productivity. Based on field evaluations, the use of High Density Ammonium Nitrate (HDAN) can be effectively implemented in an emulsion blend blasting agent, yielding excellent results in terms of energy release, shelf life and velocity of detonation (VOD). Field evaluations showed that formulations using HDAN exceed the performance of the actual 50%/50% emulsion/ANFO blend using Porous Prill Ammonium Nitrate (PPAN). PPAN is conventionally used for emulsion blend manufacturing, with physical characteristics to facilitate sensitivity during the detonation process.

Jan 1, 2014

By Robert Hopler

The 1800’s were a time of tremendous advancements in science and experimentation, and earthquakes were a subject of great interest. The meetings of the British Association for the Advancement of Science in 1853 and 1854 are good examples of this. The proceedings of the Association for the 1854 meeting includes a table entitled “Catalogue of Recorded Earthquakes from 1784 to 1850” which takes up 326 pages, and lists available information on approximately 3000 earthquakes. The 1853 proceedings have a similar table for earthquakes recorded from 1606 B.C. to 1783. In the 1854 volume there is a “Report of the Committee on Earthquakes,” which provides us with a view of the general state of the science. Excerpts from that report follow:

Jan 1, 2006

By Sarma Kanchibotla

In mineral industry operations the insitu ore is’separated from the waste rock and is subjected to a series ofprocesses to convert it into a valuable product. Profitability of any operation in this industry depends on how eficiently the insitu rock (ore -I- waste) is converted in to the final product and how much value @ice) it commands in the market. Traditionally, the total process in mineral industry is classt@ed into two groups as mining and milling, and optimised independently without considering the impact of one over the other. This paper investigates the impact of mining operations (especially blasting;) on downstream processes and demonstrates the potential benefits of the “Mine - Mill Blasting” approach through simulations and case histories.

Jan 1, 2000

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 Janice Reed

The first seismograph was developed around 132 AD. Much has happened since then. The “modern” seismograph (> 1920) has seen a lot of changes. From falling pin seismographs to magnetic tape units to today’s Z-curve analysis models, the blasting seismograph remains a necessary and useful tool to the blasting community. But why so many changes? What forces drive the advancement of the seismograph? There are many answers and aspects to this question. Research, regulation, and technological advances are the primary forces behind innovation in our industry. But these three forces also drive each other. Research drove our industry from displacement seismographs to particle velocity seismographs. Technology took us from 80 pound seismographs to units weighing less than 5 pounds. Regulation (and litigation) - the driving forces behind the Z-curve analysis units. How have these innovations helped today’s blaster? Have there been any negatives? It is important for today’s blaster to understand how we got here and why.

Jan 1, 2005

By R Ludeling, Klaus G. Hinzen, Ulrich Steiner, Friedrich Heinemeyer, Peter Roh

A method for hybrid modelling of blast vibrations in time domain is developed. Field seismograms of single shot experiments are combined with computer simulations. In this way firing times of blastholes in a pattern can be optimized due to diverse criteria like maximum velocity amplitude and frequency content of the vibrations.

Jan 1, 1987

By R L. Keller

Hong Kong has some of the most restrictive practices regarding blasting than any place in the world. Regulations regarding vibration limitations are 1 in/sec for structures and 0.5 in/sec (or even less) for most utilities; with no recognition of frequency response or adjustment. The Hong Kong Geotechnical Engineering Office has one of the most conservative approaches and protective guidelines for pre-blast assessment of slopes subjected to blast vibration (SEE paper '96). The protective measures to control flyrock generally required by the Mines Division are additionally very stringent. It is not uncommon for the costs associated with protective measures or methods which must be employed to exceed the cost of the drilling and blasting itself - or to waiver blasting application unfeasible altogether. From these restrictions it can easily be imagined how blasting in this urban environment would be most challenging.

Jan 1, 1997

By K R. Sharpe, A Davitt

CXA is currently evaluating, in co-operation with Inco Metals, a new idea in small diameter hole blasting - the Unidelay Nonel initiation system. In concept, the Unidelay system is a hybrid of the conventional multi-period Nonel system and the safety fuse assembly/igniter cord system. It combines the operational advantages of the latter, simplicity and flexibility, with those of the former, safety and compatibility with all commercial explosives.

Jan 1, 1982

By Split Engineering Chile Fernando Fernandez

Mathematical modeling in conjunction with mineral characterization is widely used as a method for design and optimization of comminution circuits, to simulate the processes of crushing, grinding and classification. An important input parameter to the simulation models is the Run-of-Mine Particle Size Distribution (ROM PSD). The run-of-mine size distributions due to blasting have a great influence on the performance of a semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill. In this paper, a mine case study was conducted where there are four primary geologic units and the material properties between the four units vary considerably. Also, the mixture of the four unit that will be mined at any given time also vary considerably. This presents a challenge in terms of optimizing the blasting for mill production throughout the mine life. As part of the case study, field rock mass characterization, laboratory rock mechanics tests, and laboratory breakage tests were conducted. The field characterization and rock mechanics tests provide material properties used to simulate the effect of different blast designs on run of mine particle size distributions (ROM PSD). The JKSimBlast software was used for these simulations. The rock breakage tests provide material properties used to simulate crushing and grinding performance. The JKSimMet software was used for these simulations.

Jan 1, 2015

By Y Omura

If dynamite is used in hot metal mines, it may be subject to decomposition, and the increase in nitroglycol vapour under the high temperatures causes bad headaches of workers. Also the explosives containing ammonium nitrate are very dangerous when mixed with sulfide ores at a high temperature!. Therefore we developed a heat-resistant water gel explosive which is safe to be handled at these hot metal mines.

Jan 1, 1983

By K. Ram Chandar, Vedala Rama Sastry

Fragmentation and muck pile profile together play an important role in optimizing the excavation costs for given geo-mining conditions. Initiation system is one of the vital parameters influencing the fragmentation and muck pile throw (profile). An attempt is made through this paper to study the characteristics of muck pile produced in addition to fragmentation. Two new parameters namely “throwburden ratio” and “muck pile ratio” are proposed for assessing fragmentation and movement of material. Field investigations were carried out in a limestone mine in southern India with shock tube and detonating cord initiation, using four initiation patterns, keeping other parameters like burden, spacing,delay timing etc. same.

Jan 1, 2008

Case histories in blasting show that Livingston's cratering technology has been applied successfully to blast designs with explosives having a charge length to diameter ratio not larger than 6. But the evaluation of experimental results such as the crater volume is tedious and sometimes impractical. A key analysis presented in the study shows that the optimum scaled volume relates well with the optimum scaled rupture limit, and the latter can be determined by means of high speed photography without excavating the blasted material. Through the studies of harvesting gypsum from a dried up settling pond the high speed photography approach has demonstrated to be effective for determining the optimum design for blasting plastic material.

Jan 1, 1987