Masters Theses

Abstract

"Many blasting applications in the mining industry demand that the hard rock being blasted remains structurally competent. For example, pre-splitting is a common technique to reduce fracturing, and operators of dimension stone quarries use this blasting method to eliminate overbreak. When pre-split design parameters are not applied correctly, there will be a redistribution of stresses within the rock, resulting in Blast Induced Rock Damage (BID). Advances in geophysical technology are enabling blast technicians to monitor BID and then use the results to correctly design their blasts. The Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) geophysical method is new technology that is applied in many industries to determine the structural integrity of the subsurface. However, it has never been applied to monitor and quantify BID. Nonetheless, the author of this research intended to determine whether the MASW geophysical method can be applied on a large scale in surface mining by quantifying the amount of BID that is produced from pre-splitting and comparing this BID to rock mass competency, and high-wall stability. The author did so by performing a series of pre-split shots at a sandstone dimension stone quarry. Pre and post blast MASW surveys were gathered and compared to determine the extent that unwanted damage was occurring from the pre-split at specific depth intervals from the split line. The MASW method will produce high resolution data when it is used in optimal conditions. However, geological anomalies that are typical at mine sites prevent accurate MASW data to be processed with high resolution. Therefore, MASW is not applicable to monitor BID produced from pre-splitting with precision. However, MASW is capable of collecting detailed information at mine sites when it is performed on a large scale and this research shows that it will identify zones where the stone has been disturbed from the blast at depths several meters from the split line which compromises the structural integrity of the remaining rock mass and negatively influences the outcome of later shots performed in that area. This research generated recommendations for work that could be done to further utilize the MASW method as it was intended for"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Baird, Jason, 1955-

Committee Member(s)

Worsey, Paul Nicholas
Awuah-Offei, Kwame, 1975-

Department(s)

Mining Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Explosives Engineering

Comments

Appendix A (page 111) appears at the end of the PDF.

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Fall 2010

Pagination

xii, 299 pages, plates

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 84-91).

Rights

© 2010 Charles Bradford Zdazinsky, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Blasting -- Research
Rock mechanics
Surface waves -- Measurement

Thesis Number

T 9767

Print OCLC #

731036035

Electronic OCLC #

731035401

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