Masters Theses

Keywords and Phrases

Delay Timing; Rock Blasting

Abstract

"Optimized rock fragmentation is essential for minimizing downstream costs to mining operations. Photographic fragmentation analysis, vibration monitoring, and high-speed video all provide measurements of blast effectiveness and supply data that allows operations to modify blasts to achieve downstream goals.

This study evaluates the effects of short hole-to-hole delay times on rock fragmentation. Photographic fragmentation analysis and various delay times were used on the same bench blast, the effects of timing on fragmentation were determined. This analysis provides a representative understanding of timing effects on fragmentation in the field, different from previous blast models which either negate the effects of timing or geology. Four test blasts were conducted at a granite quarry in Talbotton, GA. For each test blast, the bench was divided into three timing zones. This allowed for multiple delay times to be evaluated in each shot and it provided visual comparison of the variable face movement and throw. Hole-to-hole delay times included 0 ms, 1 ms, 4 ms, 10ms, 16 ms, and 25 ms across the various zones. The 16 ms and 25 ms times were the baseline times against which the short delay results were evaluated. The 0 ms and 1 ms times included stress wave collision regions, and the 10 ms time was based on the speed of sound in the rock and burden distance. Each blast was monitored using high-speed video and seismographs. Dyno Consult provided additional seismograph and video monitoring, along with bore track and 3D laser profile data. Multiple photographs were taken of each of the zones for WipFrag analysis. Based on the fragmentation analysis the 25 ms and 10 ms delay times resulted in the smallest rock fragmentation, while the 1 ms delay gave the coarsest fragmentation"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Johnson, Catherine E.

Committee Member(s)

Worsey, Paul Nicholas
Aouad, Nassib

Department(s)

Mining Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Explosives Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Fall 2015

Pagination

ix, 145 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 142-144).

Geographic Coverage

Talbotton (Ga.)

Rights

© 2015 Margaret Ruth Hettinger, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

BlastingElectric detonators -- TestingRock mechanicsRocks -- CleavageBlast effect -- MeasurementExplosives

Thesis Number

T 10786

Electronic OCLC #

936207224

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Thesis Location

 
COinS