Masters Theses

Abstract

"The objective of this thesis was to determine if rubber tractor treads could be used as an alternative material for blasting mats. These treads are made from steel cable and vulcanized rubber and are very tough. However, once they reach the end of their life on mobile equipment, they are destined for a landfill, or dump site because they are too tough to recycle. A potential alternative use for them is as blasting mats.

An examination of existing mat designs was conducted to better understand the matting methods used by the blasting industry today, to learn from those designs allow a higher quality blasting mat to be made.

Because there was no standardized test for assessing mat performance, a test was created. A flyrock study was performed to quantify the forces produced during blasting. A standard blast testing procedure was established for mats of different designs and allowed the tractor tread mat's performance to be compared with the common current industry standard. Once the mat was constructed, it was tested through rigorous blasting. The blast test was set up specifically to provide realistic blasting conditions that mats need to endure.

The mats performed very well and with a few improvements in fastener design, the tractor tread mat withstood the blasting forces better than the control mat. This thesis also establishes a standard for judging the performance of new mat materials in the future"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Worsey, Paul Nicholas

Committee Member(s)

Baird, Jason, 1955-
Bullock, Richard Lee,1929-

Department(s)

Mining Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Explosives Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

2014

Pagination

x, 81 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (page 80).

Rights

© 2014 Matthew Kurtis Coy, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

BlastingBlast effect -- MeasurementTractors -- Tires -- Analysis

Thesis Number

T 10846

Electronic OCLC #

953991462

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