Development of a cemented sand model for centrifuge testing of blast effects on underground openings

Author

Eric Howard Lidholm

Abstract

"Underground facilities are finding increasing use due to space restrictions, environmental considerations, and economic reasons. Protection of these facilities from surface and subsurface explosions is a concern. Full scale tests arc hazardous and uneconomical, however, small scale models can be used to simulate full scale tests with the use of the artificial gravitational field produced in a centrifuge.

The purpose of this research is to develop an artificially cemented sand model for a study of blast response over underground openings. Other studies have shown that artificially cemented sands can be used to simulate the behavior of naturally cemented sands. Artificially cemented sands have the additional benefit of allowing control over the degree of cementation, density of the final product, and size of the test specimens. Material type, strength parameter development, and evaluation of blast response in one g tests are examined.

In all, 27 static, undrained triaxial tests, 75 unconfined compression tests, 70 density tests, and nine blast response tests were conducted. All specimens were prepared with a sliding weight compaction hammer and compacted to a relative density of 80 to 84 percent with three, five, and seven percent cement by weight. Variables considered were cement content, curing period, moisture content, effective confining pressure, and opening depth and geometry.

Test results indicate that unconfined compressive strength, shear strength, and initial tangent modulus increase considerably with cementation. Cementation had little or no effect on the friction angle. Blast induced crater volume and spalling characteristics were also influenced by the level of cementation"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Stephenson, Richard Wesley

Committee Member(s)

Haas, Charles J.
Richardson, David Newton

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Civil Engineering

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

Spring 1990

Pagination

x, 101 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 83-85).

Rights

© 1990 Eric Howard Lidholm, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 6019

Print OCLC #

22439185

Electronic OCLC #

993706254

Recommended Citation

Lidholm, Eric Howard, "Development of a cemented sand model for centrifuge testing of blast effects on underground openings" (1990). Masters Theses. 855.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/855