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By Lon Santis, Michael Swisdak, David Leidel, John Tatom

The Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) and A-P-T Research, Inc (APT) have developed and released a quantitative risk management tool, IMESAFR (IME Safety Analysis For Risk), for the commercial explosives industry. Consequence algorithms in IMESAFR are considered state-of-the-art. Generally, they mirror those in SAFER (US Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board quantitative risk management software). The science behind the software has now been assessed for its maturity. Results have identified areas where additional test consequence data could improve predictions. To address these areas, full-scale testing programs to provide the needed data have been formulated. Proposed testing efforts include work to: (1) improve characterization of explosive articles now absent from SAFER, and (2) refine modeling of the Potential Explosion Site (PES) types, particularly small metal structures, also not found in SAFER. Goals of each program as well as requirements for conducting the tests have been established. Testing results are to be used to improve the algorithms and to further the state-of-the-art in risk-based explosives safety.

Jan 1, 2012

By Tom Snyder, John Brulia

Part I is the first of a series of articles by the authors on hazardous materials (HM) transportation safety and compliance for shippers and carriers who offer and transport commercial explosives in commerce on public highways in the U.S.

Jan 1, 2014

By Shazad Hosein, Bill Birch, Catherine Johnson, Toby White, Liam Bermingham

Air overpressure (AOP) from blasting can give rise to a significant number of blasting complaints from residents living adjacent to blasting operations from mines, quarries or civil engineering projects. High amplitudes of AOP are usually associated with the lateral movement of a vertical free face, but it can also be caused by the upward lifting and the venting of gases through the surface of the blast area.

Jan 1, 2018

By Keith Best

It has been said that when a person does something right no one remembers but when they do something wrong no one forgets. This statement, when applied to the explosives industry, has never been truer. Think about it.How many times have you seen a news crew reporting on how well a blaster is doing his/her job? Normally, all you will see is how bad things are going and how much “damage” is being done.

Jan 1, 2008

By Tyler Rockley, Cara Rosen

Blasting at a granite quarry in eastern Maryland produces elevated air blast readings that can fall into the cautionary zone for the state of Maryland environmental regulations on a semi-regular basis. When designing blast patterns in this quarry, challenging geology creates rough and uneven blast faces that can be difficult to capture with 2D laser profiling fully. Utilizing several methods known to manage high air blast results like pattern adjustments, decking, and timing changes have not achieved consistent outcomes. Accurately capturing and modeling this geology is the key to controlling high air blast. 3D modeling and profiling by drone is the solution to understanding accurate face profiles and real minimum burdens. Using 18 months of blasting data and air blast results to establish a baseline, the comparisons between blasts designed with 2D profiling and blasts designed with drone 3D profiling show improvement in air blast levels. Additionally, shots with completed drilling were drone profiled to understand precise amounts of burden for each borehole. This 'audit' of a blast allows for custom loading of explosives, accommodating the amount of burden present on the blast face. 3Dprofiling is not a new tool in the blasting industry, but a drone alleviates some of the restrictions ground systems face. Controlling and managing air blast, as it pertains to face burdens, requires an understanding of those burdens from all angles. A drone provides that distinct level of insight. The results of this study indicate that drone profiling is managing the customer's air blast readings, allowing the customer to maintain their license to operate within the community.

By Tyler Rockley, Cara Rosen

Blasting at a granite quarry in eastern Maryland produces elevated air blast readings that can fall into the cautionary zone for the state of Maryland environmental regulations on a semi-regular basis. When designing blast patterns in this quarry, challenging geology creates rough and uneven blast faces that can be difficult to capture with 2D laser profiling fully. Utilizing several methods known to manage high air blast results like pattern adjustments, decking, and timing changes have not achieved consistent outcomes.

Feb 1, 2020

By R W. Thomas

This paper explores the possibilities of generating radical improvements in the drilling costs and productivity of blastholes through the efforts of integrated teams as opposed to traditional customer/vendor relationships.

Jan 1, 1996

By Michael S. Wieland

"This report investigates whether it is tractable and thereupon reasonable to remove the boosterinfluences when ranking the toxic fumes of non-cap-sensitive mining explosives. The hazard potential is represented by relative fume toxicity RFT, the resultant influence computed from a formulated rule with a restricted set (tally) of fume components and multiplying constants. The RFT result is compared to the rule criterion that represents the worst case tolerable toxicity stipulated by regulations or otherwise. The typical nonstoichiometric booster composition can render notable unwanted influence on the RFT ranking results. Historically, the remedy was to shoot the booster separately and reduce the trial concentrations by the relevant subtractions. Unreal negative concentration results were noted on rare occasions, revealing the faulty nature of the reduction procedure. With thermodynamic reaction chemistry codes TDRC, on the other hand, the booster ingredients can be retained in or removed from the reactant tabulation, yielding reduction factors taken as the concentration ratios for the two circumstances. The underlying presumption regarding reduction factors is that the ratios of component concentrations with and without the booster ingredients when resolved theoretically ought to equal those rendered experimentally, when tractable. Upon rearranging the presumed relationship, the unadjusted fume concentrations divided by theoretical reduction factors yield the wanted readjusted fume concentrations, thereby removing the booster influence without generating unreal negative concentrations."

Jan 1, 1999

By Dale Preece, Steven Case, Cassidy McAllister

Simplot Phosphates produces high quality phosphate fertilizer through open pit mining. The operation near Vernal, UT began as a three-pass mining process carried out with drill and blast followed by the combined effort of shovel-truck and dozer material removal. The first two passes removed the overburden and the final pass mined the relatively hard phosphate ore for processing at the mill. Vertical blastholes were employed in all of the mining passes.

Jan 1, 2012

By John Cory, David Lily, Bill Hissem

The Lafarge granite quarry in Cumming, Georgia is using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Biplot charting to identify important variables and control air blast and vibration. Every blasting situation is unique and PCA and Biplot charting help to clarify the major variables determining air blast and vibration.

Jan 1, 2010

By Kevin Phelps, Jason Baird, Philip Mulligan, Dominique Nolan

Determining the transitions from run-up to optimal cut length and optimal cut length to run down, without bias, from the penetration of a linear shaped charge (LSC) is difficult. The stresses applied to the targets during explosive testing can distort the targets in such a manner that determining the true distance of cut, penetration, or fracture can be demanding. Through the course of this research, it was observed that the researchers made many of the errors involved in the collection of data. Among these errors researchers found problems in: determining and fitting the sample to a single plane from which to read measurements, determining where along the path of cut the three phases of penetration transition, and the precision of measurement based on handheld tools and the human eye. This study looks at three methods of recording the data of a series of linear shaped charge tests. The tests resulted in samples which are not ideal for measuring with common laboratory devices like measuring tapes, calipers, or rulers. The first method utilized these common laboratory devices and the difficulties the authors experienced are described in this paper. The second and third methods involve digital photography, image manipulation, and the use of AutoCAD. Methods two and three are then compared to the simple observational method and discussion is made in regards to the precision and accuracy of each method.

Jan 1, 2013

By Mark Fritzen

Drilling and blasting near residential or business inhabited areas may expose people to blast induced vibration. Many of these people have never been exposed to blast vibration and airblast which can cause a variety of reactions ranging from indifference to anger. Blasting contractors seeking to minimize the impact of blasting to neighbors of the project will plan for a public relation plan which begins at bid time. The public relations plan cost will be included in their proposal and a variety of methods may be included including, door to door contact, letters, pamphlets, telephone calls, and the use of an independent consultant to conduct a pre-blast survey. By raising the awareness of neighbors to a blasting project the blasting contractor may reduce the anxiety and stress of unannounced blasting vibration and airblast. This helps everyone associated with the project from the project owner(s) to the blasting contractor.

Jan 1, 2000

By Damien Bretall, William Fourney

Due to the changing face of warfare there is an ever growing need to protect the underside of combat vehicles from mine blasts. This paper presents a new method to better characterize the pressure profiles experienced by a plate as the blast develops. The explosive deformation of a small-scale plate was recorded using synchronized high-speed digital cameras, and then analyzed using 3D Digital Image Correlation software. Time-varying pressure profiles were input into an axisymmetric FEM simulation by fitting curves to data obtained from tests using Kolsky bars to measure pressures. These were then modified to find possible profiles that produce the measured deformations. It was discovered that the final deformation cannot be determined from only total impulse or peak pressures, and that it is very sensitive to the time and spatial decay of the pressures.

Jan 1, 2009

By Jason Baird, Philip Mulligan, Caleb Baumgart

This report details the pressure variances, measured at four pressure sensors placed equidistant from the center of an airburst explosion, as the blast pressure from a single charge expands radially. Many of the empirically derived equations used for predicting the blast pressures of an explosion, assume a point source detonation and that the radial pressure expansion is equal. The authors understand that the equations used to approximate the blast pressure may not have 100 percent agreement with the observed pressure. However, during previous research at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) the pressure variances had a range of 1,200 psi, between the four pressure sensors placed two feet from the center of a 1/2-pound (226.8 gram) of hand packed C4. The variances indicated that at the close distance from a suspended explosive charge the pressure does not behave as that observed from a point source.

Jan 1, 2014

By Tom C. Palangio

Commercially available online particle size analyzers (OPSA) are in their third decade of development (Palangio, T.C., 1985), (Franklin, J. A., Maerz, N.H., 1987), (Maerz, N.H., Franklin, J.A., and Coursen, D.L., 1987). The installed base of operating analyzer numbers is in the hundreds. This paper takes a look at five critically important relationships that users have discovered through the use of OPSA systems. The two key attributes of these systems are: 1) consistency and, 2) historical context compared with traditional practices.

Jan 1, 2016

By Debra Satkowiak, Ronald Thomas

The Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME), a non-profit safety and security organization founded in 1913, is known for its industry best practices, Safety Library Publications (SLP), some of which have been incorporated into rules by regulatory agencies. The IME developed the first commercial storage, quantity distance (Q/D) table titled “The American Table of Distances” (ATD). It was developed by IME’s legacy association in 1910 and was originally based on observations of structural damage from 117 accidental explosions involving small to very large amounts of explosives, primarily dynamite and black powder. In 1930, the IME published a book, compiled by Ralph Assheton, called the “History of Explosions on Which the American Table of Distances was Based”. The distance in feet in the ATD were founded on the measurements at which inhabited buildings sustained substantial structural damage from the accidental detonation of explosives. For example, minor damage such as window glass breakage and the “shaking down” of plaster was not considered substantial structural damage. Other damage to property that was readily repairable was also not considered “substantial.” It was concluded that unless some integral portion of the building was damaged, the occupants would not be subjected to serious risks.

Jan 1, 2017

By Martin Reed, John Wright

Blasters with the United States Antarctic Program (USAP) have developed techniques for opening access holes in floating sea-ice where the use of conventional drilling equipment is impractical. The blasting techniques have proven successful in sea-ice ranging from 8 to 15 feet thick. Previous published work has treated in detail blasting holes in floating ice from 2 to 6 feet thick.

Jan 1, 2001

By Patrick Cahill, Jacob Miller, Nolan Mundwiller, Catherine Johnson

"The Experimental Mine at the Missouri University of Science and Technology is undergoing major developments. The underground workings are being expanded to include a ramp down to a second level which will comprise of larger opening and room sizes to better simulate modern mine layouts. Thisexpansion will enable the Experimental Mine to be utilized for many more generations. In addition, the new 15,000 sq. ft. Kennedy Mine Building is being constructed and will house the mine office,classrooms, and three laboratories to accommodate the mining and explosives engineering programs’ ever-increasing enrollment. With these new developments come an increasing need for safety and awareness in regards to explosives and blasting. This paper will utilize the Institute of ExplosivesMakers Safety Analysis of Risk (IMESAFR) software tool, to assess current magazine compliance withthe increased personnel limits and mine building location. Furthermore, this paper will assess theimplementation of a wireless blast warning system consisting of warning beacons and a centrally located siren which will be integrated with the construction of the Kennedy Mine Building. This warning system will provide the necessary precautions to safely conduct blasting-related experiential learningopportunities and research projects, and will enable facility staff to more efficiently oversee blastingoperations at the Experimental Mine. "

Jan 1, 2017

By Alastair Torrance, Italo Onederra, Do Sun Kim, Kush Patel, Gary Cavanough

Reactivity of ammonium nitrate-based explosives is associated with the presence of sulphide in the ground reacting with explosive products and in some instances causing spontaneous reactions which can lead to detonation. This paper explains the mechanism of these reactions, the potential cause of spontaneous detonation and how inhibited explosives prevent the reaction

Jan 1, 2019

By Greg Shapiro, Paul Dr. Worsey

Mining, quarry, and construction blasts are becoming more and more dependent on bench profiling. The use of accurate profiling gives the blaster better data for the most efficient blast results. So, we ask the question: What is the best method for measuring and analyzing burden?

Jan 1, 2019