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By G Alan Foster

Because of the marked human response to blast effects and inherent defects present in many modern structures the real possibility of being named as a defendant in a law suit faces most blasters. Until recently even frivolous law suits involved a great deal of expense since legal costs were inevitably incurred whilst waiting for your day in court, which typically occurred some 2-4 years after the alleged damage took place.

Jan 1, 1989

By A Lance McAnuff, Andrew Curic

Until relatively recently, underwater blasting operations for channel deepening, dock construction and pipeline crossings of lakes, rivers and streams were conducted without much regard for the potential side-effects on aquatic organisms.

Jan 1, 1997

By Bengt Niklasson

"A test stope at the Luossavaara Research Mine in Kiruna, Sweden,was divided into four different modules in which various hole patterns and explosives were tested in order to evaluate:1. The optimum combination of explosive and hole pattern2. The resulting fragmentation3. The damage to the surrounding rock4. The application techniques of the VCR mining method"

Jan 1, 1985

By H. Frank Murati, D. S. "Sax" Saxena

The presence of a mobile home park with drinking water wells created a unique geoenvironmental deterrent to the developer’s plans for effective rock blasting, excavation, and development of water management areas (lakes) in connection with the construction of Crown Colony Resort, a residential cum golf course community in southwest Fort Myers, Lee County, Florida, USA.

Jan 1, 2002

By Michael E. Curtis

This paper outlines a study performed to analyze the advantages of utilizing a blasting agent with a velocity of detonation that is 1.3 to 1.4 times the P-wave velocity of sedimentary shales and sandstones at a major Midwest coal operation.

Jan 1, 1997

By Steven V. Crum, David E. Siskind

In response to its own concerns and those of the public, industry and regulatory agencies, the Bureau of Mines is studying the impacts of low-frequency blast vibrations on structures. Previous research has identified potential problems associated with low-frequency ground vibrations and also found that their existence was not particularly rare, given large surface mine blasts and certain geologic conditions. Only a limited amount of data existed in the blast vibration literature on structure response to ground-vibration frequencies below 6 Hz.

Jan 1, 1993

By Joseph A. Sohara, John J. Mullay, Curtis J. Keefer, Robert L. Schrepple

The desensitization of an explosive column by the action of a previous detonation (adjacent borehole, deck or detonating cord) is a vital concern to the explosives industry. Previous reports to this symposium and in other places have addressed this issue. However, this work has been mainly concerned with model or simulated conditions. No systematic study has appeared that utilizes an actual borehole environment. Thus the relation between this work and expected field performance is somewhat uncertain. The present paper attempts to partially resolve this difficulty.

Jan 1, 1990

By Raymond M. Dixon, Dale L. Ramsey

Upon being introduced to the MAGNETIC COUPLING concept,Balsinger,Inc. wanted to conduct field trials to explore the potential of Magnetic Coupling in the U.S.. Although the Magnetic Coupling Concept has been widely used, the U.S. proposed blasting criterion not previously addressed by the system. Modification to the system assembly and blasting accessories had to be made to make the system adaptable to our specific requirements. The field trials and system modifications are the basis of this paper.

Jan 1, 1990

By Tom Short, Bill Beam

Some of the weapons testing shafts at Mercury, Nevada require depths of 1000ft and diameters of 10 feet. The top 40 feet to 65 feet is drilled, blasted and excavated by Large caisson type augers in order to provide vertical working room for the placement of large, oil field type, drilling rigs and the required drill collar.

Jan 1, 1991

By D. Bartley, R. McClure, W. Reisz

Ever since the 8ms criterion was developed in the early 60’s there has been an ongoing debate among many blasters as to its actual value in controlling ground vibration. The perpetuation of the myth surrounding the 8ms window can be partly attributed to its simplicity and convenience as a means for regulatory compliance. Unfortunately, the mindset that many blasters have adopted has hindered the development and use of more effective techniques and in many cases can actually be counter productive to vibration control.

Jan 1, 2006

By Michael S. Wieland

This report discusses the U.S. Bureau of Mines research regarding the desensitization and malfunction of cap-sensitive explosives deployed in underground coal mines. Delay blasting in underground coal generates severe shock waves and rifting forces that fracture and heave coal. These dynamic interactions can damage other charges still remaining in the delay pattern. The debilitating impacts precipitate degrees of reduced charge performance ranging from misfires to weak detonations or out-of-sequence firings. Damaged charges react poorly, perform less useful work, and/or generate atypical fumes with higher toxicity.

Jan 1, 1993

By James Ludwiczak

We are coming to an end of an era in Midwest surface coal mining. For many years, large tracts of coal lands were readily available for sale or lease to surface mine operators.

Jan 1, 1980

By Thomas C. Jones

The purpose of this paper is to disseminate new information for nonelectric blasting in trenching and construction work. The presentation is not designed or intended to discredit conventional electric detonators or use of MS connectors and cord. Its sole purpose is to inform the S.E.E. of new and exciting benefits realized by the use of the Hercudet non-electric system in the construction industry.

Jan 1, 1984

By Tim A. Beattie, John R. Grant, David L. Kennedy

After many years of research, ICI staff have developed a numerical modelling system for the study of detonator/primer/explosive configurations. Results from this work clearly identified that current primer designs were not as effective in delivering their energy potential as needed. Alternative designs were evaluated and several prototypes, all essentially spherical in shape, were built for testing. Results have shown a significant improvement in various aspects of primer performance, including omni-directional pressure transferral and increased energy release rates. Reliable, high performance priming of explosives is now achievable for a much wider application range.

Jan 1, 1991

By Malcolm Scoble

The estimation of digging, ripping and blasting requirements in advance of mine production is a difficult task. The characteristics of the superficials and rock mass govern the type and intensity of ground preparation required as a prelude to loading. The incentives for optimum planning of preparation are primarily economic but also relate to mining method and equipment selection, productivity and environmental impact.

Jan 1, 1985

By K Uenishi, H P. Rossmanith, N Kouzniak, A Daehnke

This contribution presents an introduction into that part of the field of elastic wave propagation which is relevant to blasting of boreholes and addresses briefly borehole breakdown and the formation of the fracture network around a borehole which ultimately leads to the disintegration of the rock mass. Phenomena of this kind are encountered in mining and quarrying. Numerical as well as experimental work referring to stress wave expansion from a detonating borehole is addressed.

Jan 1, 1998

By Courtney W. Shea, Dennis Clark

Reckless blasting can have tragic consequences: The death of an innocent traveler, the financial demise of a coal company, and even criminal prosecution. In June 1993, a Tennessee coal mining company was blasting to loosen overburden at its surface mine. The mine was located immediately adjacent to the right-of-way of the northbound lane of Interstate 75. The approved permit included special precautions to be taken when blasting in the area closest to the interstate, including monitoring traffic so as to blast when the northbound lane was clear.

Jan 1, 1998

By A B. Andrews

The use of sequential blasting techniques that combine surface and in-thehole delays has provided blasters with increased flexibility in blast design to promote good rock fragmentation and displacement while minimizing offsite blast effects such as air blast, flyrock, and ground vibration.

Jan 1, 1981

By Henry P. Van Ormer

This paper is written to outline the capabilities and flexibility of the electric motor driven oil cooled rotary screw air compressor in construction and mining applications. With the changing economics between fuel and electric power all over the world, the viability of the electric motor is a choice all construction and mining people should be aware of. The advent of large efficient electric motor driven rotary screw compressors have given a great deal of flexibility to the use of these units on many applications not considered before. Examples are given for rotary and percussion drilling, fennels, and underground, sandblasting and "uniting, general uses - shows wheel mounted and skid mounted units.

Jan 1, 1976

By Paul Worsey, Terry Nixon

The development and testing of a simple mechanical stemming aid (Patents pending) resulting from a Joint venture by Incubator Technologies Inc. and the University of Missouri-Rolla and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy is described. The aid comprises a solid unit placed in the stemming above the explosive column and is designed to improve blasting efficiency and reduce drilling and blasting costs. It works with back filled drill cuttings or any other suitable stemming material.

Jan 1, 1988