EXP 6412 Environmental Controls for Blasting

Environmental Controls for Blasting is a graduate level course that looks at the environmental effects of Blasting. Students will expand their knowledge of environmental thresholds and guidelines while developing appropriate engineering techniques to mitigate unwanted blast effects.

Instructor: Dr. Paul Worsey

Catalog Description: (LEC 2.0 and LAB 1.0) Advanced blast mechanics; overbreak control including comprehensive coverage of perimeter and smoothwall specialist blasting techniques and geotechnical factors affecting blast vibration, limits, analysis, monitoring and control; air blast control including limits, monitoring and atmospheric and topographic effects. Prerequisite: Exp 5612, Successful background check.

SyllabusExplosives 6412 ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS FOR BLASTING

3 Credit Hours, 2 Hours lecture + 1-3 hour lab per week

TOPICS COVERED:

Review of Blast Mechanics (1-6)Basic Dynamics and Quasi StaticsRadial Fracture MechanicsSlabbing Theory and MechanicsCratering Theory and MechanicsFlexural Rupture Mechanics – New Radial Fracture SimulationSecondary Fragmentation by CollisionGeological Modification Effects

Over Break Control (7-14)Available Perimeter/Smooth Walling TechniquesBlast Damage Detection and MeasurementGeotechnical Factors Affecting Pre-site SurveysOverbreak Prediction and Blast Design and StereonetsMonitoring of Blasting Operations

Blast Vibrations (15-25)Intro, Cause, Legal LimitsPre-site SurveysNon-blast Related Structural DamageStructural Response to VibrationsBlasting Surveys for DwellingsBlast Design/Prevention of Detrimental DamageGeological ControlVibration MonitoringBlasting Effects on Wells and Buried PipelinesFuturistic Concepts for Blast Vibration Control

Air Blast/Noise Control (26-29)Pressure Theory and Decibel RangeLegal Limits and Effect on Structures and Personnel and PublicCause and ControlAtmospheric and Topographic Effect

Fly Rock (30-32)Mechanisms of Flyrock ProductionFlyrock Control in Blast DesignMajor Cause of Accidents in Surface Blasting

Blast Guarding (33-34)Defining Safe LimitsSetting Up a Blasting Safety ProgramBriefing, Posting, Barricades, Signals, Guards and Communications

Chemical Hazards and Toxicity (35)

Environmental Cleanup using Blasting (36)