EXP ENG 5622: Blasting Design and Technology

As a subsequent course to EXP 6512, this class offers advanced blasting techniques. Students will participate in intensive blast design exercise and apply current technology and industry techniques.

Instructor: Dr. Paul Worsey

Catalog Description: (LEC 2.0 and LAB 1.0) Advanced theory and application of explosives in excavation; detailed underground blast design; specialized blasting including blast casting, construction and pre-splitting. An introduction to blasting research and examination of field applications. Prerequisite: Exp Eng 5612. Students must be at least 21 years of age. Successful background check.

SyllabusThe course outline for Explosives/Mining 5622 (old Exp 350) has been separated into 9 sections. A tentative outline for the lecture series is shown below to act as a guide to future lectures given as part of this course. You will be notified of what lectures will be given each week via the Course Announcements section in Blackboard. The lectures themselves will be placed in the Course Documents section of Blackboard.

1 Introduction Introduction to the course and brief overview of the basic principles of blasting. 1.1 Introduction

2 Trends Outlines the current trends in today's mining industry for the following topics. 2.1 Explosives 2.2 Initiation 2.3 Drilling 2.4 Loading

3 Underground Heading Design Summarizes the different techniques used in advancing headings, incorporating drilling, blasting and charging design. 3.0 UG Heading Design Introduction3.1 Heading Design Introduction3.2 Burn Cuts3.3 V Cuts & Fan Cuts3.4 Main Round Design3.5 Example Problem3.6 Modern Main Round Design3.7 Burn Cut Design using Modern Explosives3.8 Alternate Modern V Cut Design

4 Underground Specialist Blasting Outlines the specific blasting needs for specialized underground mining techniques. 4.1 Vertical Crater Retreat 4.2 Blind Raise Drilling 4.3 Mass Blasting

5 Environmental Factors Looks at methods of monitoring and predicting the behavior of the surrounding environment when blasting. 5.1 Blasting Vibration & Fumes 5.2 Effect of Geology 5.3 Perimeter Control 5.4 Environmental Control

6 Fragmentation and Oversize Control Creates an understanding of rock breakage and how to control the resulting rock size 6.1 Fragmentation 6.2 Oversize Control

7 Surface Blasting Deals with issues that are specific to blasting above ground such as surface mining and civil engineering. 7.1 Advanced Blast Design 7.2 Powder Factor 7.3 Optimizing Shots 7.4 Sinking Cuts 7.5 Blast Casting 7.6 Angle Drilling 7.7 Construction 7.8 Close in Construction Blasting

8 Performance Monitoring and Troubleshooting Shows how to monitor, identify then resolve any issues that may be shown in a blast. 8.1 Blast Monitoring Technology 8.2 Troubleshooting 8.3 Decking

9 Bulk Systems Gives a description of bulk loading systems, how they are designed and some history. Presentations given by Tread Corporation the leaders in bulk truck delivery systems.9.0 Introduction9.1 The Evolution in Bulk Delivery Systems 9.2 Capacity and loading9.3 Bulk truck selection

Lab VideosDead PressingSympathetic DetonationUnderground Ramp Shot