Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Blasting and related technology

  • Reference work entry
General Geology

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Science ((EESS))

  • 97 Accesses

Uses of Explosives

Military uses of explosives are legion. In civil projects, they are utilized for fragmentation or displacement of geologic materials in surface, underground, and underwater construction (Langefors and Kihlstrom, 1978); in quarrying and mining (Lewis and Clark, 1964); in the stimulation of water (Walton, 1970), oil, and gas wells (McLamore, 1973); and in the preparation of ore for in situ leaching (Navarro, 1974) or of oil shale for in situ retorting (Miller et al., 1974). For these applications, nuclear as well as conventional blasting has been proposed (Teller et al., 1968). Other uses are in controlling avalanches (La-Chapelle, 1966); breaking ice and log jams; removing sunken vessels from shipping channels; cutting timbers, steel plate, and structural shapes; demolishing brick, concrete, or steel structures, heavy industrial equipment, and castings; and preparing land for agricultural use (du Pont, 1969).

Capable of rapidly drilling holes and removing rock,...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 449.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 599.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ash, R. L., 1968, The design off blasting rounds, in Surface Mining. New York: AIME, 373–397.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atchison, T. C., 1968, Fragmentation principles, in Surface Mining. New York: AIME, 355–372.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atchison, T. C., and J. M. Pugliese, 1964, Comparative Studies of Explosives in Limestone. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines (RI 6395), 25p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atchison, T. C., and J. Roth, 1961, Comparative Studies of Explosives in Marble. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines (RI 5797), 20p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belland, J. M., 1966, Structure as a control in rock fragmentation, Canadian Inst. Mining and Metallurgy Bull. 59(647), 323–328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergman, O. R., F. C. Wu, and J. W. Edl, 1974, Model rock blasting measures: effect of delays and hole patterns on rock fragmentation, Eng. Mining Jour., June, 124–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, R. B., and J. S. Dodd, 1968, Estimated rock stresses at Morrow Point underground power plant from earthquakes and underground nuclear blasts, 9th Symp. Rock Mech., AIME Proc., 84–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, G. B., 1968, Explosives, in Surface Mining. New York: AIME, 341–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, G. B., C. J. Haas, J. W. Brown, and D. A. Summers, 1969, Rock Properties Related to Rapid Excavation. Springfield, Va.: National Technical Information Service (PB 184767), 188–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, G. B., R. R. Rollins, J. W. Brown, and H. N. Kalia, 1971, Rock penetration by jets from lined cavity explosive charges, 12th Symp. Rock Mech., AIME Proc., 621–651.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coates, D. F., and M. Gyenge, 1973, Blasting, in Incremental Design in Rock Mechanics. Ottawa: Information Canada (Mines Bureau Mon. 880, 3–1–3–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, C. J., 1980, Bench blasting related to joint design, World Mining 33(4), 49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cole, R. H., 1948, Underwater Explosions. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 437p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, M. A., 1958, The Science of High Explosives. New York: Reinhold Publ. Co., 440p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dick, R. A., 1968, Selecting the proper explosive—factors that should influence your choice, Mining Eng. 20(11), 37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dick, R. A., 1972, The Impact of Blasting Agents and Slurries on Explosives Technology. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, (IC 8560), 58p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dick, R. A., and J. J. Olsen, 1972, Choosing the proper borehole size for bench blasting, Mining Eng. 24(3), 41–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duke, C. M., and D. J. Leeds, 1961, Effects of earthquakes on tunnels, in Protective Construction in a Nuclear Age, vol. 1. New York: Macmillan, 302–328.

    Google Scholar 

  • du Pont de Nemours and Co., E. I., 1969, Blasters' Handbook, 15th ed. Wilmington, Dela.: Explosives Dept., 516p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ezra, A. A., 1973, Principles and Practice of Explosive Metalworking. London: Industrial Newspapers Ltd., 270p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fennel, M. H., R. P. Plewman, and A. N. Brown, 1968, Smooth blasting and presplitting, in Papers and Discussions, 1966–1967. Association of Mine Managers of South Africa, 811–863.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gnirk, P. R., and E. P. Pfeider, 1968, On the correlation between explosive crater formation and rock properties, 9th Symp. Rock Mech., AIME Proc., 321–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gregory, C. E., 1973, Explosives for North American Engineers. Clausthal, Germany: Trans. Tech. Publications, 276p.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Atomic Energy Agency, 1974, Peaceful Nuclear Explosions III—Applications, Characteristics and Effects. New York: UNIPUB, Inc., 488p.

    Google Scholar 

  • La Chapelle, E. R., 1966, The control of snow avalanches, Sci. American 214 (2), 92–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lampson, C. W., 1946, Final Report on Effects of Underground Explosions, Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University, National Defense Research Committee of Office of Scientific Research and Development (NDRC No. A-479/OSRD No. 6645), 83p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Langefors, U., and Kihlstrom, B., 1978, The Modern Technique of Rock Blasting. New York: Wiley, 38p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, R. S., and G. B. Clark, 1964, Explosives and blasting, in Elements of Mining. New York: Wiley, 103–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Livingston, C. W., 1960, Explosions in Ice. Wilmette, Ill.: U.S. Army Snow, Ice and Permafrost Research Establishment, Corps of Engineers, (Tech. Rept. 75), 49p, Apps. A–D.

    Google Scholar 

  • Livingston, C. W., 1968, Explosions in Snow. Hanover, N.H.: U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Material Command (Tech. Rept. 86), 124pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manon, J. J., 1977, Explosives: Their Classification and Characteristics; Chemistry and Physics; Mechanics of Detonation; Commercial Applications; and Selection for Specific Job. New York: McGraw-Hill, 29p.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLamore, R. T., 1973, Development of Non-nuclear Explosive Fracturing Technology to Increase Domestic Energy Supplies and Reserves. Redmond, Wash.: Petroleum Tech. Corp. (Rept. 73–H-014–R2), 20p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, J. S., C. J. Walker, and J. L. Eakin, 1974, Fracturing Oil Shale with Explosives for in Situ Recovery. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines (RI 7874), 100p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphey, B. R., 1961, High Explosive Crater Studies: Desert Alluvium. Albuquerque, N.M.: Sandia Corp. [SC–4614(RR)], 8p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagy, J., A. R. Cooper, and H. G., Dorsett, Jr., 1968, Explosibility of Miscellaneous Dusts. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines (RI 7208), 31p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Navarro, R., 1974, Structural and Free Field Seismic Measurements on the Zonia Mine Blast, Arizona. Springfield, Va.: National Technical Information Service (USGS/AEC Report NVO-472–2), 20p. 2 apps.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholls, H. R., and V. E. Hooker, 1962, Comparative Studies of Explosives in Salt. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines (RI 6041), 46p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholls, H. R., and V. E. Hooker, 1965, Comparative Studies of Explosives in Granite: III. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines (RI 66993), 46p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholls, H. R., C. F. Johnson, and W. I. Duvall, 1971, Blasting Vibrations and Their Effects on Structures, Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines (Bull. 656), 105p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, C. S., 1944, Explosions–Their Anatomy and Destructiveness. New York: McGraw-Hill, 88p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharp, R. R., Jr., 1972, Requirements and engineering parameters of contained nuclear tests, in A Geological Engineering Evaluation of an Underground Nuclear Test Site. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Arizona, 357–404.

    Google Scholar 

  • Short, N. M., 1961, Excavation of contained TNT explosions in tuff, University Park, Pa., 4th Symp. Rock Mech., AIME Proc., 171–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swisdak, M. M., 1975, Explosion Effects and Properties: Part I–Explosion Effects in Air. Silver Spring, Md.: Naval Surface Weapons Center, White Oak Laboratory, (Rept. NSWC/WOL/TL 75–116) 139p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teller, E., W. K. Talley, G. H. Higgins, and G. W. Johnson, 1968, The Constructive Uses of Nuclear Explosives. New York: McGraw-Hill, 320p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walton, W. C., 1970, Shooting production wells to increase yield, in Groundwater Resource Evaluation. New York: McGraw-Hill, 353–359.

    Google Scholar 

Cross-references

Download references

Authors
  1. Robert R. Sharp Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1988 Van Nostrand Reinhold Company Inc.

About this entry

Cite this entry

Sharp, R.R. (1988). Blasting and related technology . In: General Geology. Encyclopedia of Earth Science. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30844-X_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30844-X_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-442-22499-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-30844-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation