PROJECT TRINIDAD: EXPLOSIVE EXCAVATION OF RAILROAD CUTS 2 AND 3 BY MOUNDING AND DIRECTED BLASTING

The report summarizes the objectives, design, and results of two explosive excavation experiments performed as the final phase of project Trinidad, a comprehensive series of tests to determine the cratering properties of interbedded Sandstone and Shales. The experiments were performed in September 1971 by the U.S. Army Engineering Waterways Experiment Station Explosive Excavation Research Laboratory. These final experiments were designed to excavate through-cuts for relocation of the Colorado and Wyoming Railroad at the Trinidad dam and Lake Project. The first of the two experiments tested a charge array designed to break up material within a 19,000-cubic yards cut to facilitate later removal of the material by mechanical means. The concept tested was mounding, a blasting technique in which charges are positioned with respect to the horizontal ground surface rather than a vertical bench face. (Modified author abstract)

• Corporate Authors:

  U.S. Army Waterways Experiment Station

  Explosive Excavation Research Laboratory, 3909 Halls Ferry Road
  Vicksburg, MS  United States  39180
• Authors:
  • Lattery, J E
• Publication Date: 1974-1

Media Info

• Pagination: 37 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Excavations; Explosive excavation; Lines of track; Relocation (Facilities)
• Identifier Terms: Trinidad Dam and Lake (Colorado)
• Old TRIS Terms: Line relocation
• Subject Areas: Design; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00054768
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Defense Documentation Center
• Report/Paper Numbers: EERL-TR-E-74-1 Final Rpt
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 24 1974 12:00AM