THERMAL-MECHANICAL FRAGMENTION-A PROMISING METHOD FOR HARD-ROCK EXCAVATION

A promising technique under investigation at the University of Missouri Rolla utilizes high-energy heat sources placed in drill holes in the rock to form a designed pattern of thermal-stress fields that cause the rock to fracture in a manner somewhat analogous to breakage in a blasting round. Fracture is aided with rock splitters. For controlled fragmentation, theoretical studies indicate that the thermal inclusions should be concentrated in a plane as close to the bottom of the heater holes as possible. For a fragmentation method, possible trade-off costs will be labor reduction, higher rate of advance, and other factors. /HRIS/

• Corporate Authors:

  U.S. National Committees/Tunnelling Technology

  2101 Constitution Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20418
• Authors:
  • Clark, G B
• Publication Date: 1974-3

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 4-11
• Serial:
  • TUNNELING TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER
  • Issue Number: 5

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Boreholes; Heat; Personnel; Rock drilling; Rock excavation; Thermal power generation; Thermal stresses
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fragmentation
• Old TRIS Terms: Thermal power
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00081506
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 6 1975 12:00AM