ROCK EXCAVATION WITH LASER ASSISTANCE

Laser rock-kerfing tests were conducted on isolated samples of granite, diabase and quartzite rock with an electric-discharge CC2 laser. The tests were performed with a moving focused laser beam. Kerfing speeds were varied from 25 to 125 cm/sec and laser powers were varied from 5 to 16.5 kw. Test results, including measurements of penetration depth and volumetric rock removal rate, were generalized to give functional relationships among laser power, kerf depth, and kerfing speed for the three rock types. Concentrated surface loads were applied adjacent to laser and saw-cut kerfs on small blocks of granite to test the hypothesis that substantial rock-weakening occurs due to laser kerfing. Applications are discussed in which the combination of laser kerfing and mechanical forces could be used to assist excavation of hard rock in tunneling and drilling.(a) /TRRL/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00207624
• Corporate Authors:

  Pergamon Press, Incorporated

  Headington Hill Hall
  Oxford OX30BW,    
• Authors:
  • Jurewiez, B R
• Publication Date: 1976-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: p. 207-219
• Serial:
  • International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Science
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue Number: 7
  • Publisher: Pergamon Press, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0020-7624

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Carbon dioxide; Cutting; Drilling; Excavation; Excavations; Granite; Lasers; Quartzite; Rock excavation; Rocks; Testing; Tests; Tunnels
• Uncontrolled Terms: Diabase
• Old TRIS Terms: Kerfing
• ITRD Terms: 7393: Carbon dioxide; 3871: Drilling; 5155: Excavation (process); 4101: Granite; 6772: Laser; 4102: Quartzite; 4154: Rock; 6255: Test; 3374: Tunnel
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; I43: Rock Mechanics; I54: Construction of Tunnels;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00142437
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Report/Paper Numbers: Analytic
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 19 1977 12:00AM