DOZER BLASTS TRENCH WITH EXPLOSIVE DEVICES

THE REPETITIVE EXPLOSION DEVICE FOR SOIL DISPLACEMENT IS MADE UP OF AN ASSEMBLY OF PORTABLE AIR COMPRESSOR, A SPARK PLUG IGNITION SYSTEM, A COMBUSTION TANK, A SUPPLY OF GASOLINE, AN EXHAUST VALVE AND A FRONT MOUNTED V-BLADE PLOW. ONE OR MORE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS ARE MOUNTED ON THE 90 DEGREE V - BLADE WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE DOZER. THESE CHAMBERS ARE CHARGED WITH A MIXTURE OF GASOLINE AND COMPRESSED AIR WHICH IS IGNITED BY A SPARK PLUG. THE PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION UNDER PRESSURE ARE RELEASED THROUGH PORTS IN THE BLADE AGAINST THE TRENCH WALL IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF THE PLOW. EXPLOSIVE EXPANSION OF THESE GASES RUPTURES THE SOIL IN CONTACT WITH THE BLADE AND THROWS IT CLEAR OF THE TRENCH. THE CYCLE IS REPEATED AS THE DOZER ADVANCES IN THE TRENCH. A PROTOTYPE MACHINE WITH A SKILLED OPERATOR DEMONSTRATED A PRODUCTION RATE EQUIVALENT TO 2000 CU YD HOUR. THIS IMPLIES TRENCHING 2 FT DEEP USING PSIG COMPRESSED AIR PRODUCED BY A 1200 CFM COMPRESSOR. TESTS INDICATE THAT THE RECOIL PRODUCED BY THE EXPLOSIVE FORCES HAS NO APPRECIABLE EFFECT ON THE PRODUCTION RATE, TRACTOR RELIABILITY OR SYSTEM RELIABILITY. A REAR MOUNTED UNIT WHICH COULD MAKE 30 IN. WIDE CUTS HAD SEVERAL ADVANTAGES OVER FRONT MOUNTED EQUIPMENT. COSTS OF OPERATION SED. THE OPINION IS EXPRESSED THAT THIS WOULD BE AN IDEAL APPLICATION FOR A GAS TURBINE.

• Publication Date: 1973-4

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 72-3
• Serial:
  • Roads and Streets
  • Volume: 116
  • Issue Number: nn4
  • Publisher: Donnelley (Reuben H) Corporation

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air compressors; Demonstration projects; Engineering soils; Equipment; Explosive excavation; Explosives; Gas turbines; Gasification; Operating costs; Presplitting (Blasting); Surface treating; Trenching; Truck tractors; Turbine engines
• Old TRIS Terms: Color temperature; Soils engineering
• Subject Areas: Construction; Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00215659
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 15 1974 12:00AM