Prediction of Flyrock Distance in Open Pit Blasting Using Surface Response Analysis

Flyrock is a rock thrown to greater distance than desired and is a dangerous and unwanted phenomenon in surface mines, particularly, when blasting is proceeding close to human occupation and dwellings. The prediction of flyrock distance is critical in defining the statutory danger zone of blasting and has evaded blasters for quite some time. Control of flyrock with its distance prediction involves identification of key variables and understanding their influence. Theoretical models though provide a good understanding of the phenomenon, the confidence that can be assigned to such models is still very less. This study presents novel method to identify, merge and consolidate independent variables into a simplified equation for flyrock distance prediction without compromising on the actual field applications. Field investigations were carried out in several mines and relevant data were generated relating to flyrock. The key parameters, namely, explosive, blast design and rock mass nature were characterized and analysed. An empirical model involving the key contributors for flyrock generation and distance prediction were assimilated and a new equation was developed based on actual data collected by employing surface response analysis. The developed model was found to be statistically significant and validated. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to ascertain the role of independent factors on flyrock distance.     

Strength criterion for cross-anisotropic sand under general stress conditions

By incorporating the fabric effect and Lode’s angle dependence into the Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion, a strength criterion for cross-anisotropic sand under general stress conditions was proposed. The obtained criterion has only three material parameters which can be specified by conventional triaxial tests. The formula to calculate the friction angle under any loading direction and intermediate principal stress ratio condition was deduced, and the influence of the degree of the cross-anisotropy was quantified. The friction angles of sand in triaxial, true triaxial, and hollow cylinder torsional shear tests were obtained, and a parametric analysis was used to detect the varying characteristics. The friction angle becomes smaller when the major principal stress changes from perpendicular to parallel to the bedding plane. The loading direction and intermediate principal stress ratio are unrelated in true triaxial tests, and their influences on the friction angle can be well captured by the proposed criterion. In hollow cylinder torsional shear tests with the same internal and external pressures, the loading direction and intermediate principal stress ratio are related. This property results in a lower friction angle in the hollow cylinder torsional shear test than that in the true triaxial test under the same intermediate principal stress ratio condition. By comparing the calculated friction angle with the experimental results under various loading conditions (e.g., triaxial, true triaxial, and hollow cylinder torsional shear test), the proposed criterion was verified to be able to characterize the shear strength of cross-anisotropic sand under general stress conditions.     

GPS signal acquisition using the repeatability of successive code phase measurements

This paper introduces a new method for GPS signal acquisition, which is based on the repeatability of successive code phase measurements and the M-of-N search algorithm. The performance of the proposed method in terms of probability of signal detection is similar to that of traditional methods, except that the calculation of the probability of detection does not rely on the noise distribution or the Carrier-to-Noise ratio (C/N₀). The code phase repeatability-based method is presented along with equations for probability of detection and probability of false detection. If the distribution of the noise is known, it also provides an estimate of the C/N₀. The proposed method is illustrated for coherent and non-coherent acquisition and C/N₀ estimation.     

Suitability analysis for sand and gravel extraction site location in the context of a sustainable development in the surroundings of Zaragoza (Spain)

Zaragoza city is located in the central Ebro Basin, in the Iberian Peninsula. The fluvial terraces formed by the Ebro River present a valuable resource of sand and gravel deposits. However, taking advantage of these available resources implies conflicts with other land use interests like urban and industrial development as well as agricultural use, which has also traditionally occupied the alluvial terraces. These deposits represent a substantial groundwater resource that should be preserved for future generations. The development of spatial decision support systems (SDSS) has greatly assisted efforts for solving land-use conflicts. These systems combine the benefits of geographic information systems (GIS) and decision support methodologies and are therefore suitable to manage sustainable development of urban areas. In this contribution, an extraction suitability map taking into consideration a variety of environmental criteria is created with the help of a SDSS. The method used is the analytical hierarchy process which is integrated in ArcGIS. Areas most suitable to sand and gravel extraction are located in the high terraces, and in those terraces covered by pediments where the thickness of resource is relatively high. These areas are far from valuable natural areas, outside areas most vulnerable to groundwater contamination, and beneath soils with poor irrigation characteristics.     

DEM modeling of aging or creep in sand based on the effects of microfracturing of asperities and evolution of microstructural anisotropy during triaxial creep

Aging- or creep-related phenomena in sand have been widely studied, and the discrete element method (DEM) has been frequently used to model the associated soil behavior and then to explore the associated underlying mechanisms. However, several difficulties involved in modeling still remain unsolved. To resolve these difficulties, a new approach based on the effect of the microfracturing of asperities is proposed in this study for the DEM modeling of the sand aging or creep process through several aging cycles of associated reduction in the mobilized friction resistance at particle contacts and subsequent particle rearrangement to reach a new equilibrium state. This approach can be easily incorporated into different contact models and DEM simulations of the loading, unloading, and/or reloading processes, in either drained or undrained conditions, before and/or after aging. This new approach is proven effective because the DEM simulations incorporated with this new approach can satisfactorily reproduce the experimental observations in the triaxial creep process, drained and undrained recompression after aging, and 1D secondary compression and rebound. The simulation results also indicate that, based on the stress–force–fabric relationship, the contribution from the contact normal anisotropy to the deviatoric stress q gradually increases, whereas the contribution from the tangential force anisotropy becomes less during triaxial creep under a constant q. Moreover, the contacts between particles are gradually away from the state where the frictional resistance is fully mobilized, and then become more stable. During the subsequent triaxial recompression after creep, the aged samples exhibit enhanced soil stiffness, which is also found to be associated with the evolution of the invariants of the anisotropy tensors. It is worthwhile noting that the aging or creep effects on the microstructural changes, e.g., the invariants of the anisotropy tensors, can be gradually erased upon further recompression. This explains why the stress–strain responses of the aged samples during recompression gradually rejoin the original stress–strain response obtained from the sample without being subjected to aging or creep.