Application of artificial intelligence techniques for predicting the flyrock distance caused by blasting operation

Flyrock arising from blasting operations is one of the crucial and complex problems in mining industry and its prediction plays an important role in the minimization of related hazards. In past years, various empirical methods were developed for the prediction of flyrock distance using statistical analysis techniques, which have very low predictive capacity. Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques are now being used as alternate statistical techniques. In this paper, two predictive models were developed by using AI techniques to predict flyrock distance in Sungun copper mine of Iran. One of the models employed artificial neural network (ANN), and another, fuzzy logic. The results showed that both models were useful and efficient whereas the fuzzy model exhibited high performance than ANN model for predicting flyrock distance. The performance of the models showed that the AI is a good tool for minimizing the uncertainties in the blasting operations.     

Estimating geometrical parameters of cylindrical targets detected by ground-penetrating radar using template matching algorithm

In the current research, the ground-penetrating radar (GPR) method has been employed to identify physical and geometrical parameters of buried cylindrical structures using the pattern recognition approach. To achieve this goal, the well-established mathematical relationships between geometrical parameters of cylindrical target (radius, burial depth, and horizontal location) and the associated GPR hyperbolic response characteristics are employed using the template matching method. In order to validate the applicability of the template matching method in providing estimates of such parameters, the method is first examined on GPR responses of synthetic models with known geometrical parameters followed by applying on real data using two different similarity criteria including 2-D spatial convolution and normalized cross correlation in the wave number domain. In the first step, the GPR responses of 71 synthetic models encompassing one, two, and three horizontal cylinders were produced using the improved 2-D finite difference in frequency domain. Then, appropriate preprocessing sequences to reduce random noise caused by forward modeling were applied on synthetic data. The proposed algorithm applied on several synthetic model responses could estimate the known geometrical parameters of the buried cylinders with acceptable accuracy (maximum error of 15%). The template matching algorithm was also used to extract geometrical parameters of water and wastewater pipes buried in Imam Hossein Square, Isfahan city, as real GPR data. Depending on environmental conditions and subsurface host formation, the real GPR data normally contain a variety of noises; therefore, a series of appropriate objective preprocessing and processing stages were designed in order to apply on real GPR images before deploying template matching algorithm. The applicability of the template matching algorithm on real data and validity of the estimated parameters were proved based on assessing the accuracy of the estimated geometrical parameters of respective pipes through GPR response versus the measured parameters. The proposed algorithm was designed in such a way that all steps of estimating geometrical parameters of buried cylindrical targets are automatically carried out.     

Investigation of Various Parameters Effect on Cerchar Abrasivity Index with PFC3D Modeling

The Cerchar test is one of the appropriate and routine tests for determining the rock abrasion; but as for the costs and pin wear measurement errors in laboratory procedures and lack of access to laboratory equipment, using of numerical modeling can lead to use of greater number of samples required during the course of mechanized excavation and reduce the costs and errors in the laboratory test. In this study, the Cerchar abrasivity test was modeled using PFC3D (Particle Flow Code in 3 Dimensions) software. In order to verify the simulation results, Cerchar laboratory test results obtained by Rostami (Rock Mech Rock Eng 47(5):1905–1919, 2014) were compared with the numerical modeling results. In modeling studies, the effects of some parameters such as apply load, test speed, pin hardness and scratching distance on pin wear were investigated. As a conclusion of the study, good agreement between modeling and experimental results was obtained for a given condition. As in the experiment with various loads in both laboratory tests and modeling, with increasing applied load the Cerchar abrasivity index also increased in the experiment with Rockwell hardness HRC (An abbreviation for Rockwell Hardness measured on the C scale. The Rockwell test determines the hardness by measuring the depth of penetration of an indenter under a large load compared to the penetration made by a preload, that on the C scale use from a indenter with 120° cone and 150 kgf load) 42.     

Steady critical discharge rates from vertical and horizontal wells in fresh–saline aquifers with sharp interfaces

In this study, the critical (or maximum) discharge rates before saline water enters a well were determined for vertical and horizontal wells in a freshwater aquifer which is separated from a static saline aquifer by a sharp interface. Flow around the well was solved by integration of a point sink solution along the well axis, and both the critical discharge rate and critical interface rise were determined through a comparison of the heads and vertical gradients at the saline–fresh water interface. The rates were determined for vertical and horizontal wells with various lengths and depths for different aquifer salinities. Results were generalized by drawing dimensionless type curves. The results showed that the dimensionless total critical discharge rates are higher for the longer horizontal wells and longer vertical wells with a certain bottom depth, and they almost linearly decrease with well depth at rates of 0.7–0.9. For the dimensionless well length of 0.2, the dimensionless total discharge rate of a horizontal well is about 0.1 more than that of a vertical well with the same length and well-top depth. Also, the critical discharge rates per unit length of well are inversely proportional to well length and remarkably higher for shallower wells. Additionally, the critical pumping rate is proportional to the salinity difference of the aquifers. These results were confirmed by comparison to existing solutions for vertical wells with dimensionless lengths of 0.2, 0.5 and 0.6, and for critical interface rises in the range of 0.75–0.9.     

Travel time computations using a compact eikonal equation for vertical transverse isotropic media

Eikonal solvers often have stability problems if the velocity model is mildly heterogeneous. We derive a stable and compact form of the eikonal equation for P‐wave propagation in vertical transverse isotropic media. The obtained formulation is more compact than other formulations and therefore computationally attractive. We implemented ray shooting for this new equation through a Hamiltonian formalism. Ray tracing based on this new equation is tested on both simple as well as more realistic mildly heterogeneous velocity models. We show through examples that the new equation gives travel times that coincide with the travel time picks from wave equation modelling for anisotropic wave propagation.     

The assessment of rock slope instability along the Khosh-Yeylagh Main Road (Iran) using a systems approach

The slope instability is connected to a large diversity of causative and triggering factors, ranging from inherent geological structure to the environmental conditions. Thus, assessment and prediction of slope failure hazard is a difficult and complex multi-parametric problem. In contrast to the analytic approaches, the systems approaches are able to consider infinite number of affecting parameters and assess the interactions of each couple of the parameters in the system. This paper presents a complete application of the rock engineering systems approach in prediction of the instability potential of rock slopes in 15 stations along a 20?km section of the Khosh-Yeylagh Main Road, Iran as the case study of the research. In this research, the main objective has been defining the principal causative and triggering factors responsible for the manifestation of slope instability phenomena, quantify their interactions, obtain their weighted coefficients, and calculate the slope instability index, which refers to the inherent potential instability of each slope of the examined region. The final results have been mapped to highlight the rock slopes susceptible to instability. Finally, as a preliminary validation on the utilization of systems approach in the study region, the stability of investigated rock slopes were analyzed using an empirical method and the results were compared. The comparisons showed a rather good coincidence between the given classes of two methods.     

Ionic conductivity in gem-quality single-crystal alkali feldspar from the Eifel: temperature,orientation and composition dependence

We measured the ion conductivity of single-crystal alkali feldspar originating from two different locations in the Eifel/Germany, named Volkesfeld and Rockeskyller sanidine and having potassium site fractions \(C_\mathrm{K}\) of 0.83 and 0.71, respectively. The dc conductivities resulting from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy over the temperature range of 300–900 \(^{\circ }\hbox {C}\) show a weak composition dependence but pronounced differences between the b-direction [\(\perp (010)\)] and \(c^{*}\)-direction [\(\perp (001)\)] of the monoclinic feldspar structure. Conductivity activation energies obtained from the observed linear Arrhenius plots are close to 1.2 eV in all cases, which is closely similar to the activation energies of the \(^{22}\mathrm{Na}\) tracer diffusivity in the same crystals. Taking into account literature data on K tracer diffusion and diffusion correlation effects, the present results point to a predominance of the interstitialcy mechanism over the vacancy mechanism in mass and charge transport on the alkali sublattice in potassium-rich alkali feldspar.     

Application of integrated geoelectrical methods in Khenadarreh (Arak,Iran) graphite deposit exploration

This paper is devoted to application of SP, resistivity and mise-a-la-masse method in Khenadarreh (Arak, Iran) graphite deposit exploration. Mise-a-la-masse method is one of the main geophysical exploration methods used to investigate conductive bodies with outcrops on the surface or in exploratory pits. By integrating mise-a-la-masse results with other geoelectrical methods, such as self-potential and resistivity surveys, useful results can be acquired. Powerful survey design, data processing and interpretation methods can make geoelectrical surveying results more reliable. Here, we applied integrated geoelectrical methods to explore the Khenadarreh-bala graphite deposit in the Sarband region of the Markazi province, Iran. We present a new and simple method for processing and interpreting mise-a-la-masse data, which corrects for the effect of distance from the current electrode in the conductive body. After correction, the residual potential values corresponded with the SP results and the apparent resistivity pseudosections. The geophysical results were confirmed by drill holes in the study area.     

Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Dust‐Bound Trace Metal Elements around Kuhdasht Watershed Area in Iran

Dust, as a source of trace metal elements, affects the health of society. The spatial and temporal concentrations of dust‐bound trace metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cu, and Mn) in Kuhdasht watershed (456 km²), Lorestan Province, Iran, is investigated. Dust is collected using glass traps placed in ten research stations in the region. The spatial and temporal distribution of dust trace metals are plotted using ARC‐GIS. The highest and the lowest concentrations of Zn (9751150 mg kg^?1), Pb (46.352.9 mg kg^?1), and Cd (2.443.30 mg kg^?1) are obtained in winter, of Ni (98110 mg kg^?1) and Cu in autumn (16.053.5 mg kg^?1), and of Mn in summer (385505 mg kg^?1). The spatial concentrations of dust‐bound trace metals indicate all, except Cu, show a decreasing trend from the mountains toward the plains, similar to that of soil and of dust, except for Zn, which shows higher concentrations in dust than in soil. The potential sources of dust‐bound trace metals and their rate of contamination are also investigated using the enrichment and contamination factors. The major sources of Cd and Zn in the dust of watershed are due to anthropogenic activities or from activities outside the borders.     

Deep massive sulphide exploration using 2D and 3D geoelectrical and induced polarization data in Skellefte mining district,northern Sweden

Geoelectrical and induced polarization data from measurements along three profiles and from one 3D survey are acquired and processed in the central Skellefte District, northern Sweden. The data were collected during two field campaigns in 2009 and 2010 in order to delineate the structures related to volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits and to model lithological contacts down to a maximum depth of 1.5 km. The 2009 data were inverted previously, and their joint interpretation with potential field data indicated several anomalous zones. The 2010 data not only provide additional information from greater depths compared with the 2009 data but also cover a larger surface area. Several high‐chargeability low‐resistivity zones, interpreted as possible massive sulphide mineralization and associated hydrothermal alteration, are revealed. The 3D survey data provide a detailed high‐resolution image of the top ～450 m of the upper crust around the Maurliden East, North, and Central deposits. Several anomalies are interpreted as new potential prospects in the Maurliden area, which are mainly concentrated in the central conductive zone. In addition, the contact relationship between the major geological units, e.g., the contact between the Skellefte Group and the Jörn Intrusive Complex, is better understood with the help of 2010 deep‐resistivity/chargeability data. The bottommost part of the Vargfors basin is imaged using the 2010 geoelectrical and induced polarization data down to ～1‐km depth.