Powder factors in asymmetric blast patterns

A cell powder factor defines the local powder factor in a simple geometric procedure that accounts for the charge in each blast hole and the triangulation formed by blast hole collars in a blast pattern. In the case of asymmetric blast patterns, the cell powder factor deviates from the global powder factor. Poor drilling of blast hole collars produces significant variation in the cell powder factor, more so, than does poor blast hole charging. The cell powder factor does not account for timing within a blast and does not easily handle non-parallel blast hole configurations. The cell powder factor is best used as a design or audit tool before blast holes are loaded. It gives the opportunity to correct for poor drilling and/or poor charging practices prior to firing a blast.     

The fusion crust of the Winchcombe meteorite: A preserved record of atmospheric entry processes

Fusion crusts form during the atmospheric entry heating of meteorites and preserve a record of the conditions that occurred during deceleration in the atmosphere. The fusion crust of the Winchcombe meteorite closely resembles that of other stony meteorites, and in particular CM2 chondrites, since it is dominated by olivine phenocrysts set in a glassy mesostasis with magnetite, and is highly vesicular. Dehydration cracks are unusually abundant in Winchcombe. Failure of this weak layer is an additional ablation mechanism to produce large numbers of particles during deceleration, consistent with the observation of pulses of plasma in videos of the Winchcombe fireball. Calving events might provide an observable phenomenon related to meteorites that are particularly susceptible to dehydration. Oscillatory zoning is observed within olivine phenocrysts in the fusion crust, in contrast to other meteorites, perhaps owing to temperature fluctuations resulting from calving events. Magnetite monolayers are found in the crust, and have also not been previously reported, and form discontinuous strata. These features grade into magnetite rims formed on the external surface of the crust and suggest the trapping of surface magnetite by collapse of melt. Magnetite monolayers may be a feature of meteorites that undergo significant degassing. Silicate warts with dendritic textures were observed and are suggested to be droplets ablated from another stone in the shower. They, therefore, represent the first evidence for intershower transfer of ablation materials and are consistent with the other evidence in the Winchcombe meteorite for unusually intense gas loss and ablation, despite its low entry velocity.     

Potentiality of feed-forward neural networks for classifying dark formations to oil spills and look-alikes

Radar backscatter values from oil spills are very similar to backscatter values from very calm sea areas and other ocean phenomena. Several studies aiming at oil spill detection have been conducted. Most of these studies rely on the detection of dark areas, which have high Bayesian probability of being oil spills. The drawback of these methods is a complex process, mainly because non-linearly separable datasets are introduced in statistically based decisions. The use of neural networks (NNs) in remote sensing has increased significantly, as NNs can simultaneously handle non-linear data of a multidimensional input space. In this article, we investigate the ability of two commonly used feed-forward NN models: multilayer perceptron (MLP) and radial basis function (RBF) networks, to classify dark formations in oil spills and look-alike phenomena. The appropriate training algorithm, type and architecture of the optimum network are subjects of research. Inputs to the networks are the original synthetic aperture radar image and other images derived from it. MLP networks are recognized as more suitable for oil spill detection.     

Blast Damage and Blast Dilution Control: The Application of Bulk Emulsion Systems at the WMC St Ives Junction Mine

The application of modern bulk emulsion explosive systems at an underground gold mine resulted in a 57% improvement in gold dilution. While this improvement is impressive and could be expected to be achieved at other sites, the work required to assess and demonstrate the benefits is painstaking. Forty-eight rings involving a total of approximately 50 000 tonnes of ore were monitored using various modern surveying instruments over a 6-month period. The geometric data included blasthole locations and deviation, and the cavity monitoring of stopes. Implementation of a bulk emulsion system not only provided logistical benefits but it also has the desirable explosive properties associated with reducing the effects of blast damage and blast dilution.     

Mapping of forest tree distribution and estimation of forest biodiversity using Sentinel-2 imagery in the University Research Forest Taxiarchis in Chalkidiki,Greece

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of Sentinel-2 imagery for the identification and determination of forest patches of particular interest, with respect to ecosystem integrity and biodiversity and to produce a relevant biodiversity map, based on Simpson’s diversity index in Taxiarchis university research forest, Chalkidiki, North Greece. The research is based on OBIA being developed on to bi-temporal summer and winter Sentinel-2 imagery. Fuzzy rules, which are based on topographic factors, such as terrain elevation and slope for the distribution of each tree species, derived from expert knowledge and field observations, were used to improve the accuracy of tree species classification. Finally, Simpson’s diversity index for forest tree species, was calculated and mapped, constituting a relative indicator for biodiversity for forest ecosystem organisms (fungi, insects, birds, reptiles, mammals) and carrying implications for the identification of patches prone to disturbance or that should be prioritized for conservation.     

A scaled charge weight superposition model for rapid vibration estimation

Rapid vibration estimation usually relies on charge weight scaling laws. These empirical curves that fit field data are sometimes involved in linear superposition models. A scaled charge weight superposition model combines the traditional charge weight scaling law within a linear superposition framework so that the influence of timing and blast design parameters may be assessed. The model involves an extra parameter of time overlap and poses a partial explanation for the over-estimation of blast vibration levels sometimes predicted by linear superposition models. It is suggested that the time overlap parameter be determined from measured vibration data. The new model recovers the Holmberg-Persson equation for near-field vibration from a single blast hole. Three examples compare the predictions of the new model with those from a linear superposition model. The results indicate a consistent, but not compelling demonstration of the predictive power of the scaled charge weight superposition model. Further verification studies are recommended using a wide range of blast types and scaled distances to points of interest. The new model lies between a traditional charge weight scaling law and a linear superposition model. It ignores waveform superposition explicitly but assumes non-linear interaction between adjacent charges in a blast within a user-defined time window. In that sense, the scaled charge weight superposition model offers an alternative method for rapid vibration estimation.     

Pseudodynamic response of torsionally unbalanced two‐storey test structure

Two one‐way eccentric, two‐storey, one‐by‐one‐bay reinforced concrete (RC) structures are pseudodynamically tested under unidirectional ground motions. Theoretical considerations about the effect of torsional coupling on modal periods and shapes agree with modal results of the test structure, considering member stiffness is equal to the secant stiffness to yielding in skew‐symmetric bending. Modal periods of such an elastic structure are in fair agreement with effective periods inferred from the measured response at the beginning of a test of a thoroughly cracked structure and at the end of the test. A time‐varying stiffness matrix and a non‐proportional damping matrix fitted to the test results may be used to reproduce the measured response approximately by modal superposition and identify the role of the four time‐varying modes. Flexible side columns sustained very large drift demands simultaneously in the two transverse directions and suffered significant but not heavy, damage at lap‐splices. RC‐jacketing of the flexible side columns practically eliminated the static eccentricity between the floor centres of twist and mass as well as the torsional response. Inelastic time‐history analysis with point‐hinge member models, using as elastic stiffness the secant stiffness to yielding and neglecting post‐ultimate‐strength cyclic degradation of resistance in members with plain bars and poor detailing, predicted fairly well the response until the peak displacements and member deformations occurred. After that, it underestimated displacement peaks and the lengthening of the apparent period and missed the gradual drifting of the response towards a permanent offset. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterizing organic particle impacts on inert metal surfaces: Foundations for capturing organic molecules during hypervelocity transits of Enceladus plumes

The presence and accessibility of a sub‐ice‐surface saline ocean at Enceladus, together with geothermal activity and a rocky core, make it a compelling location to conduct further, in‐depth, astrobiological investigations to probe for organic molecules indicative of extraterrestrial life. Cryovolcanic plumes in the south polar region of Enceladus enable the use of remote in situ sampling and analysis techniques. However, efficient plume sampling and the transportation of captured organic materials to an organic analyzer present unique challenges for an Enceladus mission. A systematic study, accelerating organic ice‐particle simulants into soft inert metal targets at velocities ranging 0.5–3.0 km s⁻¹, was carried out using a light gas gun to explore the efficacy of a plume capture instrument. Capture efficiency varied for different metal targets as a function of impact velocity and particle size. Importantly, organic chemical compounds remained chemically intact in particles captured at speeds up to ~2 km s⁻¹. Calibration plots relating the velocity, crater, and particle diameter were established to facilitate future ice‐particle impact experiments where the size of individual ice particles is unknown.