Drilling, Explosives and Excavation Engineering

At the end of this course, the students should be able to: 1. demonstrate a clear understanding of drilling techniques; 2. design suitable drilling pattern for blasting; 3. evaluate explosives properties and select appropriate explosive for rock blasting; 4. identify applicable blasting parameters and firing pattern; 5. differentiate blasting methods in surface, underground, tunneling and road ways; 6. design stationary and mobile magazines for safe handling of explosives and blasting accessories; and 7. control disturbances associated with drilling and blasting.

Rock characteristics affecting drilling - engineering properties of rock material, rock drillability and blastability. Classification of drilling and penetration methods. Theories of rock penetration. Rotary, percussive, rotary-percussive and thermal drilling. Drill bits and their applications. Diamond drilling and core recovery. Basic parameters affecting bench drilling (bench height, burden, spacing and drilling pattern). Choice of drilling equipment. Drilling components manufacturing process (drilling rods, bids, coupling, pistons, etc.). Handling and maintenance of drilling equipment. Definition of explosives. Brief history of explosives. Terminology and definition – velocity of detonation, density, detonation pressure, sensitivity, strength, water resistance and fume characteristics. Properties and classification of explosives – dynamites, ammonium nitrate and fuel oil (ANFO) cracking agents. Explosive accessories. Magazine construction. Blasting methods and practices in surface and underground workings. Blasting patterns; special blasting techniques – smooth, presplitting, secondary blasting procedure. Disturbances created by blasting. Applications in dimension, aggregates, water well, water works, hydropower, road works, railways, pipelines, built-up areas, etc., underwater blasting, underground blasting (tunneling, shafts, chambers).