Mining Engineering Commons^™

Test Development To Determine The Feasibility Of Rubber Tractor Treads For Use As Blasting Mats, Matthew Kurtis Coy

Masters Theses

"The objective of this thesis was to determine if rubber tractor treads could be used as an alternative material for blasting mats. These treads are made from steel cable and vulcanized rubber and are very tough. However, once they reach the end of their life on mobile equipment, they are destined for a landfill, or dump site because they are too tough to recycle. A potential alternative use for them is as blasting mats.

An examination of existing mat designs was conducted to better understand the matting methods used by the blasting industry today, to learn from those designs allow …

The Effects Of Advanced Structural Materials To Mitigate Explosive And Impact Threats, Caleb Michael Baumgart

Masters Theses

"In a world of ever newer and modified improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that are very common in certain parts of the world, it is always more important to improve the devices used for protection. This research endeavors to design and analyze a blast barrier using three different media types to mitigate the high pressures from an IED or a car bomb. The three media types used in this research are pumice, steel grit, and foam. Six barriers were built to test the three media types and account for the changes from a standard solid concrete barrier to a barrier with …

Determining And Mitigating The Effects Of Firing A Linear Shaped Charge Under Water, Brian Burch

Masters Theses

"When fired under water, a Linear Shaped Charge (LSC) does not penetrate a steel target as well as in air. This lack of performance has been a problem for shaped charge manufacturers and their clients. It was obvious that this degradation of performance is due to water having a higher density than air and water being incompressible compared to air. This study aimed to better determine how the water was affecting the LSC and to provide a method of mitigation.

LSCs of different sizes were submerged under water and fired through the water with and without a target. It was …

An Analysis Of Burn Cut Pull Optimization Through Varying Relief Hole Depths, Michael Robert Allen

Masters Theses

"In underground blasting, the pull of the initial cut is the limiting factor for the success of the rest of the round. By improving the pull of the first cut, a critical step is made towards improving the entire round. This project attempted to optimize a burn cut's effective pull by varying the depths of the relief holes in the burn, and then analyzing the results. In testing, relief holes were drilled to depths both shorter and longer than that of the cut's charged holes. The overall objective was to consistently achieve greater pull than in a standard burn, using …

Explosively Formed Projectile Soft-Recovery Force Analysis, Laurin Bookout, Phillip R. Mulligan, Jason Baird

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The design of a soft-recovery system is critical to a researcher's ability to analyze hypervelocity projectiles. The researcher may decide to use one method over another based on several criteria, including whether or not non-deformed projectile measurements are required. This report analyzes the forces two different soft-recovery methods impart on the projectiles collected. Method 1 utilized three polyethylene water barrels placed “end-to-end” horizontally, providing 2.6 meters (9 feet) of water to stop the projectile. Method 2 is a modification of the soft-recovery method utilized in “Soft-Recovery of Explosively Formed Penetrators” by Lambert and Pope. This method utilizes a series of …

Note: Utilizing Pb(Zr 0.95ti 0.05)O₃ Ferroelectric Ceramics To Scale Down Autonomous Explosive-Driven Shock-Wave Ferroelectric Generators, S. I. Shkuratov, Jason Baird, E. F. Talantsev

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Further miniaturization of recently designed autonomous ferroelectric generators (FEGs) S. I. Shkuratov, J. Baird, and E. F. Talantsev, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 82, 086107 (2011), which are based on the effect of explosive-shock-wave depolarization of poled ferroelectrics is achieved. The key miniaturization factor was the utilization of high-energy density Pb(Zr_0.95Ti_0.05)O₃ (PZT 955) ferroelectric ceramics as energy-carrying elements of FEGs instead of the previously used Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ (PZT 5248). A series of experiments demonstrated that FEGs based on smaller PZT 955 ferroelectric elements are capable of producing the same output voltage as those …

The Effects Of The Flyer Plate's Radius Of Curvature On The Performance Of An Explosively Formed Projectile, Phillip R. Mulligan, Jason Baird, Joshua Hoffman

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An explosively formed projectile (EFP) is known for its ability to penetrate vehicle armor effectively. Understanding how an EFP’s physical parameters affect its performance is crucial to development of armor capable of defeating such devices. The present study uses two flyer plate radii of curvature to identify the experimental effects of the flyer plate’s radius of curvature on the measured projectile velocity, depth of penetration, and projectile shape. The Gurney equation is an algebraic relationship for estimating the velocity imparted to a metal plate in contact with detonating explosives. The authors of this research used a form of the Gurney …

The Effects Of Water On Sympathetic Detonation And Dead Pressing Of Dynamite And Emulsions, Adam Michael Doerfler

Masters Theses

Dynamite and emulsions are very effective explosives in blasting; however they do have some shortcomings. Dynamite is prone to sympathetic detonation whereas emulsions are prone to dead pressing. While this does not happen all the time, the conditions in which the explosives are used do have an effect on whether or not they will sympathetically detonate or dead press.

Numerous researchers have investigated sympathetic detonation for a relationship between the distance between charges, hole separation distance, and size of explosive. This research aimed to look at how hole separation distance was affected when water was introduced into the boreholes for …

Pressed Powdered Titanium And Aluminum Conical Shaped Charge Penetration Of Geological Targets, Dominique John Nolan

Masters Theses

"Conical Shaped Charge penetration into rock is dependent on the physical characteristics of the rock itself and the design and composition of the shaped charge conducting the work. This study looks at the effects of a non-typical conical shaped charge and its penetration into four different rock targets. The shaped charge is made of a liner, which is not a typical solid but instead is a pressed powdered metallic compound of Titanium (Ti) and Aluminum (AI).

The study presents the raw data from testing against rock targets that range in density, uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), tensile strength, hardness scales, and …

Impact Effects Of Explosively Formed Projectiles On Normal And High Strength Concrete, Laurin Ashley Bookout

Masters Theses

"The ability to quickly estimate the damage that a projectile will do to a structure is highly desired for structures that will be required to resist threats of this nature. There are several formulas for concrete penetration due to projectile impact that are based on empirical data. However, there is a lack of publicly available data for projectile impacts with striking velocities that exceed 1 km/s and have weights greater than a few grams. This research is intended to expand the available data on explosively formed projectile impacts and determine which, if any, of the existing equations can be used …

The Effects Select Physical Parameters Have On An Explosively Formed Projectile's Performance, Phillip R. Mulligan

Masters Theses

"Identifying how changes in the physical parameters of an Explosively Formed Projectile (EFP) affect its performance is crucial in determining what physical parameters could be changed to achieve a desired performance. This research analyzes five of the physical parameters of an EFP, similar to an Iranian design (Worsey, 2009), and the effects on performance. The five physical parameters selected for this research were charge weight, confining geometry, flyer thickness, flyer curvature, and explosives-type. Eighteen different EFP designs were used to test the penetration, measured velocity, production of a dominant projectile, and kinetic energy of these five physical parameters. Of the …

Electric Field-Free Gas Breakdown In Explosively Driven Generators, S. I. Shkuratov, Jason Baird, E. F. Talantsev, Larry L. Altgilbers

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

All known types of gas discharges require an electric field to initiate them. We are reporting on a unique type of gas breakdown in explosively driven generators that does not require an electric field.

The Mitigation Effects Of A Barrier Wall On Blast Wave Pressures, Nathan Thomas Rouse

Masters Theses

"The study examined the mitigating effects of a blast barrier wall. This area of blast mitigation is of interest due to the many different applications involved in protecting a specific target from an explosive attack. The research follows a 1:50 scale layout using 73 gram, hemisphere-shaped, Composition-4 charges detonated at combinations of three standoff distances from a blast barrier wall set at three different heights. This project used 45 data points for each combination of standoff distance and wall height. This project expanded prior research conducted by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) by increasing the database of …

Measuring Blast Induced Rock Damage From Pre-Splitting Sandstone By Applying The Multichannel Analysis Of Surface Waves Geophysical Method, Charles Bradford Zdazinsky

Masters Theses

"Many blasting applications in the mining industry demand that the hard rock being blasted remains structurally competent. For example, pre-splitting is a common technique to reduce fracturing, and operators of dimension stone quarries use this blasting method to eliminate overbreak. When pre-split design parameters are not applied correctly, there will be a redistribution of stresses within the rock, resulting in Blast Induced Rock Damage (BID). Advances in geophysical technology are enabling blast technicians to monitor BID and then use the results to correctly design their blasts. The Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) geophysical method is new technology that is …

Explosives Recognition And Awareness Training: A Psychological Approach To Pre-Blast Mitigation, James Wade Hawkins

Masters Theses

"The nation's security strategy tends to be reactionary to a specific event. It is rare when established policies have proven successful, even though there is substantial financial and resource investment. The payoff is measured by analyzing the desired minimal effect rather than prevention of the event altogether. Such is the case in combating explosives-related threats. Today, research and development, science and technology, are plugged as the saviors of a post-blast event. Synthetic and composite materials are used to strengthen barriers and cutting-edge technology is utilized to refine the latest in standoff detection. These legitimate measures provide a sense of security …

Explosive-Driven Mini-System Based On Shock Wave Ferromagnetic Seed Source And Loop Magnetic Flux Compression Generator, Sergey I. Shkuratov, Evgueni F. Talantsev, Jason Baird, Allen H. Stults, Larry L. Altgilbers

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Completely explosive pulsed power mini-systems based on the transverse shock wave ferromagnetic generator (FMG) served as a seed source and loop magnetic flux compression generator (LFCG) as a pulsed power amplifier were proposed, designed, built and tested. The physical principles and design of the developed FMG-LFCG system are described in detail. Experimental data are presented for the explosive operation and electrical performance of the system.

New Concept For Constructing An Autonomous Completely Explosive Pulsed Power System: Transverse Shock Wave Ferromagnetic Primary Power Source And Loop Flux Compression Amplifier, Sergey I. Shkuratov, Evgueni F. Talantsev, Jason Baird, Allen H. Stults, Larry L. Altgilbers

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A new design idea for a compact, autonomous, completely explosive pulsed power system is proposed. The system is based on the shock wave ferromagnetic generator (FMG) as a primary power source and a loop magnetic flux compression generator (LFCG) as a pulsed power amplifier. The FMG primary power source utilizes the effect of transverse shock wave demagnetization of Nd2Fe14B high-energy hard ferromagnets to produce the seed current. Results are presented of an experimental study and digital simulation of operation of the FMG-LFCG system

Using Coupled Eulerian And Lagrangian Grids To Model Explosive Interactions With Buildings, Braden Lusk, William P. Schonberg, Jason Baird, Robert S. Woodley, Warren Noll

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents the development of a computational model that can be used to study the interactions between structures and detonating explosives contained within them. This model was developed as part of an effort to develop a rubble characterization model for use in AmmoSIM, an agent based urban tactical decision aid (UTDA) software for weapon-target pairing. The rubble pile created following the collapse of a building in a combat situation can significantly impact mission accomplishment, particularly in the area of movement and maneuver. The information provided by AmmoSIM will enable both platoon level and command center staff to make informed …

Compact Autonomous Explosive-Driven Pulsed Power System Based On A Capacitive Energy Storage Charged By A High-Voltage Shock-Wave Ferromagnetic Generator, S. I. Shkuratov, E. F. Talantsev, Jason Baird, Larry L. Altgilbers, A. H. Stults

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A new concept for constructing compact autonomous pulsed power systems is presented. This concept utilizes a high-voltage explosive-driven shock-wave ferromagnetic generator (FMG) as a charging source for capacitive energy storage. It has been experimentally demonstrated that miniature FMGs (22-25 cm³ in size and 84-95 g in mass) developed for these experiments can be successfully used to charge capacitor banks. The FMGs, containing Nd₂Fe₁₄B energy-carrying elements, provided pulsed powers of 35-45 kW in times ranging from 10 to 15 µs. A methodology was developed for digital simulation of the operation of the transverse FMG. Experimental results that were obtained are in …

Longitudinal Shock Wave Depolarization Of Pb(Zr₅₂Ti₄₈)O₃ Polycrystalline Ferroelectrics And Their Utilization In Explosive Pulsed Power, Sergey I. Shkuratov, Evgueni F. Talantsev, Jason Baird, Henryk Temkin, Larry L. Altgilbers, Allen H. Stults

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A poled lead zirconate titanate Pb(Zr52Ti48)O3 (PZT) polycrystalline piezoelectric ceramic energy-carrying element of a compact explosive-driven power generator was subjected to a longitudinal explosive shock wave (the wave front traveled along the polarization vector P0). The shock compression of the element at pressures of 1.5-3.8 GPa caused almost complete depolarization of the sample. Shock wave velocity in the PZT was determined to be 3.94 ± 0.27 km/s. The electric charge stored in a ferroelectric, due to its remnant polarization, is released during a short time interval and can be transformed into pulsed power. Compact explosive-driven power sources utilizing longitudinal shock …

Completely Explosive Autonomous High-Voltage Pulsed-Power System Based On Shockwave Ferromagnetic Primary Power Source And Spiral Vector Inversion Generator, Sergey I. Shkuratov, Evgueni F. Talantsev, Jason Baird, Millard F. Rose, Zachary Shotts, Z. Roberts, Allen H. Stults, Larry L. Altgilbers

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Novel explosive and conventional pulsed-power technologies were combined, and a series of explosive-driven high-voltage power supplies was designed, built, and tested. The power supply contained an explosive-driven high-voltage primary power source based on the fundamental physical effect of shockwave demagnetization of Nd₂ Fe₁₄B high-energy ferromagnet and a power-conditioning stage. The volume of the energy-carrying ferromagnetic elements in the shockwave ferromagnetic generators (FMGs) was 8.75 cm³. The power-conditioning stage was based on the spiral vector inversion generator (VIG). The combined FMG-VIG system demonstrated successful operation and good performance. The output-voltage pulse amplitude of the combined FMG-VIG …

Completely Explosive Ultracompact High-Voltage Nanosecond Pulse-Generating System, Sergey I. Shkuratov, Evgueni F. Talantsev, Jason Baird, Millard F. Rose, Zachary Shotts, Larry L. Altgilbers, Allen H. Stults

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A conventional pulsed power technology has been combined with an explosive pulsed power technology to produce an autonomous high-voltage power supply. The power supply contained an explosive-driven high-voltage primary power source and a power-conditioning stage. The ultracompact explosive-driven primary power source was based on the physical effect of shock-wave depolarization of high-energy Pb(Zr52Ti48)O3 ferroelectric material. The volume of the energy-carrying ferroelectric elements in the shock-wave ferroelectric generators (SWFEGs) varied from 1.2 to 2.6 cm3. The power-conditioning stage was based on the spiral vector inversion generator (VIG). The SWFEG-VIG system demonstrated successful operation and good performance. The amplitude of the output …

Pulse Charging Of Capacitor Bank By Explosive-Driven Shock Wave Ferroelectric Generator, Sergey I. Shkuratov, Evgueni F. Talantsev, Jason Baird, Allen H. Stults, Larry L. Altgilbers

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Ultracompact explosive-driven shock wave ferroelectric generators (FEGs) were used as autonomous primary power sources for charging capacitor banks of different capacitance. The FEGs utilized longitudinal (when the shock wave propagates along the polarization vector P) shock wave depolarization of Pb(Zr₅₂Ti₄₈)O₃ (PZT) polycrystalline ferroelectric ceramic. PZT disks having diameters ranging from 25 to 27 mm and three different thicknesses: 0.65, 2.1, and 5.1 mm. It was experimentally shown that during the charging process the FEGs were capable of producing pulsed power with peak amplitudes up to 0.3 MW. Results for charging voltage, electric charge transfer and …

Transverse Explosive Shock-Wave Compression Of Nd₂Fe₁₄B High-Energy Hard Ferromagnets: Induced Magnetic Phase Transition, Sergey I. Shkuratov, Evgueni F. Talantsev, Jason Baird, Larry L. Altgilbers, Allen H. Stults

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Investigations of the magnetic phase state of Nd2Fe14B high-energy hard ferromagnets under the action of an explosive shock wave traveling across the magnetization vector, M, have been performed. We demonstrate that the transverse shock-wave compression of an Nd2Fe14B hard ferromagnet with pressure at the shock wave front of P = 22.3 GPa causes a hard ferromagnet — to — weak magnet phase transition. Due to this phase transition, the magnetostatic energy stored for an indefinite period of time in the Nd2Fe14B ferromagnet is released within a short time interval and can be transformed into pulsed primary power. Based on this …

Compact Autonomous Completely Explosive Pulsed Power System Based On Transverse Shock Wave Demagnetization Of Nd₂Fe₁₄B And Magnetic Flux Compression, Sergey I. Shkuratov, Evgueni F. Talantsev, Jason Baird, Allen H. Stults, Larry L. Altgilbers

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The design and performance of a compact autonomous completely explosive pulsed power system based on two physical effects, the transverse shock wave demagnetization of Nd2Fe14B high-energy hard ferromagnets and magnetic flux compression, are presented. A transverse shock wave ferromagnetic generator (FMG) served as a seed source, and a compact helical magnetic flux compression generator (FCG) was used as a pulsed power amplifier. Results of a theoretical and experimental study demonstrated reliable operation of the proposed FMG-FCG system. The methodology for analytical calculation of seed current amplitude is developed.

Pulsed Charging Of Capacitor Bank By Compact Explosive-Driven High-Voltage Primary Power Source Based On Longitudinal Shock Wave Depolarization Of Ferroelectric Ceramics, Sergey I. Shkuratov, Jason Baird, Evgueni F. Talantsev, Yaroslav Tkach, Larry L. Altgilbers, Allen H. Stults, Stanislav V. Kolossenok

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Results of the investigation of the operation of autonomous ultracompact explosive-driven high-voltage primary power sources based on longitudinal (when the shock wave propagates along the polarization vector P0) shock wave depolarization of ferroelectric materials in the open circuit and charging modes are presented. The energy-carrying elements of shock wave ferroelectric generators (FEGs) were poled lead zirconate titanate (PZT) Pb(Zr52Ti48)O3 polycrystalline piezoelectric ceramic disks with volume 0.35 cm3. The PZT modules were shock compressed in the stress range from 1.5 to 3.8 GPa by a longitudinal shock wave generated by high explosives. In the charging mode, the FEGs provided pulsed power …

The Causes Of Armature Surface Fracturing Within Helical Flux-Compression Generators, Jason Baird, Paul Nicholas Worsey

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Aluminum and copper tubes filled with explosive were tested during this study of high strain rate effects, as an adjunct to helical flux-compression generator research at the University of Missouri-Rolla, directly affecting the understanding of flux cutoff and high strain-rate changes in generator armatures. Longitudinal cracks characteristically developed in the outer surface of armatures at a smaller expansion ratio than predicted. These cracks occurred within two diameters of the detonator end of the armature but did not extend when the tubing expanded under explosive pressurization. Such cracks appear to cause magnetic flux cutoff, and flux losses seriously affect energy conversion …

Design Of A Hypersonic Waterjet Apparatus Driven By High Explosives, B. L. Weeks, J. Klosterman, Paul Nicholas Worsey

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The design and construction of a hypersonic waterjet apparatus is described. Jet velocities from 0.5 to 5 km/s have been achieved using a high explosive charge. Images are obtained in situ on various target substrates using a high-speed framing camera. Experimental results are shown for the impact of high velocity waterjets on propellants and high explosive samples. By observing the impact of the waterjet at a wide range of velocities a safety threshold can be determined where no reaction takes place.

Effects Of Defects On Armatures Within Helical Flux-Compression Generators, Jason Baird, Paul Nicholas Worsey, Mark F. C. Schmidt

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Tubes of aluminum and copper filled with C-4 high-explosive were tested during this study of the effects of explosive flaws and voids, their sizes and locations, and of the effects of armature machining tolerances on the expansion characteristics of armatures within helical flux-compression generators. Flaws and voids were introduced into the explosive fill of 6061-T6 aluminum armatures during assembly. The defects were located along the major axis of the fill, midway between the major axis and the explosive/armature interface, and at the interface. The resulting effects on armature expansion were recorded by high-speed framing camera, intensified charge-coupled display (ICCD) photography …

Surface Fracturing Of Armatures Within Helical Flux-Compression Generators, Paul Nicholas Worsey, Jason Baird

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Tubes of aluminum and of copper filled with C-4 high-explosive were tested during this study of high strain rate effects within thin metallic structures performed as an adjunct to helical flux-compression generator research at the University of Missouri-Rolla. Focusing on the stresses within a relatively thin metallic structure when brisant explosives abutting the structure are detonated, this study directly affects the understanding of flux cutoff and high strain-rate resistivity changes in an expanding armature. The detonation wave is compressive, and the shock waves resulting from its transmission into a thin metallic structure cause both compressive and tensile regions, posing an …