The use of HANDIDET{reg_sign} non-electric detonator assemblies to reduce blast-induced overpressure at AECL`s Underground Research Laboratory

Conference · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:398408

Onagi, D P; Keith, S G; Kuzyk, G W ^[1]; Proudfoot, D F ^[2]

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1. AECL, Pinawa, Manitoba (Canada). Underground Research Lab.
2. ICI Explosives Canada, North Delta, British Columbia (Canada)

A number of aspects of the Canadian concept for nuclear fuel waste disposal are being assessed by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) in a series of experiments at its Underground Research Laboratory (URL) near Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba, Canada. One of the major objectives of the work being carried out at the URL is to develop and evaluate the methods and technology to ensure safe, permanent disposal of Canada`s nuclear fuel waste. In 1994, AECL excavated access tunnels and a laboratory room for the Quarried Block Fracture Migration Experiment (QBFME) at the 240 Level of the URL. This facility will be used to study the transport of radionuclides in natural fractures in quarried blocks of granite under in-situ groundwater conditions. The experiment is being carried out under a cooperative agreement with the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute. The excavation of the QBFME access tunnels and laboratory was carried out using controlled blasting techniques that minimized blast-induced overpressure which could have damaged or interrupted other ongoing experiments in the vicinity. The majority of the blasts used conventional long delay non-electric detonators but a number of blasts were carried out using HANDIDET 250/6000 non-electric long delay detonator assemblies and HTD{reg_sign} non-electric short delay trunkline detonator assemblies. The tunnel and laboratory excavation was monitored to determine the levels of blast-induced overpressure. This paper describes the blasting and monitoring results of the blasts using HANDIDET non-electric detonator assemblies and the effectiveness of these detonators in reducing blast-induced overpressure.

• OSTI ID: 398408
• Report Number(s): CONF-960262--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LTD
CONSTRUCTION
DESIGN
DETONATORS
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
MITIGATION
PERFORMANCE
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SHOCK WAVES
TEST FACILITIES