ENGINEERING PROPERTIES AND APPLICATIONS OF NUCLEAR EXCAVATIONS
The use of nuclear excavation for engineering projects depends not only on the size of the excavation, but also on the properties of the material in and around the excavation. In a nuclear excavation several general zones are evident. Among these are the true and apparent crater, crater fallback and lip throwout material, ground upheaval, and the rupture and plastic zones. The properties of the material in these zones are dependent on original medium characteristics and the effects of the detonation. The hyperbolic shape of a crater lends itself to good slope stability. The problem of slope stability in soils or highly weathered rock will be more acute than in competent rock. The condition of the rupture zone, the amount of surcharge on the crater lip, and ground shock from later' detonations impose additional problems to slope stability evaluation. The fallback material will obtain a certain amount of dynamic compaction as a result of the material falling from heights of several hundred feet. Further foundation stability, if necessary, can be accomplished by standard techniques. Several applications of nuclear explosives in the highway engineering field appear feasible. These include: (1) excavation of roadway cuts; (2) aggregate production; open pit mining; (3) drainage diversion, or interception by craters; (4) landslide removal, encouragement, or stabilization. The feasibility of using large yield explosions for engineering projects has been demonstrated in the U. S. S. R. Over the last twenty years, many large-yield conventional explosives have been used for excavation, mining, and dam construction. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- California. Univ., Livermore. Lawrence Radiation Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-016162
- OSTI ID:
- 4067882
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-7657
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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