Interaction between stress wave and gas pressure in the fracture process of an underground explosion in rock, with particular application to presplitting

Thesis/Dissertation · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1967

OSTI ID:5885600

Kutter, H K

In order to analyze the mechanism by which an underground explosion generates fractures in rock, particularly in the region immediately around the charge, the 2 basic forces effective in blasting are dealt with separately: the emitted stress wave due to the detonation of the explosive, and the quasi-static pressure in the cavity due to the expanding gases. In the experimental part of this study, an underwater spark discharge generated the stress wave and pressurized oil simulated the pressure of the explosion products. The fractures generated by the outgoing stress wave are mainly in the form of radial cracks due to the high tangential, tensile stresses. Gas pressure action is subsequent to wave action. High gas pressure is exerted against the wall of a radially fractured cavity. The stresses around such a pressurized star-cracked cavity are computed numerically by means of conformal mapping. It is demonstrated that the gas pressure is a vital force in the fracture process of blasting, in particular in the technique of presplitting. The results of this research are also applicable to the technique of hydraulic fracturing of an oil well. (Longer abstract available)

• OSTI ID: 5885600
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300 -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
58 GEOSCIENCES
580300* -- Mineralogy
Petrology
& Rock Mechanics-- (-1989)
COMMINUTION
CRACKS
DETONATION WAVES
EXPLOSIONS
EXPLOSIVES
FLUIDS
FRACTURING
GASES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MECHANICS
OIL WELLS
ROCK MECHANICS
SHOCK WAVES
STRESSES
WAVE PROPAGATION
WELLS