This research focuses on the influence of natural discontinuities and mechanical properties in the fragmentation of marble by blasting. These natural discontinuities and mechanical properties are the parameters which are difficult to control and which considerably influence the fragmentation of marble after blasting. This paper aims at predicting the fragmentation of the Bidzar quarry rock, the only marble quarry in Central Africa, while improving the knowledge on it. This quarry has been facing problems of fragmentation of marble blocks for decades, which requires secondary firing and incurs enormous costs. The Kuz-Ram method was used for this study. The dip of the discontinuity planes, the compressive strength, the distance between the discontinuities and the density of the discontinuities are the operational parameters that were used to study the influence of natural discontinuities and the mechanical properties of the rocks on the fragmentation after firing. This work consists precisely in studying the pullability as a function of the dip of the discontinuity planes, then the fragmentation as a function of the powder factor, the compressive strength and the drilling mesh. The results of this study were compared with those of the other authors. Qualitative and quantitative studies were carried out in order to highlight the influence of natural discontinuities and mechanical characteristics on fragmentation. The fragmentation pattern of the Bidzar quarry was examined and compared with those obtained in other regions of the world, namely, Northern Europe, Central America, South-East Asia and West Africa. The variation in the intensity of fragmentation caused on the one hand by differences in the dips of the firing planes and their compressive strength, and on the other hand by the variation in the drilling mesh was also discussed. The prediction test was carried out with seven plans of existing discontinuities in the Bidzar quarry and at different mesh sizes in order to estimate the distribution of the fragments of marble thatcan through the crsuher after being fired.Several suggestions were put forward for the evaluation of the fragmentation. Three practical tables were created to predict the result of the shot. The specific graphs, which were proposed to analyse fragmentation in this quarry, made it possible to assess the quantity of fragments passing through the crusher after firing. Predicting fragmentation by considering the dip of the firing planes and the powder factor can effectively optimise the fragmentation of the rocks by blasting and achieve the desired result..
This research focuses on the influence of natural discontinuities and mechanical properties in the fragmentation of marble by blasting. These natural discontinuities and mechanical properties are the parameters which are difficult to control and which considerably influence the fragmentation of marble after blasting. This paper aims at predicting the fragmentation of the Bidzar quarry rock, the only marble quarry in Central Africa, while improving the knowledge on it. This quarry has been facing problems of fragmentation of marble blocks for decades, which requires secondary firing and incurs enormous costs. The Kuz-Ram method was used for this study. The dip of the discontinuity planes, the compressive strength, the distance between the discontinuities and the density of the discontinuities are the operational parameters that were used to study the influence of natural discontinuities and the mechanical properties of the rocks on the fragmentation after firing. This work consists precisely in studying the pullability as a function of the dip of the discontinuity planes, then the fragmentation as a function of the powder factor, the compressive strength and the drilling mesh. The results of this study were compared with those of the other authors. Qualitative and quantitative studies were carried out in order to highlight the influence of natural discontinuities and mechanical characteristics on fragmentation. The fragmentation pattern of the Bidzar quarry was examined and compared with those obtained in other regions of the world, namely, Northern Europe, Central America, South-East Asia and West Africa. The variation in the intensity of fragmentation caused on the one hand by differences in the dips of the firing planes and their compressive strength, and on the other hand by the variation in the drilling mesh was also discussed. The prediction test was carried out with seven plans of existing discontinuities in the Bidzar quarry and at different mesh sizes in order to estimate the distribution of the fragments of marble thatcan through the crsuher after being fired. Several suggestions were put forward for the evaluation of the fragmentation. Three practical tables were created to predict the result of the shot. The specific graphs, which were proposed to analyse fragmentation in this quarry, made it possible to assess the quantity of fragments passing through the crusher after firing. Predicting fragmentation by considering the dip of the firing planes and the powder factor can effectively optimise the fragmentation of the rocks by blasting and achieve the desired result.
The search for and knowledge of the best conditions for anchoring the foundations of certain structures such as bridges, tunnels and quays in sedimentary estuaries is a challenge, for both scientists in general and engineers in particular. Indeed, wharves are structures that receive a lot of stresses and therefore require anchoring to avoid tilting and to guarantee their stability during service. This work, based on the analysis of data from seismic refraction methods, mechanical soundings and laboratory tests, characterises the terrain of the Wouri estuary in Central Africa. The objective is to determine and present the subsurface layers encountered as well as their characteristics, in order to define the best conditions for anchoring the foundations to ensure the stability of the quays to be built there. The seismic refraction campaign shows that the study area is relatively heterogeneous over the first 25 m, with velocities measured in the range 1520–1750 m/s; modulated in two distinct ranges, between 1520–1580 m/s characteristic of mud and loose sediments (alternating layers of clay, sand, loose silt) and the range 1580–1750 m/s corresponding to the signature of sandy-silty or compact clays. The mechanical tests show sedimentary soils, with alternating layers of sandy clay and clayey sand over the 42 m drilled, loose over the first 30 m in the bank area and over the first 15 m in the canal or dredge area, with a limit pressure of less than 1 MPa. Similarly, the soil samples taken and tested in the laboratory show that the soils are clayey over the first 30 metres, plastic and liquid with respect to their water content, respectively, below and above the liquidity limits, confirming their loose character. The results of seismic refraction, mechanical soundings and laboratory tests show that, in estuarine areas characterised by alternating sandy clay and clayey sand, there are not always hard formations in the first 25 metres of depth but, from a depth of 30 m, the soils become moderately compact and begin to form an anchoring layer sufficient to guarantee the stability of the quays against earth pressure forces.
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