Applied Research on Hydraulic Disintegration of Rock for Rapid Excavation.

摘要

A method of disintegrating rock at rates suitable for rapid excavation is examined. The method employs high velocity water slugs to generate strong elastic water-hammer type pressure pulses at the instant of impact between the water and the rock. Test slugs of up to one half pound weight with speeds up to 800ft/sec are projected at a target. The character of the slug at impact is examined with high speed photographs and the character of the delivered pressure pulse is measured with a quartz transducer mounted in a metal target. Tests to date show developed pressures of a useful magnitude and duration. The magnitude approximates that generated by a simple water hammer. Planned tests on a variety of rock samples will evaluate the response and erosive losses of the rock for selected slug firings. (Author)