Table of Contents

Surface Rock Excavation Scenario. An Overview of Blasthole Drilling. Properties of Rocks. Brief History of Rotary Blasthole Drilling. Rotary Blasthole Drilling Bits. Rotary Blasthole Drilling Accessories. Rotary Blasthole Drills. Compressed Air and Air Compressors. Mechanics of Rock Fracture Under a Drill Bit. Flushing the Blasthole. Effect of Altitude and Severe Weather. Computers in Rotary Blasthole Drilling. Concepts for Rotary Blasthole Drill Design. Cost Analysis of Rotary Blasthole Drilling. Procurement of Rotary Blasthole Drills. Tips for Operating Rotary Blasthole Drills. Mechanics of Blast Fragmentation. Properties of Explosives. Thermochemistry of Explosives. Explosives - Their History and Composition. Testing Explosives. Blasting Consumable and Accessories. Hazards to and from Blasting. Properties of Rock Masses. Methods and Patterns of Charging Blastholes. Design of a Surface Blast.

About the Author

Bhalchandra V. Gokhale is an experienced professional who has worked both in practice, on mine construction and foundation works, and on the technological side of blasthole drilling equipment. Through this book, he shares his extensive knowledge of the technological aspects of drilling, mining and construction equipment and their application.