The recent failure of ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle might have resulted due to malfunctioning of the pyro mechanism. Bolts of an explosive nature are used in heat shields. As a result of their explosion, the sheet separates releasing the satellite. This is an instance where the choice of explosives could make or break a situation.

The role played by explosives in rock blasting, mining, demolition or construction is of grave importance. Different explosives are suited to different activities. A minor error in calculation of impact could lead to a lot of casualties or injury or simply loss of productivity, if the explosive is not assessed carefully.

Explosive charges are placed at strategically important locations. These take into consideration several factors which are planned out carefully by engineers. Selection and handling of explosives should be undertaken with the utmost care. Different explosives may have different characteristics and it is extremely important to take this into consideration. This is to ensure that safety and productivity are maximised.

The debris resulting out of the explosion also differs with the explosive in use. This is often discharged with a great velocity and restrictive measures to contain the debris should be ready in place. An effective study of these factors can help select the right explosives for the job and ensure that the activity performed results in success without damages to the surrounding areas.

The post Learning from ISRO’s failure; making the right choice with explosives! first appeared on Uttam Blastech.

In the rock breaking process, ground vibrations, air blasts (noise), and fly rock are the parameters that require efficient and reliable control, consistently, whether the blast is big or small. Excessive ground vibrations/ air-blasts may cause damage to structures located in the vicinity of the project. A reliable and acceptable method of data measurement, documentation and periodic analysis should be an essential part of every Mining & Infra project in order to address the concerns of the neighbors and inform them about the reality of proper blast planning.

The Mining & Infra industry projects have a greater risk of work stoppage ranging from a few hours in a day to a few days in a month (may even last longer) and have a greater risk of project closure too, if risks perceived by the neighbors (people living closer to projects) are not appreciated by the project team and the right preventive measures not considered and implemented. The Mining & Infra projects usually need to take up the task of convincing the neighborhood, local administrative set ups, and regulatory authorities, throughout the project period (prior to commencement on some occasions), that their activities are well controlled and do not cause any damage to the surroundings.

What is essential in a situation like this, is the presence of a third party organization that not only helps resolve conflicts but also monitors, records data and offers solutions to put an end to long delays and stoppages in work that cost an organization heavily. It then becomes the responsibility of the third party organization to collect data, verify and convince the local authorities and neighbors whenever instances of discrepancy or doubt arise.

The post Work Stoppages & Blasting Risk Mitigation first appeared on Uttam Blastech.

• Client Name: Sri Sai Lakshmi Contruction& Company
• Location: Kekote Dam, Mohan, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.

Objective

• To blast 125000 Cubic Meters next to 75 year old Kekote Dam that supplies water to the City of Gwalior in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India
• Uttam was called in.
• Uttam blasted 125000 Cubic Meters of Rock in 6 Months to the satisfaction of the dam authorities.

Approach

• Safety First.
• Safety and Production together.
• Understand what to do and implement.

End Result

• A work executed well in time.

Client Testimonial

Click here to view the testimonial by the client.

The post Blasting of Rock near Dam Site first appeared on Uttam Blastech.

• Client Name: DLF Laing O Rourke (India) Ltd
• Location: Basheerbagh, Hyderabad

Objective/Challenge

• To blast around 300,000 Cubic Meters of Rock at a location 450 Meters from the Office of the Commissioner of police Hyderabad.
• 1 Kms from the Secretariat
• In a VIP locality and with heritage structures.
• A perfect concoction for blast related litigation.
• DLF approached Uttam, Uttam suggested
• DLF blasted and excavated 250,000 cubic Metres from the site.

Approach

• Create documentation that can stand scrutiny in a legal tangle.
• 3rd Party monitoring of all the blasts to act as an evidence in case of litigation and to ensure that the contractor adheres to prescribed vibration limits.

Client Testimonial

Click here to view the testimonial by the client.

Monitor to Know and comply with the standards and be safe in litigation. Uttam The Best. For litigation mitigation. Be prepared be better armed.

The post Blasting of Rock within City Limits first appeared on Uttam Blastech.

• Client Name: Pioneer Builders
• Location: Nalgonda District, Telangana State.

Objective/Challenge

• Blasting below a 440 KV Powerline connecting the capital city of the state of Telangana, Hyderabad with Nagarjuna Sagar Power house which is an important source of electricity supplies to the city of Hyderabad. Almost the entire canal of SLBC (Srisailam Left Bank Canal) was ready but for the a length of around 800 Meters
• M/s. Pioneer Builders were awarded the work.
• M/s Pioneer Builders approached Uttam for Rock blasting.

Approach

• To meet the production targets without compromising on the safety, Uttam decided to use in hole delays and blast different decks at different intervals to keep the charge per delay within the limits.
• As many as 3 delays were used in a single hole.
• Each blast was monitored for vibrations and the noise for the comfort of the client, Irrigation department and the Tower Line owner.
• Uttam was the first to use in hole delays and seismograph in the construction sector in the state.

End Result

• A work well accomplished.

The post Controlled blasting below at 440 KV line and next to its pylon. first appeared on Uttam Blastech.

• Client Name: Sri Laxmi Engineering Company
• Location: Ramagundam, Karimnagar District

Objective/Challenge

• Rock Blasting next to a Power producing Turbine.
• When NTPC (Super Thermal Power Station) decided to expand their Super Thermal Unit at Ramagundam Super Thermal Power Station, the challenge was to excavate around 37,000 Cubic Meters of Rock in a very critical area 20 meters away from their Power Producing Turbine and around 6 Meters away from the Pump house that supplies water to the entire Unit.

Approach

• To do a professional job in time, with all the permissions and document all the events related to the blast and such as vibrations and noise in blasting. Work completed in 37 days, producing 1000 Cubic Meters a day. A thorough and acclaimed work done.
• The work was awarded to M/s. Sri Laxmi Engineering Company. M/s.
• Sri Laxmi Engineering Company approached Uttam for Rock Blasting.
• The first challenge was to convince about the efficacy and the safety of the proposed Methodology. A seminar was arranged for all the cornered to address their concerns. It was agreed that initial blast would be conducted at the farthest place as a trial.
• Another challenge was to obtain all the permissions required to use the explosives as the area was terrorist infested at that time. It took considerable time to convince the authorities about the measures taken to ensure the safe keeping of explosives.
• Once everything was in place, the work was executed in just 37 days i.e. blasting and excavating 1000 Cubic Meters per day; well within the time in spite of all the hurdles and concerns.

Client Testimonial

Click here to view the testimonial by the client.

• International case study discussed in ISEE (International Society of Explosives Engineers) conference in the year 2003. View ISEE PAPER

The post Controlled blasting next to a power producing turbine first appeared on Uttam Blastech.