Survivability of shotcrete near blasts
D.R. McCreath School of Engineering, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, CANADA
D.D. Tannant Geomechanics Research Centre, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, CANADA
C.C. Langille INCO Ltd. Ontario Division, Copper Cliff, Ontario, CANADA
ABSTRACT: Reinforced shotcrete maintains its functionality and sustains only minor damage when exposed to peak particle velocities of 1.5 to 2 m/s (60 to 80 in/s) due to nearby blasting. Mesh reinforced shotcrete performs better than steel fibre reinforced shotcrete under very severe dynamic loading conditions. Mesh reinforced shotcrete can continue to retain broken rock even when extensively cracked, whereas fibre reinforced shotcrete loses this ability and may itself become a safety hazard.