Precision Blasting Near Dams: Engineering Safety Into Every Shot: Agenda
Introduction and Blasting Near Critical Infrastructure
- Introduction and webinar objectives
- Why blasting adjacent to dams and water infrastructure requires a different risk framework
- Primary structural, operational, and public-safety concerns
- What is high-consequence blasting
- Establishing acceptable blast-performance criteria before design begins
Engineering a Blast Near Dams and Critical Structures
- Fundamentals of blast design in high-consequence environments
- Geology, confinement, burden, spacing, charge weight, and initiation timing
- Controlling rock movement, displacement, overbreak, and damage
- Adapting blast design to proximity and sensitivity of existing structures
- Developing a repeatable blast-design methodology
Vibration Prediction, Control, and Monitoring
- How blasting generates ground vibration
- Scaled-distance concepts and vibration prediction
- Controlling maximum charge weight per delay
- Delay timing and its effect on blast response
- Establishing project-specific vibration limits
- Monitoring methodology, instrumentation, placement, and interpretation of results
- Using field monitoring data to refine subsequent blasts
Q&A Period #1
Engineering and Administrative Safeguards
- Risk assessment and pre-blast planning
- Exclusion zones and site control
- Pre-blast documentation and structural considerations
- Communication and notification protocols
- Blast-day procedures and command structure
- Engineering controls versus administrative controls
- Managing changing field conditions and deviations from the approved blast plan
Staffing, Contractor Selection, and Project Management
- How high-consequence blasting projects should be staffed
- Roles of the blaster, explosives engineer, project manager, monitoring personnel, and site representatives
- Qualifications owners and engineers should require from blasting contractors
- Evaluating relevant experience rather than relying solely on general blasting credentials
- Contractor-selection red flags
- The role of project management in coordinating engineering, field operations, safety, compliance, schedule, and communication
Putting It Together: A Framework for Safe, Repeatable Blasting
- Hybrid Specifications to guide proper outcomes
- Integrating blast design, vibration control, monitoring, field procedures, and project management
- Establishing feedback loops between measured performance and subsequent blast designs
- Application to dam upgrades, powerhouse excavation, spillway work, rehabilitation, and similar projects
- Principal takeaways for dam owners, engineers, and project managers
Q&A Period #2 and Closing
