Cutting parameter optimization for one-step shaft excavation technique based on parallel cutting method

The outcome of the cutting blasting in a one-step shaft excavation is heavily related to the cutting parameters used for parallel cutting method. In this study, the relationships between the cutting parameters（such as the hole spacing L and the empty hole diameter D） and damage zones were investigated by numerical simulation. A damage state index γ was introduced and used to characterize the crushing and crack damage zones through a user-defined subroutine. Two indices, i.e., η1 and η2 that can reflect the cutting performance, were also introduced. The simulation results indicate that an optimal value of L can be obtained so that the η1 and η2 can reach their optimal states for the best cutting performance. A larger D results in better cutting performance when the L value maintains its best. In addition, the influences of the loading rate and the in-situ stress on the cutting performance were investigated. It is found that an explosive with a high loading rate is suit for cutting blasting. The propagation direction and the length of the tensile cracks are affected by the direction and the magnitude of the maximum principal stress.

Cap rock blast caving of cavity under open pit bench

A laser technique based scanning system was employed to make a comprehensive scanning through borehole forunmapped cavity under open pit bench,then the three-dimensional data will be obtained,and these data were used for theoreticalanalysis and numerical simulation to analyze the stability of cap rock.Acoustic emission techniques were also adopted to carry outlong term real time rupture monitoring in cap rock.Therefore,a complete safety evaluation system for the cap rock was establishedto ensure safe operation of subsequent blasting processes.The ideal way of eliminating collapse hazard of such cavity is cap rockcaving through deep-hole blasting,thus,two deep-hole blasting schemes named as vertical deep-hole blasting scheme and one-timeraise driving integrated with deep-hole bench blasting scheme were proposed.The vertical deep-hole blasting scheme has moreexplosive consumption,but the relatively simple blasting net work structure can greatly reduce workloads.However,the one-timeraise driving integrated with deep-hole bench blasting scheme can obviously reduce explosive consumption,but the higher technicalrequirements on drilling,explosive charging and blasting network will increase workloads.

Impact of continuous low water stage on the breeding environment of Oncomelania hupensis: a case study of Poyang Lake area in China

Background Oncomelania hupensis is the only intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum and plays a decisive role in its transmission.The variation of water level greatly affects the reproduction and growth of snails.Therefore,in this paper,we analyze the variations of water level in the Poyang Lake region from 1993 to 2016 combined with satellite imagery to elucidate the evolution of the snail breeding environment.Methods By employing remote sensing data from 1993 to 2016(April–June and September–November),the vegetation area of Poyang Lake and the vegetation area at different elevations were extracted and calculated.Moreover,the average daily water level data from the four hydrological stations(Hukou station,Xingzi station,Tangyin station and Kangshan station)which represent the typical state of Poyang Lake were collected from 1993 to 2016.The variance of the monthly mean water level,inundation time and the average area were analyzed by variance to find a significance level ofα=0.05.Results According to hydrological data before and after 2003,the average water level after 2003 is significantly lower than that before 2003 in Poyang Lake.After 2003,the time of inundateing the snail breeding period was later in April to June than that before 2003,while the time of wate-falling stage in September to November moved forward after 2003 than before 2003.Of them,the lowest water level affecting the breeding and growing period of O.hupensis in the northern part of Poyang Lake decreased from 11 m to 9 m.After 2003,the expansion of meadow area in the north part of Poyang Lake was mainly concentrated in the elevation of 9–11 m,and the newly increased infested-meadow in the lake area was mainly concentrated in the north part of Poyang Lake.Conclusions By comparing the change of water level characteristics in different parts of the Poyang Lake area as well as changes in meadow area before and after 2003,it is found that the water level changes mainly affect the snail breeding area in the northern part of Poyang Lake.The results are helpful for improving scientific measures for snail control in Jiangxi Province.This approach could also be applicible to Dongting Lake area and other lake areas affected by water level changes and can bring significant guidance for snail control in lake areas.