A long time ago, people would use machetes and hoes to dig holes to get underneath the ground. Now, there are various modern techniques people use to drill. One such technique is blasting.
What Is Blast Hole Drilling?
Blast hole drilling refers to the use of explosives to drill holes of certain depths in a designated area. It all starts by drilling a smaller hole into which explosive charges are thrown in to make the holes bigger. This makes it easy for humans and other drilling or excavating machines to gain access. This type of drilling is used in quarrying and mining to extract different minerals lying underground.
Sometimes, it can take several blasting sessions to get the desired exposure in a bid to monitor just how much coal, for example, is present in the marked area.
Where Can Blast Hole Drilling Be Applied?
Aside from mining, there are a ton of other areas where blast hole drilling can prove incredibly useful. Some of these areas are in the civil and construction industry;
• If for example, you want to create a level surface on which to start building, blasting helps to tear down surrounding rocks to make a flat pad.
• When you want to build underground trenches to enable you to install sewerage, water or oil pipes, blast holes are often highly recommended.
• This same technique is also used when there’s a need to make a tunnel or a clear path for the railway line through rocky or hilly terrain.
• To create footbridge footings, the construction guys drill holes in order to make space for the foundation and posts to go in.
What Are The Risks Involved?
It seems obvious but it is important to note that blast hole drilling is a very risky activity even for the most experienced persons. If due process is not followed, certain risks are bound to occur. Such risks include premature detonation of explosives, fly rock as a result of the intensity of the blast, vibration, increased air pressure and so on. All these are risks that can leave workers seriously injured or even cost them their lives.
During the blast hole drilling procedures, it takes strict adherence to the rules and regulations for it to prove successful. The construction project managers must ensure that blast holes are spaced accordingly. They should consider the soil and rock formations in the area before embarking on the drilling and blasting process. If the pre-drilling process and the actual drilling process is done right, the project will be completed successfully and within the scheduled time.
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