Ground Testing

This article discusses about a researcher at the Colorado School of Mines is taking a close look at shock waves—how they move through mixed ground, and how mathematical models can predict the effects of blasts. Vilem Petr’s insight derived from the studies one day may save energy in mining operations and also may help walls withstand bombings. The primary advantage of the discrete element modeling software, which was developed by Graham Mustoe of the School of Mines’ Engineering Division, was that it modeled the geomedium as a system of several hundred rigid particles joined together elastically. An industrial application of his research involves concrete to support caverns, the underground openings in mines. Knowledge of how material densities and patterns of particle grains can alter a shock wave can be applied to the development of shock-resistant materials.