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By J. H. de. Visser

The transfer of molten metal in smelting or refining operations is typically performed in open trough-type launders that are constructed of either water-cooled copper troughs or refractory lined steel jackets. This transfer can be either continuous or batch. Batch operations transfer metal through an open launder. The uncovered launder has many operational and environmental drawbacks. In order to improve workplace hygiene, designs have evolved toward ventilated launder covers that .are connected to secondary exhaust systems that use negative pressure under the cover removing fume and hot gases to secondary fume control devices. In smelting operations, a variety of covers have been employed which insulate the launder and contain the fumes and also provide additional heat along the length of the launder through a series of premix or inspiration-type burners that add combustion products to the normal fume load in the launder. Cover designs have proven to be inadequate in that hinged unventilated covers hinder convenient access while heated ventilated covers are costly to maintain. Covers that employ refractory bricks and overhead enclosure-type exhaust hoods have been somewhat successful, but restrict operator movement and require large volumes of exhaust air. An example is given of a cover and off-gas system for launders that is designed to provide superior insulation and heating capabilities, as well: as better control of the fume gases-and ease of maintenance. The cover system must maintain the balance between maintaining launder heat and fume removal. The construction of the covers must be able to withstand high internal temperatures and maintain its structural properties.

Jan 1, 1999

By A. R. Denison

To those who are unfamiliar with the nomenclature in common use among operators in the Mid-Continent, the Permian Basin is a term to cover several widely separated productive areas. It includes what is designated in trade journals as the Panhandle fields, the West Texas fields and Southeastern New Mexico fields. It is bounded roughly on the east by the 100th parallel, on the west by the 104th parallel, 011 thr south by the Rio Grande River and various mountain ranges and on the north by the north line of the Texas Panhandle. The name is derived from the location of these three widely scattered areas which are all in a broad geosyncline which is chiefly filled with sediments of Perrliian age. The oil fields as now known and the approximate limits of the Permian Basin are shown in Fig. 1. The major part of the production in these areas comes from liniestonc or dolomite of Permian age. Some granite wash and sandstone production has been developed but ordinarily does not yield as large initial production as the limestone or dolorliite. Introduction During 1926, Texas, exclusive of the Gulf Coast, produced 12G1SS-1,-952 bbl. of oil,' of which 40,727,877 bbl., or 32 per cent., was produccd in the West Texas Permian Basin. During 1927 the same area in Texas produced 167,176,000 bbl. %f oil, of which 89,779,000 bbL13 or 52 per cent., was produced in the West Texas Permian Basin. The increase in the total production of Texas is about equivalent to the increase in production in the Permian Basin. Since production in the Panliandle District declined during the entire year, the increase of production in the West Texas Permian Basin, and also the increase in Texas, is due to the enormous increase from the West Texas fields. Daily average pl-oduction in the West Texas fields increased from 68,211 bbl. on ,Jan. 8 to

Jan 1, 1928

By James M. Schopf

Coal petrology is the study of the lithologic composition and texture of coal and includes megascopic as well as microscopic differentiation. Coal petrography is a quantitative study, principally (but not exclusively) microscopical in nature. The distinction between coal petrologic and coal petrographic studies usually is not important, but it is important to recognize that these studies differ materially from other types of petrology that deal primarily with minerals. The petrologic entities of coal are less clearly distinguished than most minerals and the basis of distinction is not always clearly expressed. The relation of coal petrology to geologic, mining, and technologic problems is most evident when results of coal petrologic studies can be stated quantitatively. The chemical and physical composition of coal and the determination of its quality and properties are continuing problems. The source of these problems lies in the heterogeneity of coal and in its almost complete insolubility in ordinary solvents at normal temperatures.

Jun 1, 1956

By W. Wanjokow, H. O. Hofman

In the metallurgical treatment of most metallic sulphides it is usually necessary to carry on a roasting-operation. In some cases the raw ore will have to be roasted; in others the intermediary product, matte, produced in smelting the ore; again, both ore and matte may have to be subjected to oxidation at elevated temperatures. Most metallic sulphides, when given an oxidizing-roast, pass through the state of sulphate before they are converted into oxides. All metallic sulphates are completely decomposed by heat, with the exception of those of lead and bismuth, but the temperatures at which decompositions take place vary with the metals. Some metallic sulphates are converted directly into oxides, others first form basic salts. Alkali-earth sulphates show a behavior similar to that of metallic sulphates, while alkali sulphates do not part with their sulphur trioxide even at elevated roasting-temperatures. The older data on the decomposition of metallic sulphates by heat are only approximations. Thus Kerl' gives the order in which metallic sulphates are decomposed with increasing temperatures as (Ag2, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, Pb) SO,. More recent statenlents give definite temperatures and modify the formerly accepted order of decomposition. But the temperatures given by various observers do not agree. The reasons for this are to be found mainly in the method and manner of carrying out experiments. Four methods have been used: 1. Heating in an evacuated tube; 2, heating in a tube closed at one end, without air-cur-

Jan 1, 1913

By A. L. Holley

THERE are regularly manufactured in the eleven Bessemer steel rail mills of the United States, 119 patterns* of steel rails, of 27 different weights per yard. This list does not include patterns which, although still largely inn use, are regarded by experts as obsolete, and which would swell the number to nearly 300; nor does it include all, the patterns for which rolls are kept on hand to fill a possible demand; nor does it include extra pattern,- rolled in one finishing groove by opening or closing the rolls so as to get different weights with the same contours. The list embraces only those separate patterns which are subject to current orders. How thoroughly modern these patterns are, is shown by the fact that of the whole 119, there are but five patterns of conspicuously bad shape; all the rest more or less completely illustrate the standard features,-a heavy bead,. light web and flanges, and a good angle :to hold the fish-plate. Sixty-two per cent. of the patterns have the "Chanute" head, which was not designed until 1874.† Sixty-four per cent. of the 119 patterns are embraced under five weights per yard,; three only of these vary from standard type; there am thus 76 patterns, all of them modern and standard, to represent five different weights, for which five patterns would perfectly answer. Of the 60-lb. rails, there is only one of the pear-head type, while a dozen of the bevelled head templets cannot be distinguished from each other * From all the works 188 patterns were sent to me as standard. Of these I found 119 different shapes and 69 duplicates. † Since this paper was read I have seen at the Bethlehem Iron. Works the templet of a 68-pound Lehigh Valley rail, with the bevelled head, usually called the "Chanute" head, and marked "Templet of 1872." This is shown on Plate II. I learn that iron rails, with bevelled heads, were rolled at Bethlehem prior to 1870.

Jan 1, 1881

By Kenneth Seaver

It is rather gratifying that in the field of the manufacture of refractories, in which, as a whole, foreign practice has surpassed us, the United States stands pre-eminent in the making of silica brick. In some instances European manufacturers have refused point-blank to credit the possibility of making to such specifications as are Common with us, until the actual completed shapes were shipped for inspection. But both the manufacturer and consumer in foreign lands are now frankly learning from us, and benefiting by our advanced practice in this field, as is evidenced by the orders placed here and the efforts put forth abroad to come up to the standard of American-made material. In no metallurgical operation has the employment of silica brick spread with such leaps and bounds as in the building of plants for the carbonization of coal, particularly in the byproduct coke oven. Today, in practically all types of oven, the structure above the floor level (except the facings) is of silica, while in the recuperative and in some regenerative types, its use is extended to that portion of the oven below the floor as well. By reason of the fact that there are a number of classes of refractories of higher silica content than the usual so-called fire-clay brick, there is sometimes a misunderstanding as to the class of material referred to as "silica" brick. We here refer only to a brick having a silica content of 94 per cent. or more and made usually from quartzite rock with a small percentage of lime as a binder. The term "silica" brick is sometimes rather loosely applied to brick from highly siliceous clays, or to a quartzite refractory of mingled fire-clay and quartz rock; but such products are not considered in this discussion. : Materials The rock from which practically all high-grade silica brick are made is a true quartzite or metamorphosed sandstone, variously known as

Jan 1, 1916

By Luo Chuansheng, Rao Jinshan, He Xiaojuan, Qiu Xianyang

The dissemination grain size of chalcopyrite is really fine and refractory grains of -10µm take up 25%. Dissemination relationships among chalcopyrite with pyrrhotite, pyrite, marcasite and gangue minerals are complex. Content of Fe-bearing sulphides and Fe-bearing silicates associated with chalcopyrite reaches to about 60%. It’s hard to liberate and separate chalcopyrite from pyrrhotite. The above four are the main mineral processing difficulties of a copper ore in China. Because of the similar floatability and poor separation effect between chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite, enhanced depressing and collecting method was adopted in Cu-S separation before 2009. Due to the different magnetism among chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and Fe-bearing silicates, magnetic separation is creatively induced in Cu floatation circuit based on the in-depth study of process mineralogy. High efficiency and new Cu-S separation technology of "Rough concentrate regrinding-pyrrhotite rejecting from middling by magnetic separation" and a highly selective copper minerals collector YL-1 had been developed to solve the difficult problems of refractory Cu-S separation, which are heavy load of middling recirculation,difficulty in upgrading Cu concentrate, unstable locked cycle and low separation indexes. And grade of Cu concentrate has been increased by 3.33%, recovery of Cu and Ag has been increased by 19.32% and 10% respectively.

Jan 1, 2014

By J. -F. Lepage, M. A. Tomlinson, K. K. Murray

"The Éléonore mine, located in the James Bay region of Northern Quebec, generates a gold bearing flotation concentrate rich in pyrrhotite. Direct leaching of the finely ground concentrate results in high cyanide consumptions and poor recoveries, so effective pre-treatment to passivate the pyrrhotite is required before leaching. Following a number of process upsets at the mine, test work was performed to better understand the requirements for passivation so a more effective operational strategy could be implemented. This paper outlines the testing and implementation of the new strategy at Éléonore.ÉLÉONORE CONCENTRATOR The Éléonore mine is located 800 km north of Montreal, in the James Bay Region of Quebec, Canada. The ore, containing gold disseminated in sulfide minerals and free fine gold in silicate gangue, is crushed in a two-stage crusher plant before being ground in a single 9,000 kW ball mill. The ball mill is in closed circuit, with about 25% of the cyclone underflow passing through a gravity plant with two, 48” Knelson concentrators. Gold recovery in the gravity circuit varies between 15 and 20%, with gravity concentrate leached daily in an Acacia intensive leach reactor. Cyclone overflow, at a target P80 of 65 microns, flows to the flotation plant where the gold bearing sulfide minerals, mainly pyrrhotite and arsenopyrite, are recovered to concentrate with a mass pull of about 5%. The flotation concentrate, typically containing between 80 and 120 g/t of gold, is thickened and finely ground using a 1500 kW Isa Mill. The finely ground concentrate is diluted, to generate a slurry with about 32% solids by weight, before feeding the leach plant. Initially the concentrate slurry is pre-treated with oxygen and lead nitrate, to passivate the sulphide minerals before cyanide is added for gold dissolution. Gold is recovered from the leached slurry using carbon-in-pulp (CIP). The flotation tailings are also thickened and gold is recovered in a dedicated leach-CIP plant."

Jan 1, 2017

By T. Ruff

Researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Spokane Research Laboratory, studied technology and methods that could reduce accidents involving surface mining equipment that collides with other vehicles or workers, or drives over an unseen road edge. These accidents are partially attributed to the lack of full visibility around these large pieces of equipment. Blind areas can be extensive and this report presents plots of blind areas for five pieces of surface mining equipment. Several technologies designed for detecting obstacles in blind areas and providing a warning to the operator were evaluated on off-highway dump trucks. These proximity warning systems included radar, sonar, GPS, radio transceiver tags, and combinations of radar and cameras. A summary of test results is presented in this report, along with guidance on effective proximity warning technology, installation and maintenance considerations, and recommendations for effective implementation. This study found several commercially available systems that could effectively warn an equipment operator of an impending collision. Several new technologies also show promise for reducing these accidents. In most applications, it is recommended that sensor-based systems be combined with video cameras to provide important alarming functions along with an actual view of the blind area.

Jan 6, 2007

By Patrick H. O’Neill

FUNDAMENTALLY a dredge designed for operating under arctic conditions and particularly when the temperature is below freezing is not greatly different than one for use in more moderate climates. Because of the accumulation of ice it is necessary to design suspension units to carry an increased weight when ice forms on the digging ladder or stacker. Winch room and house must be made with double walls and insulated. The dredge must be heated either by steam or by circulating warm air electrically heated. The stacker must be covered and heated to avoid having the drive units frozen tight. Actually the worst trouble that might develop in a stacker, because of cold weather, is the freezing of spilled material and ice accumulation on the head pulley and the underside of the belt. For this reason, stackers are completely enclosed and the pan kept open to get rid of any spilled material and to prevent overloading. Since the stacker is the most vulnerable place on a dredge in cold weather, heat is turned on there long before it is necessary any other place on the dredge. The principal points of interest in' connection with dredging, under subfreezing conditions, concern the preparation of the ground being dredged and the frozen ponds. In the interior of Alaska, and also in the Yukon territory of Canada, most of the gold bearing gravel deposits are permanently frozen and they are also covered by variable thicknesses of fine grained sediment, locally called muck. The better pay areas in this frozen ground have generally been worked by the earlier miners who sank shafts to bedrock in the frozen ground, then drifted in four directions and dug out the areas between the drifts as they re- treated toward the shaft. They thawed only the area they were excavating, doing so with steam from wood-fired boilers, and hoisted pay gravel to the surface for subsequent washing.

Jan 11, 1954

By F. M. Lewis, E. C. Johnson

Used as a classifier in a plant expanding capacity or changing to closed-circuit operation, the liquid-solid cyclone offers the advantage of being adaptable to existing conditions. This paper presents the costs involved and experience gained from operating a unit of this kind. BY now application of the liquid-solid cyclone to various classification problems in the chemical and metallurgical fields is more or less familiar. A less publicized application receiving wider consideration as time goes on is its use as a classifier in closed-circuit grinding operations. This paper presents the costs involved and the experience gained from operating a unit of this kind. In May 1951 the Tennessee Copper Co. installed in its London mill at Copperhill, Tenn., a liquid-solid cyclone in closed circuit with a 6x12-ft ball mill. The circuit in which this cyclone is used is the regrind or secondary grinding circuit of a copper flotation plant. Originally it consisted of a 7x1-ft conical ball mill in closed circuit with a bowl classifier. Changes made in the primary grinding circuit of the mill necessitated a regrind circuit of greater capacity. The bulk concentrate to be ground was raised from 900 or 1000 tpd to 1200 or 1300 tpd, and to accommodate this increase a 6x12-ft ball mill which had been in the primary grinding circuit was moved into the regrind circuit. When this was done it was found that the classifier was too small to give efficient operation. Space in the plant was at a premium, and since use of the cyclone offered considerable economy the installation shown in Figs. 1-3 was made. The unit installed is a 24-in. diam cyclone classifier with a 20" cone angle. Diameter of the vortex finder is 8 in., the feed entrance area 20 sq. in. Maximum diameter of the adjustable apex valve is 6 in. and minimum diameter approximately 3.5 in. To refer again to Figs. 1 and 2, the cyclone* is mounted motor. It is charged with 18 tons of 1-in. balls. The overflow, or fines, passes by gravity directly to the copper flotation plant. The ball mill discharge and the new feed combine in a sump from which they are sent to the cone by an 8x6 SRL pump at a rate of 497 gpm. Pressure at the cyclone is 5 psi. For reasons dictated by the nature of the ore treated, particularly the bonding of fine grains of chalcopyrite to pyrrhotite, the froth from the second cell of the copper rougher circuit is returned to the regrind mill. This flow, which somewhat complicates the standard closed-circuit calculation, is seen in Fig. 1 to be 156 tpd of solids. This combines with the cyclone classifier underflow to constitute the ball mill feed. The requirement of the regrind product is that it be 77 to 80 pct —200 mesh. The liquid-solids cyclone operating in conjunction with the 6x12-ft mill adequately met this requirement. Of primary importance is the fact that this arrangement provided sufficient classification capacity to replace the undersized classifier and was capable of building up a circulating load to 87 pct, large enough to give an efficient grind. In this instance the circulating load is taken as the ratio of sands to new feed. Any comparison of performance between this liquid-solid cyclone and the replaced classifier would of course be unfair, since the bowl classifier was

Jan 1, 1955

The profitability of gold placer mining operations is determined by more factors than many placer miners recognise until too late. This study is based upon field trips to examine the efficiency of mining and transportation of gravels to a wash plant by bulldozer and truck. At the examined open pit mining operations gravels were washed using water canons, derockers or scrubber trommels. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between unit costs and power requirements for gravel mining and processing. The author conducted a number of time and motion studies at four open pit gold mines, including the Maly Patom Creek, the Nizhny Patom, the Taimendra Creek and the Kadali-Makit in the Bodaibo District, Irkutsk Region and collected and processed field data. As a part of the study significant correlations were determined and empiric regression equations derived between: power requirements (Ep) and unit cost (Cp) for gravel processing; and total power requirements (Et) and total unit cost (Ct) for gravel mining, transportation and processing. Based on the results of the study it was proposed to modify the current mining procedure methods and to replace water cannons at the Maly Patom Creek with a PPM-5 derocker. Introduction of the proposed technology resulted in 2004 in US$385 000 mining cost reduction at the Maly Patom Creek over a short-time Siberian mining season.

Jan 1, 2007

By A. Uribe-Salas, J. A. Finch, B. J. Huls

Froth depth or interface level is an important control variable in column flotation which can influence both grade and recovery. A common method of locating the level is based on sensing the hydrostatic pressure at one or more points along the column. The level indicated can be in considerable error, largely because of variations in froth and collection zone bulk densities. A portable conductivity probe has been developed to detect the position of the interface from conductance measurements across the interface. The location of the interface corresponds to the position where a large change in conductance is observed, which is primarily a consequence of the difference in gas holdup between the collection and froth zone. This probe detects the position of the interface to an accuracy of ± 5 cm. The probe can be used while the column is in operation, which allows for on-line recalibration of the level detection system. Results obtained in its application in a pilot-scale column (0.91 m in diameter) are described.

Jan 1, 1990

By Robert A. Haney, David J. Atchison, Kenneth G. Fields

Mining systems with greater than a 20-foot face advance (deep cut) have become popular due to their increased productivity and safety. The face dust collection system used in many of the mines employing the deep cut systems, incorporates a machine mounted dust collector with either a blowing or exhausting line brattice and a remote control operated continuous miner. In order to characterize and quantify the parameters used to control dust with these systems, the Dust Division conducted studies on four mining sections using continuous miners with deep cut mining systems. On each section, the dust control system incorporated line brattice with a machine mounted dust collector. The remote control made it possible for the continuous mining machine to advance further while permitting the operator to remain under supported roof and away from dust generated during mining. The purpose of these studies was to evaluate the effectiveness of deep cut mining systems using dust collectors to control respirable dust exposure. This paper summarizes the results of the studies conducted. At each mine face workers were sampled to determine their full-shift dust exposure. Additionally, fixed point dust samples were collected at various locations to determine relative concentrations of dust generated from mining. Air quantities were measured at each working place to determine the amount of air delivered to the face area. Evaluations were made by comparing worker exposures to respirable dust samples taken at appropriate locations upstream and downstream of the coal faced being mined. An estimate of the amount of the respirable dust being generated at the face during mining and the amount of respirable dust being removed by the dust collectors was made by balancing the air quantities and the dust concentrations immediately upstream and downstream of the coal face. Results of the studies showed that the dust control systems, were effective for controlling workers exposure to respirable dust. Dust collector efficiencies were determined to be approximately 85 percent. While the dust collectors were effective in removing respirable dust, the success of the systems with line brattice greater than twenty feet from the face, was dependent on the use of the remote control which permitted the continuous miner operator to remain out of the high concentration dust cloud in the working face. Dilution from intake air, combined with the dust collector efficiency, maintained exposure of other section workers below applicable standards.

Jan 1, 1991

By F. Mensah-Dwumah, W. H. Baker, G. W. Clough

INTRODUCTION The practice of injecting chemical grouts into permeable soils in order to stabilize them for tunnel construction is a common procedure in Great Britain, Europe and Japan. In this technique, the grout penetrates the soil in a fluid condition, but hardens or "sets-up" in about one hour due to a chemical reaction. As a result, the soil, is strengthened and made less pervious, and this, in turn, reduces ground surface movements, limits ground water flow, and controls movements of the heading during tunnel construction. It is only within the last five years or so that this technology has been used in the United States. Most of the applications have been involved in the work for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) subway construction. The experience gained from this work is, in many instances, unique and should serve to guide use of the grouting technology in future projects. This paper documents five WMATA case histories; information is provided as to the soil conditions, method of treatment, reason for treatment, and tunnel performance. Locations of the five projects covered by this study are indicated in Figure 1. All are within the boundaries of the District of Columbia and involve soft ground tunnel construction. Basic information for the case histories is given in Table 1. Tunnel sizes and depths below the ground surface as well as general soil conditions are similar in all instances. The tunnels are about six meters in diameter and are located so that the crown is five to ten m below the ground surface. The soils typically consist of alternating sand, clay and silty sand strata. However, soil stratification details are

Jan 1, 1979

By Z Lubosik, S Prusek, M Plonka, B Syrek

"The most commonly used method of thick coal seam extraction in Polish deep mines is multislice longwall (MSL). In MSL stability of goaf in the roof as a result of previous extraction in upper slice is a major geotechnical consideration that must be managed.This paper outlines the results of a wide range of investigations carried out in three longwalls that were in operation in a multislice system using caving with additional fly ash goaf stowing. The longwalls were operated by Katowicki Holding Weglowy SA (KHWSA) in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin of Poland.Examinations were completed on the properties of goaf at the roof of longwalls ie measurements of strength parameters of the goaf material by means of a borehole hydraulic penetrometer, determination of the goaf condition by means of a borehole endoscope and laboratory testing of the caved rock. The results of underground examinations of the loading on yielding arches in the gate roads associated with these longwalls and measurements of vertical and horizontal convergence are also presented.CITATION:Prusek, S, Lubosik, Z, Plonka, M and Syrek, B, 2014. Multislice longwalling for thick seam extraction – properties of goaf in the roof and gate roads behaviour, in Proceedings AusRock 2014: Third Australasian Ground Control in Mining Conference, pp 359–366 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Nov 5, 2014

By Anthony E. Szczuka

The purpose of this design note is to document the data that has been received from manufacturers, coal companies, training centers, government agencies, etc., that pertains to the completion of the Concept Feasibility Study For Training Equipment Designed to Improve Coal Productivity. Revision A documents additional data that has been received. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We wish to express our appreciation to the companies, mines, government agencies, unions, and contractor agencies listed herein that furnished the documented data. In most cases, it was furnished willingly and free of charge. In the few cases where the data was purchased, MDEC IRAD funds were used.

Jan 1, 1976

By Merih Celasun

The literature in operations research centered on mineral exploration has been comparatively limited in view of the significant implications of mineral discoveries upon the national economies in general and mineral industries in particular. Much of what has been published is of somewhat unsure academic nature, indicating to a certain extent the scarcity of industrial applications. Mineral exploration activities present quite difficult operational and conceptual problems. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the principal characteristics of decision problems encountered in planning an exploration program, to indicate an optimization approach to a certain class of allocation problems, and to suggest directions for future research effort.

Jan 1, 1962

By Shailendra Chawla, Ashok Jaiswal, B. K. Shrivastva

The study aims to evaluate the pillar behavior during the depillaring operation by continuous miner (CM) technology. A panel with five headings developed as per the coal mine regulation of Indian coal mines [2] has been selected for the study. The depillaring operation has been carried out using CM technology after widening and heightening the original entries. An extensive field investigation has been carried out throughout the depillaring operation to access the mining conditions. Depillaring operation has been performed smoothly up to the middle of the panel (fourth row out of eight rows of four pillars each). Advanced blinking of the auto warning tell-tale (AWTT ) has also been observed on some of the instruments during the splitting of pillar no. 18. The panel shows extremely difficult mining conditions at this stage. The case has been numerically simulated using three-dimensional numerical techniques. The simulation result has indicated the high stress and yield condition on the working and the barrier pillar (surrounding goaf from both sides) after the extraction of pillar no. 18. The analysis has also indicated the marginal stability of the 2nd barrier pillar (namely “pillar B”). The failure of the barrier pillar could be the responsible for global instability of the panel as observed in the field. Understanding the importance of the barrier pillars, panel design has been modified by incorporating an additional row of barrier pillars. The stability of the modified panel has been evaluated. Both working and barrier pillars have been observed stable in the modified panel. This could be an alternative layout considering safety at the working face.

May 8, 2022

By Kristen E. Coose

Concrete is a mixture of a fine aggregate (sand), a coarse aggregate (gravel), cement, and water. Cement itself is the most expensive of the ingredients but generally amounts to only about 10% of the concrete mixture. Cement raw materials include calcium, alumina, iron oxide, silica, and gypsum. They are heated and chemically changed into clinker "minerals," which are then ground and shipped as cement. Each of the four main clinker minerals-tricalcium silicate, dicalcium silicate, tricalcium aluminate, and tetracalcium aluminoferrite-impart specific strength and compositional properties to the final concrete product. During hydration of the cement, chemical changes produce new minerals that include calcium silicate hydrate gel (C-S-H, the main constituent of hydrated cement paste), calcium hydroxide, and calcium, sodium, potassium, and sulfate ions, among others. Two main reactions can occur that may be deleterious to concrete. Normal cement pore solutions, in a hydrated cement, contain sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. If these alkali concentrations are too high, they can react with the siliceous aggregate (alkali-silica reaction, or ASR) to form an alkali-rich calcium silicate hydrate gel (C-N+K-S-H), which, upon prolonged contact with water, can expand to crack the concrete. The other deleterious reaction occurs when the mineral ettringite (Ca6A12(S04)3OH12. 26H20) forms after the concrete is hardened (delayed ettringite formation) and cracks the concrete. Many of the concrete bridges and structures built in New Mexico in the past 20 years are in need of replacement due to deterioration. Many others constructed very early on in the century are still sound. By collecting and analyzing samples of both old and new concrete and good and bad concrete, we compared their differences on both a microscopic and macroscopic scale. Samples taken from concrete sidewalks, parking lots, drainage canals, spillways, and a railroad-trestle foundation have construction dates that range from 1923 to 1997. They were analyzed by electron microprobe and by petrographic microscopy. Cracks, air voids, and aggregate alteration were primary locations for investigation and analysis. Using the electron microprobe, ettringite was found in voids of most of the samples, both in good and bad concrete. This leads us to believe that ettringite formation is not causing distress in the concrete. There was one exception in which ettringite was found lining a crack. In this instance, ettringite may have the ability to further the cracking and cause distress. No alkali-silica gel was identified with the microprobe. Using the petrographic microscope in cross-polarized light, a light-brown material was observed that lined some of the air voids and cracks; however, exact mineralogic identifications were not made. Although many instances of chalcedony and other deleterious quartz phases were found, no clear evidence of ASR-gel deterioration was present in our samples using these methods. However, positive identification of the ASR gel was made on an in-place concrete near one of our sample sites and in several sample cores using a newly developed chemical test for the soluble potassium ions associated with the gel. The chemical used in this test is sodium cobaltinitrite, Na3Co(NO2)6.

Jan 1, 1999