Rock Engineering Design : Properties and Applications of Sound Level

Physico-mechanical rock properties are significant in all operational mining activities. This book evaluates rock properties by using empirical equations and soft computing techniques. It predicts various physico-mechanical properties such as uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), Schmidt rebound number (SRN), dry density, P-wave velocity (Vp), tensile strength (TS), Young’s modulus (E), and percentage porosity (n) using multiple regression and artificial neural network (MLP and RBF) techniques, taking drill bit speed, penetration rate, drill bit diameter, and equivalent sound level produced during drilling as input parameters.

Being knowledgeable about rock properties is vital to being effective in the design of blasts in mines, quarries and other construction projects. Without proper knowledge, the energy released during blasting can be underutilized, harm the environment, and may escalate costs. Rock Engineering Design: Properties and Applications of Sound Level aids scientists and practicing engineers in determining rock properties in a quick and precise way. It presents the basic concepts and principles on which sound level can be used in solving rock engineering design problems.

Highlighting the importance of sound level in determining rock properties, the book focuses on the indirect method with emphasis on the development of numerical models in rock engineering design.

• Discusses determining rock property using sound levels produced during drilling
• Explores the benefits of effective rock design applications
• Helps students to develop an interest in using sound level as a tool in rock design applications

The book provides a general introduction to noise, its effect, and standards. It discusses the application of noise monitoring for mining equipment, the application of acoustic emission techniques in geotechnical fields, the equipment for drilling, measurement of sound, and the physico-mechanical properties of rocks. It also explores the process involved in the measurement of rock properties and sound level. This book summarizes in tables and figures the statistical values of the rock properties and sound level produced during the drilling of different rocks. It explains developed regression models, procedure, and the results of developed artificial neural network models. Rock Engineering Design: Properties and Applications of Sound Level includes a case study, and offers a summary and suggestions for further work.