Chapter 3—Containing Underground Nuclear Explosions ¢ 53

Figure 3-10—Radius of Decrease in Rock Strength
—

—_

——<—

— en,

—

“

“XN

Surtace

Depth = 400 y—-

La

y

Observation
radius

165 Vy

Micro-fractions

Seismic

radius

s00\/y

Seismic measurements and measurements taken from drili-back samples indicate a seemingly contradictory (but in fact consistent) radius
of decrease in rock strength.
SOURCE: Office of Technology Assessment, 1989.

continue to be low outto a distance of three cavity

radii, seismic velocity measurements and strength

radii. The decrease in seismic shear velocity indi-

tests typically show no change from their pre-shot

decreased. At distances greater than three cavity

planes are occasionally seen when the tunnels are

cates that the rock has been stressed and the strength

values, although small disturbances along bedding

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