PODED-G

General Guideline for Drilling and Blasting Coral Reef for Armor Stone
at Enewetok Atoll, M,I.

5.
Horizontal survey controls are necessary for locating exploratory
Paths and positioning exploratory and shot holes to be drilled to measure

and map the coral reef crust thickness and hardness.

Exploratory paths

(lines) can be laid out on about 100 feet centers normal to dry land
or reef front.
Locate preliminary investigative shot holes on approxi-

mately 50 centers.

Decrease the distance between shot holes if correla-

tion between holes is not apparent.

E.

INVESTIGATIVE OBSERVATIONS AND MEASUREMENTS.

1, Thickness of reef crust can be determined by exploratory and
shot holes by measuring the depth where the hole caves when the bit is
removed.

Caving normally is where underlying loose sand prevents deepening

by a percussion drill due to the increase enecgy needed to blow the hole
clean,

2.
Hardness of the reef crust will vary with the sound and response
of the drill.
3.
Timing the rate of drilling and comparing with investigative
rock excavation will provide experience in siting a quarry area.
Strips
painted on drill steel aids in making estimates of drilling rates.

Comparing the rates of drilling for bit sizes 2", 3' and 4" can be used
to plan drilling and blasting arrays.

4.
Uniformity in drilling operations is necessary when comparing
results.
To minimize variations in percussion drilling the compressor

must maintain a constant CFM volume at controlled pressure and the sequence
of drilling and blowing should be nearly uniforn.
5.
The success of observations and measurements depends on the
experience and ability of the drill operator.

F,

BLASTING DESIGN

~

l.
Criteria for blasting design can be found in TM 5-332 ~ Pits and
Quarries, EM 1110-2-3800 - Systematic Drilling and Blasting for Surface
Excavation.
2.
layer.

Shot hole arrays will depend on the thickness of the reef crust
Vary hole spacing and powder-rcok ratio as necessary to obtain

desired results.

(The anticipated yield is about 15%).

3. The following general criteria will aid in planning initial test
blasting:

Select target paragraph3