This presentation looks at the way rocks break and the geological and geophysical aspects thereof. It it important to know that rocks are much weaker under tension (10 times) than under compression. Geological and geophysical factors play an important role in any rock-breaking techniques using electrical power. The research done at the CSIR's Centre for Mining Innovation is towards understanding the science behind electric rock breaking. This understanding would lead to a practical method to break rocks using electricity that is comparable in energy usage as drilling and blasting.
Reference:
Henry, G, Johnson, D, Ilgner, H and Letlotla, S. Some geological and geophysical aspects in electric rock breaking. Geosynthesis 2011, Cape Town, South Africa, 30 August-1 September 2011
Henry, G., Johnson, D., Ilgner, H., & Letlotla, S. (2011). Some geological and geophysical aspects in electric rock breaking. SBS Conferences. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/5619
Henry, G, D Johnson, H Ilgner, and S Letlotla. "Some geological and geophysical aspects in electric rock breaking." (2011): http://hdl.handle.net/10204/5619
Henry G, Johnson D, Ilgner H, Letlotla S, Some geological and geophysical aspects in electric rock breaking; SBS Conferences; 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/5619 .