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The
Total Hardness rock testing series has been in use for about 45 years in
the
United States
and internationally. It was first used to provide an indication of
rock comminution, then directly applied to predicting tunnel boring
machine penetration rates and cutter rolling path
life.
The
test values and their applicability to construction behavior of rock are
well known throughout the construction industry. The test series
have been applied to assessing roadheader excavation, drill &
blast excavation, and various rock breaking applications in construction,
including dredging.
The
tests are simple yet very useful in assessing rock comminution.
Unlike more elaborate and complex methods that require detailed
calculations to arrive at precise values, the Total Hardness gives an
indication of feasibility and general rock excavation performance.
It avoids providing a precise calculation for performance which depend
on some identifiable parameters such as equipment and operational
variables. However, it will also influenced by unquantifiable
variables such as operator idiosyncrasies and tool maintenance. In
this way, minor variations in rock properties will not be a source of
spurious claims.
The
vast databank of Total Hardness is applicable to local
conditions and may be applied using the chart for the Range of
Total Hardness provided below:
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GeoConSol
