1 SMALL-SCALE TESTING ON GROUND SHOCK PROPAGATION IN MIXED GEOLOGICAL MEDIA

This paper presents results of a series of small-scale tests conducted to investigate shock propagation through mixed geological media. The tests were conducted in a granite quarry pit. Soil backfill with geotechnical properties similar to the in situ residual soil was placed on top of the granite rock to simulate the soil cover. A vertical charge hole was drilled in the granite rock to simulate an underground storage chamber. Various types of gauges were placed in rock boreholes as well as in the soil backfill. For the soil backfill, gauges were placed along the soil/rock boundary, at mid-height, and on the surface of the soil, all at the same horizontal distances. A total of eight charges were detonated to study the effects of coupling, chamber loading density, charge shape and location, and the effect of water. Results from these tests have provided valuable data for calibration of generic computer models developed for the prediction of ground shock propagation, and contributed significantly to the understanding of shock wave propagation through mixed geological media