Effect of the stress state on waterjet performance in rock slotting

CICCU, RAIMONDO;Grosso, B.;Bortolussi, A.

2013-01-01

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Abstract

The economic benefit resulting from the application of waterjet technology in underground and surface quarrying of dimension stone chiefly depends on slotting rate. The performance achievable in the field is connected with the operating features of the machine, the characteristics of the material and the tensional state of the rock massif. In order to assess the influence of the state of stress of the massif on the slotting rate, tests with oscillating nozzle have been carried out on samples subjected to a static load, either in the direction of the compressive force or perpendicular to it. Results are illustrated and discussed and conclusions are drawn regarding the effect of the tensional state of the rock on material removal rate.