Application Software Developed for the Determination of Expansion Volume in Clay Soil Generated by the Detonation of an Explosive Charge
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
An application named "Borehole "was developed to determine the resulting spherical expansion formed after the detonation of the explosive charge in this paper.I have the following comments: 1) Experiments for validation seems to be less; 2) The prediction of the size of borehole in this paper is based on the calculation of coordinate system, but the calculation formula does not seem to be related to the amount of explosive charge;3） For clays with different properties, such as density, elastic modulus, etc., it does not seem to be considered.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 1 Comments
An application named “Borehole” was developed to determine the resulting spherical expansion formed after the detonation of the explosive charge in this paper. I have the following comments:
Point 1) Experiments for validation seems to be less;
Response 1:
The research was carried out in 2014, 2015 and 2016. In total, there were 48 boreholes where blasting was carried out, and data were collected that were processed in later iterations. The main topic described in this article is the application “Borehole”, and research is described in the following references.
A list of published articles from which a detailed description of the research and obtained data is visible:
- Težak, D. Influence of the Blasting Features on the Expansion in Clay Soil, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering: Zagreb, 2018,
- Tezak, D.; Kranjcic, N.; Mesec, J. Integration of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Borehole Camera for Purpose of Modeling the Blasting in Clay Soil. In Proceedings of the Proceeding of 18th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2018; Albena, June 20 2018; pp. 513-520,
- Težak, D.; Stanković, S.; Kovač, I. Dependence Models of Borehole Expansion on Explosive Charge in Spherical Cavity Blasting. Geosciences (Basel) 2019, 9, 383, doi:10.3390/geosciences9090383,
- Težak, D.; Soldo, B.; Đurin, B.; Kranjčić, N. Impact of Seasonal Changes of Precipitation and Air Temperature on Clay Excavation. Sustainability 2019, 11, 6368, doi:10.3390/su11226368,
- Mesec, J.; Težak, D.; Grubešić, M. The Use of Explosives for Improvement of Clay Soils. Inženjerstvo okoliša 2015, 2, 95-101 and
- Kovač, I.; Težak, D.; Mesec, J.; Markovinović, I. Comparative Analysis of Basic and Extended Power Models of Boreholes Expansion Dependence on Explosive Charge in Blasting in Clay Soil. Geosciences (Basel) 2020, 10, 151, doi:10.3390/geosciences10040151.
Point 2) The prediction of the size of borehole in this paper is based on the calculation of coordinate system, but the calculation formula does not seem to be related to the amount of explosive charge
Response 2:
During the period of research and a conclusion in 2018. for the doctoral thesis, the purposes were a lack of reference articles and data for explosive charge calculation. The starting point for charge determination was available data from earlier research and data from test blasts. Development of aimed application has shown that charges were determined in optimal limits. As stated in the previous note, the application “Borehole” and methodology have been tested at 48 boreholes. Further researches are still in progress to determine needed explosive quantities in different soil types
Point 3) For clays with different properties, such as density, elastic modulus, etc., it does not seem to be considered.
Response 3:
This manuscript emphasises the application “Borehole” used to measure and determine the volume of the expansion in soil caused by an explosive charge. Research in this scope was conducted on one deposit and one type of soft soil. The main geotechnical parameters of the clay soil have been added in chapter 2. They are the topics of the following manuscript in preparation.
We want to thank Reviewer 1 for the kind revision and suggestions, which are all implemented in the revised article.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
The presented results of the software application research relating to explosives seem to have practical application in industrial conditions, so it is worth appreciating the efforts of the authors in its development. Below are some comments and suggestions:
1. A few sentences should be added in the introduction regarding the software used to optimize blasting operations; in particular to the placement of explosive charges and the amount of charge in the hole in relation to opencast mining.
2. The second chapter lacks a lithological profile and blasting metric, which would describe the parameters of the explosive, detonators….
3. Figure 3 is hard to read, it should be added a legend directly below it or replace it with a table.
4. Figure 4 is based on the programming architecture where the object properties are located. Please explain why these parameters were adopted; was it based on analysis, experience…..
5. Figures 5, 7, 9 are not necessary, they do not enrich the methodology.
6. Figure 6 is a screenshot of two tables, this should be written as figure a and b.
7. For figure 12, the edges of the model are quite sharp, I suppose it is related to the mesh density or the method of connecting the points (point interpolation) - this should be explained in the text.
8. In chapter four it is not fully explained why a given amount of explosive.
9. In the fifth chapter, it is necessary to write what are the limitations of using the proposed algorithm. Does the software enable model validation in a waterlogged rock mass?
10. There is very little information in the article about anchoring, while the last sentence refers to the structure with anchor. Please add one application related to software engineering architecture.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 2 Comments
We want to thank Reviewer 2 for the comments and suggestions, which are entirely implemented in the revised article.
The presented results of the software application research relating to explosives seem to have practical application in industrial conditions, so it is worth appreciating the efforts of the authors in its development. Below are some comments and suggestions:
Point 1.: A few sentences should be added in the introduction regarding the software used to optimise blasting operations; in particular to the placement of explosive charges and the amount of charge in the hole in relation to opencast mining.
Response 1.:
Blasting designing software is available for designing and modelling surface and underground blasting. Software dealing with blast field design, drilling geometry, explosives and initiation system applied to relate to the blast efficiency, fragmentation, and environmental influences for the rock blasting. Clay soil blasting is a special blasting technology that is not processed in standard blasting software. Blasting for the development of spherical expansion in clay soil is not massive applied technology. In that order, it is not thoroughly researched in design or performance. Added in introduction
Point 2.: The second chapter lacks a lithological profile and blasting metric, which would describe the parameters of the explosive, detonators….
Response 2.:
The blasting and lithological data have been added in a chapter.
Point 3.: Figure 3 is hard to read, it should be added a legend directly below it or replace it with a table.
Response 3.:
We agree with Rev 2's comment that figure 3 is challenging for readers who do not understand programming issues. Given that it is a specific file, DXF, "Drawing Interchange Format", the data export is programmed so that the file created by the application "borehole" is compatible with AutoCAD Civil 3D. Although it is challenging to put the obtained data into a table, we suggest that Figure 3. be deleted from the article. Figure 3. has been deleted from the manuscript.
Point 4.: Figure 4 is based on the programming architecture where the object properties are located. Please explain why these parameters were adopted; was it based on analysis, experience…..
Response 4.:
Given that the Application "Borehole" was developed in the Java EE 7.0 standard, the program architecture uses Java standards. For the application "borehole" to work and be compatible with other programs on the market (e.g. AutoCAD Civil 3D), we used Java 3D utils for 3D visualisation. In contrast, for data export in DFX format, we used a customised version of the Ycad library for the borehole application. From Your comments, we can conclude that You have a lot of experience in mining/blasting, and You noticed that we needed a lot of experience and practice to develop the application "borehole". Without the knowledge and practice of prof. Meseca and prof. Dobrilović development of that type of application would not be possible.
Point 5.: Figures 5, 7, 9 are not necessary, they do not enrich the methodology.
Response 5.:
We accept the proposal of Rev 2. the figures have been deleted.
Point 6.: Figure 6 is a screenshot of two tables, this should be written as figure a and b.
Response 6.:
Figure 6 becomes Figure 4.
Figure 4. does not show two tables. Figure 4. is a screenshot of an application "Borehole" that looks like two tables. However, the data that is entered in the upper part of Figure 4. is basic information about the borehole and is automatically connected to the lower part of Figure 4. in such a way that the coordinates and height of the borehole in question are filled in in the lower part of Figure 4. However, we respect the proposal of Rev 2, and Figure 4. will be divided into a and b. The new Figure 6 will be divided in the following way: Figure 4. a) Basic data about the borehole b) Input and calculation of the coordinates of individual sections of the borehole.
Point 7.: For figure 12, the edges of the model are quite sharp, I suppose it is related to the mesh density or the method of connecting the points (point interpolation) - this should be explained in the text.
Response 7.:
The application "borehole" calculates and gives the volume based on the measured borehole, based on the measured coordinates and heights of the boreholes. Given that there were not enough funds to develop an application that works with more advanced 3D models, such as AutoCAD Civil 3D, the application "Borehole" goal was to develop a simpler 3D model that would numerically give the results as accurately as possible to AutoCAD Civil 3D. The visual 3D model was made so that the application "borehole" enables the import of recorded data in AutoCAD Civil 3D, allowing the most realistic 3D view. It was added in text upward Fig 12.
Point 8.: In chapter four it is not fully explained why a given amount of explosive.
Response 8.:
Explosive mass per borehole charge has been determined according to previous research and presented data for boreholes MB 37, and MB 22 represent application to function. Added before Table 1.
Point 9.: In the fifth chapter, it is necessary to write what are the limitations of using the proposed algorithm. Does the software enable model validation in a waterlogged rock mass?
Response 9.:
The application "Borehole" algorithm has been tested on clay with high plasticity, which is clay soil without a significant amount of water. Another part of performed research showed that waterlogged clay soil blasting increases the expanded volume related to the clay soil without water. It was added to the fifth chapter.
Point 10.: There is very little information in the article about anchoring, while the last sentence refers to the structure with anchor. Please add one application related to software engineering architecture.
Response 10.:
Added paragraphs in Conclusion.
The presented measurement and data processing method to calculate the volume of resulting expansion can help designers and geotechnicians to design and run overhead and underground structures in clay significantly more economically.
Engineers using the application "Borehole" and the subject research can be significantly facilitated by constructing structural elements for anchoring foundations and retaining walls in clay soil. Combining the results of previous geotechnical research to determine soil properties that determine design requirements for anchoring, modelling the action of explosives in clayey soil and using the Application Borehole methodology to control the achieved effect and volume measurement can be applied. This research can also be applied to the constant stabilisation of the slope in the clay material and the stabilisation of various surface and underground structures, such as anchoring for slope stability, anchoring underground lining chambers and anchoring piles of various tall buildings.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
