Cuttability and Abrasivity of Rocks in Capital Dredging: Applicability to the Port Miami Dredging 2013-2014
Type:
Presented during:
WODCON XX: "The Art of Dredging" - 2013, Brussels, Belgium
Authors:
Prieto L, Verna T
Abstract: This paper proposes the use of “cuttability” from the mining industry to evaluate and enhance the effectiveness of different cutter-head forces upon rock strata. The Cuttability Index is a function of the strength and the geometry of the cutter-head basket and the placement of its teeth, in addition to the physical properties of the rock. Numerical examples are given of the use of the equations of cuttability and productivity of dredging in rock. This paper also pursues the applicability of “abrasivity” in rock dredging to predict the wear of buckets or cutter-head teeth. Data is presented of how the Cerchar Abrasivity Index (CAI) use in the mining and tunneling industries has developed a large database to predict tooth wear in different rock strata. Finally, data and examples are presented on tests performed on limestone and sandstone strata in PortMiami in view of its deep dredging in 2013-2014.
Keywords: Cuttability, abrasivity, cutter tooth wear, rock dredging, Cerchar Abrasivity Index, PortMiami rocks.