Blast protection for pipeline construction is essential. As neighborhoods continue to develop and towns expand, more pipeline projects are taking place near residences, power lines and roadways, which is why it’s important for companies to use pipeline blasting mats to ensure the safety of your team and the public — as well as prevent damage to property.
Constructing Pipelines
Pipeline construction follows eight steps:
- Survey
- Clear and grade
- Excavate
- Pipe stringing
- Weld and coat
- Lower and backfill
- Test
- Restore
During the pre-construction survey or initial project planning is when many companies realize they’ll need to drill and blast during excavation because of solid rock.
For almost 1,000 years after that, the world made little progress in pyro-technology until the Chinese invented gunpowder by combining sulfur, saltpeter and charcoal and setting it on fire. This set the stage for ballistic weapons, a much more dangerous cousin of fireworks, as well as for fireworks themselves.
Blasting Techniques for Pipeline Construction
Blasting is an effective solution when constructing an underground pipeline through rock. It’s the most cost-effective approach as well as the fastest option when excavating your trench. Blasting also allows control, which is essential in residential or commercial areas. Companies rely on two blasting techniques for blasting trenches:
- Conventional: This technique uses a staggered, asymmetrical drilling pattern and equal charging in every blast hole. The benefit it provides is less ground vibration, while the drawback is it produces large over-breaks.
- Controlled: This method utilizes symmetrical drilling patterns and charges blast holes at different levels. Center holes receive higher-powered explosives. While controlled drilling produces higher ground vibration levels, it causes fewer over-breaks.
The type of trench blasting chosen is based on uncontrollable and controllable factors. Uncontrollable factors include:
- Pipeline route
- Rock strength and density
- Geological discontinuities
Controllable factors include:
- Blasting geometry
- Explosive properties
Many companies use both conventional and controlled blasting techniques in a single pipeline project. A universal component of each of these drilling and blasting techniques is the use of pipeline blasting mats.
Blast Mats for Pipeline Projects
Blast mats are essential for pipeline projects. As a blast mat supplier for the pipeline industry, we’ve developed a mat that contains flyrock, vents gases and reduces peak pressure, all of which helps ensure your company’s brand remains intact by preventing injuries and avoiding property damage.
Featuring a patented, woven wire rope design, our pipeline blasting mats are lightweight at 16.5 pounds per square foot, which allows for fast setup, teardown and loading for transport. They’re also reusable and fireproof, unlike rubber tire mats. Recycling services accept our blast mats, too, which helps out the environment.
Choosing a high-quality blast mat for pipeline projects is crucial because of the safety risks associated with drilling and blasting. Selecting a mat that doesn’t fly up, because it vents gases and offers multiple uses, is a smart business, public relations and financial choice. Learn more about our blast mats for pipelines as well as our custom and stock sizing by contacting us today.
