Dwarka Underwater Blasting Project: Marine Engineering Excellence

Project Overview

Executed in 2017 in the coastal region of Dwarka, Gujarat, this project involved the highly specialized task of underwater rock excavation. Working in a submerged environment requires a complete departure from land-based blasting techniques, necessitating advanced fluid dynamics knowledge and specialized drilling equipment.

The Challenge: Deep Water & Marine Environments

The project faced several critical environmental and technical hurdles:

• Significant Water Head: Blasting under high water pressure requires specialized explosives and precise timing to overcome the "damping effect" of water.
• Visibility & Precision: Ensuring excavation depths matched design levels without the benefit of clear surface visibility.
• Marine Stability: Managing the impact of shockwaves on the surrounding marine ecosystem and coastal structures.

The Rocktech Technical Approach

1. ODEX Drilling Methodology

To overcome the challenge of loose overburden and waterlogged strata, we utilized the ODEX (Overburden Drilling Eccentric) system. This allowed us to drill through unstable layers and seat the casing directly into the hard rock, ensuring the blast holes remained clean and intact for charging.

2. Specialized Underwater Blast Design

Underwater blasting requires a higher "Powder Factor" due to the weight of the water column above. Our engineers developed:

• Water-Resistant Loading: Using specialized explosive compositions that maintain integrity in submerged conditions.
• Energy Channeling: Designing the blast to direct energy into the rock bed while minimizing the vertical "water spout" or surface pressure waves.

3. Rock Filling & Structural Stability

Post-blasting, strategic rock filling was executed to stabilize the excavated areas, ensuring that the final levels adhered strictly to the project’s engineering blueprints.

Technical Specifications

• Location: Dwarka, Gujarat
• Year of Execution: 2017
• Project Type: Submerged Rock Excavation / Marine Infrastructure
• Drilling System: ODEX (Overburden Drilling Eccentric)
• Status: Successfully Completed

Key Achievements

• Precision Depth Control: Achieved final excavation levels exactly as per the consultant's design.
• Marine Safety: Executed the project with zero adverse impact on coastal stability.
• Complex Logistics: Successfully managed drilling and blasting cycles in a high-water-head environment.