Author: Bruce B. Redpath

Publisher:

Published: 1973

Total Pages: 34

ISBN-13:

A portion of a flood-weakened concrete and masonry dam was deliberately demolished by explosives in June 1972 near Rapid City, South Dakota. The demolition was carried out to forestall the possibility of the dam's collapse in the event of renewed flooding during the period of devastating floods in Rapid City. An 80- by 25-foot segment on the left abutment was cleanly removed by 3000 pounds of explosives. The portion to be removed was outlined by explosively-loaded 2-inch diameter holes on 1-foot centers, the reinforced concrete panels were broken up by seven 150-pound surface charges, and the broken material was ejected by a 1700-pound cratering charge emplaced in a cavity in the dam. All explosives were detonated simultaneously. (Author).