Project Highlights
Rt. 28 Pittsburgh PA
Preformed precision pre-shear blasting to stabilize the slope that had already caused major issues on an eight lane roadway. The weak rock slope stands testimony to the results achievable using the right perimeter control techniques.
I-75 Newcomb, TN
This triangular wedge hanging precariously over traffic was worrisome to the TN DOT. Blasting was considered the safe and fastest manner to remove the overhang. The wedge was fragmented and removed safely with traffic flow resuming in under 10 min. No energy was transmitted beyond the desired template, hence the walls were stable and required very little scaling.
Mission Hospital Asheville, NC
The General Contractor found Saprolite with hard granite in the excavation area. The hospital agreed to allow blasting on the site during operating hours. Custom designed blast plans and blast benches were created to not disturb the daily business of the hospital. Drilling and blasting was conducted within 20 feet of hospital walls in an urban area while maintaining low vibrations levels and without interrupting vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Lock
Replacement Chickamauga Dam, Chattanooga, TN
Selected by the USACE, KESCO removed rock from the riverbed within a coffer cell to prepare for the 110 ft. x 600 ft. replacement lock. The geologic conditions included areas of hard rock with soft clay, voids, and bentonite seams. The prevention of flyrock and impact to the cofferdam and lock walls drove the need for precise shot designs. Preshot documentation and detailed drill logs were used to custom load shots. Additionally precision pre-shear was also utilized in targeted areas.
Secondary Rd.
A Medical Center, Huntington, WV
Collaborating with the Civil Contractor, KESCO did fragment the sedimentary rock indigenous to this Appalachian Region to allow the Civl Contractor to excavate the road access as designed.
GM CSS Site
Springhill, TN
Working alongside other contractors, KESCO drilled and blasted over 200,000 cubic yards of limestone. Some areas of the removal were 55 feet within the functioning General Motors production plant. Designing the blast around the contractor's production schedule and low vibration levels were key requirements. Custom drill patterns with decreasing diameter holes nearest to the building were part of the design, along with following custom explosive loading of holes.
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Apison Pike,
TDOT
KESCO partnered with Wright Brothers Construction Co for blasting trench work to install 18" PVC sanitary lines in shallow rock profiles. The area also has existing line work in an urban area with occupied homes.
Slope Trim
Emergency slope trimming for Norfolk & Southern. Projects involve blasting slope to stabilize it after a rock slide that blocked the railroad tracks. The challenge was to blast and trim the slope only the targeted material came down. Also, the slope was vertical in some spots and only accessible by rope. The remaining slope was stable to prevent any further rock slides.
Kentucky Lock, Grand Rivers, KY
KESCO is the blasting partner for this USACE Lock expansion project.
COR Bluff Stablization, USCAE
KESCO and our Slope Partners were called in to remove a large block for a Bluff Stabilization at the Cordell Hull Dam Access Road. Other types of removal had failed. Explosive Engineering Strategies Employed in this design included Detailed Profiling, Decoupling and Decking.
In the news:
HIGHWAY 28 ROCK BLASTING
https://konyaindustries.com/2016/09/17/highway-28-rock-blasting/
"Konya Industries was tasked with designing and implementing the blast design for the four lane Highway 28 project located north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Working with the drilling and blasting contractor, KESCO Inc, a new method of presplitting was used to break the extremely weak rock and ensure the safety of the travellers on the highway below the rock wall."
In the news:
Blasting begins Tuesday for planned $400M Mission facility
“Alabama-based general contractors Brasfield & Gorrie and South Carolina-based KESCO Inc., an industrial-process consulting firm, are overseeing the blasting.”
In the news:
Contractor Plans Blasting For Kentucky Lock Construction
WKMS | By Rachel Collins
Published March 2, 2020 at 3:44 PM CST
“Kesco is a blasting contractor with more than 50 years of experience and was contracted by Heeter Geotechnical, LLC to perform precise and controlled blasting to facilitate a second lock construction. All blasting will be adjacent to the existing lock chamber. "
In the news:
Huge U.S. 321 Widening Project Heads Into Home Stretch
TUE DECEMBER 23, 2008 - SOUTHEAST EDITION
“He credited the job done by Kesco Inc., a Pennsylvania-based rock demolition company, in safely blasting all the rock on the project."