RESEARCH TO INVESTIGATE THE POTENTIALS OF ABRASION JET IN TRANSPORT SYSTEMS CONSTRUCTION

HIGH-PRESSURE WATERJET IS ONE OF SEVERAL NEW METHODS FOR CUTTING MATERIALS DEVELOPED DURING THE LAST DECADE. CURRENTLY IT IS USED, AT STATIC WATER PRESSURE UP TO 60,000 PSI, TO CUT A WIDE VARIETY OF SOFT AND MEDIUM-HARD MATERIALS IN FACTORIES; IT HAS BEEN EVALUATED FOR GEOTECHNICAL APPLICATIONS WITH VERY LIMITED SUCCESS. THIS RESEARCH CONCERNS THE USE OF ABRASIVE-ENTRAINED WATERJET FOR CUTTING AND REMOVING HARD MATERIALS. THE INCORPORATION OF SMALL AMOUNT OF ABRASIVES INTO WATERJETS ADDS NEW DIMENSIONS TO WATERJET'S ABILITY IN CUTTING HARD MATERIALS, SUCH AS CONCRETE, ROCK, MINERALS AND METALS. THIS RESEARCH AIMS AT EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF THIS ABRASIVE WATERJET TECHNOLOGY IN MAINTENANCE/CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS OF TRANSPORT SYSTEMS.