February 14, 2006: Implosion of the D-25 sub-structure
Earlier, we saw Mickey and Ken wearing
blue gloves
to avoid the possible absorption of nitroglycerin and about the medical uses of
nitroglycerin.
I used to get migraine headaches within 48 hours of each examination period
when I was a university student and used cafergot, a derivative of ergot,
to abort the headache.
Since age 45 (more or less), I have only had 1 serious migraine headache,
though from
time to time I have experienced some of the early prelude symptoms
which triggers a "drink a
coke" response - so that the caffeine in coke will constrict my arteries enough
to abort a migraine, one of the positive benefits of the aging process..
This was not an ordinary blasting day with Mickey and the Advanced Blasting
Service team. First, they were loading dynamite to implode a bridge
pier substructure that was partially underwater at high tide. This required
to 1: wait for the tide to start going out before loading, 2: blowing out
the 36' deep holes where the dynamite would be loaded and then sequencing
the blast such that the structure imploded with minimal scatter of
debris. In addition, this was Dennis's 2nd day with Mickey's team - and
all rookies have the honor of clearing each hole of water. This is accomplished
by using a blow tube connected to an air compressor - then
turning up the air pressure and blowing the water out. Because the
result is somewhat unpredictable, I call this the unfaithful geyser
approach. Anyway, Dennis survived the day - and finshed with a smile. To
emphasize this, Junior and Kerry and Silas and, I think, Felix were not
only helping but were Dennis's cheerleaders!
The last photo of the Grace cantilever section
Mickey's team is loading the D-25 substructure for implosion. Here
we are approaching them from the south
But Cashman-Testa is a multiprocessing organization.
Behind us (looking east), they
with Mammoet were installing the platforms that will hold the hydraulic
jacks for lowering the main spans of the Grace and Pearman Bridges.
The challenge for today was blowing water out of the holes that were below the
high tide level. Old Unfaithful displayed two modes: massive water tower
and spary. Dennis holding the hole - and waiting, Junior watching
and knowing with complete precision, what will happen next.
A view of Old Unfaithful in Massive Water ejection mode. Ken
is not watching, Junior is holding the hose and Dennis, our
rookie, being baptized by the Cooper River water.
The spray mode of Old Unfaithful
We did serious science - and discovered another mode: Droplet mode
With empty holes, Kerry, Junior, Ken and Mickey loading dynamite
The shock tube array for sequencing the ignition - outside starting at each
end and then 9 msec later, the center tubes are ignited.
More loading: Ken and Felix
Mickey and Ken loading
The shock tube line as we make our way to the Ravenel pier
The receiver setup that will trigger the shock tube
and the receiver
Pulling away on the barge and tug
The ignition
T = 300 ms later
T = 600 ms
T = 900 ms
later
and after
and all is calm
Returning to the Sea Breeze - with Mike Naley (left), Derek Jost
and some of the new Mammoet team (behind me)
that are preparing the Grace and Pearman main spans for lowering by
hydraulic jacks
and of course - Sharon
Meanwhile, Michael Hebb (for Joshua) is working under the direction of
Jim Grier on Drum island - more cleanup - just like Leon and Roy at the Coleman
Recycle center. Some folks have wondered what it is between me, Jackie Foley
and Michael Hebb. When I started this project, I met them both - at different
places. Unfortunately, I mislabeled their photos - you know the problem,
all thoses Testa guys look alike with the orange t-shirts or orange jackets.
The only difference was Jackie wore reflective sun glasses and Mike did not.
But Joshua, Michael's son, printed the photos and took them so school
to show the others what his dad did. When he looked carefully, he discovered
that the man in the photo was not his dad at all, but Jackie. Joshua's
mom, Tina, wrote me and explained the situation. That started the beginning
of a wonderful triangle friendship that has increased to a quadralateral
and then a pentagonal friendship and it is increasing each day.
Michael again
and again - This is for Tina
and Jim Grier wanting to know why I had been avoiding him and his
Drum island team. - Sorry, Jim - my bad
