List of Projects CompletedMichael Burkhardt

Below is a summary of research and school projects I have contributed to while at the Colorado school of Mines. Details about my part in each project along with skills demonstrated are included.

Research

EMI Database Research

A database was created at the Earth Mechanics Institute at the Colorado School of Mines to record the summarized rock mechanics test results. I updated the database and it now contains over 20,000 test records. Using the database, I found trends between many of the tests. This was done using Microsoft Excel and Access. A paper is in the publishing process with the findings. It was submitted to the International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences. Additionally, I presented the results to professors at the Colorado School of Mines.

Brittle Rock Failure Research

Mechanical excavation is utilized in underground mining and tunneling. It disturbs the surrounding area less than blasting but can have low productivity rates in difficult ground. Shale is a problematic rock formation that shows strain softening behavior. Moisture content and discontinuities within the rock can have a significant effect on rock properties as well. Tests with shale have been conducted to improve the current understanding of brittle rock fracture. These tests include uniaxial compressive strength tests, indirect tensile strength tests, punch penetration tests, moisture content tests, seismic velocity tests, and cerchar abrasivity tests. The next step includes testing the shale with linear cutting tests. This will help predict shale's performance under certain conditions in mechanical excavation projects. This research is ongoing.

Indirect Tensile Strength Testing Standards

This research tested the effectiveness of the ASTM standards for indirect tensile tests. The current ASTM standards have a wide range of acceptable sample lengths at a constant diameter. I prepared and tested over sixty limestone samples and concluded that the range of acceptable length to diameter ratios should be lower. Tests were also conducted outside of the ASTM range to support the overall trends in the data. I wrote a paper on the findings and presented the results to professors at the Colorado School of Mines.

Saturating Rock Samples

I experimented with different methods of saturating shale samples. To determine how effective each method was for each sample, the sample was then soaked in a bucket of water to see if it increased in weight. Multiple methods were used including using a vacuum to remove oxygen from the sample and water. The experiment was conducted on shale and the sample's tensile strength was tested along with the moisture content. As expected, the strength of the shale decreased as the moisture content increased.

Newmont Innovation Challenge

As mining shifts deeper underground, temperatures increase. This creates a high operating cost to cool working areas of the mine. To lower these operating costs, my team developed an installation to reduce the amount of heat transferred. We were awarded 2000 dollars to further develop and test our product. The project made it into the finals and the president of the Colorado School of Mines, Paul Johnson, recognized our efforts and awarded our team.

Thermal Stresses Research Project

The project aimed to show that thermal stresses could be created to weaken rock strength. I was put in charge of preparing uniaxial compressive strength test samples. This involved coring, cutting, and grinding dozens of samples in granite. Samples had to meet ASTM standards. Cleaning up and caring for lab equipment also had to be considered. The work took place in the Earth Mechanics Institute at the Colorado School of Mines.

School Projects

Senior Design Project

This team project required writing a technical document. The project took place at the CALX Mid-Continental Quarry in Glenwood, Colorado. For the limestone mine, the team explored the economics of changing the drill and blast method to a mechanical excavation method. The team focused on the market analysis. The market analysis included listing realistic limestone buyers and the economics of transporting the product. Professors edited and added recommendations to the final document.

Mine of Tomorrow Final Class Project

Designing the mine of tomorrow was a class focused on innovation sponsored by CAT. The project was centered around a key question: How can we do it differently? With my team, we proposed a shovel that detects the grade of the ore using displacements of x-ray waves. Autonomous trucks were filled with one shovel full creating an efficient model for future surface mines. A technical paper was written and results were presented to CAT representatives and professors at the Colorado School of Mines.

Fracture Toughness Testing

Fracture toughness is useful for measuring wear on bits during mechanical excavation. I wrote a test procedure and determined the best method for testing samples. During this project, I cored and cut samples for the test. A steel wedge was designed in Solid Works and created in the Colorado School of Mines workshop. This was required to apply the breaking force to the sample. Data was then collected and reduced into meaningful results.

Concrete Mixing and Properties

The purpose of the project was to explore the differences between concrete recipes and additives. Concrete was mixed from sand, cement mix, and water. It was then poured into molds and allowed to harden. The properties of the cement were found using uniaxial compressive strength tests, and in indirect tensile strength tests. Hollow cylinders were also tested and failed in tension. Data was collected and reduced into significant results. A computer model was created to show the stresses at the time of failure for each test in Solid Works Simulation.

PVC Scooter Pipe Project

During the mechanics of materials class, I was part of a small team that designed and built a scooter using PVC pipe and wood. This required calculations for the bending and shear stresses at points of weakness. Since it was the first time the department has tried this project, I was able to provide feedback to help improve the mechanical engineering department at the Colorado School of Mines.

Underground Mining Design Project

The underground mining class required a final project. The project included designing and costing an underground mine design around a hypothetical ore body. Due to the size of the project, the project was completed as a team.

Electric vs. Diesel Drill Rig NPV Comparison

During my energy economics class, electric and diesel drills used in the mining industry were evaluated on cost. Assumptions included the mine location, power costs, and fuel costs. The team created a net present value analysis. We also added a carbon cost into the analysis to determine the intangible cost on the environment while using the drill. This analysis showed that the diesel drill was more efficient than the electric drill under the assumptions.

Summer Field Session Surveying Project

The surveying class took place at the Edgar mine. Our team learned how to measure and record data points that were later used to create a map in Autocad. Loops were adjusted to connect all the points with errors assumed to be equal at every point. Each team completed four surveying projects. My favorite project was using surveying to determine the directions needed to mine a connecting drift.

Thermo Dynamics Final Project

The thermo dynamics final project entailed solving variables for a power plant. The variables included temperatures, pressures, enthalpy and entropy at different states in the system. The project was beneficial because it connected the information in the class to a large realistic example problem similar to one seen in an industrial setting.

Colorado School of Mines EPICS 1

During EPICS 1, our team created a solar design for the Oriental Land Trust. The goal was to create an off-grid energy system. The design included solar panels, water heating elements, cost models and designs created in Solidworks. A final presentation was given to the client and professors.

Colorado School of Mines EPICS 2

Our team designed a study lamp for students in Africa. This included researching materials and designing the lamp. Solidworks was used for modeling the lamp. The team created a cost estimate for production. The results were presented to the client and professors.

Advanced Rock Mechanics Rock Fragmentation from Blasting

I created a java program that predicted the particle sizes using blast fragmentation modeling. The program also visually displayed results in a 3D model. The project explored techniques used in industry including the vibration velocity method, KuzRam modeling, and photo analysis. Deliverables included a written report, the computer software, and a presentation.

Grouting Solution Technical Proposal

Researched and proposed a technical solution to re-level a sinking foundation. The complete solution involved the use of compaction grout, permeation grout and contact grout. Equipment, hole distribution, and risks were included in the project. Deliverables included a report and a presentation.

Small Mine Pre-feasibility Study with Environmental Audit

Worked in a team to assess the environmental liabilities around a hypothetical potential mining project in Idaho Springs, Colorado. Remediation was included in the economic analysis along with a mine plan, historic information, and information on the mining method. The mine was an underground gold mining operation. The project had challenges including understanding the geology and ore body orientation. Deliverables included a detailed report of the results.

Additional Projects and Achievements

Home Remodeling Project

I assisted by adding a new roof, replacing the siding, and cutting down a nearby tree at my family's cabin in Wisconsin. This task included estimating costs and times for the construction. The size of the construction project put work ethic and teamwork to the test. It included everything from hauling heavy loads to painting. The largest challenge was nailing down roof tiles in the hot summer weather. The money saved helped pay for college.

Game Programming

I programmed multiple games using java. This was done using the software eclipse. Most of the games created were 2D. The graphics were mostly composed of sprites created in paint.net. Creating games has always been a fascination to me because of the multiple skills required to produce a game. Producing a game requires the knowledge of coding, artistic ability to produce graphics, creativity to develop a storyline, and musical talent if the game has music. Additionally, I have briefly coded in HTML and C#.