DIDACTIC UNIT 1. EXCAVATION METHODS. SOILS, ROCKS AND MIXED GROUNDS 1. Introduction 2. Excavation methods: soil, rocks and mixed ground. Inspections, required information and decisions. Losses and density ratios DIDACTIC UNIT 2. BULK EARTHWORK CLASSIFICATION 1. Bulk earthworks classification DIDACTIC UNIT 3. EARTHWORKS EQUIPMENT 1. Earthworks equipment. Factors to consider when choosing the equipment DIDACTIC UNIT 4. LOAD AND HAUL EQUIPMENT: COSTS AND PERFORMANCE 1. Loading earth and rock 2. Vehicles and hauling equipment 3. Hauling with dump trucks 4. Scraper transportation DIDACTIC UNIT 5. EXPLOSIVES: OPERATING PRINCIPLES, EXPLOSIVES. INFORMATION FOR BLASTING 1. Introduction 2. When do we use explosives? 3. Global approach 4. Parameters 5. Explosives 6. Types of explosives 7. Selecting the right explosive 8. Open air breaking mechanism 9. Practical issues DIDACTIC UNIT 6. VIBRATIONS RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH BLASTING 1. Introduction 2. Airblast 3. Flyrock 4. Vibrations generated by blasting 5. Measurement 6. Attenuation law 7. Frequency analysis 8. Regulations applied to vibrations control 9. Vibration measurement and prediction 10. Available techniques to reduce vibrations DIDACTIC UNIT 7. VII: DRILLING MACHINES 1. Drilling operations 2. Drilled materials 3. Drilling challenges 4. Drilling mechanism 5. Top hammer and down the hole hammer 6. Waste removal 7. Structural support of the borehole walls 8. Materials used in drilling operations 9. Job safety and health 10. Drilling accuracy. Tilted drilling DIDACTIC UNIT 8. OPEN-AIR BLASTING PROJECT 1. Explosives: regulations 2. An example: guidelines for the use of explosives in spain 3. Blasting scheme 4. Relevant variables considered for blasting design 5. Blasting design DIDACTIC UNIT 9. BLASTING DESIGN ON A TUNNEL 1. Differences between tunneling and open-air blasting operations 2. the cycle and its distribution 3. Blasting approach. Cuts: parallel, wedge and fan cuts 4. Parts of a tunnel cross section in blasting 5. The burn cut 6. Production holes, lifters and contour holes 7. Checks and checklists 8. Drilling equipment 9. Delays 10. Magazines 11. Blasting plans DIDACTIC UNIT 10. PRACTICAL ISSUES AND USUAL DEFECTS IN BLASTING DESIGN AND EXECUTION 1. Practical issues 2. Practical issues in a project 3. Practical issues concerning explosives 4. Practical issues concerning bench blasting 5. Practical issues in underground blasting 6. Prevention measures (summary)