Blast used to test high-speed rail structure

MADERA COUNTY, Calif (KFSN) -- The high-speed rail project is moving forward with the help of rocket fuel.

Engineers are using explosive force to test the strength of the structures they are building in Madera County.

Before they can actually build the many bridges and viaducts that carry the high-speed trains they have to study and test the structural supports. Not only to make sure they can hold up the trains, but withstand things like earthquakes. They are using explosives and heavy weights to do that here in Madera County.

Don Robertson, a structural engineering contractor working on the project tells Action News, "What we are testing for here are extreme events. Lateral loads are typically involved with extreme events."

While regular speed trains rolled by, crews spent hours setting up a series of tests. A giant steel piston, fitted with up to a thousand tons of weights will be ignited by rocket fuel to hit the side of a support structure sunk 80 feet into the ground.

"My goal is to break it so I really want to try to push as hard as I can." Robertson said.

After loading what is in effect a giant rocket gun, the test was on. An explosion, flames, smoke and dust followed. The actual impact lasted just 15 milliseconds. Sensitive equipment recorded the movement of the shaft. Additional explosions with higher power continued throughout the day. All of the information will be used to determine just how strong the supports that will in this case, span the Fresno River will have to be.

Elizabeth Jonasson, a spokesperson for the California High Speed Rail Authority said, "This is an engineering standard thing to do when we are building major structures just to make sure the design we are proposing for the area meets the specifications for the soil types."

Testing like this will go on along the whole route of the high-speed rail line through California, the goal is to make sure the structures holding up the trains will be safe.