CFP RESEARCH REPORT ON DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT QUARRY 16

EXCAVATION: REMOVING SANDSTONE OVERBURDEN TO ACCESS FOSSIL

BEARING ROCK STRATA

Dr. Joey R. Brown

Director of Grants and Proposals,
Brown Research & Technology
Kuhn Hall 237
3950 Newman Rd, Joplin, MO 64801

Chase Kellogg
Technical Writer Grade II,
Brown Research & Technology
221b Baker Street, Riverton, KS 66770

May 13th, 2021

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Southeast Kansas Museum of Natural History (SKMNH), a subsidiary of Brown Research &
Technology (BRT) is a natural history museum located in the municipality of Riverton, KS. The
museum provides various educational exhibits in the scientific fields of zoology, botany,
paleontology, archaeology, geology, and meteorology. Presently, the museum has procured a
temporary allotment of the Dinosaur National Monument Quarry 16 near Vernal, Utah. Museum
researchers have been dispatched to the region to begin digging for the remains of sauropod
dinosaurs, which have been determined to lie within the Jurassic rock strata of the quarry.
However, despite the significance of the fossils within the strata, the sandstone overburden is too
dense and angled too steeply to use conventional excavation tools. Attempts at using mechanical
jackhammers to break through the rock layers have failed to yield favorable results.

To proceed with the excavation, SKMNH will need to remove at least 2,400 cubic feet of
hardened sandstone from a 40 by 10 by 6 foot slab, tilted upwards at an angle of nearly seventy
degrees. Due to time constraints of the allotment with Dinosaur National Monument, SKMNH
has a period of approximately one month to complete the excavation and retrieval of bones. As
the desired fossils are of the largest dinosaurs, sauropods, extracting the bones themselves may
take up to two weeks. Present estimates suggest using conventional excavation techniques on the
sandstone overburden could extend the total process to more than eight weeks.

BRT, on behalf of SKMNH, will contract an entity to safely and efficiently remove the
overburdening sandstone of the DNM 16 quarry. Contracted entities must abide by current laws
and regulations in regards to the excavation/removal process and be able to safely extract the
overburdening layer without damaging the underlying rock strata.

Possible areas of work include earthwork and “ground engaging” machinery, geotechnical
investigation, geophysical surveying, bore-hole digging, detonation of explosive charges, State
and Federal permitting, and all personnel and subcontracted entities.

Based on the best available research (see BIBLIOGRAPHY) subsequent Proposals will most
likely suggest drilling carefully spaced bore holes into the overburden and setting explosive
charges to remove the sandstone/mudstone layer. The detonation of said charges best fits the
available allotment SKMNH has on DNM Quarry 16.

Proposals will suggest a project work schedule of 2-14 days to allow time for SKMNH to
complete excavation of underlying fossils in the DNM allotment. Weather may be a determining
factor in scheduling. Key personnel will include licensed Blasters/Explosives Experts,
Geotechnical Engineer(s), Heavy Equipment/Machine Operators, Paleontologist/Geologist(s).
Cost of the DNM Quarry 16 Excavation is estimated to be between $45,000—$128,000.

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TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

The Southeast Kansas Museum of Natural History (SKMNH), a subsidiary of Brown Research &
Technology (BRT) is a natural history museum located in the municipality of Riverton, KS. The
museum provides various educational exhibits in the scientific fields of zoology, botany,
paleontology, archaeology, geology, and meteorology. Presently, the museum has procured a
temporary allotment of the Dinosaur National Monument Quarry 16 near Vernal, Utah. Museum
researchers have been dispatched to the region to begin digging for the remains of sauropod
dinosaurs, which have been determined to lie within the Jurassic rock strata of the quarry.
However, despite the significance of the fossils within the strata, the sandstone overburden is too
dense and angled too steeply to use conventional excavation tools. Attempts at using mechanical
jackhammers to break through the rock layers have failed to yield favorable results.

To proceed with the excavation, the SKMNH will need to remove at least 2,400 cubic feet of
hardened sandstone from a 40 by 10 by 6 foot slab, tilted upwards at an angle of nearly seventy
degrees. Due to time constraints of the allotment with Dinosaur National Monument, SKMNH
has a period of approximately one month to complete the excavation and retrieval of bones. As
the desired fossils are of the largest dinosaurs, sauropods, extracting the bones themselves may
take up to two weeks. Present estimates suggest using conventional excavation techniques on the
sandstone overburden could extend the total process to more than eight weeks.

The TECHNICAL PROPOSAL section of this report contains descriptions of the two viable
methods with which to safely and quickly remove the overburdening rock layer. One method
would enable diggers to resume fossil excavation more quickly, but would require a greater
number of permits and experts to be legally and safely completed. The second method would
require fewer permits and experts, but would take a slightly longer period of time to complete.
Both methods offer efficient and resource-saving excavation techniques, and result in a complete
overburden removal.

SKMNH’s future work at the quarry, after the successful removal of the sandstone overburden, is
not addressed in the following summaries. It is understood that the museum staff will continue
the excavation process free of contractor influence or control.

SKMNH/BRT assume all responsibility for securing/maintaining current and future

Research/Collecting permits for the Monument, as well as ATF and DOT permits for the usage
and transportation of explosives.

Method 1: Blasting Through The Overburden

Though a less common option for exposing fossils, rock blasting has been used in other fossil
digs when similar complications arose. The primary benefit of this option is that it will take less

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time to complete. The blasting can be finished in 2-3 days and the digging crew can immediately
return to work.

The first step in the blasting process will be to ascertain the depth at which the fossil-bearing
rock strata lies, and calculate the total dimensions and volume of the overburden. Subsurface
investigation with test holes will be necessary to locate the Jurassic strata and determine the
safest possible fracturing points of the overlain sandstone.

A Geotechnical Engineer will be present at this juncture to map and characterize the rock mass.
The data presented from the geologic mapping will aid the explosives experts in determining
which type of explosives to use, and how many bore-holes will need to be dug for successful
fracturing.

It is likely the selected blasting agent will be ANFO, a mixture of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil.
Due to its cheap and safe reputation, ANFO is used in nearly 80% of US blasts. If ANFO is
selected as the agent, the SKMNH researchers will proceed to aid the explosives experts in
digging mapped out bore holes based on the geotechnical data that was previously retrieved.

When the holes have been drilled, the team will proceed to fill them with the ANFO charge
length and top the openings off with stemming to help hold the blast down. It is important to
apply sufficient stemming in order to keep the blast lateral and not blow the rock upwards. This
would result in excessive airblast.

To prevent significant ground vibrations, the timing of the explosives will need to be carefully
orchestrated, allowing for the rock to have precise breakage and not cause potential damage to
the underlying rock strata. Restricting blasts to favorable weather conditions will also be
important to minimize the risk of excess noise and airblasts. Minimizing the frequency of the
blast can also aid in this process.

Ensurance of safety should be determined, especially in regards to flyrock, which can be

damaging and life threatening if not properly regulated. In addition to the previously mentioned
precautions, the area will be cordoned off from public access to prevent injury or death as a
result of individuals straying too near to the blast site.

Method 1, blasting through the overburden, allows for a quicker removal of overburden and
further time for the excavation of the underlying fossils. With the proper experts and precautions,
the process can be both swift and easy. Due to the explosive nature of the blasting, however,
there is a greater risk presented to the fossil sediments and to the excavation team. In addition,
there will be more necessary permits required than for Method 2. The pricing will also be much
steeper, due to the quantity of rock needing to be removed.

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Method 2: Rock Ripping/Ground Engaging Excavation
Excavating the overburden through ground engaging machinery is more commonly used in
complicated paleontological excavations. Its primary benefits are that it is more cost-effective
and less risky than Method 1, resulting in fewer necessary permits.

As with Method 1, the procedure will commence with a Geotechnical Engineer mapping out the
overburden to assess rock density and depth to the underlying fossil layer. This will take the form
of digging test pits, bedrock boring, or even “coring” in which rock core samples are taken. An
important component to this inspection is determining the “bulking factor” of the rock, which
will influence the method of ground engagement that is used.

After a geotechnical inspection has been completed, the process of excavation will begin. For the
present rock size and density of the rock slab, it is estimated between two and four heavy
machines will be required to remove the overburden within a fourteen day period. At least one
operator will be required for each machine that is brought on-site.

If the process of “ripping” is decided upon, a large bulldozer with affixed teeth will begin
breaking up the sandstone. A minimum 250 horsepower engine would be required for such a
vehicle. The ripper used will be one of two varieties: a parallelogram ripper for superior
penetration, a radial ripper for increased maneuverability. With multiple excavation vehicles
being used, selecting different rippers for each vehicle will help to expedite the ground engaging
process.

Another possible process that could be used in ground engaging is “hydraulic hammering,”
which would involve breaking up the rock formation through repeated high energy strikes. A
sharp tipped hydraulic hammer will be affixed to an excavator such that it can move
perpendicular to the rock face, maximizing the applied pressure. The hammer strike locations
will be mapped out in a grid pattern for maximum efficiency. Once the rock chunks have been
dislodged from the overburden, they can be removed with the regular excavator bucket.

Drawbacks of Method 2 tend to be time related. Though there would be fewer permits and safety
requirements for a mechanical excavation, as well as a slimmer price tag, the overall project
would take roughly 10-14 days to complete. Given that SKMNH has only a single month
allotment of the DNM Quarry 16, this method would present a greater risk of running out of time
to excavate the fossil. Given that the desired remains are of large sauropod dinosaurs, it is
estimated at least two weeks will be needed to fully remove them once the overburden has been
stripped away.

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MANAGEMENT SUMMARY

The Southeast Kansas Museum of Natural History (SKMNH), a subsidiary of Brown Research &
Technology (BRT) is a natural history museum located in the municipality of Riverton, KS. The
museum provides various educational exhibits in the scientific fields of zoology, botany,
paleontology, archaeology, geology, and meteorology. Presently, the museum has procured a
temporary allotment of the Dinosaur National Monument Quarry 16 near Vernal, Utah. Museum
researchers have been dispatched to the region to begin digging for the remains of sauropod
dinosaurs, which have been determined to lie within the Jurassic rock strata of the quarry.
However, despite the significance of the fossils within the strata, the sandstone overburden is too
dense and angled too steeply to use conventional excavation tools. Attempts at using mechanical
jackhammers to break through the rock layers have failed to yield favorable results.

To proceed with the excavation, the SKMNH will need to remove at least 2,400 cubic feet of
hardened sandstone from a 40 by 10 by 6 foot slab, tilted upwards at an angle of nearly seventy
degrees. Due to time constraints of the allotment with Dinosaur National Monument, SKMNH
has a period of approximately one month to complete the excavation and retrieval of bones. As
the desired fossils are of the largest dinosaurs, sauropods, extracting the bones themselves may
take up to two weeks. Present estimates suggest using conventional excavation techniques on the
sandstone overburden could extend the total process to more than eight weeks.

The MANAGEMENT SUMMARY of this document contains overviews of the costs, timelines,
and personnel that will be used in the two methods of overburden removal, both in blasting away
the overlying sandstone and using rock rippers and excavators to break up and extract rock. As
both methods meet project requirements, summaries are provided here with estimates of cost and
personnel.

Note on Permitting
Only the first method discussed in this report requires SKMNH/BRT to procure ATF and DOT
permits in regards to the use of explosive materials. Both methods require Research/Collecting
permits from the Federal Government, which have already been obtained for the removal of
fossils but not for special excavation procedures. State and Federal regulations in regards to
excavation must be followed for both methods as well.

Method 1: Blasting Through The Overburden

Though a less common option for the excavation of fossils, blasting through the overburden will
allow for a much quicker removal, allowing more time for the subsequent fossil extraction. The

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primary benefit is the additional time that will be saved for the allotment. Cost ranges for
Method 1 run between $50,000 and $128,000.

The cost estimates for Method 1 have been determined by the following: $1,500 per day to drill:
$50-150 per cubic meter of rock; $7.00 per kilogram of explosives; $1,000 daily insurance; $500
monitoring per day; $1,000 daily expert payroll.

Personnel for Method 1 will involve at least 3 explosives experts and 1 Building Codes Monitor.
In addition, a Geotechnical Engineer will be necessary for the calculation of rock dimensions and
density. SKMNH researchers will provide additional assistance with placing/drilling bore holes
and clearing away any remaining rock.

Timeline for Method 1 is approximately 2-3 days.

Method 2: Rock Ripping/Ground Engaging Excavation

A more common option for the removal of tough rock, ground engaging excavation will take a
longer period of time to complete but will also be substantially cheaper than Method 1. The
primary benefit of Method 2 is the lower cost and fewer experts needed to run the project. Cost
estimates for Method 2 run from $45,000 to $85,000.

The cost estimates for Method 2 have been determined by the following: $150 an hour for
excavator use/operator fee; $35 an hour for Geotechnical Engineer; $50 per cubic yard of rock

Personnel and equipment required for Method 2 would consist of two to four rock-ripping
excavators (at least one equipped with a hydraulic hammer), an operator for each machine.
Geotechnical Engineer to survey the overburden, and the SKMNH researchers to provide
additional information/assistance about the rock layer/strata.

The timeline for Method 2 is roughly 10-14 days.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

(Geotechnical), Madziwa, et al. “Cost of Blasting.” Engineering Forums for Professionals,

6 Oct. 2003,
www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=73893#:~:text=Rock%20blasting%20can%20cost
%20anywhere,location%20relative%20to%20buildings%2C%20etc.

Blaster Certification, www.ogm.utah.gov/coal/blaster.html.

Duffy, Daniel P. “Between a Rock and a Hard Place.” Gxcontractor.com, GX Contractor,

31 May 2016,
www.gxcontractor.com/equipment/article/13024148/between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place#:~:t
ext=Once%20broken%2C%20the%20chunks%20of,excavation%20all%20in%20one%20
movement.

Repanshek, Kurt. Fire in the Hole! Explosives Help Uncover Fossils At Dinosaur National
Monument, 9 May 2009,
www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2009/05/fire-hole-dynamite-used-uncover-fossils-dinosaur-
national-monument.

“Research and Collecting.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 31
Mar. 2012, www.nps.gov/dino/planyourvisit/research-and-collecting.htm.

Stark, By Mike. “Dino-Mite: Quarry Gets Explosive Treatment.” NBCNews.com,

NBCUniversal News Group, 29 Apr. 2009, www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna30475111.

Vellone, D A. “Rock Blasting Fundamentals.” PDHonline.org,

pdhonline.com/courses/c262/Rock_Blasting_Fundamentals_Course_Review_Notes.pdf.