Numerical and experimental investigation on hydraulic-electric rock fragmentation of heterogeneous granite

Hydraulic-electric rock fragmentation(HERF)plays a significant role in improving the efficiency of high voltage pulse rock breaking.However,the underlying mechanism of HERF remains unclear.In this study,considering the heterogeneity of the rock,microscopic thermodynamic properties,and shockwave time domain waveforms,based on the shockwave model,digital imaging technology and the discrete element method,the cyclic loading numerical simulations of HERF is achieved by coupling electrical,thermal,and solid mechanics under different formation temperatures,confining pressure,initial peak voltage,electrode bit diameter,and loading times.Meanwhile,the HERF discharge system is conducive to the laboratory experiments with various electrical parameters and the resulting broken pits are numerically reconstructed to obtain the geometric parameters.The results show that,the completely broken area consists of powdery rock debris.In the pre-broken zone,the mineral cementation of the rock determines the transition of type CⅠcracks to type CⅡand type CⅢcracks.Furthermore,the peak pressure of the shockwave increased with initial peak voltage but decreased with electrode bit diameter,while the wave front time reduced.Moreover,increasing well depth,formation temperature and confining pressure augment and inhibit HERF,but once confining pressure surpassed the threshold of 60 MPa for 152.40,215.90,and 228.60 mm electrode bits,and 40 MPa for 309.88 mm electrode bits,HERF is promoted.Additionally,for the same kind of rock,the volume and width of the broken pit increase with higher initial peak voltage and rock fissures will promote HERF.Eventually,the electrode drill bit with a 215.90 mm diameter is more suitable for drilling pink granite.This research contributes to a better microscopic understanding of HERF and provides valuable insights for electrode bit selection,as well as the optimization of circuit parameters for HERF technology.

Enhancing rock fragmentation prediction in mining operations:A hybrid GWO-RF model with SHAP interpretability

In the mining industry,precise forecasting of rock fragmentation is critical for optimising blasting processes.In this study,we address the challenge of enhancing rock fragmentation assessment by developing a novel hybrid predictive model named GWO-RF.This model combines the grey wolf optimization(GWO)algorithm with the random forest(RF)technique to predict the D_(80)value,a critical parameter in evaluating rock fragmentation quality.The study is conducted using a dataset from Sarcheshmeh Copper Mine,employing six different swarm sizes for the GWO-RF hybrid model construction.The GWO-RF model’s hyperparameters are systematically optimized within established bounds,and its performance is rigorously evaluated using multiple evaluation metrics.The results show that the GWO-RF hybrid model has higher predictive skills,exceeding traditional models in terms of accuracy.Furthermore,the interpretability of the GWO-RF model is enhanced through the utilization of SHapley Additive exPlanations(SHAP)values.The insights gained from this research contribute to optimizing blasting operations and rock fragmentation outcomes in the mining industry.

Progressive fragmentation of granular assemblies within rockslides: Insights from discrete-continuous numerical modeling

Rock fragmentation plays a critical role in rock avalanches,yet conventional approaches such as classical granular flow models or the bonded particle model have limitations in accurately characterizing the progressive disintegration and kinematics of multi-deformable rock blocks during rockslides.The present study proposes a discrete-continuous numerical model,based on a cohesive zone model,to explicitly incorporate the progressive fragmentation and intricate interparticle interactions inherent in rockslides.Breakable rock granular assemblies are released along an inclined plane and flow onto a horizontal plane.The numerical scenarios are established to incorporate variations in slope angle,initial height,friction coefficient,and particle number.The evolutions of fragmentation,kinematic,runout and depositional characteristics are quantitatively analyzed and compared with experimental and field data.A positive linear relationship between the equivalent friction coefficient and the apparent friction coefficient is identified.In general,the granular mass predominantly exhibits characteristics of a dense granular flow,with the Savage number exhibiting a decreasing trend as the volume of mass increases.The process of particle breakage gradually occurs in a bottom-up manner,leading to a significant increase in the angular velocities of the rock blocks with increasing depth.The simulation results reproduce the field observations of inverse grading and source stratigraphy preservation in the deposit.We propose a disintegration index that incorporates factors such as drop height,rock mass volume,and rock strength.Our findings demonstrate a consistent linear relationship between this index and the fragmentation degree in all tested scenarios.

Prediction of rock fragmentation in a fiery seam of an open-pit coal mine in India

Spontaneous combustion of coal increases the temperature in adjoining overburden strata of coal seams and poses a challenge when loading blastholes.This condition,known as hot-hole blasting,is dangerous due to the increased possibility of premature explosions in loaded blastholes.Thus,it is crucial to load the blastholes with an appropriate amount of explosives within a short period to avoid premature detonation caused by high temperatures of blastholes.Additionally,it will help achieve the desired fragment size.This study tried to ascertain the most influencial variables of mean fragment size and their optimum values adopted for blasting in a fiery seam.Data on blast design,rock mass,and fragmentation of 100 blasts in fiery seams of a coal mine were collected and used to develop mean fragmentation prediction models using soft computational techniques.The coefficient of determination(R^(2)),root mean square error(RMSE),mean absolute error(MAE),mean square error(MSE),variance account for(VAF)and coefficient of efficiency in percentage(CE)were calculated to validate the results.It indicates that the random forest algorithm(RFA)outperforms the artificial neural network(ANN),response surface method(RSM),and decision tree(DT).The values of R^(2),RMSE,MAE,MSE,VAF,and CE for RFA are 0.94,0.034,0.027,0.001,93.58,and 93.01,respectively.Multiple parametric sensitivity analyses(MPSAs)of the input variables showed that the Schmidt hammer rebound number and spacing-to-burden ratio are the most influencial variables for the blast fragment size.The analysis was finally used to define the best blast design variables to achieve optimum fragment size from blasting.The optimum factor values for RFA of S/B,ld/B and ls/ld are 1.03,1.85 and 0.7,respectively.

Stress wave analysis of high-voltage pulse discharge rock fragmentation based on plasma channel impedance model

High-voltage pulse discharge(HVPD)rock fragmentation controls a plasma channel forming inside the rock by adjusting the electrical parameters,electrode type,etc.In this work,an HVPD rock fragmentation test platform was built and the test waveforms were measured.Considering the effects of temperature,channel expansion and electromagnetic radiation,the impedance model of the plasma channel in the rock was established.The parameters and initial values of the model were determined by an iterative computational process.The model calculation results can reasonably characterize the development of the plasma channel in the rock and estimate the shock wave characteristics.Based on the plasma channel impedance model,the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of the radial stress and tangential stress in the rock were calculated,and the rock fragmentation effect of the HVPD was analyzed.

Support vector machines approach to mean particle size of rock fragmentation due to bench blasting prediction

Aiming at the problems of the traditional method of assessing distribution of particle size in bench blasting, a support vector machines （SVMs） regression methodology was used to predict the mean particle size （X50） resulting from rock blast fragmentation in various mines based on the statistical learning theory. The data base consisted of blast design parameters, explosive parameters, modulus of elasticity and in-situ block size. The seven input independent variables used for the SVMs model for the prediction of X50 of rock blast fragmentation were the ratio of bench height to drilled burden （H/B）, ratio of spacing to burden （S/B）, ratio of burden to hole diameter （B/D）, ratio of stemming to burden （T/B）, powder factor （Pf）, modulus of elasticity （E） and in-situ block size （XB）. After using the 90 sets of the measured data in various mines and rock formations in the world for training and testing, the model was applied to 12 another blast data for validation of the trained support vector regression （SVR） model. The prediction results of SVR were compared with those of artificial neural network （ANN）, multivariate regression analysis （MVRA） models, conventional Kuznetsov method and the measured X50 values. The proposed method shows promising results and the prediction accuracy of SVMs model is acceptable.

Rock fragmentation control in opencast blasting

The blasting operation plays a pivotal role in the overall economics of opencast mines.The blasting subsystem affects all the other associated sub-systems,i.e.loading,transport,crushing and milling operations.Fragmentation control through effective blast design and its effect on productivity are the challenging tasks for practicing blasting engineer due to inadequate knowledge of actual explosive energy released in the borehole,varying initiation practice in blast design and its effect on explosive energy release characteristic.This paper describes the result of a systematic study on the impact of blast design parameters on rock fragmentation at three mines in India.The mines use draglines and shoveledumper combination for removal of overburden.Despite its pivotal role in controlling the overall economics of a mining operation,the expected blasting performance is often judged almost exclusively on the basis of poorly defined parameters such as powder factor and is often qualitative which results in very subjective assessment of blasting performance.Such an approach is very poor substitutes for accurate assessment of explosive and blasting performance.Ninety one blasts were conducted with varying blast designs and charging patterns,and their impacts on the rock fragmentation were documented.A high-speed camera was deployed to record the detonation sequences of the blasts.The efficiency of the loading machines was also correlated with the mean fragment size obtained from the fragmentation analyses.

Energy consumption in rock fragmentation at intermediate strain rate

In order to determine the relationship among energy consumption of rock and its fragmentation, dynamic strength and strain rate, granite, sandstone and limestone specimens were chosen and tested on large-diameter split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) equipment with half-sine waveform loading at the strain rates ranging from 40 to 150 s- 1. With recorded signals, the energy consumption, strain rate and dynamic strength were analyzed. And the fragmentation behaviors of specimens were investigated. The experimental results show that the energy consumption density of rock increases linearly with the total incident energy. The energy consumption density is of an exponent relationship with the average size of rock fragments. The higher the energy consumption density, the more serious the fragmentation, and the better the gradation of fragments. The energy consumption density takes a good logarithm relationship with the dynamic strength of rock. The dynamic strength of rock increases with the increase of strain rate, indicating higher strain rate sensitivity.

A new framework for evaluation of rock fragmentation in open pit mines

The main purpose of blasting in open pit mines is to produce the feed for crushing stage with the optimum dimensions from in situ rocks. The size distribution of muck pile indicates the efficiency of blasting pattern to reach the required optimum sizes. Nevertheless, there is no mature model to predict fragmentation distribution to date that can be used in various open pit mines. Therefore, a new framework to evaluate and predict fragmentation distribution is presented based on the image analysis approach. For this purpose, the data collected from Jajarm bauxite mine in Iran were used as the sources in this study. The image analysis process was performed by Split-Desktop software to find out fragmentation distribution, uniformity index and average size of the fragmented rocks. Then, two different approaches including the multivariate regression method and the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory(DEMATEL) technique were incorporated to develop new models of the uniformity index and the average size to improve the Rosin-Rammler function. The performances of the proposed models were evaluated in four blasting operation sites. The results obtained indicate that the regression model possesses a better performance in prediction of the uniformity index and the average size and subsequently the fragmentation distribution in comparison with DEMATEL and conventional Rosin-Rammler models.

Characteristics of rock fragments in different forest stony soil and its relationship with macropore characteristics in mountain area, northern China

Rock fragments have major effect on soil macropores and water movement. However, the characteristics of rock fragments and their relationship with macropore characteristics remain elusive in forest stony soils in northern mountainous area of China. The objectives of this study are to(1) use Industrial Computed Tomography(CT) scanning to quantitatively analyze rock fragment characteristics in intact soil columns in different forest lands and(2) identify the relationship between characteristics of rock fragments and that of the macropores. Intact soil columns that were 100 mm in diameter and 300 mm long were randomly taken from six local forest stony soils in Wuzuolou Forest Station in Miyun, Beijing. Industrial CT was used to scan all soil column samples, and then the scanned images were utilized to obtain the three-dimensional(3 D) images of rock fragments and macropore structures. Next, theparameters of the rock fragments and macropore structure were measured, including the volume, diameter, surface area, and number of rock fragments, as well as the volume, diameter, surface area, length, angle, tortuosity and number of macropores. The results showed that no significant difference was found in soil rock fragments content in the 10-30 cm layer between mixed forest and pure forest, but in the 0-10 cm soil layer, the rock fragments in mixed forest were significantly less than in pure forest. The number density of macropores has significant negative correlation with the number of rock fragments in the 0-10 cm soil layer, whereas this correlation is not significant in 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm soil layers. The volume density of macropore was not correlated with the volume density of rock fragments, and there is no correlation between the density of macropore surface area and the density of rock fragment surface area. Industrial CT scanning combined with image processing technology canprovide a better way to explore 3 D distribution of rock fragments in soil. The content of rock fragments in soil is mainly determined by parent rocks. The surface soil(0-10 cm) of forest contains fewer rock fragments and more macropores, which may be caused by bioturbation, root systems, gravitational settling and faunal undermining.

Experimental investigation on hard rock fragmentation of inserted tooth cutter using a newly designed indentation testing apparatus

This investigation aims to explore the effects of stress conditions and rock cutting rates on hard rock fragmentation through indentation tests on a newly designed triaxial testing apparatus.This apparatus was designed to realize a triaxial loading and indentation test of cylindrical specimens using inserted tooth cutter.The boreability and crushing efficiency of granite rock was investigated by analyzing the change rules of the thrusting force,penetration depth,characteristics of chippings and failure patterns.Several quantitative indexes were used to evaluate rock boreability in this investigation.The granite rock samples all had a chiselled pit and a crushed rock core.Under initial stress conditions,only flat-shape chippings were stripped from the rock surface when the thrusting force reached 20 kN.The rock cutting special energy had a close correlation with the initial stress conditions and inserted tooth shape.Moreover,a thrusting force prediction model was proposed in this paper.The contribution of this study is that for the first time the influence mechanism of the initial triaxial stress conditions on rock fragmentation is investigated using an inserted tooth and the newly designed testing apparatus.This study has a crucial importance for practical underground hard rock crushing in geoengineering.

Numerical simulation on effects of embedded crack on rock fragmentation by a tunnel boring machine cutter

Based on the simplification of cutting process,a series of numerical simulations were conducted using a 2-D discrete element method to explore the effects of embedded cracks with different dip angles on the rock fragmentation process,cutting characteristics and breaking efficiency.The results show that the simulated results are in a good agreement with previous theoretical study.The main crack propagates to the top tip of embedded crack,except when the dip angle is 90°.Side cracks which are more fully developed in the rocks containing embedded cracks tend to propagate towards the free surface.According to the history of vertical cutting force,it is shown that the peak force is decreased by embedded cracks.The study on cutting efficiency was conducted by combining the quantity of crack and cutting energy.And the results show that breaking efficiency can be treated as a decreasing or a increasing function when the dip angle is less or larger than 30°,respectively.Breaking efficiency is higher than that in intact rock when the dip angle is larger than 45°.

A comparative study on the application of various artificial neural networks to simultaneous prediction of rock fragmentation and backbreak

In blasting operation,the aim is to achieve proper fragmentation and to avoid undesirable events such as backbreak.Therefore,predicting rock fragmentation and backbreak is very important to arrive at a technically and economically successful outcome.Since many parameters affect the blasting results in a complicated mechanism,employment of robust methods such as artificial neural network may be very useful.In this regard,this paper attends to simultaneous prediction of rock fragmentation and backbreak in the blasting operation of Tehran Cement Company limestone mines in Iran.Back propagation neural network（BPNN） and radial basis function neural network（RBFNN） are adopted for the simulation.Also,regression analysis is performed between independent and dependent variables.For the BPNN modeling,a network with architecture 6-10-2 is found to be optimum whereas for the RBFNN,architecture 636-2 with spread factor of 0.79 provides maximum prediction aptitude.Performance comparison of the developed models is fulfilled using value account for（VAF）,root mean square error（RMSE）,determination coefficient（R2） and maximum relative error（MRE）.As such,it is observed that the BPNN model is the most preferable model providing maximum accuracy and minimum error.Also,sensitivity analysis shows that inputs burden and stemming are the most effective parameters on the outputs fragmentation and backbreak,respectively.On the other hand,for both of the outputs,specific charge is the least effective parameter.

Rock fragmentation under different installation polar angles of TBM disc cutters

The disc cutters of tunnel boring machine(TBM) are installed with different polar angles. This causes the cutting depth difference between adjacent disc cutters on the tunnel face. A rock-cutting model was established to study the rock fragmentation law between adjacent disc cutters with different polar angles based on particle flow code(PFC). The influence of polar angle of adjacent disc cutters on rock cracks and stresses under different cutter spacing and penetration was studied. Research shows that polar angle difference leads to the discontinuity of rock-fragmentation process by adjacent cutters. The effect of rock-fragmentation is influenced by the cutting depth difference between adjacent cutters. The effect of rock-fragmentation performed best, meanwhile large rock blocks were flaked when the difference of cutting depth is half of the penetration. Too large or small difference of the cutting depth will cause high specific energy consumption of rock fragmentation. The specific energy consumption is relatively small when the difference of cutting depth is half of the penetration.

ENERGY ABSORPTION OF ROCK FRAGMENTATION UNDER IMPULSIVE LOADS WITH DIFFERENT WAE FORMS

In order to investigate the effects of stress waveforms on energy dissipation and the degree of fragmentation of rock. SHPB experiments on rock using rams with different structures and geometries have been performed. The efficiency of energy absorption and post-fragmentation grain sizes under diffferent loading conditions have been determined. The results show that both energy absorption and the degree of fragmentation of rock are related to the shapes of incident stress waves. From the view of energy economization. the approximately symmetric bell-shaped pulse produced by a truncated cone ram is apparently superior to an exponentiallyattenuation pulse provided that the incident energy is great enough to fragment the rock. But no matter what the intensities and shapes of the loading pulses are. the maximum energy absorption of rock can not be more than 50％ of the incident energy.

Fractal characteristics of rock fragmentation at strain rate of 10~0-10~2 s^(-1)

The fragmentation test of granite subjected to strain rate of 10~010~2s~ -1 was carried out using split Hopkinson pressure bar(SHPB) whose diameter is 75 mm, where half-sine loading waveform was performed. The sieving statistics results of the fragments show that the distribution of the fragments is a fractal, and the fractal dimension values fall into the range of 1.22.4. The correlation analysis between the fractal dimension and the logarithm of the energy density shows that they have approximately linear relation. Finally, based on damage theory and scale invariant principle, the fragmentation model with renormalization method was put forward, and the fractal dimension value predicted with the model was compared with the test results. It is found that the fractal dimension value obtained from the improved fragmentation model is more reasonable.

Numerical experiment rock fragmentation by combined dynamic and static loads under dual-cutter head

This paper puts forward a new rock fragmentation loading method of dual-cutter head combined dynamic and static loads. By applying the numerical simulation software - RFPA2D, we have done numerical experiment about the sihstone＇ s crushing effect by dynamic load on single cutter head without confining pressure, dynamic load on single cut- ter head with confining pressure 10 MPa and different dual-cutter heads spacing by combined dynamic and static loads with confining pressure 10 MPa. Experimental results show that the confining pressure can obviously affect the rock frag- mentation effect. Combined dynamic and static loads can greatly improve the rock fragmentation effect. There exists an optimal spacing of dual-cutter head that can make the rock fragmentation achieve the desired effect. Through analyzing the acoustic emission accumulative energy and quantity, the authors make a conclusion that the optimum spacing is 30 mm.

An estimation model for the fragmentation properties of brittle rock block due to the impacts against an obstruction

Mountain hazards with large masses of rock blocks in motion – such as rock falls, avalanches and landslides – threaten human lives and structures. Dynamic fragmentation is a common phenomenon during the movement process of rock blocks in rock avalanche, due to the high velocity and impacts against obstructions. In view of the energy consumption theory for brittle rock fragmentation proposed by Bond, which relates energy to size reduction, a theoretical model is proposed to estimate the average fragment size for a moving rock block when it impacts against an obstruction. Then, different forms of motion are studied, with various drop heights and slope angles for the moving rock block. The calculated results reveal that the average fragment size decreases as the drop height increases, whether for free-fall or for a sliding or rolling rock block, and the decline in size is rapid for low heights and slow for increasing heights in the corresponding curves. Moreover, the average fragment size also decreases as the slope angle increases for a slidingrock block. In addition, a rolling rock block has a higher degree of fragmentation than a sliding rock block, even for the same slope angle and block volume. Finally, to compare with others' results, the approximate number of fragments is estimated for each calculated example, and the results show that the proposed model is applicable to a relatively isotropic moving rock block.

Effects of rock fragments on yak dung greenhouse gas emissions on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Dung deposition is an important pathway of nutrient return and redistribution in alpine grasslands of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.To date,information on the greenhouse gas emissions of yak dung on alpine grasslands,especially where there are large amounts of rock fragments,is limited.Our aim,therefore,was to evaluate variations in N_2O,CH_4,and CO_2 emissions from yak dung(CCD),and compare it to dung placed on rock fragments(RCD),alpine steppe soil(CSD),and a soil and rock fragment mixture(RSD) over a 30-day incubation period.The results showed that the total N_2O emissions from treatments without soil were significantly(P < 0.05) lower than those from treatments with soil.The highest total CH_4 emissions were detected in the CSD treatment,while CH_4 losses from treatments without rock fragments were significantly(P < 0.05) greater than those with rock fragments.The total CO_2 emissions from the RSD treatment was 6.30%–12.0% lower than those in the other three treatments.The soil beneath yak dung pats elevated the globalwarming potential(GWP),while the addition of rock fragments to the soil significantly(P < 0.05) decreased the GWP by reducing emissions of the three greenhouse gases.We therefore suggest that interactions between rock fragments and alpine steppe soil are effective in decreasing yak dung greenhouse gas emissions.This finding indicates that rock fragments are an effective medium for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from dung pats,and more attention should therefore be paid to evaluate its ecological impact in future studies.These results should help guide scientific assessments of regional GHG budgets in agricultural ecosystems where the addition of livestock manure to soils with large amounts of rock fragments is common.

Experimental study of a new multifunctional device for rock fragmentation

A new multifunctional testing device for rock fragmentation was introduced, which can conduct many experiments such as single cutting under static load, crushing under impact load, thrusting under static load and cutting-impact test under the dynamic and static load. The results of granite and concrete抯 experiments with polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) flat cutters and carbide alloy cutters under different loadings show that the device has good performance, and the characteristics of broken rock under the combined loads are similar to that under the single static pressure or impact crushing the rock, and the combined loads can increase the effect of rock fragmentation obviously. The experimental methods and effects have the important meaning for studying new drill-ing tool on hard rock fragmentation.