Research progress of the fundamental theory and technology of rock blasting

Investigating rock fragmentation mechanisms under blasting and developing new blasting technologies are important and challenging directions for blast engineering.Recently,with the development of experimental techniques,the fundamental theory of rock blasting has been extensively studied in the past few decades and has made important achievements in the full understanding of the rock fracturing process under blast loading.It is thus imperative to systematically review the progress in this direction.This paper mainly focuses on the experimental study of rock blasting,including the distribution characteristic of blast energy,evolution of the blast stress field,propagation mechanism of cracks,interaction mechanism between blast waves and cracks,and influence of geostatic stress on rock fragmentation.In addition,some newly developed blasting technologies and their applications are briefly presented.This review could provide comprehensive insights to guide the study on the rock fracturing mechanism under blasting and further provide meaningful guidance for optimizing blast parameters in engineering.

An empirical approach for predicting burden velocities in rock blasting

An analytical relation between burden velocity and ratio of burden to blasthole diameter is developed in this paper.This relation is found to be consistent with the measured burden velocities of all 37 full-scale blasts found from published articles.These blasts include single-hole blasts,multi-hole blasts,and simultaneously-initiated blasts with various borehole diameters such as 64 mm,76 mm,92 mm,115 mm,142 mm and 310 mm.All boreholes were fully charged.The agreement between measured and calculated burden velocities demonstrates that this relation can be used to predict the burden velocity of a wide range of full-scale blast with fully-coupled explosive charge and help to determine a correct delay time between adjacent holes or rows in various full-scale blasts involved in tunnelling(or drifting),surface and underground mining production blasts and underground opening slot blasts.In addition,this theoretical relation is found to agree with the measured burden velocities of 9 laboratory small-scale blasts to a certain extent.To predict the burden velocity of a small-scale blast,a further study or modification to the relation is necessary by using more small-scale blasts in the future.

An evaluation of numerical approaches for S-wave component simulation in rock blasting

The shear wave(S-wave) component of the total blast vibration always plays an important role in damage to rock or adjacent structures.Numerical approach has been considered as an economical and effective tool in predicting blast vibration.However,S-wave has not yet attracted enough attention in previous numerical simulations.In this paper,three typical numerical models,i.e.the continuum-based elastic model,the continuum-based damage model,and the coupled smooth particle hydrodynamics(SPH)-finite element method(FEM) model,were first introduced and developed to simulate the blasting of a single cylindrical charge.Then,the numerical results from different models were evaluated based on a review on the generation mechanisms of S-wave during blasting.Finally,some suggestions on the selection of numerical approaches for simulating generation of the blast-induced S-wave were put forward.Results indicate that different numerical models produce different results of S-wave.The coupled numerical model was the best,for its outstanding capacity in producing S-wave component.It is suggested that the model that can describe the cracking,sliding or heaving of rock mass,and the movement of fragments near the borehole should be selected preferentially,and priority should be given to the material constitutive law that could record the nonlinear mechanical behavior of rock mass near the borehole.

Measurement-while-drilling technique and its scope in design and prediction of rock blasting

With rampant growth and improvements in drilling technology, drilling of blast holes should no longer be viewed as an arduous sub-process in any mining or excavation process. Instead, it must be viewed as an important opportunity to quickly and accurately measure the geo-mechanical features of the rock mass on-site, much in advance of the downstream operations. It is well established that even the slightest variation in lithology, ground conditions, blast designs vis-a-vis geologic features and explosives performance, results in drastic changes in fragmentation results. Keeping in mind the importance of state-of-the-art measurement-while-drilling （MWD） technique, the current paper focuses on integrating this technique with the blasting operation in order to enhance the blasting designs and results. The paper presents a preliminary understanding of various blasting models, blastability and other related concepts, to review the state-of-the-art advancements and researches done in this area. In light of this, the paper highlights the future needs and implications on drill monitoring systems for improved information to enhnnrp th~ hl^tin~ r^HIt~

Plasma Discharge Initiation of Explosives in Rock Blasting Application:A Case Study

A plasma discharge initiation system for the explosive volumetric combustion charge was designed, investigated and developed for practical application. Laboratory scale experiments were carried out before conducting the large scale field tests. The resultant explosions gave rise to less noise, insignificant seismic vibrations and good specific explosive consumption for rock blasting. Importantly, the technique was found to be safe and environmentally friendly.

Numerical study on rock fracture and vibration due to blasting

Fracture and ground vibration of rock subjected to different decoupling decked charges are investigated based on the numerical simulation. The dynamic pressure value is studied, which demonstrates that simulation of fracture zone is feasible. Attenuation index of dynamic pressure is 2.06, 2.05 and 1.93 for air, water and sand intervals respectively. The small attenuation of sand in- terval results in the large ground vibration. The predicted vertical vibration waveform and peak parti- cle velocities （PPV） in far-field are in agreement with the monitoring results. The results show that the air and water decked charges can improve the effect of rock fracture in near-field and reduce ground vibration in far-field.

Fracture Plane Control in Rock Blasting

Blasting operation dissipates much of the blasting energy in crushing the rock at the borehole and the resulting cracks are randomly oriented. There is very little control of the fracture plane. In order to control the fracture plane, many methods have been applied. This paper discusses a new blasting method in which a high degree of fracture control can be achieved while minimizing the ground shock.

THE CALCULATION OF INITIAL SHOCK WAVE IN ROCK WITH UNCOUPLING CHARGE BLASTING

According to the structure of explosive charge in rock blasting, a physical model has been set up in this paper. Based on the model, a methodology for calculating initial shock wave of uncoupling charge has been given. The pressure p3 has been calculated when high explosives act on granite, limestone, marble and shaIe respectively. Some important conclusions are also gained by the analysis of results.

Numerical simulations on rock damage and fragmentation by blasting

a damage constitutive model comprising two dynamite sticks is established and handled with the transient dynamics finite element computer program PRONTO-3D to study rock damage and fragmentation during blasting. Simulation tests find that tensile stress by detonation gives rise to tensile bulk strain and consequently damage in the material. Maximum bulk strain is observed in simultaneous detonations of the two dynamite sticks. It is demonstrated that the proposed method is applicable to studying the process of rock damage by blasting as well as its affecting factors.

Application of gray correlation analysis and artificial neural network in rock mass blasting

Studied forecasting and controlling the blasting fragmentation by using artifi- cial neural network for multi-ingredients. At the same time, according to the characteris- tic of multi-parameters input to network model, the gray correlation theory was employed to find out key factors, which can not only save time of computation and parameters in- put, but improve the stability of the model.

Evaluation and optimization of blasting approaches to reducing oversize boulders and toes in open-pit mine

A new blasting approach of combined blastholes with different diameters is proposed to solve the problems of oversize boulders and rock toes in open-pit mine. A non-ideal detonation model and a statistical damage constitutive model are implemented in dynamic finite element analysis to investigate the formation mechanism of oversize boulders and toes. The damage distribution and evolution process of rock blasting fragmentation is simulated, and the scheme is further optimized. Numerical analysis results showed that pocket charges and satellite blastholes can only improve bench top fragmentation, but they cannot reduce the oversize in the middle and bottom of bench as well as the toe problem. The new blasting approach of combined blastholes with different diameters can effectively reduce the oversize boulders and toes as well as the production costs.

Simultaneous investigation of blast induced ground vibration and airblast effects on safety level of structures and human in surface blasting

The significance of studying, monitoring and predicting blast induced vibration and noise level in mining and civil activities is justified in the capability of imposing damages, sense of uncertainty due to negative psychological impacts on involved personnel and also judicial complaints of local inhabitants in the nearby area. This paper presents achieved results during an investigation carried out at Sungun Copper Mine, lran. Besides, the research also studied the significance of blast induced ground vibration and air- blast on safety aspects of nearby structures, potential risks, frequency analysis, and human response. According to the United States Bureau of Mines （USBM） standard, the attenuation equations were devel- oped using field records. A general frequency analysis and risk evaluation revealed that： 94% of generated frequencies are less than 14 Hz which is within the natural frequency of structures that increases risk of damage. At the end, studies of human response showed destructive effects of the phenomena by ranging between 2.54 and 25.40 mm/s for ground vibrations and by the average value of 110 dB for noise levels which could increase sense of uncertainty among involved employees.

Distinct element modelling of fracture plan control in continuum and jointed rock mass in presplitting method of surface mining

Controlled blasting techniques are used to control overbreak and to aid in the stability of the remaining rock formation. Presplitting is one of the most common methods which is used in many open pit mining and surface blast design. The purpose of presplitting is to form a fracture plane across which the radial cracks from the production blast cannot travel. The purpose of this study is to investigate of effect of presplitting on the generation of a smooth wall in continuum and jointed rock mass. The 2D distinct element code was used to simulate the presplitting in a rock slope. The blast load history as a function of time was applied to the inner wall of each blasthole. Important parameters that were considered in the analysis were stress tensor and fracturing pattern. The blast loading magnitude and blasthole spacing and jointing pattern were found to be very significant in the final results.

AFFECTING PROCESS OF EXPLOSION IN ROCK MASS BY CYLINDRICAL CHARGE

The explosion effects and physical process in rock mass by cylindrical charges are discussed.The maximum explosion cavity radius and the coefficient of effective explosion work are found through mechanical model and numerical method.The dependance of explosion parameters on time is got.The results show that the maximum explosion cavity radius produced by cylindrical charge of ammonium trinitro-toluene No.2 explosive in limestone and diabase is 1.50 and 1.26 times respectively as much as that of blasthole;and the coefficient of effective explosion work is 0.71 and 0.54 respectively as much as that of the blasthole.

Numerical assessment of spacing–burden ratio to effective utilization of explosive energy

The spacing–burden(S/B) ratio plays significant role on rock fragmentation and proper utilization of explosive energy to minimize the undesirable damage.Low S/B ratio generates fine fragments due to pressure rings coalescence of two blast holes,whereas boulder generations were observed above optimum S/B ratio.Both conditions are not acceptable because of wastage of explosive energy.Therefore,to resolve this issue,a numerical model study was conducted to optimize the S/B ratio and to envisage its effect on rock fragmentation based on utilization of explosive energy.Finite element simulation tool was used to see the extent of two blast hole influence area variation with varying S/B ratio.The better results were obtained at S/B ratio of 1:2 with optimum utilization of peak explosive energy.The performance was observed based on peak kinetic energy,peak pressure,radial and hoop stresses on centre of the two blast holes,where pressure rings coalescence.

Kinetic energy and its applications in mining engineering

Reduction of energy consumption in comminution is of significant importance in mining industry. To reduce such energy consumption the energy efficiency in an individual operation such as blasting must be increased. By using both new investigations and previous experimental results, this paper demonstrates that (1) kinetic energy carried by moving fragments in rock fracture is notable and it increases with an increasing loading rate;(2) this kinetic energy can be well used in secondary fragmentation in crushing and blasting. Accordingly, part of the muck pile from previous blast should be left in front of new(bench) face in either open pit or underground blasting. If so, when new blast occurs, the fragments from the new blast will collide with the muck pile left from the previous blast, and the kinetic energy carried by the moving fragments will be partly used in their secondary fragmentation.

Artificial neural network with a cross-validation approach to blast-induced ground vibration propagation modeling

Given their technical and economic advantages,the application of explosive substances to rock mass excavation is widely used.However,because of serious environmental restraints,there has been an increasing need to use complex tools to control environmental effects due to blast-induced ground vibrations.In the present study,an artificial neural network(ANN)with k-fold cross-validation was applied to a dataset containing 1114 observations that was obtained from published results;furthermore,quantitative and qualitative parameters were considered for ground vibration amplitude prediction.The best ANN model obtained has a maximum coefficient of determination of 0.840 and a mean absolute error of 5.59 and it comprises 17 input parameters,12 neurons in a one-layer hidden layer,and a sigmoid transfer function.Compared with the traditional models,the model obtained using the proposed methodology demonstrated better generalization ability.Furthermore,the proposed methodology offers an ANN model with higher prediction ability.