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By Stephen Chung

The quality of a blast design can be evaluated in many ways. It may involve fragmentation, muck profile, environmental effects in terms of vibration and the excavation of the blasted material. To assist and ensure an achievable cost effective design, numerical modeling techniques are often applied as part of the operating procedure. While excavation is one of the mining operations which has a direct influence on the bottom line cost of productivity, the characteristics of a pile of blasted material deserves a closer look in terms of diggability. This paper reviews the current diggability techniques available for application to the blasting operation. To help better understand the involvement in digging, this paper also introduces an evaluation approach based on a discrete element method. The model presented in this paper deals with many variables that are considered to directly affect digging. They are the density and cohesion of material, fragment shape and size distribution as well as the swell of a muck pile. To help visualize the analysis approach, sample runs and animations are given in the paper to show the setup of muck piles produced in bench blasting as well as in sub-level caving. The computed forces experienced by the bucket during each mucking cycle are also discussed.

Jan 1, 2008

By David Jones, Jeff Bregar, Damien Bell

We have analyzed overpressure and ground vibration measurements for construction blasting for a large pipeline project. These field-measured levels have been compared to existing prediction curves in the literature and new curves have been proposed for overpressure and ground vibration for pipeline construction blasting activities.

Feb 1, 2020

By Debra Satkowiak, Ronald Thomas

The Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME), a non-profit safety and security organization founded in 1913, is known for its industry best practices, Safety Library Publications (SLP), some of which have been incorporated into rules by regulatory agencies. The IME developed the first commercial storage, quantity distance (Q/D) table titled “The American Table of Distances” (ATD). It was developed by IME’s legacy association in 1910 and was originally based on observations of structural damage from 117 accidental explosions involving small to very large amounts of explosives, primarily dynamite and black powder. In 1930, the IME published a book, compiled by Ralph Assheton, called the “History of Explosions on Which the American Table of Distances was Based”. The distance in feet in the ATD were founded on the measurements at which inhabited buildings sustained substantial structural damage from the accidental detonation of explosives. For example, minor damage such as window glass breakage and the “shaking down” of plaster was not considered substantial structural damage. Other damage to property that was readily repairable was also not considered “substantial.” It was concluded that unless some integral portion of the building was damaged, the occupants would not be subjected to serious risks.

Jan 1, 2017

By Courtney Vallejo, Rafiqul Tarefder

This study examines the effects of small scale airblast experiments on cohesive soils and the resulting ground vibrations and crater geometries. Relationships for ground vibration attenuation with soil depth and distance from the blast source were developed. The study is part of a broader research topic of understanding the vulnerability of earthen embankment dams to blast loading. Many earthen embankment dams in the United States were constructed more than fifty years ago and were not designed to withstand high-stress loading such as blast loading. These structures may be susceptible to failure and it is important to describe the response of the earthen dam during a blast event.

Jan 1, 2013

By P. Katsabanis

Numerical modelling was used to examine damage in wall control operations. Decoupled charges appear to create larger damage zones than fully coupled low density charges with similar charge distributions: Air was shown to be a very efficient coupling medium, while water coupling resulted in significant damage. However, Mach stems are formed when air is used as a decoupling medium, leading to compression of the charge ahead of the detonation wave. Air decked charges generate two damage zones, one close to the charge and another close to the air-deck/stemming interface, where pressure pulses are reflected. The extent of the latter depends on the length of the air-deck.

Jan 1, 2001

By Joshua Micah Hoffman, Lifeng Li, Jhon Silva-Castro

Since millisecond detonators were first introduced, at least two variables among others have been more closely considered when timing a mining blast; the accuracy and the precision of the initiation system. Unfortunately, those variables are often ignored when designing timing for mining blast. Despite the lack of consideration of the characteristics of the initiation system, in some situations, e.g., firing a blast hole with one deck and two detonators, changes in the blasting sequence can be the results of the overlapping between blasting charges. The consequences of such overlapping involve flyrock events, fragmentation and diggability problems, and other difficulties affecting the operation of the mine.

Jan 1, 2015

By Abdulkadir Karadogan, Zikri Keti, Umit Ozer, Mehmet Aksoy, Ulku Kalayci

This paper presents an investigation about how the motions of blast induced vibration waves were affected by the presence of the fault planes. This study was carried out at Espey Open- Pit Boron (Colemanite) Mine in Turkey. Within the scope of the study, ground vibration components were measured for 8 shots using 9 vibration monitors, considering the direction of the fault. Measurement stations were located around the fault line that intersects the open-pit mine in the north-south direction and on different benches along the fault plane. Then, the data of the vibration components obtained from the 77 recorded events were analyzed and the results were presented.

Jan 1, 2012

By Thomas L. Barkley, Michael A. Indihar

The new Cyprus Northshore Mining Co. has taken the previous blasting methods of Reserve Mining Co.'s mine in northern Minnesota and adapted them to a new competative Iron Ore Industry. Cyprus was challenged to develop new blasting methods to reduce costs and improve results over the previous mining operation. Many of the older procedures have been kept, but others have been changed in ways that bring the mine operation up to state of the art technology. In addition, unique ideas not previously tried in the North American Iron Ore Industry have been instituted. So far, this has reduced Cyprus's blasting costs by 70 percent.

Jan 1, 1991

By Josh Campbell

Modern blast engineering involves the use of modern technology to provide more efficient blasts. Through the use of improved measurement techniques more information can be obtained on many of the physical variables of a quarry rock face. By employing this information, a more efficient production shot can be designed and loaded. Along with improvements in production, greater safety and improved environmental impact can be achieved. This paper concerns the employment of modern blast engineering at a granite quarry in the Southeastern United States. The test period extended over a period of approximately six months, and this paper will show the results achieved in that time span.

Jan 1, 1998

By P. D. Katsabanish

Air decking applications are examined using numerical modelling and the AutodynTM code. The mechanism of damage is illustrated and discussed. Air decking is shown to provide advantages over stemming when powder factor is maintained. The current effort does not support reduction of the explosives column in favour of air decking. In a similar fashion, bottom hole air decking increases fracturing in the area of the air deck, compared to when the same volume is occupied by inert materials; however air decking does not appear to reduce the requirement for subdrilling. The apparent discrepancy between the numerical results and some field observations reported in the literature is discussed.

Jan 1, 2005

By R Deshaise, B Mbhanty

The importance of controlling density of commercial explosives, and the various means to achieve it are described. m e field conditions responsible for density changes during blasting and their effect on blast results are examined. Understanding of the behaviour of density control ingredients such as gas bubbles, glass and plastic microballoons under pressure, is considered essential to predicting explosives performance. Both static and dynamic pressure effects have been studied for typical donor-receptor cartridge configurations. The amplitude and temporal characteristics of dynamic pressures inside receptor explosives have been studied by means of the underwater test, and guidelines developed to limit density changes due to external pressures.

Jan 1, 1989

By Randall M. Wheeler

Many blasting companies are using simulated production ground vibration waveforms to aid them in the control of their vibration effects. The simulations are typically produced by using a seismograph to record a signature waveform from a single hole shot and subsequently applying the various delays to be used in a proposed production design. The ability of this simulation method to give good results usually depends on three primary factors. These are: 1) the homogeneity of the seismic travel path from hole to hole; 2) the consistency of the seismic energy release per unit of explosive from hole to hole; and 3) whether or not the delays fire as planned.

Jan 1, 1991

By Curtis G. Kremer, Jeffrey L. Brummert

Blue Circle Cement's Ravena, New York quarry mines approximately 6.7 million tons of limestone per year. Blasting occurs approximately twice a week on three separate benches. Shots average 60,000 tons but can range up to 140,000 tons. Ongoing scrutiny of the drilling and blasting program allows for maximum blast efficiency which results in lower overall mining and crushing costs. Close cooperation between management and explosives supplier assures Blue Circle Cement's objective, "To develop, implement, and continuously improve a measurable drilling and blasting system that will optimize the total mining and crushing costs while ensuring compliance to safety and maintaining or reducing the environmental impacts of blasting".

Jan 1, 1994

By Jim Peterson, Ricardo Freire, Mason Biernat

Variable nature of rock and face conditions, varying execution and changing nature of blasting are making ongoing optimization challenging. Intelligent planning and on-going analytics are required to mitigate variability and convert blasting into a predictable outcome by use of technology. Blasting operations generate a huge amount of data which can be used intelligently for optimization. In this paper, details are provided of a system which is used for blasting data collection in the field – Key details around blast parameters, explosives, initiating system details, video, photographs, vibration and fragmentation are collected in a cloud-based platform. Data can also be collected through a mobility device in the field (even without internet connectivity) and synchronized with cloud-based system. Also, data from various sources can be imported in excel formats in the software including from upstream and downstream processes from blasting. App also gives indication about exceeding of vibration, air blast overpressure, fragment size etc. Thus, making it possible to perform QA-QC before charging and deciding initiation timing and sequence at the blasting site. The data can be processed and analyzed to spot trends, help predict events, and formulate strategies at the design and execution stage. Data gathering of blast parameters, explosive used processing and analysis can be used to optimize operational efficiency, improve safety and environmental controls.

Jan 1, 2019

By J Silva Castro, Braden Lusk

Information management is important in all disciplines. In mining; collection and analysis of information before, during and even after mining is a keystone to performance. During mining, information is useful to optimize the resources and make appropriate decisions. Current technologies allow for collecting information in real time. Records of blasting activity at the mine are common practice in surface coal mining operations. The most common blast information recorded contains the location of the blast, scaled distance, geometry of the blast, weight of explosive used and quantity of blasted rock. Sometimes due to the proximity of protected structures, seismograph evidence of the particle velocity and airblast levels is required. However, in the majority of cases, the seismograph information is not linked to the blast information. Blast related information is recorded separately from the seismograph information and seismograms are little more than an attachment to the blast record. This fact makes simultaneous visualization and analysis of the technical details of the blast with the vibration and airblast information difficult.

Jan 1, 2012

By R. F. Favreau, Patrice Favreau

"Ever since we have started to assist those responsible for blasting with blast simulation studies, we havebecome aware of an interesting aspect, namely that in 90 % of cases we are asked ‘‘Can you seek ablasting method which gives better fragmentation than the method which we use now’’. But after a visit to the site, and the evaluation of the fragmentation obtained with their present blasting method, it very often becomes evident that it is the ease of mucking and not the fragmentation which requires improvement. Hence we then proceed to do a simulation study the results of which are improved mucking rather then more fragmentation, and those responsible for the blasting always become very satisfied."

Jan 1, 2017

By M. L. Mendes, J. Q. Nojiri, S. C. Botelho, A. P. Campanha

In February 28, 2001 JOULE coordinated the first tests with an electronic detonator in South America at an iron ore operation - ITABIRA MINES from the Brazilian COMPANHIA VALE DO RIO DOCE (CVRD) - the largest producer and exporter of iron ore in the world. ITABIRA MINES (CAU and CONCEI O) belong to one of the complexes, called the Southern System, producing 56 million tons of ROM as well as concentrated products and pellets. This paper is going to describe the tests at ITABIRA MINES with results indicating the improvement in the excavator productivity and reduction of the mining global costs (due to the better performance of the equipment and potential reduction of the maintenance cost).

Jan 1, 2002

By G. F. Revey

When rock blasting occurs near new concrete of varying age, engineers representing project owners often express concern that vibration from the blasting will crack nearby concrete. Regulations and/or specifications for civil construction projects usually include particle velocity vibration limits intended to protect concrete. In some cases specified limits are unreasonably low and needlessly restrict and increase the cost of excavation work. This paper discusses how methods of predicting resulting flexural strains caused by blast-motion can be used to develop safe and reasonable PPV limits to protect new concrete. Three case histories demonstrating how these evaluation techniques were used to establish higher PPV limits designed to protect concrete of various structural condition are also presented.

Jan 1, 2006

By T Weaver, R Dick, R Sivakumar, C T. Aimone

A series of small-scale crater tests were performed in concrete and sand in an effort to understand the cratering process in large-scale field blasts. The surface orientation of these tests varied from flat to a 30° slope. In comparison to previous crater experiments in competent oil shale, the crater tests in concrete produced craters similar to those in oil shale after scaling the measurements for differences in the mass of explosives among the experiments. Material strengths and the degree of brittleness had a significant effect on the size and shape of the crater. The small-scale sand tests resulted in some crater features that were similar to large explosive tests in alluvium and soil.

Jan 1, 1986

By Dieter Froelich, Giles Turcotte

In the near future, Bong Mining Company (BMC) will start mining a new deposit known as Zaweah II which is a narrow iron orebody requiring multiple row blasts with the bench floor as a free face. This called for the development of a new blasting technique. The article delineates the problem and its restrictions related to blasting. It also describes the approach which was taken for developing this new blasting technique which is essentially an application of the cratering theory with near spherical charges. Basic crater tests were conducted using various combinations of hole sizes, explosive strengths and delay patterns. From the results obtained, several alternatives were considered for production blasts and the most promising ones were evaluated.

Jan 1, 1980