Design of fragmentation blasting in surface rock excavation

This paper deals with the estimation of block size distribution before and after blasting. Methods of acquiring data on the discontinuities present within a rock mass are outlined and techniques of transforming the data to give the Natural Block Size Distribution are presented. Two established models of blast design are then used to predict the Block Size Distribution in the resultant blast pile. The methods and models described are incorporated as the basic algorithms in the computer program “BLAST”, which can be used as a design tool by engineers engaged in the excavation of hard rock.

• INTRODUCTION

• THE ACQUISITION OF DISCONTINUITY DATA

• PREDICTION OF BLOCK SIZE DISTRIBUTION AFTER BLASTING

• THE PROGRAM “BLAST”

• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• REFERENCES