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THEORY OF BLASTI NG

Blasting theory is one of the most controversial topics in the
rock excavation. No single theory has been developed
accepted that fully explains the mechanism of rock breakage in
every situation. Some of the findings are discussed below.

Nature of Detonation

The self-sustained shock wave produced by a chemical reaction
was described by Chapman and J ouquet as a space.

This space of negligible thickness is bounded by two infinite
planes on one side of the wave is the unreacted explosive
and on the other, the exploded gases as shown in the diagram
below.

Shock wave
X
C-J plane
Decomposition products
expanding outwards from
a high pressure zone
A negligible
thickness of the
reaction zone
Y
Undisturbed
explosive
Direction of motion of detonation
2
Detonation process of an explosive cartridge
There are three distinct zones:
a. the undisturbed medium ahead of the shock wave
b. a rapid pressure at Y leading to a zone in which
chemical reaction is generated by the shock, and
complete at X
c. a steady state wave where pressure and temperature
are maintained.

This condition of stability condition for stability exists at
hypothetical X, which is commonly referred to the Chapman-
J ouquet (C-J ) plane.

Between the two planes X and Y there is conservation of mass,
momentum and energy.

A simplified and approximate velocity of detonation (VOD) can
be obtained from the following empirical relation:

C
d
= vJ (1 + 1.3)

Where C
d
= VOD in m/s
J = heat of reaction in MJ /kg
= specific gravity of the explosive
Undisturbed explosive
3

The detonation pressure (P
d
in N/m
2
that exists at the C-J plane
can be estimated with comparable accuracy by using:

4
C ?
= P
d
d


The detonation of explosives in cylindrical columns and in
unconfined conditions leads to lateral expansion between the
shock and C-J planes resulting in a shorter reaction zone and
loss of energy.

Thus it is common to encounter a much lower VOD in
unconfined situations than in confined ones.

Detonation and I nteraction with rock

On detonation of an explosive charge, the rock immediately
surrounding the blasthole is crushed, owing to explosion
pressure.

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The outgoing shock wave, after passing through the crushed
zone, travels at between 3000 m/s to 5000 m/s and sets up
tangential stresses that produce radial cracks.

The pressure produced by the expanding shock wave from the
blast source is compressive. When the shock wave reaches a
free face, it will then reflect back toward the blasthole at a
lower pressure but in the form of a tension wave through the
rock.

This is how the rock is broken in rock blasting.


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Cratering Theory

In a series of experiments it was discovered that a spherical
charge broke a much greater volume of rock than a cylindrical
charge of the same mass.

A spherical charge is defined as a charged that has a ratio of
charge diameter to charge length less than 1/6.

If a sufficient number of tests are carried out involving
detonation of a fixed amount of charge at various depths in the
rock, then the strain energy factor can be calculated from the
following empirical equation:
3 / 1
Q
B
= E
where E = strain energy factor, which is a constant for a given
combination of explosives
B = Critical distance in metres (the depth where a full
crater forms, that is, a conical cavity whose sides meet
the horizontal surface at 45
0
), in metres.
Q = Charge weight, kg

It follows that when an explosive charge of constant mass and
shape is placed at different distances from a flat free face and
detonated, the amount of rock blasted is related to the depth
of burial of the charge.