BLASTING WITH MULTIPLE FREE SURFACES

Prof. Jacopo Seccatore 1

DRILLING MACHINE BLASTHOLES AND DRILL MESH
Characteristics Characteristics
Power [kW] -Drill diameter
Torque [Nm] -Burden
-Spacing
-Holes depth
BENCH
Characteristics
-Height [m]
-Inclination [o]
-Regularity
DRILL MESH
BLASTING FOR FRAGMENTATION

E = Energy employed; V = Volume to be fragmented

Characteristic: Energy / Volume
BLASTING FOR DETACHMENT

F = Force applied; S = Surface of detachment

Characteristic: Force / Surface = Pressure
CONSEQUENCES OF BLASTING CHOICES

PROPER BLASTING
CHEAP BLASTING
FREE SURFACES
1

3
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE SURFACES
Bench Blasting
Bench Blasting
VOLUME OF COMPETENCE

• Each hole must “act” (detach +

fragment + move) a determined
volume of rock. This is called the
“volume of competence” of the hole.

• This volume is a function of the height

of the bench (H) and the drilling mesh:
BURDEN (V) and SPACING (E) amongst
the holes

• V=H∙V∙E
 BURDEN

The BURDEN is the line of greater resistance

that explosive energy has to win to:
Detach + Fragment + Move the rock
Without causing flyrock

The choice of this parameter is one of the

most critical parts of surface drilling and
blasting
BURDEN
ANDERSEN (1952)

𝐵 =𝐾 𝐷∙𝐿

B Burden [feet]
K Empirical constant
D Drilling diameter [feet]
L Lenght of the blasthole [feet]
BURDEN
FRAENKEL (1952)

0.3 0.3 0.8

𝑅𝑣 ∙ 𝐿 ∙𝑙 ∙𝐷
𝐵=
50
B Burden [m]
Rv Resistance to blasting (1 to 6 depending on the rock)
L Lenght of the blasthole [m]
l Lenght of the explosive charge [m]
D Drilling diameter [mm]
BURDEN
PEARSE (1955)

𝐾𝑣 ∙ 𝐷 𝑃𝐷
𝐵= ∙
1000 𝑅𝑇
B Maximum burden [m]
Kv Constant depending on rock properties (0.7 to 1)
PD Detonation pressure of the explosive [kg/cm2]
RT Tensile strenghth of the rock [kg/cm2]
D Drilling diameter [mm]
BURDEN
HINO (1959)

1/𝑛
𝐷 𝑃𝐷
𝐵= ∙
4 𝑅𝑇
B Maximum burden [m]
n Constant depending on rock-explosive coupling
PD Detonation pressure of the explosive [kg/cm2]
RT Tensile strenghth of the rock [kg/cm2]
D Drilling diameter [mm]
BURDEN
ALLSMAN (1960)

𝑃𝐷 ∙ 𝐷 ∙ ∆𝑡 ∙ 𝑔
𝐵=
𝜌𝑟 ∙ 𝑢
B Maximum burden [m]
Δt Duration of detonation [ms]
PD Detonation pressure of the explosive [N/m2]
ρr Specific rock weight [N/m3]
u Minimum velocity to be imparted to the rock [m/s]
D Drilling diameter [m]
BURDEN
ASH (1963)

𝐾𝑏 ∙ 𝐷
𝐵=
12
B Maximum burden [ft]
Kb Constant depending on rock and explosive
D Drilling diameter [m]
 BURDEN
LANGEFORS (1963)

d ps
Bmax =
33 c  f  S
B
p loading density
s weight strenght of explosive
c rock constant
c' c' = c + 0,05 for B>1,4m

f degree of fixation (1 for vertical, 0,95 for inclined 3:1)

S/B Spacing/Burden ratio
BURDEN
KONYA (1972)

1/3
𝜌𝑒
𝐵 = 3,15 ∙ 𝐷 ∙
𝜌𝑟
B Maximum burden [ft]
ρe Specific explosive weight
ρr Specific rock weight
D Drilling diameter [inches]
 BURDEN
UCAR (1972)

2
1,5 𝐵 𝐻 + 2𝐵 ∙ 𝑞𝑙 − 3𝐻 ∙ 𝑞𝑙 = 0

B Maximum burden [m]

H Bench height [m]
ql Linear charge [kg/m]
 BURDEN
FÖLDESI (1980)

𝜌𝑒
𝐵 = 0.88𝐷
𝑚 ∙ 𝑃. 𝐹.
B Maximum burden [m]
ρe Specific explosive weight
m Depends on VOD
P.F. Poder Factor [kg/m3]
 BURDEN
PRAILLET (1980)

𝑉𝑂𝐷 2
𝐵 2
∙ 𝐻 ∙ 𝐾 2.4 ∙ 𝜌𝑒 ∙ 𝐻 + 𝐽 − 𝑇 ∙ 𝐷2
4000
𝐵3 + − =0
𝐷 10𝑈𝐶𝑆
B Maximum burden [m]

ρe Specific explosive weight [kg/m3]

VOD Velocity of Detonation [m/s]

D Drilling diameter [mm]

H Bench Height [m]

K Constant depending on type of mucking equipment

J Subdrilling [m]

T Stemming [m]

UCS Uniaxial compressive strenght of the rock [Mpa]

 BURDEN
Jimeno Lopez (1980)

𝐵 = 0.76 ∙ 𝐷 ∙ 𝐹

B Maximum burden [m]

F Correction fator based on rock and explosive factors
D Drilling diameter [m] – must be between 165 and 250 mm
 BURDEN
BERTA (1985)

π ∙ 𝜌𝑒
𝐵=𝐷
4 ∙ 𝑃. 𝐹.
B Maximum burden [m]
ρe Specific explosive weight
P.F. Determined after Berta’s energetic balance
D Drilling diameter [m] – must be between 165 and 250 mm
 BURDEN
OLOFSSON (1990)

𝐵 = 𝐾 𝑞𝑓 ∙ 𝑅1 ∙ 𝑅2 ∙ 𝑅3

B Maximum burden [m]

K Constant depending upon explosive type
qf Linear charging of the bottom charge [kg/m]
R1,2,3 Correction factors in Olofsson’s tables
BURDEN
KONYA (1990)

 2  SGE 
B =  + 1,5   DE
 SGR 

De Diameter of explosive (inches)

SGe Specific Gravity Explosive
SGr Specific Gravity Rock
DRILLING ERRORS AND FACE CONDITIONS
MODERN BLASTING
MODERN BLASTING
MODERN BLASTING
MULTI DECKING
TOE HOLES (LIFTERS)
STEMMING
RETAINING THE EXPLOSIVE
ENERGY WITHIN THE HOLE AND
DIRECT IT TO THE ROCK
STEMMING
DRILL MESH
• THE DRILL MESH IS
Average values for drill
NORMALLY CACLULATED
AFTER THE DRILLING meshes
DIAMETER Φ V  20 ÷ 40 Φ
(BURDEN)

E  0.67 ÷ 1.5 V
(SPACING)

U  0 ÷ 0.4 V
(UNDER-DRILLING)

B  0,8 ÷ 1.2 V
(STEMMING)
HOLE INCLINATION AND UNDERDRILLING
HOLE PRIMING
INITIATION SEQUENCE
INITIATION SEQUENCE
BURDEN RELIEF
Optimum delay timing for maximum
fragmentation:

•Tmax is the time between holes in a row for

maximum fragmentation [ms]
•B is the hole burden [m]
•15.6 is a scaling factor considering the Cp of
compression wave in the rock mass where this
empirical formula was determined (a hard granite)
• Cx = Cp ∙ d, where Cp is the velocity of P-wavesin
the rock mass we are considering, and d =
optimum interhole delay time [ms/m] (usually d =
3-6ms/m)
BURDEN RELIEF

•Delays shorter than Tmax suppress fragmentation owing

to destructive interference of the
stresses with the evolving fracture system.

•Longer delays result in rock between the holes

beginning to shift and hence being less vulnerable to
fragmentation mechanisms, but the effect on
fragmentation is not as sharp as that of reducing the
delay.

•Weaker rock has slower wave velocities and requires

longer delays.
POWDER FACTOR

𝑘𝑔 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑘𝑔 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒
𝑃. 𝐹. = 3 or
𝑚 𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑘 𝑡 𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑘

Every kind of work, every kind of rock, every kind of desired result has a
different P.F.
WHAT P.F. SHOULD I USE?
- AT A UNIVERSITY PARTY -

LADY
Professor Einstein, Could
you explain your
relativity theory in a
simple way, in two words?

ALBERT EINSTEIN
Yes madam:
1)IT
2)DEPENDS
EXAMPLE OF P.F. CALCULATION
VALID ONLY IN CARBONATIC ROCKS
(Caliza y marmol)

• Consider a fragment diameter D and

the percentage of it (passing weight
%) that is needed (e.g. 80% of
fragments must be smaller than 600
mm
• Enter the nomogram using the
percentage (vertical axis)
• Find the ratio D/Dmax on the
horizontal axis
0,41 • Dmax is the largest fragmente size
obtained
EXAMPLE OF P.F. CALCULATION
VALID ONLY IN CARBONATIC ROCKS
(Caliza y marmol)

• Calculate a burden V in the range:

V  20 ÷ 40 Φ
• Determine the ratio Dmax/V
• Enter the graph from the horizontal axis. Find the
ratio PF/Pfmin
• Pfmin is the minimum specific charge required to
break but not move the rock

• Pfmin is normally determined by test blasts, or

generally assumed as Pfmin= 0,18 kg/m3
 EXAMPLE OF P.F. CALCULATION
VALID ONLY IN IGNEOUS ROCKS
• Based on Dynamite blasts in hard igneous rocks (Sweden)
• One can correct the obtained PF based on the proportion of the VOD or of the especific
energy of the explosive adopted compared to the one of dynamite
• Based on “Rock Constant” (P.F.min) and “Rock Structure Constant”

TYPE OF ROCK Rock Constant TYPE OF ROCK MASS Rock Structure

[kg/m3] Constant
Easy blasted 0,2 Homogeneous rock 0.35-0.4
Normal 0,4 Almost homogeneous 0.4-0.45
Quite difficult to blast 0,6 rock
Difficult to Blast 0,8 Ordinary rock 0.45-0.5
Very Difficul to blast 1 Fractured rock 0.5 – 0.55
Highly fractured rock 0.55-0.65
• On the horizontal axis is set
the fragment diameter D
• On the vertical axis is set
percentage of it (passing
weight %) that is needed
(e.g. 80% of fragments must
be smaller than D)
• At the intersection of the
coordinates, on the curves of
the nomogram, is found the
Block Size Coefficient S50
 Enter the nomogram on the low right
quadrante and follow the yellow brick
road

Correcting the final P.F.

3 2
VOD Dynamite ~ 6000 m/s
4 1
Consider the VOD of the explosive you
are using

𝑉𝑂𝐷𝑑𝑦𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑒
𝑃. 𝐹.𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 = 𝑃. 𝐹.𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚
𝑉𝑂𝐷𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑢𝑠𝑒
AMOUNT OF EXPLOSIVE

Q = V x P.F.

Q Explosive charge
V Volume of competence of each hole V = H ∙ V ∙ E
P.F. Specific charge [kg/m3]
 10m
GNEISS
1. Choosing hole diameter

Bench height = 10 m

Hole diameter = 3.5” (89 mm)

 2. Determining Burden
3.5"
d ps d
8.89cm
diameter of the blasthole
Bmax = 2) Apply Equation
p 1.15kg/l loading density
33 S
c f  s 0.95 weight strenght of explosive
B c 0.25kg/m3 rock constant
c' 0.0125kg/m3 c' = c + 0,05 for B>1,4m
1) Choose equation degree of fixation (1 for vertical, 0,95 for inclined
f 0.95 3:1)
S/B 1m Spacing/Burden ratio

Bmax 2.6m Max Burden

Average values for drill meshes

B  20 ÷ 40 Φ
B/d = 2600/89 = 29.2 OK!
(BURDEN)

S  0.67 ÷ 1.5 V
(SPACING)

U  0 ÷ 0.4 V
(UNDER-DRILLING)

T  0,8 ÷ 1.2 V
(STEMMING)
 3. Determine drill mesh (1 of 2)

Average values for drill meshes

B  20 ÷ 40 Φ
(BURDEN)

S  0.67 ÷ 1.5 V S = B = 2.6 m

(SPACING)

U  0 ÷ 0.4 V U = 0.4 V ~ 1 m
(UNDER-DRILLING)

T  0,8 ÷ 1.2 V T = V = 2.6 m

(STEMMING)
3. Determine drill mesh (2 of 2)

2.6

Lhole = H / sen 70 + U = 10m / sen70 + 1 m

4. Choose the explosive
ANFO

Here I want to
break + push

EMULSION

Here I want to cut

+ break
5. Determine Powder Factor (1 of 2)

S50 = 0.2
 5. Determine Powder Factor (1 of 2)

Vol = 2.2m x 2.2m x 10 m = 48.4 m3

S.D. = Lhole / V = 11.65 m / 48.4 m3 =0.24

S50 = 0.2

P.F. = 0.55 kg/m3

6. Determine charge per hole (1 of 2)

• Correct the P.F. to the VOD of ANFO:

𝑉𝑂𝐷𝑑𝑦𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑒
• 𝑃. 𝐹.𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 = 𝑃. 𝐹.𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 =0.55 x (6000/3800) = 0.86 kg/m3
𝑉𝑂𝐷𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑢𝑠𝑒

• Qper hole = V x P.F. = 48.4 m3 x 0. 86 kg/m3 = 42 kg

• 1 cartridge ENAEX EMULTEX 3”x 16” → 2,3 kg, l = 40 cm

• Charge Length = 11.6 m – 2,6 m = 9m
• Let’s charge 2xUnderdrilling = 2 bottom meters with emulsion
• 2m / 0,4m = 5 cartridges → 5 x 2.3 kg = 11.5 kg
• The rest of the hole will be charged with 42kg – 11.5 kg = 30.5 kg ANFO
• Available length: 7m
6. Determine charge per hole (1 of 2)

4.85 kg/m

I need to charge 30.5 kg

30.5kg / 4.85 kg/m = 6.3 m

I will only charge 6.3 of the 7

available meters in the hole
2.6
7. ADJUSTMENTS
Burden Column Charge Column charge
(m) (kg)
1st row 2.6 m 6.3 m 30.5
2nd row 2.5 m 7m 34
3rd row 2.4 m 7m 34
9. Initiation sequence
POI
10. Charged holes

3”x16”
 11. Table of products
Product Unit Amount
Holes 3,5 “ n. 30
ANFO Kg 1000
EMULTEX 3”x 16” Cartridges 150
Detonador No-electrico 175 ms n. 30
No electrico “truncal” (conexion) 17 ms n. 19
No electric “truncal” (conexion) 42 ms n. 11
Minimum deliverables of a blasting plan

• Drill plan (collar positioning and azimuth)

• Scheme of charged hole for every functional group of
holes
• Surface connection scheme and sequence
• Table of products