Blasthole Diameter and its Effect on

Explosive Distribution

JOHN HUTCHINGS 1

INTRODUCTION Explosive Density (glee) 0.8 1.3

A good blasting result is largely achieved by putting the right Charge length (m) 20 20
amount of explosive in the right place and firing it in the right
sequence. The best blast design in the world will not break the Hole diameter (mm) Charge (kg)
rock if the planned blast layout is not achieved in the field.
Nominal 311 1215 1975
One of the critical inputs into a blast design is the diameter of
Actual 320 1287 2091
the blasthole. An assumption that the actual bIasthole diameter is
Difference (kg) 72 116
equal to the nominal drill bit size is generally made. However, a
Length Shortfall (m) 1.2 1.2
small deviation in the actual hole diameter from that assumed will
have a dramatic effect on the hole's volume and, consequently,
where the explosive is placed in the blasthole.
Any discrepancy in actull1 bIasthole volume from that assumed FIG. 1.
will be reflected in 'overloading' or 'underloading' of the
bIasthole with the calculated explosive quantity and, thus, reflect fragmentation of collar rock without excessive flyrock. 'Top-ups'
in explosive distribution and stemming lengths. are time consuming. Both overloading or underloading of
When loading to a 'collar' in an oversized hole extra explosive blastholes may refle<.;t back on the explosive supplier and the
will be used, resulting in higher than planned powder factors and accuracy of explosive delivery may be questioned. A significant
explosive costs. cause of, seemingly, inaccurate loading may well be the actual
A bIasthole diameter assumed from a nominal drill bit size is bIasthole diameter.
an incorrect assumption. This paper will present some actual A progranune of b1asth01e diameter logging has been
bIasthole diameter measurements illustrating the variation in hole undertaken in typical open pit coal mines of the Hunter Valley to
diameters seen in the field and proposes a practical method for determine actual diameters of some of the blastholes.
achieving a useful bIasthole diameter measurement. Various factors will affect the blasthole diameter at the time of
explosive loading. Some of these factors will include:
BACKGROUND rock type
Mine operators often judge the delivery accuracy and service bit type and condition
performance of an explosive supplier by measuring the column other drill parameters - bailing rate, downhaul.
rise of a quantity (kilograms) loaded into a given blasthole. This time between drilling and loading
has particular relevance when the explosive is being loaded at a presence of water
specific density, viz, variable density wet hole explosive.
angle of drilling
A method commonly used is to divide the weight of explosive
weathering of walls
placed into the bIasthole by the volume of the hole to calculate
the density of the explosive being supplied. This method relies on It was beyond the scope of this bIasthole logging progranune to
the bIasthole diameter and charge length for the calculation of the explore these factors (and others) individually. The purpose of
blasthole volume. the progranune was to investigate the range of blasthole
diameters observed under normal operating conditions at typical
Conversely, the required quantity of explosive for a blasthole is
mines.
calculated by multiplying the explosive density by the bIasthole
volume. The volume is calculated using the measured hole depth,
the design stemming length and an assumed hole diameter.
THE EQUIPMENT
The relationship between explosive quantity to blasthole Wireline logging equipment, usually used for geo-physical
diameter is illustrated in Figure 1. A hole, of nominal diameter investigation, was modified to read bIasthole diameters between
311mm, which is 9mm oversized will be 'underloaded' by 6% if 254 mm and 508 mm. The calliper tool, using three interlocked
the design quantity of explosive is loaded. If the hole is 'topped arms spaced at 120 deg to each other, is lowered to the blasthole
up' then the explosive cost for that hole, and possibly the rest of bottom. The tool is opened and the blasthole diameter is
the shot, will be 6% higher than planned. measured from the bottom to the top.
If, after loading, the stemming level is not correct either a The diameter measurement is plotted on a char~ recorder
'top-up' is required or, if overloaded, a reduced stemming length electronically geared to the position of the diameter tool in the
accepted. The correct explosive level is necessary for correct hole and a plot of the complete blasthole is generated. After
logging each hole, the tool is checked using a 254 mm diameter
1 Product Engineer, Open Pit Mines, ICI Australia Opetrations Ply. Ltd.
and a 508 mm diameter rings (later in the progranune a 311mrn
diameter ring was also used). Using these calibration marks the

FRAGBLAST '90 Brisbane August 26 - 31 273

 JOHN HUTClllNGS

true blasthole diameter was scaled off the chart at 0.5 m Repeated logging of the same hole gave acceptable results in
increments down the bIasthole. view of above accuracy and the fact that the calliper is probably
Cunningham (1) discusses various wireline logging tools and aligned differently within the blasthole each time it is logged.
indicates that the single arm units demonstrated the most accurate
results. However, the three arm units used, in. this ·progrllItUlle did BLASTHOLE DIAMETER RESULTS
demonstrate acceptable accuracy. The tool was checked after
Figure 2 gives a summary of the data gathered. Each area or,
logging each hole using 254 mm, 311 mm and 508 mm diameter
series, represents a different location within a pit or in a different
calibration rings. It is felt that the configuration of three
mine. Generally the geology is similar in each series, but
interlocked arms is more sensitive to diameter variations which
different between areas. A total of 44 holes were logged during
occurred ov~r short lengths of the blasthole and to oval or 'out of
this programme.
round' holes:
Cunningham also outlines the use of digital data storage. Series No. of Average Average *2 Nominal
Computer handling of data is seen as a distinct advantage over Holes Depth Dia. Max. Min. Diameter
hand processing of paper charts. The processing of one hole, by (m) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)
hand, to generate the volume of a bIasthole takes 20-30 minutes.
However, to date trials with "off the shelf' digital recording 1 7 13 321 350 306 311
equipment have not proved successful. 2 7 22 303/316 *1 311
The specific equipment used during the programme included : 3 12 22 314 330 295 311
T8 Calliper Borehole System 4 2 10 321 348 310 311
length 1.15m 5 4 11 315 353 292 311
weight5kg 6a 3 26 277 295 270 270
accuracy +/- 1.5mm 6b 2 30 294 315 279 270
diameter 43mm 7 3 36 274 300 257 270
Tl06 Portable Winch System 8 4 32 317 447 287 311
weight 25kg (with cable)
cable length 450m *1 Series 2 had a 10m thick clay seam overlying rock (see
mechanical depth measurement Figure 4). Two distinct diameter bands were observed.
electronic wind rate measurement *2 These readings represent the max. and min. diameters
T201 Portable Analogue Recorder recorded for individual holes of each series. The
weight 10kg diameter may occur only for a very short length of the
recorder span lOOmm blasthole.
response time 1 sec (full span) *6a/b Dry and wet holes in same area. Problems with
accuracy +/- 0.25% of full span explosive column rise prompted diameter logging.

LOGGING PROCEDURE
Lower the calliper tool to hole bottom. Record the depth. Raise FIG. 2.
.the tool 0.3 m off the bottom, then open the calliper tool and
begin logging. The tool is raised at 4-6 m/min. A reference mark Figures 3 to 10 are plots of the average diameter at each
is put on the chart every 5 m. The tool is raised to the blasthole horizon along the length of the blasthole. Also plotted are the
collar. values of plus and minus two sta"ndard deviations from the
The calliper tool is removed from the blasthole, the calibration average for each series of logging again at each horizon
rings fitted and the trace marked. The tool is re-zeroed, if measured.
necessary, for the next hole. It takes about 10 minutes to log a Figure 4 dramatically illustrates the effect of plastic
20m deep blasthole. a
deformation of clay band.
Initially, problems were encountered in wet and muddy holes The holes in Area 3, which were logged, were also monitored
where the calliper tool would not open fully until some metres up during the loading of explosive. The results are in Figure 11. The
the blasthole. A technique was later developed to ensure the probe volume of the blasthole was calculated using the following
was fully open at the start of retrieval. formula.
x-I
ACCURACY OF MEASUREMENTS volume 3
(m) = ~ L
£.J
* Pi * D(n)2
4
n=1
The manufacturer states an accuracy for the tool of +/- 1.5mm
combined with an accuracy of +/- 0.25% full span on the recorder
(a total of +/- 2.lmm). D(n)Diameter reading of the blasthole at each 0.5m increment
In practice, the order of accuracy appears to be closer to +/- starting from the bottom of the hole.
5mm (+/- 2%) than to the above. This is related to user
L Length of blasthole between successive diameter readings
inexperience with this equipment, inaccuracies in scaling
(O.5m for this work)
readings from the paper chart plus extension of the calliper arms
(fitted to measure the larger. diameters) adding further x the number of,increments to reach.the measured stemming
inaccuracies to the instrument. level.
Pi Constant (3.1415)

274 Brisbane August 26 - 31 FRAGBLAST '90

 BLASTHOLE DIAMETER & ITS EFFECT ON EXPLOSIVE DISTRIBUTION

HOLE DIAMETER '"""I HOLE DIAMETER \IT'rn)

310 330

350

315

310

300
300

290l.-_ ____l_ _ ~ _ __'__ _.L..__ ____l_ __ L_ _ ~ _ ___" 28SL-_ _-'-_ _---IL-_ _...:-_ _---l - ' -_ _.....-:
o 10'5 20 30

A_
o 4 8 8 '0 '2 14 18
HOLE DEPTH (rnl
HOLE DEPTH (m)

A"orlQl + 211<1_ ·211cl - ~~

+2.~._ .2. oId.- ~
FrG. 5. Series 3 - Sandstone
FrG.3. Series 1- Sandstone
HOLE DIAMETER (,m,) HOlE DIAMETER (rnn)
340r------------------------, 3llO,.----------------------,
......

300

300

240 L- _'_ .L..- --L ---l 28QL- - ' -_ _-..l..._ _--l.._ _-...J

o 10
HOlE DEPTH (rn)
1S

Awrage + 2 std deY . 2 std drv ~ ~

20 o 2

A_
-
8
HOl£ DEPTH (ml
+ 211<1 _
8

·2 std _ Nonw\oj
.. _-
'0 12 14

FrG.4. Series 2 - Clay over Sandstone FrG. 6. Series 4 - Sandstone

A 'bucket density' of explosive is defIned as the density of the MEASURING HOLE DIAMETER WITHOUT
explosive calculated from a sample collected prior to loading the LOGGING HOLES
explosive into the biasthole. For ENERGAN products the sample
is usually collected in a bucket rather than the smaller cups used Logging biastholes is time-consuming and expensive. Presently
for other products. It is gently tamped and levelled off. The it cannot be done for every biasthole or even every rock type
density is calculated using : within a mine. The results take time to calculate after the hole is
logged.
Weight of Explosive There is no doubt that, if required, the procedure could be
Density = Volume of Bucket automated, though it is still unlikely that diameters or volumes
could be measured for every biasthole.
Generally a bucket density is lower than the in-hole density for In day to day explosive loading, a shotfirer is interested in the
ENERGAN products (lCI's ANFO/Emulsion range) because the effective column rise (kg/m of blasthole) so that for a given
packing of the NITROPRIL is affected by the viscous emulsion length he can calculate the amount of explosive needed to fill the
between the prills. As the product falls from a height into the hole. If the hole is loaded with a known quantity (weight) of
biasthole, the product packs down more efficiently than is constant volume explosive, the length the explosive occupies in
observed in the bucket sample and, thus, is at a higher density. the blasthole can be used to back calculate the average hole
This packing phenomenon does not occur with ANFO. diameter using the following:
In Figure 11 the real in-hole density is calculated for each hole
4/ 4 * Wt
using the quantity of explosive loaded and the measured volume Average hole diameter (mm) = 'I Pi * L * Den
of the blasthole. Also calculated are the apparent densities for the
nominal hole diameter of 311 mm dia. As can be seen, the real Den Explosive density (g/cc)
density is generally lower than that calculated for the mine's
nominal hole size (because the hole is larger in diameter than the Wt Weight of Explosive (kg)
nominal) and higher than the bucket density obtained from a
sample (because of the packing effect of the ENERGAN's ). L Length of charge (m)

Pi Constant (3.1415)

FRAGBLAST '90 Brisbane August 26 - 31 275

r-----------------------------------------------~- ----

JOHN HUTCHINGS

HOLE DIAMETER (mm)

320 . . . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . . ,

310

300

300 .....

2tO L_....L_-..L_ _L - - _ ~_ _ L_ __l_ _..l.__...J

o 2 1 e 10 12 14 11
240 L-.-----'------'-----.....1.;-----...J
o '0 20 30
HOlE DEPTH (m) HOlE DEPTH (In)
, , _ + 2 std _ - 2 std dov N<ln'w>II "_090 + 2 lid _ - 2 ttd dov NOtTW\II

FIG. 7. Series - Sandstone FIG. 9. Series 7- Sandstone

HOLE OtAMETER (mm) HOLE DIAMETER (mT1j

330 . - - - - - - - - - . . , . - - - - - - - - - - - - . . , 450,.-:-----------------.....,
310

300

350

210

270 .--., .... ~ .•.••••••• : ••••• : ••• : •••••••• : •• ~ ••••• - ••••. 300

2tO L-_ _- ' -_ _- ' -_ _--'-_ _- - J ' - -_ _..L-_ _- '

o '0'5 20 25 30
HOLE DEPTH (m)
'0 '5 20 25 30 35
Av_age DAY + 2 I1d dI'Y . 21td deY Average WET HOlE DEPTH (m)
+ 2 std _ . 2 std _ NOtTW\II "'«090 + 2 std _ - 2 lid _ NOtTW\II

FIG. 8 Series 6 . Wet and Dry Holes FIG. 10 Series 8 - River Gravel over Sandstone

Using the average hole diameter for a shot or rock type and the
BUCKET REAL CALCULATED
average explosive density, blasting engineers and shotfirers can
DENSITY DENSITY DENSITY (3l1mm)
g/cr;
be more confident in the calculation of the charge required for the
glcc g/cr;
hole.
1.27 1.31 1.34
1.27 1.29 1.34 CONCLUSION
1.15 1.24 1.23 i) Hole diameters, and thus hole volumes, do vary from their
1.12 1.15 1.18 nominal values. Unless the actual diameter is known before
1.17 1.29 1.30 loading with explosive, the hole may not be 'correctly'
1.17 1.21 1.25 filled.
1.27 1.31 1.35
1.24 1.31 1.31 ii) Unless the oversize in holes from the nominal is
1.24 1.26 1.29 compensated for, blast results will be effected by less than
optimum explosive distribution or, by 'topping up' holes.
The explosive usage and cost will be higher than expected.
FIG. 11 - Loading Of Logged Holes iii) In hard competent material, the hole diameter tends to be
consistent throughout the length of the biasthole and usually
A constant volume explosive is one which has a known density slightly larger than the nominal bit size. The range observed
which will not change as hydrostatic head is applied. ANFO is was from 3-1Omm oversize. No holes were recorded as
ideal for this purpose as is a solid sensitised 'wet' hole explosive. having the nominal or less than nominal diameters over their
Heavy ANFO or ENERGAN are not suitable as the effect of full length.
packing in the biasthole can cause variable densities. Gas bubble iv) In softer materials or in blasted ground, hole diameters vary
sensitised products are also not suitable because the density of the largely from the nominal. Both oversized and undersized
explosive will change with the application of hydrostatic head. holes can be observed. The diameters tended to change
dramatically over relatively short lengths of biasthole.

276 Brisbane August 26·31 FRAGBLAST '90

 BLASTHOLE DIAMETER & ITS EFFECT ON EXPLOSIVE DISTRIBUTION

Significant effects would be observed in the loading of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

explosives into holes with these characteristics.
v) It is not practical to log every blasthole (using present
technology) prior to loading. An average hole diameter for a
blast shot or rock type can be back calculated from the
loading of a known volume explosive and this used for
future calculations. Ideally, this should be carried out at the
start of loading a new blast or when the rock type changes.
The author would like to thank ICI Australia Operations Piy. Ltd.
for permission to print this paper and the various mines
(including BP Howick, Drayton and Ulan mines) in the Hunter
Valley for access to their blastholes .
REFERENCES
1. Cunningham C.V.B. ;The Use OfWireline Logging To Control
Blasting AUSIM:M, Mining Workshop; Nov 1988; p 109-114.

FRAGBLAST '90 Brisbane August 26 - 31 277

278 Brisbane August 26 - 31 FRAGBLAST '90