Blast Designs and Techniques to improve

Quarry face stability

Guidance for Quarry Operators, Geotechnical Engineers,

Quarry Managers, Explosive Supervisors, Shotfirers and all
others involved in the blast process to consider when
designing and implementing blasts for improving quarry
face stability

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 Definitions of Stabilising Blast Techniques
PRE-SPLITTING – Stress relief involving a single row of holes drilled along a
neat excavation line, where detonation of explosives in the holes causes
shearing of the web of rock between the holes. Pre-split holes may be fired
in advance of production holes. In this technique disturbance beyond the
design slope is minimal.
LINE or STITCH DRILLING – A line of holes drilled at close centres and left
uncharged. This technique is best suited to homogeneous rock conditions.
SMOOTH BLASTING – A method of controlled blasting in which closely
spaced holes are drilled at the perimeter of the excavation, charged with low
charges to reduce over-break. The perimeter holes are fired with a higher
delay number than the rest of the round. This technique is used when there
is insufficent burden to allow pre- splitting to be carried out and in poor
rock conditions to minimise overbreak.

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 Blast Area Preparation
• Which ever method of engineered blasting is chosen certain aspects will be the same for
each method
• Consultation between all relevant parties, Quarry Manager, Geo-Tech specialist, Explosive
Supervisor, Shotfirer, Driller is crucial
- Is it in line with the requirements of the Quarry Regulations 1999 including the Quarry
design and development plans and site Shotfiring Rules? (Quarries Regulations 1999, ACOP
Paragraph 197 refers)
• Has the blast area been cleaned off and made safe to mark out and drill?
- Rock traps in place
- Edge protection in place as per QNJAC guidance
http://qnjac.co.uk/media/1741/blastsiteedgeprotection.ppt
- If required Risk Assessments for working under final faces completed
- Pre-drill surveys carried out
• In the case of Pre-split and Line drilling can the Drill Rig, drill over the line of holes rather
than drilling at right angles to the line, even more critical with angled holes

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 What to Consider in Pre-Split Design
• Can the pre-split be drilled in advance of the main production blast?
- A minimum of two rows of holes in front of the pre-split should be left
- It is advised that the production blast should be fired parallel to the pre-
split and not at right angles, especially if the pre-split holes are angled, to
avoid damage to the final pre-split line
- How many pre-split holes are being fired at the same time, does it exceed
the site MIC, will overall blast timings be effected
- Can the whole line of pre-split holes be fired instantaneously, check the site
Maximum Instantaneous Charge (MIC) and Air Overpressure (AoP) limits
- Bag off or cover all drilled holes in order to avoid blockages, cones are
also a good alternative with the hole number written on them
- If the line cannot be fired instantaneously a minimum of 10 holes per. panel
is advised be fired per. delay, firing less number of holes goes against the
principle of firing a pre-split instantaneously

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 What to Consider in Pre-Split Design
• What angle is the pre-split to be drilled at?
- Too shallow an angle i.e. > 20’ will make drilling and charging the hole difficult,
especially if the ground is broken or fractured and/or water is present
- Ensure the correct azimuth can be achieved
• What type of explosive to use, i.e. detonator cord or a bespoke pre-split explosive
product
• Initiation Sequence and Timings of Pre-split holes, even more critical when fired in
conjunction with production holes in front of the Pre-split
• If a panel has been drilled and there are more holes to drill at a later date, leave a couple
of holes uncharged to avoid damaging the ground on the start of the next set of holes
• If holes are fired in advance ensure they are surveyed and physically marked for future
reference, for example use marker posts

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 What to Consider in Pre-Split Design

• If detonating cord is to be used consider the following

- Charge Weight g/m2
- What type of product is used to take the cord to the bottom of the hole,
i.e. cast primer, slurry cartridge and how is this coupled to the cord
line?
- Is the coupling strong enough and waterproof
- What about the coupling of the main cord line to the trunk cord line, is
it strong enough and waterproof, especially when a gas or stemming
bag is pushed in and stemming placed in the hole
- Is the main surface trunk line out of water

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 What to Consider in Pre-Split Design
• Whether using Detonator Cord or a Bespoke Pre-split product
- Consider using a separate continuous 10gm Detonating Cord line
besides the main product in order to avoid separation and water ingress
on joints and avoid misfires and keep MIC limits favourable.
- Use waterproof tape and cable ties for a more secure connection
- Use suitable and safe tools
- Consult the manufacturer or supplier for best use of the product
• Cover the main trunk line, especially with site AoP limits
- With dust (damp) at least 0.5m and not chippings or crusher run type
material

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Pre-Split Drilled and Blasted in Advance

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Pre-Split Blasted with Bulk Blast

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 What to Consider in Smooth Blasting
As with any blasts the afore mentioned items in slide 3 need to be taken in to
consideration before starting.
The difference between smooth blasting and pre-splitting is that in smooth
blasting the final face holes are fired off last, rather than in the case of pre-split
holes which are fired off first or in advance of the blast in front.
Spacings between the smooth blast holes are reduced from that of the normal
blast pattern, usually by 50 - 75%.
Because the spacings between the smooth blast holes have been reduced
charges also have to be changed in these holes, usually only half the hole is
charged, but it is not uncommon to fully charge every other hole and half
charge the rest. Further trial blasts may be required to acertain the best results
for your site.
Once again a trial blast before final face is reached is worth considering and
alterations made.

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Final Face Smooth Blast

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 What to Consider in Line or Stitch Drilling

As with any blasts the afore mentioned items in slide 3 need to be taken in to
consideration before starting.
Because the holes will not be charged and not all rock types or face heights
are suitable to this method, consideration should be made to the following
•Can a trial blast be carried out in the same orientation as the planned final
face
•If so try different spacings on sections of the drilled line, also try different
burdens between the line and the charged holes in front
•Trial different charge weights on the blast holes in front of the line

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Stitch or Line Drilled Final Face Blast

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 In Summary
• Consultation between all relevant parties, Quarry Manager, Geo-Tech
specialist, Explosive Supervisor, Shotfirer, Driller is crucial
• Which method is best suited to the final face required
• Is it in line with the Quarry Regulations, Quarry Development Plan (QDP)
and site Shotfiring Rules
• Can a trial blast be carried out
• Has the explosive supplier advised about different product availability,
initiation systems, timings, etc
• Has the blast area been cleaned off and made safe to mark out and drill
• Is everything well documented!

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