Influence of Rock Mass Properties on Blast Fragmentation

B R Rakishev1 and Z B Rakisheva1

ABSTRACT
By explosion rock mass behaviour is conditioned by preset complex of
rocks natural characteristics. Very important role of blockness, which is
percent (share) content at examining massif of natural separatenesses of
different dimensions and configurations, separated each from other by the
cracks of geological and technogene origin.
Besides natural properties of massif the power, detonational
characteristics of applied explosives, parameters of explosives charges
disposition at massif and technology of explosion influence vastly at
lumpiness (granulometric structure) of exploded rocks. The mathematical
model of rock mass destruction by explosion had been elaborated and
substantiated. It ties mutually the initial data (rocks properties,
parameters of the charges disposition) and final results of explosion
(granulometric structure of exploded rocks). The program of this
complicated problem solving had been compiled. Analysing the received
results of the problem solving, one can reveal contribution of each group
of influence factors for lumpiness of exploded rocks. This fact creates
preconditions for elimination or diminution of negative role of some
controlled initial data.

DISCUSSION AND NEW OBSERVATIONS

For picking out of main parameters of interacting elements the
structural scheme of rock mass transformation under effect of
explosive blasting energy to exploded mining mass can be
presented in the form (Figure 1).

Exploding bloc
of rock mass

Source of
explosive
blasting energy

Exploded
mining mass

FIG 1 - Structural scheme of rock mass transformation.

The main parameters of exploding bloc of rock mass are: its

geometrical dimensions (L, B, H), structural characteristics
(jointing, granulometric structure of natural separatenesses in
massif [p(x 1 ), p(x 2 ), K, p(x n )], average diameter of natural
separatenesses de), elastic (density , sonic speed c, Poissons ratio
) and strength (limit of compressive strength comp, limit of tensile
strength ts ) properties of bloc rocks, strength characteristic of
medium under conditions of explosive loading Pc (Rakishev and
Rakisheva, 1997).
The most important parameters of source of explosive blasting
energy are: spatial arrangement of explosive charges in exploding
bloc (diameter do and length l1 of the charge in the hole, the
charge length h above level of the bench bottom, the length of
uncharged part of the hole l2, the length of overdrilled part lov, the
length of air space ha.s., the line of resistance along the bench
bottom W, the distance between the holes a, the distance between
the hole rows ar) (Figure 2), explosives characteristics (density
exp, speed of detonation D, initial pressure of detonation
products (DP) Pin, charges mass m in the hole), scheme and time
of deceleration between groups of explosive charges, exploding
at different times, (Rakishev and Rakisheva, 1997).
The main characteristics of exploded mining mass in the
considered case are: granulometric composition [p'(x 1 ), p'(x 2 ),
K, p'(x n )] coefficient of rocks loosening kl in disintegration.
1.

Kazak National Technical University named after K Satpaev,

Almaty, Kazakstan.

Mine Planning and Equipment Selection

B
L

ar

ar

b
b

a
l2

l2

l12

H
l1

h
lov

ha.s
l11

FIG 2 - Parameters of explosive charges arrangement in mass bloc.

For interconnection of enumerated parameters of exploding

bloc of rock mass, source of explosive blasting energy and
exploded mining mass lets consider that mining rocks
destruction has three stages (Rakishev, 1983; Rakishev and
Rakisheva, 1997, 1999).
At the first stage strong wave, formed after practically
synchronous detonation of explosive charges, compresses,
crushes and converts to flow state the layer of rocks on the
contact: explosion products medium. Dimensions of formed
zone of compression (crushing) depend on pressure, developed
by DP, on strength and elastic properties of rock (Rakishev and
Rakisheva, 1997, 1999). Then from the boundary of the crushing
zone the zone of radial cracks is spread. Dimensions of this zone
depend on rock mass jointing, physical-mechanical properties of
rocks, explosive energy transmission to stress wave and time of
their influence upon medium and dilating gaseous products of
explosion. In the beginning the process distinguishes little from
effects, accompanying explosion in unbounded medium, but
interaction of compression wave with free surface leads to more
intensive crushing of rocks.
This stage is of short duration, but during this time the most
part of explosive power is expended and principal destruction of
exploding bloc is realised, cavity of cylindrical form reaches the
limit volume.
At the second stage, owing to influence of free surface, axially
symmetric development of blasting cavity is broken. The part of
rock, restricted from one side by the zone of radial cracks and
from other side by the zone of cracks, going from the free
surface, is destructed under combined action of wave processes
and DP. Explosion products finish destruction of breaking part of
massif and impart additional kinetic energy to it.
The third stage inertial scattering of rock in gravity field,
formation of disintegration of broken rock.
The adduced schematisation of rock mass destruction allows
the application of different methods by determination of the
destruction zones, to take into account different factors and
criterions, typical only for concrete stages of explosion.
At the base of theoretical researches on ascertainment of
mechanism of DP expansion at the first stage the following
relationships had been obtained (Rakishev, 1983; Rakishev and
Rakisheva, 1997, 1999) for integral index of work of explosives
blasting energy relative limit radius of broken cavity

Kalgoorlie, WA, 23 - 25 April 2003

231

B R RAKISHEV and Z B RAKISHEVA

rlim = rlim ro (where rlim is limit radius of the cavity, ro radius of

charge) and for strength characteristic of medium under
conditions of explosive loading Pc:
P
rlim = in
Pc

Radius of the zone of radial cracks is determined by relation:

r1 = r2

(1)

c2
Pc = comp o
comp

(2)

In its turn
(3)

Equation 1 for determination of the largest radius of gas cavity

by axially symmetric expansion includes the main characteristics
of explosives and medium. As is obvious, by the same
characteristics of explosives the radius of explosive cavity
decreases with increase of medium strength resistance and by the
same properties of rocks with decrease of DP pressure.
It follows from Equation 2 that strength characteristic depends
on both the compressibility and the limit of rock strength for
crushing.
Expression in brackets is non-dimensional quantity, which
takes into account condition of medium all-sided dynamic
loading by action of explosive blasting. It shows in how many
times the rocks resistibility to destruction at the near zone of
explosion increases by all-round dynamic load. This
characteristic is different for different types of rocks and is
determined by their mechanical and elastic properties. For
example, for strong rocks as hornybecome sandstone with
comp = 258 MPa, c = 4410 m/s it is kD = 3.9, for ored scarns with
comp = 173 MPa, c = 5900 m/s, kD = 5.26 (Rakishev, 1983).
Radius of the zone of fine crushing in monolithic rocks at the
camouflet stage is calculated from equation:
c2
r2 = rlim o
5comp

(5)

Equations 4 and 5 show that zones of destruction in monolithic

massif at the first stage of explosion are determined in full by
elastic, mechanical characteristics of medium, detonational and
power properties of explosives. For illustration of Equations 4
and 5 rightfulness in the Table 1 elastic, strength properties of
typical rocks of Kazakstan deposits are adduced and in the Table
2 the meanings of rlim , r1 , r2 are adduced by different types of
explosives (Pin). By calculations it was adopted = 0.3. As is
obvious from the Table 2, radius of the zone of radial cracks is in
two-three times larger than radius of the zone of crushing.
Depending on concrete combination of medium and explosive
properties radii of zones of fine crushing reach 8.3 - 21.6 ro, and
radii of zone of radial cracks 22.6 - 47.9 ro. By the same
characteristics of explosives radii of crushing zones in different
rocks distinguish in three times and of the zones of crack
formation in two times.

1
Pin = exp D2
8

comp

1 + ts

TABLE 2
The relative radii of the cavity, zones of crush and of radial cracks.
By Pin 102 (Mpa)

Rocks
indexes

(4)

20.0

27.0

33.5

rlim

r2

r1

rlim

r2

r1

rlim

r2

r1

K-1

1.27

12.1

29.0

1.37

13.0

31.2

1.44

13.7

32.8

K-2

1.32

14.0

28.4

1.42

15.0

30.5

1.50

15.9

32.3

K-5

1.51

19.0

37.6

1.62

20.4

40.4

1.72

21.6

42.8

A-2

1.27

9.9

24.7

1.37

10.7

26.6

1.44

11.2

27.9

A-3

1.32

9.5

28.5

1.42

10.2

30.6

1.50

10.9

32.7

A-4

1.36

17.4

42.1

1.48

19.0

46.0

1.55

19.3

47.9

C-2

1.18

8.9

24.7

1.28

9.6

26.6

1.35

10.1

28.0

C-3

1.20

8.3

22.6

1.29

8.9

24.2

1.36

9.9

26.9

C-6

1.27

10.7

28.9

1.37

11.5

31.1

1.44

12.1

32.7

C-9

1.34

10.2

26.5

1.46

11.1

28.9

1.53

11.7

30.4

TABLE 1
The main properties of mining rocks
Rocks (their indexes)

Rocks density
(kg/m3)

Velocity of sound
(m/sec)

Granodiorite-porphyries without signs

quartzing, primary (K-1)

2720

Secondary quartzites from:

effusive porphyries, strong (K-2)

The limits of strength (MPa) of:

Po 102
(MPa)

Compression

Tensility

5200

157.0

15.7

7.63

2770

5200

133.4

15.2

6.6

granodiorite-porphyries,
temperate-quartzized (K-5)

2740

4550

71.6

9.3

3.87

Coarse-grained limestone (A-2)

2820

4350

175.6

16.2

7.50

Marblized limestone (A-3)

2820

3820

158.9

12.3

6.48

Diorite-porphyrite of Akzhal (A-4)

2720

5700

107.9

10.3

5.90

Diorite-porphyrite of Sayak (C-2)

2900

4920

251.1

21.1

10.4

Tufa-sandstone (C-3)

2700

4640

243.3

20.6

9.76

Granodiorite of Sayak (C-6)

2730

4960

189.3

16.2

7.52

Massive limestone (C-9)

2820

3860

145.2

12.7

6.10

232

Kalgoorlie, WA, 23 - 25 April 2003

Mine Planning and Equipment Selection

INFLUENCE OF ROCK MASS PROPERTIES ON BLAST FRAGMENTATION

In the same rock rise of explosives detonational characteristics

leads to increase of dimensions of crushing zone and zone of
crack formation, but intensity of the last ones is not adequate to
increase of the first ones. Thus, increase of average pressure in
charging room in three times leads to increase of destruction
zones dimensions only in 1.33 times.
Volume of crushed rock at the first and second stages of
explosion by one deep hole charge is calculated by formula
(Rakishev and Rakisheva, 1997):
Vcr = (1 + k 1 + k 2 ) r12 (h + r 2 )

(6)

where:
k1

is the constant, taking into account of share of destructed

volume by reflected wave of tension

k2

is the constant, taking into account of share of destruction

at the second stage of explosion

Total meaning k1 + k2 = k is determined by experience. By

single-row blasting k is equal to unity, by multi-row blasting k is
smaller than unity.
For calculation of granulometric composition of exploded
rocks the found volume Vcr (Equation 6) is necessary to break up
into separate parts on lump sizes. For example, rock in the zone
of direct cracking consists of three classes on lump sizes. All
volume of the zone of crushing and one-third of the zone of
radial cracks volume (with taking into account of equal
probability of the fractions outlet) belong to the first class (0 - 0.2
m), the one-third of the mentioned volume with the deduction of
cylinder segment volume belongs correspondingly to the second
(0.2 - 0.4 m) and to the third (0.4 - 0.6 m) classes, ie:

where:
V

is the rock volume of breaking layer of massif;

V(xj)

the volume of actively crushed rock of the j-th fraction

V'(xj) the rock volume of the j-th fraction after explosion

p(xj)

content of the j-th fraction in massif, in unity shares

The next classes (more than 0.6 m) are formed owing to rocks
breaking into natural separatenesses. By this in the third stage of
explosion separate large pieces have collisions with another ones
by displacement, which leads to their share reduction in the total
mass. By experimental data the pieces with the sizes more than
1.2 m reduce half in total volume following collision. On the
whole in classes more than 0.6 m some redistribution of their
content has taken place. New content of fractions (their
conditional content in massif) obeys the laws:
1
[p(x 6 ) + (x 7 )]
6
1
q(x 5 ) = p(x 5 ) + [p(x 6 ) + (x 7 )]
6
2
1
1
q(x 6 ) = p(x 6 ) + p(x 7 ),
q(x 7 ) = p(x 7 )
3
6
2
q(x 4 ) = p(x 4 ) +

(9)

meanings of q(xj) for typical rocks are adduced in Table 3.

Volumes of crushed rocks of classes more than 0.6 m (j 4)
are determined by expression:
V(x i ) =

i
q(x j )

V V(x j )

p(x j ) j = 1

(10)

j=1

1
1
V(x 1 ) = r (h + r2 ) + ( r12 r22 )( h + r2 ) Vc.s
3
3
1
1
V(x 2 ) = V(x 3 ) = ( r12 r22 )(h + r2 ) Vc.s
3
3
2
2

(7)

Rock volume with radial cracks in back part of massif is the

cylinder segment. It is not a part of broken rock and is calculated
by the known formula:
Vc.s = 2 3r13 tg
By calculation of the crushed rocks volumes it is necessary to
join corresponding fractions of other part of exploding bloc to
the enumerated classes. These volumes are proportional to their
content in massif. Thus, the volumes of the first three classes in
all the exploded rock are determined by formula:
i
i 1

V(x j ) = (1 + k)1 p(x j ) V(x j ) + p(x j ) V V(x j )

=
=
j
1
j
1

(8)

where:
m

is the number of classes of all the fractions

number of classes of actively crushed fractions, i = 3

In order to calculate granulometric composition of exploded

rock it is enough to divide the obtained volumes by the volume
of breaking layer of massif V.
Then content of separate fractions in volume of the first three
classes is calculated by relationship:
i

V(x j )
p(x j ) = (1 + k) 1 p(x j )
+ p(x j )
j = 1
V

i 1

1 p (x j ) (11)
j = 1

and content of fractions in the following classes (j > 4) is

determined by expression:
p (x j ) =

q(x j ) i 1

1 p (x j )

p(x j ) j = 1

(12)

j=1

TABLE 3
Measured and conditional granulometric composition of separatenesses in rock mass.
Number
of line

p(x1)

p(x2)

p(x3)

42.0

28.0

14.7

6.5

7.2

4.5

5.2

3.3

2.4

1.0

0.5

30.0

19.2

14.5

12.7

14.8

11

13.1

8.6

6.4

4.0

2.0

15.5

16.1

13.6

13.2

18.1

12.1

17.0

12.3

11.1

17.2

8.6

19.8

17.2

15.5

9.7

14.6

8.2

13.1

10.5

10.3

19.1

9.5

5.0

12.0

22.3

20.0

31.3

29.0

24.4

34

17.0

Mine Planning and Equipment Selection

p(x4), q(x4)

p(x5), q(x5)

Kalgoorlie, WA, 23 - 25 April 2003

p(x6), q(x6)

p(x7), q(x7)

233

B R RAKISHEV and Z B RAKISHEVA

By multi-row explosion:
p (x j ) =

TABLE 4

p fr (x j ) + (n 1)p sd (x j )

(13)

Granulometric composition of exploded rock by different blocness

of massif.
Rock
Index

where:
p fr (x j )

is outlet of the j-th fraction of the first exploding layer

(x j )
p sd

the same one from the second and following layers

the number of the holes rows

System of p'(x j ) meanings is granulometric composition of

exploded mining mass.
One can calculate granulometric composition of exploded
mining mass by Equations 11 to 13 under given physicalmechanical, structural properties of rocks, detonational and
power characteristics of explosives.
At the base of these data in KazNTU, named after K.I.Satpaev,
CAD system of drilling-blasting operations at the quarries and
computer know-how of control of results of mining rocks
blasting preparation for extraction had been elaborated. They
allow modeling of different situations under industrial
conditions, eg to reveal the influence of massif blocness change
upon results of explosion. For illustration of this possibility
measured and conditional granulometric composition of
separatenesses in massif is adduced at the Table 3 for
above-mentioned typical deposits of Kazakstan. This index
characterises massif blocness. With increase of large
separatenesses content massif becomes more large-blocable.
Further, by physical-mechanical properties of mentioned rocks
with using of type parameters of charges arrangement
granulometric composition of exploded rock is determined by
Equations 11 to 13 under different blocness of massif.
Calculation results are adduced at the Table 4. It is supposed that
exploding bloc consists only of pointed rocks.
As is obvious from the Table 4, increase of content of large
separatenesses in massif (more than p(x4)) on all the considered
rocks without any exception leads to rise of outlet of large pieces
(more than p'(x5)). By this, outlet of lump (more than p'(x7))
increases more than by an order. This circumstance verifies the
state, occurring frequently in practice. As the natural properties
of massif are impossible to change, regulation of exploded rock
quality must be realised by scientifically grounded option of
arrangement parameters of source of explosive blasting energy in
exploding bloc.

Granulation
of rock

K-1
K-2

A-2
A-4

C-2
C-3

C-6
C-9

p'(x1)

52.33

42.5

30.56

34.13

17.86

p'(x2)

16.3

16.1

18.0

17.56

9.96

p'(x3)

6.1

9.6

12.43

12.2

13.06

p'(x4)

11.83

12.93

12.86

11.1

13.86

p'(x5)

8.53

11.46

12.13

9.96

19.46

p'(x6)

3.93

5.6

7.9

7.8

15.2

p'(x7)

0.83

1.76

6.13

7.23

10.6

p'(x1)

49.2

38.76

26.1

29.86

12.5

p'(x2)

16.5

15.63

17.16

16.9

7.6

p'(x3)

6.2

9.4

11.93

11.9

11.23

p'(x4)

13.23

14.73

14.83

12.7

16.1

p'(x5)

9.56

13.06

13.93

11.43

22.76

p'(x6)

4.4

6.36

9.1

9.0

17.63

p'(x7)

0.9

2.03

7.06

8.3

12.3

p'(x1)

47.16

36.3

23.1

27.03

8.93

p'(x2)

16.56

15.2

16.4

16.23

5.83

p'(x3)

6.2

9.13

11.4

11.6

9.8

p'(x4)

14.16

16.03

16.23

13.9

17.7

p'(x5)

10.23

14.2

15.23

12.46

20.03

p'(x6)

4.73

6.9

9.96

9.83

19.33

p'(x7)

1.0

2.13

7.7

9.03

13.5

p'(x1)

48.7

38.1

25.26

29.1

11.56

p'(x2)

16.66

15.76

17.26

17.0

7.63

p'(x3)

6.26

9.43

11.96

12.0

11.3

p'(x4)

13.3

15.0

15.03

12.86

16.3

p'(x5)

9.66

13.26

14.1

11.56

22.9

p'(x6)

4.46

6.43

9.2

9.1

17.83

p'(x7)

0.93

2.03

7.16

7.7

12.4

REFERENCES

CONCLUSION
1.

With the help of Equations 11 to 13 it is possible to

calculate the granulometric composition of exploded rock
under prescribed physical-mechanical, structural properties
of rocks, detonational, power characteristics of explosives,
parameters and way of blasting.

2.

Elaborated mathematical model of rock mass destruction

allows the simulation of different situations, which can take
place under industrial or other conditions, to estimate
contribution of each having an influence factor upon results
of explosion.

3.

At the base of proposed developments scientifically

grounded choice of arrangement parameters of source of
explosive blasting energy in exploding bloc can be realised.
These choices correspond to the prescribed natural
properties of rock mass in the best way.

234

Blocness of massif
(number of line from Table 3)

Rakishev, B and Rakisheva, Z, 1997. The new method of calculation of

the granulometre composition of exploded rocks, in Proceedings
Sixth International Symposium on Mine Planning and Equipment
Selection 1997, pp 565-570 (Technical University of Ostrava).
Rakishev, B R, 1983. Prognostrication of the technological parameters of
exploded rocks at the quarries, 239 p (Nauka: Alma-Ata).
Rakishev, B R and Rakisheva, Z B, 1999. Crush crater at the area of
holes over-drilling, in Proceedings 16th Mining Congress of Turkey,
pp 37-41 (The Chamber of Mining Engineers of Turkey: Ankara).

Kalgoorlie, WA, 23 - 25 April 2003

Mine Planning and Equipment Selection