Blasting Design Using Fracture Toughness and Image Analysis of the Bench Face and Muckpile

Few studies of blasting exist because of difficulties in obtaining reliable fragmentation data or even obtaining consistent blasting results. Many researchers have attempted to predict blast fragmentation using the Kuz-Ram model, an empirical fragmentation model suggested by Cunningham. The purpose of this study is to develop an empirical model to relate specific explosives energy (ESE) to blasting fragmentation reduction ratio (RR) and rock fracture toughness (KIC). The reduction ratio was obtained by analyzing the bench face block size distribution and the muck fragment size distribution using image analysis. The fracture toughness was determined using the Edge Notched Disk Wedge Splitting test. Blasting data from twelve (12) blasts at four (4) different quarries were analyzed. Based on this data set, an empirical relationship, ESE=11.7 RR801.202 KIC4.14 has been developed. Using this relationship, based on the predicted blasting energy input for a desired eighty-percent passing (P80) muckpile fragment size the burden and spacing may be determined.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mining and Minerals Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Mining and Minerals Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Kim, Kwangmin

Chairs dc:contributor.committeechair

• Westman, Erik C.
• Karfakis, Mario G.

Committee member dc:contributor.committeemember

• Novak, Thomas

• image analysis
• blasting
• fracture toughness

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-08162006-105831

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/34582