Design and Application of Blasting Parameters for Presplitting Hard Roof with the Aid of Empty-Hole Effect

Abstract

Theoretical calculation and numerical simulation were performed to analyze the mechanism of rock fracturing between holes in deep-hole presplit blasting, crack evolution under the synergistic action of dynamic and static loads, and the mechanism of fracture movement guided by tangential stress concentration of empty holes. The pattern and characteristic zones of main and wing cracks across a cross section were identified. Combined with blast dynamics, the scope of stress-induced cracks around blast holes and the maximum length of secondary cracks induced by detonation gas was calculated. It was found that the initiation and extension of cracks were oriented predominantly along the line passing through the hole centers (LPTHC). Moreover, the maximum length of the tensile crack zone induced by reflected stress waves was obtained. The effects of empty-hole diameter and charge coefficient on crack propagation were analyzed, and the proper blast-hole spacing was determined. Later, a LS-DYNA3D blast model was used to illustrate von Mises stress propagation, strain variation, and evolution of main and wing cracks between holes. The scope of strain failure, fracture pattern, and crack characteristic zones in the rock mass was determined. The results demonstrate that the hole spacing, at 3.2 m, is reasonable. Furthermore, blasting parameters were determined for 8939 working face at Xinzhouyao Mine and then deep-hole blasting was implemented to presplit the hard roof. After presplitting, the working resistance of supports was significantly reduced, thereby achieving effective control on the hard roof.