Fragmenting of cylindrical rock specimens under explosive load: Comparison between model and laboratory results

Abstract

Achieving optimal fragmentation of the blasted rock is common task for mining engineers. During the years many models for fragmentation prediction were developed and are mostly based on empirical relations. While there are theoretical expansions of the empirical models, one could note the lack of the purely theoretical models based on the rock breakage theory. Herein, validation of such model is presented. Model considers only the fragmenting of the cylindrical monolith rock specimens and compares the results with the laboratory tests that were carried out in same manner. Model provides results through the definition of the fragment shape and size and then geometrical fragmenting of the whole specimen. Comparison of the model and laboratory results shows high level of agreement between sieving curves and also confirm the right constitution of the rock blasting theory that this model is based on.

Keywords

• rock fragmentation
• rock breakage by explosives
• fragmentation model
• laboratory tests
• blasting