Numerical Investigation on Crack Formation and Penetration Mechanism between Adjacent Blastholes

Abstract

A deep understanding of the crack formation mechanism between blastholes had great significance for improving the energy utilization rate of explosives. From the perspective of static mechanics of stress wave theory, this paper theoretically derived the stress distribution on the blasthole connecting. It was proven that the stress at the midpoint of the blasthole connecting was not the maximum. The analysis results contradicted the original theoretical results. Moreover, the finite element software LS-DYNA was used to numerically simulate the crack formation between adjacent blastholes in infinite rock media. The fluid-solid coupling method was used to simulate the effect of stress wave and detonation products on rocks. The simulation results were consistent with the actual situation and they showed that cracks were formed in the blastholes wall firstly. Stress wave superposition was not the main reason for crack penetration. Stress wave reflection stretching at the crack tip was vital for crack penetration.