3321 FLYROCK IN SURFACE MINING Part 3. Shock Wave, stress wave, blasthole expansion

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/

Abstract

The generally accepted view in rock blasting is that the sources of energy for the fracture and movement of rock reside in the shock wave and gas action resulting from the explosion, and yet the mechanisms by which these sources interact with the rock have remained unclarified. It has also been noted that up to 50% of the work capacity of an explosive released in a blast cannot be accounted for by field measurements of energy partitioning. In this study we describe a physical model that details the response of rock to both shock wave and gas action.

An analytical model based on momentum conservation is derived to describe the dynamics of  shock-driven expansion of the blasthole. Radial expansion of the hole is the key parameter that permits the derivation of the following characteristics of rock response to shock loads: hole expansion time; volume of displaced rock; energy consumed per unit volume; expansion energy efficiency; stress wave pulse length; gas pressure in enlarged hole. Soon after the completion of hole expansion the shock wave degenerates to an elastic stress wave that runs through the burden.

Blasthole expansions of between 50% and 300% of diameter are completed in under 1 millisecond and, depending on rock properties, consume 32% to 42% of the detonation energy or about 55% of the available mechanical (Gurney) energy. Gas pressure in the enlarged holes in 5 rock types is between 35MPa and 650MPa and drives the mass movement of burden rock.

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Author Biography

  • Thomas - Szendrei, Dynamic Physics Consultants

    Specialist consultant in explosion effects and applications

    CV Tom Szendrei

     

    Tom Szendrei has spent his entire working career since leaving university in applied physics in various industrial environments. Currently he specialize in this area as a technical consultant undertaking fundamental studies in the applications and effects of explosives. Among these are the assessment and quantification of the environmental effects of commercial blasting, including airblast, ground vibrations and the throw of missiles. Currently he is researching the sources and causes of flyrock with particular emphasis on the modelling of the transfer of momentum that is capable of projecting sizeable rock fragments outside the safety zone of surface mines.

Published

2026-01-19

Issue

Section

Papers of General Interest