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By Charles Pretorius

Electronic Delay Detonators (EDDs) with remote wireless programming and initiation capabilities have been successfully used for almost two years now. This system has been used in blasts mainly in South Africa, but also in South America and other countries in Africa. Initially the industry was slow to accept the idea of remote programming and blasting. The advantages were not fully understood and there were some safety concerns. With close to 200 successful blasts as a reference, a much better understanding exists. The advantage of such a system becomes even more significant when the programming of the detonators is digitally integrated with the blast design software as used by the Blast Engineer. It is now possible to import a survey file into the blast design software, to do the blast design using actual hole positions and to then export the designed firing times directly to the detonators down the hole via remote wireless communication. Mines that have been exposed to this technology favour it to the extent that wireless centralised programming is becoming the norm against which other electronic delay detonator technologies are measured.

Jan 1, 2005

By X Meng, W. A. Hustrulid, M. K. McCarter

Rock excavation in both surface and underground mining is largely accomplished using the drill and blast technique. At the perimeter of such excavations, cautious blasting procedures are often employed to minimize unwanted damage to the remaining rock. Of the several different techniques available, the use of explosive charges with a diameter smaller than the holes in which they are introduced (so-called decoupled charges) is the most common. In spite of the long and widespread use of the technique, a technically sound basis for relating the borehole wall pressure to the explosion pressure is still lacking. Such a relationship is required for optimal design

Jan 1, 2005

By Takuya Taguchi, Toshihiro Ogata, Atsuio Inoue, Shigeyuki Sasaki

Highly improved drilling machines and mucking machines have been used for the underground construction. To have rapid construction, the roles of blasting operation ha ve been growing more important. At the most tunneling of present, cartridged emulsion explosives have been used for a blasting in Japan. Under this circumstance, a blasting system of ANFO explosives using loading machine has been used recently for a tunnel blasting. However, ANFO has some problems, such as a useless explosives in wet boreholes, bad blasting fumes and the ammonia gas due to the decomposition of ammonium nitrate in contact with the sprayed concrete in tunnel.

Jan 1, 2005

By A Brodbeck, AT Spathis

Australian regulatory control of ground vibration and airblast arising from mining, quarrying and civil construction operations is spread across a number of federal, state and local authorities and across a number of departments with various jurisdictions. The Australian Standard AS 2187.2 contains an informative appendix on damage-related criteria and it is the primary reference for the regulators. The complete standard and the informative appendix is currently undergoing major revision with a focus for the latter on implementing frequency-dependent criteria for ground vibration. Certain directions for change have been raised for consideration by the standing committee, ranging from fundamental issues of measurement and interpretation and others that overlap human comfort criteria. It is anticipated that some of the suggestions will eventually make their way into future standards after an adequate period of consultation and consideration by both the Australian public and others involved in the associated industries.

Jan 1, 2005

By Dale Bartholomae, David Harrison, Edward J. Walter

Methods that involve the use of signature blast holes in order to identify the particular frequency characteristics of a geographical area are widely available. Information acquired can be used to determine optimum blast hole timings to produce the desired constructive and destructive inference. However, these types of analyses can be both complicated and expensive. This study will investigate the use and practicality of signature hole and/or shift and sum analysis software and their application to small diameter construction utility blasting operations in Pennsylvania and faster moving projects in general. A determination will then be made as to whether this technology can be utilized by today’s blaster, from both a functional and a cost effective basis. Single hole blasts will be detonated on various smaller construction projects and will be monitored with an array of seismographs. The collected data will be analyzed in order to determine the optimum timing between holes to produce the preferred frequency content while keeping in mind the explosives user’s current inventory of blasting supplies.

Jan 1, 2005

By Rob Farnfield

In the UK all new developments, including mines, quarries, tunnels, etc., are subject to a system of planning control. If the use of explosives is anticipated then such developments will attract a number of so-called ‘planning conditions’ relating to the blasting operation. This paper will outline a ‘typical’ set of conditions and how operators ‘plan to comply’. British Standards relating to both human and structural response are also reviewed and contrasted to the typical planning conditions previously outlined.

Jan 1, 2005

The underwater explosions have been used for several decades for the determination of energy content of explosives. This test method is the only one by which shock, fly rock and total energy can be measured separately. It enables to develop the energy content of explosives for different purposes; the military high explosives should contain more shock energy whereas the fly rock energy is very important feature for the blasting explosives. The purpose of this study was to establish a test place for the underwater experiments in an old water filled open pit, to estimate the repeatability of the energy measurements, to calculate the standard deviations and to compare the total energy content of commercial explosives to the theoretical values calculated by the thermo dynamical program. The test method seems to work quite well especially for the homogeneous explosives. The difference between the energy content of theoretically calculated and measured values for the homogeneous emulsion explosives was about -3% and for the dynamite about -5%. The energy difference for the unhomogeneous ANFO was detected to be -19%. The diameter of the charge was 15 cm and it was obviously too small for ANFO to detonate ideally. On the basis of the test results this test method seems to fit best for the cap sensitive, completely homogeneous, spherical charges whose masses are big enough and which are initiated from the centre of the charge. The underwater explosions as a test method is the only one which can separate shock, bubble and total energies from each other and therefore makes it possible to develop the properties of explosives for different purposes which is very important feature of this method.

Jan 1, 2005

By Roger Holmberg, Donald Jonson

The Swedish Standard SS 460 48 66, “Vibration and shock - guidance levels for blasting induced vibration limits”, is based on more than 50 years of experience from blasting close to structures and tunnels. The Swedish Standard gives a method for calculation of guidance values for different types of buildings and ground condition under the building. This is done for every building and structure within a predetermined zone. The guidance levels are for the peak particle velocity monitored in vertical direction. The standard is valid for all kinds of blasting project (tunnelling, quarrying, mining etc.) The guidance levels neither take in to consideration discomfort for people inside the building or structure nor vibration sensitive equipment inside the structure. The paper also presents the Swedish Standard SS 02521 “Vibration and shock - Blast induced airborne shock wave - Guidance levels for buildings”.

Jan 1, 2005

By Alastair Grogan

In October of 2002, the author was retained by Public Works and Government Services Canada, on behalf of the Department of National Defense, to design, construct and test the effectiveness of a bubble curtain system at an underwater demolition range, near Victoria, BC. The purpose of the bubble curtain was to reduce the potential for fish mortalities at the site. This paper presents some of the elements of the design, along with the results of overpressure monitoring during blasting and compares the results of fish mortality and animal behaviors with and without the bubble curtain in operation.

Jan 1, 2005

By Paul McAnuff, Alastair Grogan

In Canada, the only vibration regulations which apply across the entire country are intended to protect fish spawning areas. The Provinces and Territories regulate mines and quarries, and are responsible for setting vibration and airblast regulations. Some Provinces have set specific regulations, while others leave these restrictions to the mines inspectors who can set limits on a case by case basis. For the most part, it is left to individual municipalities to regulate blast vibrations and airblast from other blasting activities, which differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and in some cases are not enforced. Blasters working in different jurisdictions have to be aware of the applicable regulations for the area they are working.

Jan 1, 2005

By Peter Reinders, Dirk Hummel

This paper describes a newly developed Surface Remote Blasting System (SURBS) for electronic detonators, which is currently being introduced into surface blasting applications. The rationale for developing the SURBS was to meet key needs of mine operations, such as minimizing the shutdown time and the capability to conveniently initiate blasts in difficult terrain from a safe distance. Increased distance from the blast site, combined with a good overview of the site enables maximum safety during blasting. The system also removes the inconvenience of running long firing cables. The SURBS consists of the field-proven detonator and equipment technology of an existing electronic detonator system, a Surface Remote Blasting Box and a Surface Remote Blaster. The Surface Remote Blaster is the Master unit and controls the Remote Blasting Box via encrypted radio communication using a sophisticated safety technology, which guarantees that the highest safety standards are maintained.

Jan 1, 2005

By Gregory B. Poole

As part of a $3.5 billion program to improve the antiquated waste water system in the city of Atlanta, the Nancy Creek Tunnel is being constructed across the northwest portion of the city. This tunnel is over eight miles long and is being constructed using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) for the majority of the tunnel and conventional drilling and blasting for three shafts, starter and tail tunnels and four connecting tunnels, totaling 2400 feet in length. An extensive public relations program was developed for this project. A group effort by the owner, engineer and contractor produced a public relations program that both informed and educated the public of the anticipated perceptions and effects of the blasting and TBM activities.

Jan 1, 2005

By Gungor Tuncer, Ali Kahriman, Abdulkadir Karadogan, Mehmet Aksoy, Kagan Ozdemire

With increasing environmental constraints on the levels of disturbance induced by blasting operations upon nearby residents, there is an increasing need to be able to design cautious blasting with greater precision. Therefore, determination of maximum amount of explosive per delay for a certain distance especially in large blasts is of great importance for the elimination of these environmental problems. Although too many research studies had been carried out in the past in order to eliminate environmental issues produced from blasting unfortunately a general approach or formula has not been established yet because of the complexity of the matter. In addition to the wave and ground motion characteristics, the complexity of blasting parameters and site factors restrict the developing a general criterion. So experimental site-specific studies should be still done in order to predict and control blasting effects. This paper presents the results of ground vibration measurements carried out in Espey Open-Pit Boron (Colemanite) Mine located on the west side of the central Anatolia near Kütahya province in Turkey. Within the scope of this study, ground vibration components were measured for 13 shots during bench blast optimisation studies in order to predict peak particle velocity level for this site. In blasting operations; ANFO and Powergel Magnum 600 (blasting agent), Powergel Magnum (priming) and delay electric detonators (firing) were used as explosives. Parameters of scaled distance (charge quantity per delay and the distance between the source and the station) were recorded carefully and the ground vibration components were measured for all blast events using 4 different types vibration monitors (3 White Mini-Seis and 1 Instantel Minimate Plus Models). Then, the data pairs of scaled distance and particle velocity obtained from the 38 record events were analysed statistically. At the end of statistical evaluation of the data pairs, an empirical relation which gives average line at 95% confidence level and upper bound 95% prediction line with a reasonable correlation coefficient was established between peak particle velocity and scaled distance.

Jan 1, 2005

By Randall M. Wheeler, Kenneth K. Eltschlager

Blasting Seismographs use microphones to measure air overpressure from blasting. The microphone height above the ground has been the object of some controversy. The current ISEE “Field Practice Guidelines for Blasting Seismographs” specify microphone placement within 1.2 inches of the ground or over 3 feet above the ground. In this study, air overpressure measurements were taken at different height intervals and compared. Blasting seismographs constructed to the ISEE “Performance Standards for Blasting Seismographs” were used to monitor construction, quarry, and coal mine blasting. Near and far field measurements were taken to obtain representative spectral and amplitude ranges. The comparative analysis shows that microphone height has negligible impact on air overpressure measurements.1

Jan 1, 2005

By Thierry Bernard

For many years now electronic initiation has brought the time parameter to the centre of blast designs forever. Although this parameter existed before the era of electronic detonators, Blasting engineers or blasters could not directly handle it; technology imposed it. Only discrete values were available. Today, the fact that we can choose any detonation time for an explosive charge questions the viability of most of the rules applied for blast design. Thus, the very famous charge per delay method, that enables a level of vibration to be forecast at a given distance (“Chapot’s law”), is no longer necessarily valid when using electronic initiation. Therefore, it must be approached in a totally different manner. The KUZ-RAM formula, that allows fragmentation to be forecast, is also subject to the same distortion. The aim of this article is to show how the calculation laws used for blast design are influenced by the time parameter (sequence) and how we can efficiently make the most of this, in particular for vibrations. Copyright ©

Jan 1, 2005

By P. D. Katsabanish

Air decking applications are examined using numerical modelling and the AutodynTM code. The mechanism of damage is illustrated and discussed. Air decking is shown to provide advantages over stemming when powder factor is maintained. The current effort does not support reduction of the explosives column in favour of air decking. In a similar fashion, bottom hole air decking increases fracturing in the area of the air deck, compared to when the same volume is occupied by inert materials; however air decking does not appear to reduce the requirement for subdrilling. The apparent discrepancy between the numerical results and some field observations reported in the literature is discussed.

Jan 1, 2005

By David Ziegler, John Babcock, Gregory Poole

On December 9, 2003 at 3:59 PM EST an earthquake with a 4.5 magnitude occurred in central Virginia. According to a survey on the US Geological Survey website, this quake was felt as far away as Bridgeton Missouri, approximately 683 mile from the epicenter1. We recorded the vibrations from this earthquake on 14 seismographs that were set up for monitoring vibrations from blasting activities in the area. Having this data gave us an opportunity to compare earthquake and blasting vibrations. The amplitudes, frequencies and duration were much different than vibrations from mining and construction blasting. A common question we get from homeowners when discussing vibrations from blasting activities is “How does that compare to the Richter scale?” The goal of this report is to provide some simple answers for that question. The Richter and Mercalli scale are compared to the particle velocities in order to show their relationship.

Jan 1, 2005

By Dale S. Preece, Stephen H. Chung

Explosives energy can be used effectively in breaking and displacing large volumes of rock in mining and quarrying industries in both open pit and underground. The blast result, however, may not be economical if the applied explosives energy distribution is not properly applied to match a given set of geometries. However, this engineering problem can be resolved by using a modeling approach in the blast design process. Starting with a given set of blast design parameters that include explosive, elastic properties of rock, geometry of the blast pattern as well as the delay firing time, this paper shows how a discrete element blast model can be set up to allow the examination of the effect of critical design input parameters on blast results. Examples are given in this paper to help visualize the value and application of blast simulations. They are (1) regular and terrace bench blasting models for throw control, (2) underground blasting including a drop raise opening and (3) collapsing of a multiple room-pillar structure with proper firing sequence to control the mixing of blasted materials.

Jan 1, 2005

By Paul Worsey, Braden Lusk, Seokbin Lim

This paper discusses the theory and experiment involved in the discovery of the mechanisms of Linear Shaped Charges, which are much different from those for Conical Shaped Charges. Linear Shaped Charges (LSC) have been assumed to function in the same manner as Conical Shaped Charges (CSC) in the published literature on the subject. Much work has been done on CSC for military purposes, but there is limited information about the mechanics of LSC. Previous theories have cited the formation of a Monroe Jet as the dominant process. The Monroe Effect describes what happens to a target below the charge following detonation of the charge, and prescribes a fluid jet process for penetration. The fluid jet comprised of the liner material is the cutting device in CSC and has been extensively studied. Recent work at the University of Missouri at Rolla (UMR) cutting concrete with LSC has surprisingly shown that there is not a fluid jet process in LSC. After completing several reinforced concrete penetration tests, minimally deformed copper blades were found in the debris. Initially, the blades were suspected to be misfires or malfunctioned charge remnants. However, results were good and blades were found after every single test. Upon closer inspection, the ribbons were found to be folded copper and they were suspected to be the bottom liner of the LSC. A test series was conducted to verify the new theory by experiment.

Jan 1, 2005

By Yannick Bleuzen, Manuel Joao, Frederic Monath, Miguel Quaresma

The N1 Porto tunnel project is a 650m segment of large-scale civil engineering plan to improve traffic flow between Porto’s downtown district, the Santo Antonio hospital district and the highway access. The tunnel is being excavated into a massive “Granito do Porto” granite structure, 4 – 20m below a highly urbanized environment of Porto, Portugal. The project was originally started in 2000 and was stopped due to the inability to mechanically excavate the granite rock. The city of Porto engineers then turned to traditional drilling and blasting techniques. The use of pyrotechnical delay detonators did not easily comply with the specified environmental and safety requirements concerning blast charging, firing and vibration control resulting in the process taking far too much time. The introduction of digital blasting was proposed to overcome these concerns.

Jan 1, 2005