DETERMINATION of Kb

The key dimentions required in the development of a blast design are based upon the burden
which, in turn is related to the borehole diameter through the burden factor KB
B = KB D
The value of KB
KB = 25
Has been found by the present author and others ( ash,1963 for example ) to work well for a
wide range of hole diameters when using ANFO in rock of medium density ( SG = 2,65 ).
Some guidance regarding the selection of KB when using explosives in rocks of other
densities is needed. The approach described in this section as proposed as a first
approximation. The development of the basic equation for KB will be first done using units of
the metric system and the equivalent formulae in the English system will simply be stated.
In additional to those parameters already introduced the following needed
SGE = specific grafity of explosive
SGR = specific grafity of rock
PFEXP = powder factor (kg/ton)
TF = tonnage factor (m3/ton)
This basic geometry is shown in figure 4.13 where one blasthole from the round has been
isolated. The number of Tons (TR) broken is given by
TR = KS KH B3 X SGR X H20
Where
B = burden (m)
H20 = density of water (mt/m3)
since in te metric system
H20 = 1 mt/m3

This term will not be carried through the remaining equations. Knowing the powder factor
required to provide the desired degree of fragmentation (PF EXP ), the amount of explosive
required (ERQD) is
ERQD = TR X PFEXP = KS KH B3 X SGR X PFEXP
The Ammount Of Explosive Available ( EAVL ) is
EAVL =

(De)2 (B K H + B K J B K T SG E
4

=B

( De )2 ( K H +K J K T ) SG E
4

Where De = Explosive diameter (m)

Setting amount the explosive required to that available yields

( De )2 ( K H + K J K T ) SG E
4

SGR KS KH B3 PFEXP = B

Solving equation (4.34) for B ane find that

K J K
K H KS

SG E
1 ( ]

SG R PF exp

De
KH

B=

( 4 )( )(

As can be seen by comparing Equation (4.35) to Equation (4.11), KB is equal to

K J K
K H KS

SG E
1 (
]
SG R PF exp

KH

KB =

( 4 )( )(

The powder factor based on the actul explosive used ( PF EXP ) Will Be Replaced in equation
(4.36) by the equivalent ANFO powder factor ( PFANFO )
PFEXP =

PF ANFO
S ANFO

Where SANFO = Relative weight strength of the explosive EXP to ANFO

Equation (4.36) then becomes
K J K
K H KS

SG E S ANFO
( ]
SG R PF exp

KH

KB =

( 4 )( )(

This is quite a powerful formula as will be demonstrated through a series of examples.

Example 1. One of the major ways that the equation can be used is to study the effect of
changes in the explosive on the blasting pattern while keeping other factors of the design

Hole diameter
Bench height
Rock type
Spacing Ratio KS
Subdrilling Ratio KJ
Stemming Ratio KT

The bench height ratio KH depends upon the burden which in turn depands upon KB. Hence it
will change. The approach is, therefore two write equation ( 4.38) twice using subscripts to
detonate explosive 1 and explosive 2
Explosive 1 :

K J K
KH KS

S ANFO
PF ANFO

KH

KB1 =

( 4 )( SG
SG )(
E
R

( 1 ]

1 /2

( 2 ]

1 /2

Explosive 2
K J K
KH KS

S ANFO
PF ANFO

KH

KB2 =

( 4 )( SG
SG )(
E
R

Taking the ratio of the equations (4.40) and (4.39) one finds that
K J K
KH KS

K J K
KH
KH KS

SG E 2 PF ANFO (1)

SG E 1 PF ANFO (2)

KH

K B2
K B1

( )(

If The anfo Equivalent Powder Factor Maintained Constant (often the case), the equation
(4.41) reduces to

K B2
(SG E X S ANFO )2
=
K B1
(SG E X S ANFO )1

K H + K J K T
K H KS

K H + K J K T
K H KS

If the variation of KH With Changing Burden Is Neglected Then

K J K
K H KS

K J K
KH
K H KS

KH

And the simplified expression becomes

K B2
K B1

(SG E X S ANFO )2
(SG E X S ANFO )1

Thus, as a first approximation, the KB ratio is equal to the square root of the bulk strength
ratio for the explosive involved.
To refine the value of KB2, An Interation Process Involving The Three Equations
B2 = KB2 De
KH2 =

H
B2
+ K J K
KH2KS

(SG E X S ANFO )2

(SG E X S ANFO )1
K H2

KB2 = KB1

In Sequence Is Used. The initial value of K B2 is substituted in quation (4.45) and solved for
B2. The value of KH2 Is Then Found From Equation (4.46) Which Then Is Input into equation
(4.42). the resulting value KB2 Is Compared With The Initial Estimate. If they are the same,
the process stops. If not than this new value of K B2 is input to equation (4.45) and the process
continues. It converges rapidly to a stable solution
Example 2: this same procedur can be used to evaluated the effect of changing other
variables. Rock density is one parameter of interest . Equation (4.38) is written assuming two
materials having different densities (specific grafities)
Material density 1:

KH

KB1 =

( 4 )( SG
SG )(
E
R

K J K
KH KS

S ANFO
PF ANFO

( 1 ]

1 /2

Material density 2 :
KH

KB2 =

( 4 )( SG
SG )(
E
R

K J K
KH KS

S ANFO
PF ANFO

( 2 ]

1 /2

Although not necessary it will be assumed that the following remain constant

Hole diameter
Explosive
Bench heigh
Spacing ratio KS
Subdrilling ratio KJ
Stemming Ratio KT

The Bench Heigh Ratio KH depends upon the burden which in turn depends upon K B and
hence it will change. Dividing equation (4.48) by equation (4.47) one finds that

[( )(

K B2
SG R 1
=
K B1
SG R 2

K H 2+ K J K T
KH2KS

)(

KH1KS
K H 1+ K J K T

1 /2

)]

If the variation of KH With Changing burden is neglected, then as a first approximation

K B2
SG R 1
=
K B1
SG R 2
Once the initial value of KB2 is found, an iteration process involving the three equations
B2 = KB2 De
KH2 =

H
B2

K B2
=
K B1

(
SG R 1
SG R 2

KH1KS
K H 1+ K J K T

) (

K H 2 + K J K T
K H2 KS

Is performed until a stable value for KB2 is obtained.

In the English system, equation (4.38) becomes

K J K
K H KS

SG E
1 (
]
SG R PF exp

KH

KB = (2000)1/ 2

( 4 )( )(

Where PFANFO = ANFO equivalent powder factor (lbs/ton), 2000 = lbs/ton.

When using the iteration process it is important to maintaint a consisten set of units.
Thus if the burden is expressed in feet, then the hole diameter in equation (4.45), for example,
must also be in feet.