Surface Blast Design

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zubair Abu Bakar

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 Approach To Surface Blast Design
• Objective of Blast Design: To develop a blast design which can be used under the
existing geological conditions to control fragmentation simultaneously with
minimal objectionable results such as toe, flyrock, ground vibrations, airblast,
overbreak and underbreak.
• Outline of Procedure
1. Reduce number of variables.
2. Apply important variables to design single blasthole geometry.
3. Select types of delays between blastholes and determine spacing and definite delay
times.
4. Adjust blast pattern for geology, topography, fragmentation requirements and loading
equipment.

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 Design Variables
i. Charge diameter (De)
ii. Burden (B)
iii. Stemming (T)
iv. Sub drilling (J)
v. Hole depth (H)
vi. Spacing (S)

Remaining Three Variables

a. Explosive density or specific gravity (SGe)
b. Initiation timing pattern
c. Primer location
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Calculations of Single Blast Hole
We must know the following:
• Bench height, L (ft)
• Specific gravity (density) of explosive (SGe)
• Density of rock, dr (lb/ft3)
• Diameter of explosive charge, De (inches)
• Equations to be used:
1. Burden factor (kb)
1 1/3
𝑆𝐺𝑒 3 160
𝐾𝑏 = 30 ∗ ∗
1.3 𝑑𝑟
2. Burden distance, (B)
𝐵 = 𝐾𝑏 ∗ 𝐷𝑒 /12 , ft
Check if L > 2B (if not, reduce charge diameter De or increase bench height L)
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3. Stemming length, T
2
𝑇 > .𝐵 (𝑓𝑡)
3
4. Sub-drilling, J
1
𝐽 = .𝐵 (𝑓𝑡)
3
5. Depth of hole, H
𝐻 =𝐿+𝐽 (𝑓𝑡)
Where:
L = Bench height (ft)
J= Sub-drilling (ft)
6. Explosive charge length, PC
𝑃𝐶 = 𝐻 − 𝑇 (𝑓𝑡)
Where:
H = Hole depth (ft)
T=Stemming length (ft)
7. Weight of explosive charge = (Loading density )A * PCA + (Loading Density)B * PCB (lbs.)
A and B are used when two types of explosives are used in a single blast hole. 5
 Sample of Blasthole Geometry Calculations
• Given Data:
• Explosive = ANFO @ 0.90 SGe (Bulk Loaded)
• Bench height = 50 ft
• Rock density = 165 lb/ft3
• Hole diameter = Charge Dia = 6”
• Calculations:
1. Burden factor (kb)
1 1/3
𝑆𝐺𝑒 3 160
𝐾𝑏 = 30 ∗ ∗
1.3 𝑑𝑟
1
0.90 3 160 1/3
𝐾𝑏 = 30 ∗ ∗ = 26.26
1.3 165
2. Burden distance, (B)
𝐵 = 𝐾𝑏 ∗ 𝐷𝑒 /12 , ft
6
𝐵 = 26.26 ∗ = 13.13 ft
12
Check if L > 2B; 50 > 2 (13.13); 50 > 26.26 (Condition satisfied) 6
3. Stemming length, T
2
𝑇 > .𝐵 (𝑓𝑡)
3
2
𝑇 = . 13.13 = 8.75 𝑓𝑡
3
4. Sub-drilling, J
1
𝐽 = .𝐵 (𝑓𝑡)
3
1
𝐽 = . 13.13 = 4.4 𝑓𝑡
3

5. Depth of hole, H
𝐻 =𝐿+𝐽 (𝑓𝑡)
𝐻 = 50 + 4.4 = 54.4 𝑓𝑡
6. Explosive charge length, PC
𝑃𝐶 = 𝐻 − 𝑇 (𝑓𝑡)
𝑃𝐶 = 54.4 − 8.75 = 45.65 𝑓𝑡

7. Weight of explosive charge = (Loading density )A * PCA = (ρ*0.34*d2) * PC = (0.9*0.34*6*6)*45.65 = 507 lbs.
Formula for Calculation of Loading Density, lb/ft = 0.34*density *(Diameter)2
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 Spacing Calculations
• Millisecond Delays
𝟏/𝟐
𝑺𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 = 𝑩. 𝑳 , 𝐟𝐭
Where:
B = Burden (ft)
L = Bench height (ft)
Note: (1) Spacing should not be greater than 1.7 times the burden and (2)
actual delay should be approximately 2ms/ft of burden.
• Long Period Delays
𝑺𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 = 𝟏. 𝟒 ∗ 𝑩 , 𝐟𝐭
Note: Use delays in continuing sequence.
• Simultaneous Firing
𝑺𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 = 𝟐 ∗ 𝑩 , 𝐟𝐭
Important Points:
➢ Simultaneous blasting always produces larger fragments.
➢ Because of premature venting of gases, try to bring the holes at a distance
of 2B.
➢ When delay time is short, there is mutual assistance between the holes.

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 Sample Calculations For Spacing, Timing and Powder Factor
• Given Data:
• Burden = 13 ft
• Millisecond Delays
𝑆𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 𝐵. 𝐿 1/2 , ft
𝑆𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 13 ∗ 50 1/2 = 25.5 ft
• But accept maximum of
S = 1.7*B
S = 1.7*13 = 22.1 ft
• Volume/hole = Burden * Spacing * Bench Height
• Volume/hole= 13 * 22.1*50 = 14300 ft3
14300𝑓𝑡 3 ∗ 165𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡 3
𝑇𝑜𝑛𝑠 = = 1180 tons
2000𝑙𝑏/𝑡𝑜𝑛
𝑙𝑏𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 = = 507 lbs./1180 tons = 0.43 lbs./ton
𝑇𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑘 𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑 9
 Field Adjustments
• Fragmentation:
➢Can be improved by reducing spacing or burden.
➢Coarser by increasing burden, spacing or bench height.
• Toe Formation
➢Minimize by increasing sub-drilling or using higher
velocity explosive in sub-grade.
• Fly Rock
➢Reduce by increasing stemming.
• Coarse Collar Rock
➢Drill and blast short holes (satellite holes) between full
length holes.
• Back Break And End Break (Over Break)
➢Reduce burden in last row.
➢Use a longer delay at the end of a simultaneous row.
➢Use a delay in back corners of a box cut. 10
• Because of burden, backload (reaction) will
come from the rock behind the last row,
therefore reduce the distance between last row
and the row following the last row. This will
reduce the backbreak.
• Increase delay time for back row; by doing this
a free face will be available for the last row
because the first and second rows will go on an
earlier delay and a free face will be provided to
the third row.
• Because of cap scatter, back break can also
occur.
• Skip a delay in back corners of a box cut.

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Crater Forms Resulting From Varying Blasthole Orientation

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