Application of Pre-splitting Blasting in

Final Highwall Governance

Jianguo Wang
College of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Yunnan
Agricultural University, Kunming 650204,China,
wangjg1018@gmail.com

Longfa Luan
Faculty of Land Resources Engineering, Kunming University of
Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, China,
badtuoer@163.com

Haohao Wang
China ENFI Engineering Corporation, Beijing 100038, China,
576259558@qq.com

ABSTRACT
In order to reduce the negative effects of blasting actives and ensure the stability of the West Slope of
Buzhaoba, we apply the pre-splitting blasting technique in the clearing stage of load reduction projects.
Based on the theory of blasting parameter design, this paper combines mature techniques, both
domestic and international, to determine the hole diameter, hole spacing, decoupling coefficient and
line density of charging. Recording the vibration velocity values during blasting operation, we can
obtain the slope particle vibration velocity formula by binary regression analysis. Comparing the
experimental data of pre-splitting blasting vibration velocity and the results of theoretical calculation,
we conclude that the average vibration reduction rate can reach 52.5%, which verifies the vibration
reduction effect of pre-splitting blasting on the reserved rock mass.Therefore,the pre-splitting blasting
technology should be widely used in slope governance before the formation of permanent slope in
Buzhaoba open-pit coal mine.

KEYWORDS: pre-splitting blasting, vibration reduction, parameter design, slope governance,

vibration test

- 1341 -
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 04 1342

INTRODUCTION
Buzhaoba open-pit coal mine，which belongs to Xiaolongtan Mining Bureau in Kaiyuan city of
Yunnan province，is the main operating mine crater. With the increasing of mining depth, the tensile
fracture that has been already formed in the west slope, is growing and extending [1]. The problem of
the high-steep slope is increasingly serious, as the slope deformation is gradually accelerated. These
safety hazards may cause loss of equipment, or even lives, if no proper precautions are taken [2].
The upper portion in west slope of Buzhaoba is made up of a thin layer of argillaceous limestone
with mudstone hard rocks and weak rock mass, obvious bedding, small fold, and there are 4 ~ 6
jointed cracks per cubic meter. The rocks are weak or moderately weathered rock mass, and the
integrity of the rock mass is poor. Besides, many structural planes in rock mass are soft interlayers.
Combined with the affects of blasting, weathering and unloading and water scouring on a daily basis,
it brings a lot of difficulties in maintaining the permanent slope’s stability. In order to reduce the
negative effects induced by blasting operation in the final highwall and prevent the landslide of
slope unstability in the future, the governance project of west slope adopts pre-splitting blasting
technology this time [3-5]. On one hand, before the blasting of main blast hole, pre-splitting blasting
can prevent the spread of explosion stress wave to the reserved rock mass by way of forming a
certain width and depth of cracks between the main area and the reserved zone, so as to reduce and
cut off the blasting vibration damage to the reserve rock mass [6]; on the other hand, the integrity of
the reserve rock mass can be maintained because the cracks extending from main area to reserved
zone is cut off [7].

PRE-SPLITTING BLASTING PARAMETERS SELECTION

Blasting Diameter
Normally, the smaller the diameter of presplit hole, the higher percentage of half hole and easier
controling the roughness of slope surface, the damage ranges of surrounding rock mass is also less.
But drilling and charging will be more difficult to implement, and the decoupling charging is difficult
to control [8]. Combined with the existing construction machinery and equipment of Buzhaoba, we
select the hole diameter of 100 mm or 110 mm in this test [9].

Hole Spacing
Since pre-split hole spacing largely determines the blasting quality of slope surface, we choose it
in a way such that the explosive detonation formation of pre-splitting cracks is guaranteed, while

- 1341 -
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 04 1343

reserved rock mass is not damaged[10]. In order to avoid compression damage around the hole wall,
the pre-splitting blast hole spacing can be calculated by the following empirical formula [11]:

d≤
( pw + T ) φ
(1)
T

where φ is hole diameter in mm, pw is the pressure of hole wall in MPa, and T is
tensile strength of rock in MPa.
In the design, we can control the size of pw by changing decoupling coefficient to make it less
than or equal to the dynamic compressive strength of the rock. Since the pre-splitting fissure
formation process is dynamic, the tensile strength of rock in formula (1) should take the values of
dynamic tensile strength. According to the physical and mechanical properties of the rock in west
slope which is given in Table 1, we use formula (1) and get d ≤ 15φ, i.e., the maximum value of hole
spacing cannot be more than 1.5 m.

Table 1: Rock physical and mechanical indexes

internal tensile
rock elasticity modulus poisson ratio cohesion density
Friction strength
mass /MPa /μ /MPa /kg.m-3
angle/° /MPa
Limestone 2.88e4 0.20 3.49 40.5 2240 1.84

Decoupling Coefficient of Charging

(1) According to the theory of explosive detonation, initial average pressure p0 of exploding gas
in the hole can be determined by Eq.(2) [12]
1
p0 = ρ0 D 2 (2)
8

where ρ0 is density of explosive in kg/m3, and D is explosive detonation velocity in m/s.

(2) The calculation method of decoupling coefficient is discussed theoretically by ZONG Qi et al

[13]
. Firstly, the following formula is obtained:
4/9
p 
σ
−8 / 3 −4 / 3
r0
= pa = K d Kl pk  0  (3)
 pk 

In this formula, σr0 represents absolute value of the initial peak stress on the hole wall in MPa, pa
is quasi static pressure when blasting gas filled the holes, K d is radial decoupling coefficient, K l is
axial decoupling coefficient, and pk is critical pressure, which is usually taken as 200 MPa.
In order to avoid the failure due to compression that might happen in the rock of hole wall, it is required to
make the initial radial stress peak value acting on the rock of hole wall lower than the compressive strength of
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 04 1344

the rock. According to the above formula, we get the following formula which is used for calculating the axial
decoupling coefficient:
3 1
1  pk  4  p0  3
Kl < 2     (4)
Kd  Sc   pk 

where S c stands for the compressive strength of rock in the above formula in MPa.

(3) Only when the hole spacing is less than the length of the critical flaw can the cracks form
between the blast holes.The way forming a crack can be approximated as
E = Rc + Ra (5)

where E is hole spacing in mm, Rc and Ra is the length of the cracks respectively produced by
explosion stress wave and blasting gas under the action of static pressure, and we have
1
 βp α
Rc = rβ  r  (6)
 St 
1
 p 2
Ra = rb  a  (7)
 St 

where S t is tensile strength of rock in MPa, rb is hole radius in mm, α is stress wave attenuation index
of rock in the equation α = 2± µ /(1− µ), µ is rock’s poisson ratio, which takes "+" in shock wave
action area and "-" in stress wave action area. As one of the main purpose for decoupling charging of
pre-splitting blasting is to eliminate shock wave action in rock, we take "-". pr is the initial pressure
produced on the hole wall of borehole when blasting gas expansion impact the hole wall, whose value
is determined by [14]

nr 0 D 2 K d−6 np0 K d−6

pr = = (8)
8K l Kl

So we get
1 1
 nb p0 K d−6  a  p 2
E = rb   + rb  a  (9)
 St K l   St 
where n is the multiple pressure when blasting gas expansion impact the hole wall and is generally set to 8.

The above requirements must be satisfied when we determine the axial charge decoupling
coefficient of pre-splitting blasting. At the time of application, the axial decoupling coefficient is
determined according to the formula (4). Kl is made slightly greater than the required value to ensure
that there is plenty of gas pressure in the blasting holes to form a long burst fracture. Then, a
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 04 1345

reasonable hole spacing can be calculated on the basis of formula (9) under condition of this charge
structure.
In this project, the presplit hole diameter is 100mm or 110mm and cartridge diameter is 32mm or
35mm. Rock physical and mechanical indexes has already been showed in Tab.1. Taking these
factors into consideration, and the theoretical research and engineering application results published
by ZONG Qi, LIU Liuming et al. [13, 15], we are able to find out the value of decoupling coefficient is
between 3.0 and 3.6.

Line Density
Line density is the ratio of hole charge and charge length. It determines whether the cracks can
run through between two adjacent hole, as well as the destructiveness of rock on the hole wall.
Considering related engineering experience and theoretical calculation formula, it can be obtained
through [16]
r
=q1 1=
1000
π r 2 qv 1
1000
π r 2 02 (10)
Kv

In the formula, q1 is line density in kg/m, r is hole radius, qv is volume charge density of hole in
kg/m3, ρ0 is explosive density in kg/m3, and Kv is decoupling coefficient.
In this experiment, the values of explosive density range from 0.45 to 1.1 kg/m.

FIELD TESTS
In this pre-splitting blasting, main blasting area and the buffer holes are designed into quincunx.
Pre-splitting blasting holes are 75° inclined, parallel to the slope angle, while the buffer holes and
main blasting holes adopt the vertical borehole construction.The diameter of presplit holes is 100mm
and hole spacing is 1.1m. Rock expanded ammonium nitrate explosive of ø32mm has been selected to
be used in this blasting project, while line density is 0.55kg/m. When charging of the presplit holes,
we should comply with the following principles: Strenthen the charge at the bottom, keep normal
charge in the middle, weaken the charge at the top. The charging density is 800g/m at the bottom,
600g/m in the middle, and 400g/m at the top.
With main blasting area using non-conductive tube initiation system, this system consists of detonator with
shock-conducting tube, nonel tube and plastic nonel tube with four-path reflecting, etc. Firing sequence is row 1
to row 5. The arrangement of holes is shown in Fig.1.
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 04 1346

Row 1
Row 5
Row 4

Row 3

Row 2

Figure 1: Schematic plot of holes layout

DAMPING EFFECT OF PRE-SPLITTING BLASTING

Blasting vibration test

During the construction process, in order to grasp the vibration situation of reserved slope, we
take TC-4850 blasting vibration tester for vibration monitoring (see figure 2), which is producted by
Chengdu Zhongke measurement and control Co. Ltd.

Figure 2: TC - 4850 blasting vibration tester

Due to the high-steep slope, vibration velocity might demonstrate amplification effect along the
elevation, which must be taken into account. According to the domestic and foreign research results,
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 04 1347

we adopt the following experience formula (11) based on the blasting vibration propagation and
attenuation rule [17-19].

α β
3 Q  3 Q 
V = K    (11)
 D   H 
   

Here, Q is the maximum detonation dose per delay in kg corresponding to the peak vibration
velocity, D is horizontal distance in m between the explosion center and the measuring point, H is
altitude difference in m between the explosion center and the measuring point, K is a coefficient
related to the geological conditions, blasting method and other external causes, α is seismic wave
attenuation coefficient related to the geological conditions, and β is elevation effect coefficient.
With 30 groups of blasting vibration data during 10 times construction in the final highwall of
Buzhaoba west slope, binary regression analysis and calculation gives γ=0.86, K=189.3, α=1.84,
β=0.514. Putting these data into the particle vibration velocity formula of west slope, we finally get
1.84 0.541
3 Q  3 Q  .
V = 189.3   
D H
   

[20]
Damping effect
Due to space Limit, only five different groups of the maximum detonation dose per time are
chosen to be used for analysis of pre-splitting blasting vibration reduction ratio, the result is listed in
Table 3. Here Q is the maximum detonation dose per delay, Pn is the number of measured points, D is
horizontal distance between the explosion center and the measuring point, H is altitude difference
between the explosion center and the measuring point, Vm is the measured velocity, V is
theoretical velocity, N is vibration reduction rate, and Nav is the average damping rate.
In this site, the position is mainly located in the 1200m level.The measure points are respectively
setted in 1200m, 1210m and 1220m level, as shown in figure 3.

Table 3: Comparison of pre-splitting blasting vibration effect

Q D H Vm V N Nav
Pn
(kg) (m) (m) (cm/s) (cm/s) (%) (%)
1# 85 2 1.36 2.14 36.5
314 2# 100 10 0.68 1.09 37.7 36.9
3# 120 20 0.34 0.54 36.6
1# 70 5 1.71 5.26 67.6
622 2# 85 10 0.85 2.53 66.3 64.8
3# 110 20 0.43 1.08 60.6
597 1# 80 4 1.68 3.99 57.7 54.8
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 04 1348

2# 100 10 0.84 1.82 53.7

3# 120 20 0.42 0.89 52.8
1# 80 3 1.60 3.52 54.6
510 2# 110 10 0.80 1.35 40.6 48.2
3# 120 20 0.40 0.79 49.3
1# 80 4 1.63 3.70 55.9
543 2# 90 10 0.82 2.05 60.1 58.0
3# 110 20 0.41 0.97 58.0

From the data in the above table we can find that, with the increase of maxim-
um detonation dose per delay, the damping effect of pre-splitting blasting is more and more obvious
under the condition of meeting the design requirements; the vibration reduction rate can even reach
up to 64.8%; the average damping rate is 52.5%. There is no doubt that the use of the pre-splitting
blasting does protect to reserved slope.

Figure 3: The diagram of monitoring points arrangement

CONCLUSIONS
In this paper, we find the methods to calculate the pre-splitting blasting parameters and get
the most reasonable parameters suiting for west slope of Buzhaoba: the hole diameter is 100 mm,
cartridge diameter is 32 mm (decoupling coefficient KV = 3.125), hole spacing is 1.10 m, charge
density is 0.55 kg/m and the hole filling length is 1.50 m. By field measuring the vibrations induced
by blasting and statistical analysis, we get that pre-splitting blasting vibration reduction rate can reach
52.5% on average in this site, and the blasting effect is good.
Pre-splitting blasting technology can not only reduce the slope backbreak and underbreak and add
the gracefully shaped of slope, but also has one of the most important advantages that its disturbance
and damage destruction to rock mass inside the slope is very slight and the damping effect is
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 04 1349

obvious.It plays an important role in improving the excavation quality of final open-pit wall,
maintaining slope’s permanent stability and should be vigorously applied in slope engineering.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work was supported by the Faculty of Land Resource Engineering in Kunming University of
Science and Technology and Xiaolongtan Mining Bureau, based on the project of Blasting scheme
design and key technology research for west Slope disaster governance engineering of Buzhaoba.
The authors would like to express their thanks to the staff of Xiaolongtan Mining Bureau for their
hospitality and invaluable support during the field investigation.

REFERENCES
[1] Xiao J Q, Luan L F, Wang J G. FLAC3D simulation for dynamic response of the western
slope in Buzhaoba under explosion[C]. Sanya, China: Trans Tech Publications, 2013.
[2] Zhang K, Cao P. Slope seismic stability analysis on kinematical element method and its
application[J]. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering. 2013, 50: 62-71.
[3] Yang F W, Li H B, Liu Y Q, et al. Comparative study on vibration characteristics of rock
mass induced by bench blasting and pre-splitting blasting[J]. Journal of China Coal Society.
2012(08): 1285-1291.
[4] Tang H, Li H, Zhou Q, et al. Experimental study of vibration effect of presplit blasting[J].
Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering. 2010, 29(11): 2277-2284.
[5] Hu J, Lei T, Zhou K, et al. Effect of blasting vibration on pre-splitting crack in filling-
environment[J]. Journal of Central South University (Science and Technology). 2011, 42(6):
1704-1709.
[6] Wang W, Zhang Y, Jiang H, et al. Low cost quasi presplit blasting technology in side slope
rock excavation[J]. Chinese Journal of Scientific Instrument. 2013, 34(6 SUPPL.): 284-287.
[7] Lin W, Xixi L, Yuxiang Z. The practice about deep hole pre-split blasting in mining faces of
low permeability extra-thick seam[J]. Advanced Materials Research. 2012, 524-527: 781-
785.
[8] Xu M B, Peng D H. Parameter optimization of the slope pre-splitting blasting[J]. Explosion
and shock waves. 2008(04): 355-359.
[9] He L H, Wang J G, Xiao J Q, et al. Pre-Splitting Blasting Vibration Reduction Effect
Research on Weak Rock Mass[J]. Disaster Advances. 2013, 6(3): 338-343.
[10] Monjezi M, Khoshalan H A, Varjani A Y. Optimization of Open pit Blast Parameters using
Genetic Algorithm[J]. International Journal Of Rock Mechanics And Mining Sciences.
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 04 1350

2011, 48(5): 864-869.

[11] Feng X M, Zhuang J Z, Ju J S, et al. Smooth Blasting Hole Spacing and Smooth Surface
Layer Depth Optimization[J]. Advanced Science Letters. 2011, 4(8-10): 2703-2707.
[12] Gu D S, Li X B. Rock Impact Dynamics[M]. 1994.
[13] Zong Q, Lu P J, Luo Q. Theoretical study on axial decoupling coefficients of smooth
blasting with air cushion charging construction[J]. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and
Engineering. 2005(06): 1047-1051.
[14] Wang W, Li Xiaochun. Experimental study of propagation law of explosive stress wave
under condition of decouple charge[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics. 2010(06): 1723-1728.
[15] Liu L M, Zhu C Y, et al. Analysis and calculation in theory of axial decoupling coeficient[J].
Journal of central China Normal University(Natural Sciences). 2002(01): 47-49.
[16] Ghasemi E, Sari M, Ataei M. Development of an empirical model for predicting the effects
of controllable blasting parameters on flyrock distance in surface mines[J]. international
journal of rock mechanics and mining sciences. 2012, 52: 163-170.
[17] Xu M B, Peng D H. Blasting vibration tests and ANSYS time-history analyses of slope
responses[J]. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering. 2012(S1): 2629-2635.
[18] Deng H, Zhang G, Wang L, et al. Monitoring and analysis of blasting vibration in diversion
tunnel excavation[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics. 2011, 32(3): 855-860.
[19] Shi X Z, Chen S R. Delay time optimization in blasting operations for mitigating the
vibration-effects on final pit walls' stability[J]. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering.
2011, 31(8): 1154-1158.
[20] Wang Z Y, Fang C, Chen Y L, et al. A comparative study of delay time identification by
vibration energy analysis in millisecond blasting[J]. International Journal of Rock
Mechanics and Mining Sciences. 2013, 60: 389-400.
[22] Jianguo Wang, Longfa Luan, and Haohao Wang: “Application of Pre-splitting Blasting in Final
Highwall Governance” Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2016 (21.03) pp 1331-1340.
Available at ejge.com.
[23] Frédéric Victor Donzé and Pascal Bernasconi: “Simulation of the Blasting Patterns in Shaft Sinking
Using a Discrete Element Method” Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2004: pp 1-44.
Available at ejge.com.

© 2016 ejge