A new dynamic fracturing method: deflagration fracturing technology with carbon dioxide

Abstract

Control of damaged zone caused by impact load is the challenging issue in blasting engineering. In this paper, a new rock breaking method using carbon dioxide ice powder is developed, which is characterized by weak disturbance. Then experiments on the $$\text {CO}_{2}$$ pneumatic fracturing of concrete specimens were conducted. Generally, the $$\text {CO}_{2}$$-driven fracturing process generates medium strain rate ($$\varepsilon ^\cdot = 10^{0}$$ to $$10^{1}$$ 1/s), the large concrete specimen was fractured into 3–5 blocks, and no crushing damage occurred. The transient failure modes in the shock wave event were discussed, and the fragment size-strain rate relationship was established based on the cusp mutation theory. The theoretical calculation results are consistent with the experimental results. The research achievement may provide a new and safe rock-fracturing method for geological engineering.