Fragmentation analysis using the photographic method

Abstract

ABSTRACT A procedure based on photoanalysis was developed for determining the fragmentation distribution of a muckpile that results from blasting assuming that such distribution follows the two parameter Weibull cumulative distribution function. Eight miniature muckpiles of 100 kg. each were constructed from −2 cm, +2−4 cm. +4−6 cm. +6−8 cm, +8−10 cm, +10−12 and +12 sizes of limestone fragments in order to form in each muckpile a biparametric Weibull fragmentation distribution of known paramenters xc and n. Close-up photographs of different sections through each muckpile were taken and analyzed digitally in reference to a dimensioned frame in order to estimate the fragmentation distribution. Comparison of the known fragmentation distribution of each muckpile to that resulted from the photographic analysis proved that in the latter case the fragmentation distribution follows the three parameter Weibull distribution and that the cumulative curves representing the sieve size distribution to that resulting fr...