Reduction of blast-induced ground vibration and utilization of explosive energy using low-density explosives for environmentally sensitive areas

Abstract

Drilling and blasting play an important role in operation cycle of a mine or quarry. Optimum blast design plays a pivotal role to achieve maximum utilization of explosive energy and blast fragmentation. Only 20 to 30% of explosive energy is utilized for fracturing and fragmentation of rock, and the rest of the energy is converted in noise, air overpressure, ground vibration, etc. It has been observed that using the low-density explosive may reduce the deleterious effect of engineering blasting with desired blast fragmentation. This paper substantiates this fact wherein distinct explosive energy utilization enhancement has been achieved with the use of low-density explosive and reduces ground vibration. This paper outlines the on-field assessment of low-density explosive in Quarry AB of Tata Steel West Bokaro Division. It is a solid sensitized emulsion blend. It comprises products designed for blasting in dry, dewatered, and wet blast-hole applications. Low-density explosive provides the capability to better match explosive performance to ground conditions. Being a low-density, low-energy explosives, it provides an added benefit of reducing the environmental effects of blasting. The key objective of the field assessment was to test the on-field performance of the new low-density bulk products and its effects on blast-induced ground vibration and air overpressure.