Modeling the axially symmetric fracture evolution in deep-hole blasting

Abstract

Abstract When blasting deep-hole charges in a brittle rock mass, rock disintegration mainly proceeds due to development of radial fractures induced by dramatic tensile azimuthal stresses in the vicinity of a charge and along its surface. Coincidently, appreciable tensile stresses are generated by blasting nearby ends of deep charges along their axes. Such stresses can initiate a rise and development of axially symmetric fractures. In the present paper the computational model is set forth for development of axially symmetric fractures nearby free surface in the vicinity of a charge end. Calculations of a fracture shape and size are reported.