Effects of discontinuities on fragmentation by blasting

Abstract The blasting operation in discontinuous rock requires the investigation of the inter-relationship between joint orientation and position of blasting boreholes. The basic laws of fragmentation of rock were evaluated. Sizes and shapes of the fragmented volumes with various degrees of fissuratlon were determined. Method of simulation was used in comminution experiments for optimizing blasting in quarries. The crushibility index has been used to characterize the fragmentation. A series of experiments has been completed in a quarry. The size distribution parameters are essential to economical and efficient hauling and crushing.