The effect of blasting using low-density emulsion explosives

Vinko Škrlec, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, Department of Mining Engineering and Geotechnical Engineering, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000, Zagreb, CroatiaFollow
Mario Dobrilović, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, Department of Mining Engineering and Geotechnical Engineering, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia,
Barbara Štimac Tumara, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, Department of Mining Engineering and Geotechnical Engineering, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
Vječislav Bohanek, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, Department of Mining Engineering and Geotechnical Engineering, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

Author ORCID Identifier

Vinko Škrlec: 0000-0002-8797-4910

Mario Dobrilović: 0000-0002-9172-2783

Barbara Štimac Tumara: 0000-0003-4558-3628

Vječislav Bohanek: 0000-0002-1353-7793

Abstract

Low-density emulsion explosives are essentially blends of an emulsion matrix and a certain amount of gaseous phase inclusions acting as hot spots. With the addition of expanded polystyrene for gaseous sensibilization, the resulting explosive blend was developed to reduce peak values and pressure impulse of gaseous detonation products on surrounding rock. This resulted in a decrease in rock stress and a decrease in cracking zone width outside of the minefield boundary. The use of low-density emulsion explosives correlates with the decrease in the seismic effect of blasting, more precisely, the decrease of induced rock oscillation velocities. The low-density emulsion explosive used in this work was validated based on laboratory and field experiments. The laboratory experiments measured dominantly detonation and safety characteristics, while field experiments characterized working capacity, i.e. single-shot blasting effect in an igneous diabase. The obtained measurements were compared against reference explosives (pentrite, emulsion explosive sensitized with glass microspheres, and ANFO explosive). Measured parameters were detonation velocity and oscillation velocity used to determine the seismic effect of blasting in the immediate borehole vicinity.

Recommended Citation

Škrlec, Vinko; Dobrilović, Mario; Tumara, Barbara Štimac; and Bohanek, Vječislav (2024) "The effect of blasting using low-density emulsion explosives," Journal of Sustainable Mining: Vol. 23 : Iss. 1 , Article 2.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.46873/2300-3960.1401