A Statistical Analysis of Fragmentation After Single Hole Bench Blasting

Summary The purpose of this study is to statistically correlate the fragmentation gradient () and average fragment size () with the blasting test parameters for rock masses having different characteristics. Blasting tests were conducted in limestone exposed during the highway construction between Tarsus and Pozanti (Turkey). Three test sites were classified as poor rock, good rock, and very good rock according to their RMR ratings. The selected blasting test parameters that affect the degree of fragmentation were burden, bench height and ANFO charge. After each blast, the muckpiles were screened and fragment size distribution graphs were plotted. Yates' method was applied for experimental design and analysis of variance. The single and combined effects of blasting test parameters were analyzed through the Yates' tables and significant and non-significant treatment combinations were determined for different rock masses. Some conclusions drawn from this research are: 1. The increase of RMR ratings promotes fragmentation, hence, increases blasting efficiency. 2. In rock masses of low RMR ratings, the volume of broken material is large, but fragmentation into small sizes is low. The opposite is true for rock masses of high RMR ratings. 3. The length of charge column is the significant factor affecting the average fragment size regardless the type of rock mass and is more significant in very good quality rock mass.