Title: Dynamic blast compaction of some granular materials: small-scale tests and numerical modelling of a mining-related problem

Authors: Daniel Johansson, Tomas Villegas, Finn Ouchterlony

Addresses: Division of Mining and Geotechnical Engineering, Lulea University of Technology, SE 97187 Lulea, Sweden. ' Division of Mining and Geotechnical Engineering, Lulea University of Technology, SE 97187 Lulea, Sweden. ' Swebrec, Swedish Blasting Research Centre at Lulea University of Technology Mejerivagen 1, SE 11743 Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract: Sub-Level Caving (SLC) is an important mass mining method, involving blasting of ore against granular material in the form of caving debris. The debris compaction due to blasting influences the caving process. Blasting tests were made on cylinders of magnetic mortar placed inside plastic cylinders and confined by packed granular material. By introducing the acoustic impedance between the mortar and the confining granular material, the compaction is found to depend on material, specific charge and physical properties of the debris with statistical analysis. The tests have shown to be a good input for numerical modelling of blast compaction.

Keywords: confined blasting; dynamic blast compaction; SLC; sub-level caving; granular materials; numerical modelling; distinct element modelling; mass mining; debris compaction; ore blasting; blasting tests; acoustic impedance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2010.035311

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2010 Vol.2 No.2, pp.79 - 100

Published online: 21 Sep 2010 *

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