Numerical simulation of rock fragmentation by blasting using discrete element method and particle blast method

Abstract

Blasting is common activity used in quarry to fragment rock which the aim is to obtain maximum yield with desired fragmentation in a safer manner. This study has opened up new possibilities to optimize the blasting in order to achieve the desired fragmentation of rock. Discrete element method (DEM) and particle blast method (PBM) approach was used to investigate numerically the response of rock fragmentation induced by blasting. The numerical simulation performed in this study using the commercial software LS-DYNA. Calibration of the micro-parameters in bonded particle model (BPM) of rock has been conducted. In bench blasting simulation, DEM was used on the modelling of rock media, where PBM was used to simulate the blast loading which capable of modelling thermally non-equilibrium system. This numerical analysis is compared to rock fragment distribution fieldwork data. It shows that DEM-PBM simulation could reproduce the trends observed in fieldwork rock fragment distribution. Comparison between fieldwork data and numerical analyses is presented and discussed.