Numerical Simulations for Rock Fracturing by Destress Blasting

This book concentrates on the evaluation of destress §blasting, which is an important pro-active rockburst §control measure. The concept of destress blasting is §based on the fracturing of highly stressed rock mass §by detonating explosive charge within it. To date, §the application lacks scientific base. The aim of §this book is to identify the governing mechanisms §associated with destress blasting applications. A §holistic approach is undertaken, which involves a §critical analysis of the reported field evidence, §development of a numerical procedure and detailed §investigations at the micro-mechanical level to §investigate the fracturing of rock under confinement §by different types and magnitudes of explosive §energy. Analysis of destress blasting is made §through dynamic modelling by simulating discrete §fractures. Fracturing extent and the amount of §destressing is evaluated with the assistance of §normalized non-dimensional parameters. These §parameters adequately explains destressing §phenomenon and offers clarifications to seemingly §inexplicable reported field observations.