• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.366-372
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• 2009

Recently, in order to achieve smooth fracture plane and minimize the excavation damage zone in rock blasting, controlled blasting methods which utilize new technologies such as electronic delay detonator (EDD) and a notched charge hole have been suggested. In this study, smooth blastings utilizing three wing type notched charge holes are simulated to investigate the influence of explosive initial density on the resultant fracture plane and damage zone using dynamic fracture process analysis (DFPA) code. Finally, based on the dynamic fracture process analyses, novel smooth blasting method, ED-Notch SB (Electronic Detonator Notched Charge Hole Smooth Blasting) is suggested.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2010

Crack-controlled blasting method which utilizes notched charge hole has been proposed in order to achieve smooth fracture plane and minimize the excavation damage zone. In this study, the blast models, which have a notched charge hole, were analyzed using dynamic fracture process analysis software to investigate the effect of the geometry of a notched charge hole and decoupling indexes of the charge hole on crack growth control in blasting. As a result, crack extension increased and damage crack decreased with the notch length. Ultimately, stress increment factors and resultant fracture patterns with different notch length and width were analyzed in order to examine the effect factors on the crack growth controlling in rock blasts using a notched charge hole.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 2008

It has been proven that the pre-cracking notches in a blasting hole are applicable to control crack growth along specific direction. This study compared the roughnesses of the fracture plane resulting from test blasts using a regular charge hole and notched charge hole to investigate the effect of the notches of charge hole on the formation of fracture plane. A notch bit system was used to drill the notched hole in the rock specimens. The surfaces of the fracture planes were reconstructed as Digital Elevation Model (DEM) using digital photogrammetric method and the roughnesses of the surfaces were estimated with Surface Roughness Profile Index (SRp).

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2008

Mechanical excavation techniques employing tunnel boring machines (TBM) and rock splitters have been proposed to minimize rock damage for tunnel and underground waste repository facilities. Such a mechanical excavation, however, is extremely expensive and not applicable in all cases. For these reasons, controlled blasting using notched charge holes have been suggested to achieve crack growth along specific directions and inhibit growth along other directions. This study introduces a dynamic fracture process analysis code to simulate fracture processes of rock which has a notched charge hole.