A method to optimize drilling and blasting parameters with account of the physical and technical properties of rocks within the blasted block is proposed to improve the quality of blasting in open pit mines characterized by complex geological settings. The results of laboratory tests are provided that confirm improvement in the quality of rock sample crushing by blasting charges with variable delays and locations, depending on the strength properties of the samples, relative to blasting charges with unchanged parameters. The proposed method can be used in combination with GPR surveys of the rock mass. Explosive fragmentation of the rock masses with complex structures is characterized with a number of features caused by changes in the strength properties within the blasted block. In order to optimize the fragmentation efficiency of rock masses with complex geological structure, it is required to assess physical and technical properties of rocks and to determine their location and variations of the strength properties within the blasted block. It is possible to quickly assess the physical and technical properties of the blasted rocks using the surface georadar method. The outcome of this method is georeferencing of the reoradar data to the location and properties of the rocks to be blasted, along with the methodology of applying the georadar surveys, selection of the areal assembly type depending on the size and properties of detected jointing, and economic justification of applying this method. The novelty consists in linking the georadar data on the rocks to be blasted with drilling and blasting parameters.
Quantitative evaluation of mechanical properties of the natural rock joints for analyzing behavior of structures in discontinuous rock masses.