Influence of Charge Hole Spacing on the Crack Propagation Behavior under the Effect of Empty-Hole Directional Blasting

In order to explore the reasonable spacing of charge holes in empty-hole directional blasting, based on the action mechanism of empty-hole directional blasting, the influence of charge hole spacing on crack propagation is studied, the calculation formula of charge hole spacing is deduced, and the blasting excavation process in Shijiazhuang South Ring Expressway Tunnel is simulated by finite element software. The results show that by setting empty holes on both sides of the charge holes in the peripheral blasting, the guiding cracks can be formed in the connecting direction between the empty hole and the charge hole, the propagation of cracks in other directions can be suppressed, and the spacing of charge holes can be enlarged. Reasonable charge hole spacing is very important to realize the effect of empty-hole directional blasting; the spacing is small, the rock will be overbroken, and the utilization ratio of explosives is reduced; large spacing, the guiding effect of empty holes is weak, and the effective directional cracks cannot be formed. The spacing between charge holes is closely related to the mechanical properties of rock, detonation parameters of explosive, and aperture of the charge hole and empty hole. According to the simulation results of crack propagation in different spacing, the blasting performance is the best when the charge hole spacing is 800–1000 mm, which is completely consistent with the theoretical calculation result of charge hole spacing 948 mm.