Blasting and fragmentation are critical operations in mining and quarrying, significantly influencing downstream processes such as loading, hauling, and crushing. At the core of successful blasting lies a precise understanding of how energy is distributed through the rock mass. Among the key factors that can drastically affect blast outcomes is drilling deviation, a common but often underestimated issue that alters the intended blast geometry.

The Impact of Drilling Deviation

In an ideal blast design, drill holes are positioned and angled according to a specific pattern to ensure optimal burden spacing, energy distribution, and shock wave interaction. However, drilling deviation, which refers to the unintentional displacement or misalignment of blast holes can disrupt this pattern (Adebayo & Mutandwa, 2015).

When holes deviate, the spacing and burden between them can become inconsistent. This misalignment affects shock wave propagation, leading to uneven energy transfer across the rock mass. In zones where spacing is too wide, the energy dissipates prematurely, resulting in poor rock breakage. Conversely, overly tight spacing can cause excessive energy concentration, increasing the risk of overbreak and flyrock.

These irregularities directly influence rock fracturing. A well-fractured rock mass ensures the production of uniformly sized fragments. But with drilling deviation, fragmentation becomes unpredictable. As a result, the blast may yield a mix of fines, oversize boulders, and inadequate intermediate sizes, which compromise both crusher compatibility and operational efficiency.

Approaches for Calculating Drill Hole Deviation (Manzoor et al., 2022)

Drill hole deviation refers to the departure of a drilled hole from its intended path in terms of length, direction, and angle. Accurate assessment of this deviation is essential in mining and civil engineering projects where the precision of hole placement affects fragmentation, blasting efficiency, and overall project outcomes. There are several practical approaches used to define and evaluate drill hole deviation, particularly focusing on hole length variation, toe deviation, and hole angle.

1. Hole Length Variation Approach

This approach compares the actual drilled hole length to the designed or planned length. In many cases, the planned length is measured from the collar (starting point) to the expected toe (bottom of the hole) along a straight path. Deviations in length often indicate that the drill has wandered off the intended path, especially in steeply inclined or deep holes.

• Shorter holes than planned can suggest upward deviation or bending along the path.
• Longer holes may indicate downward deviation or drilling past the toe due to misalignment or geological inconsistencies.

Monitoring length variation is particularly useful in controlled environments where design lengths are standardized. This method is a straightforward first check to determine if a hole might be deviating and to what extent.

2. Toe Deviation Approach

Toe deviation assesses the horizontal and vertical displacement of the actual hole end point (toe) from its intended or designed location. This is a direct measure of deviation and one of the most reliable indicators of drilling accuracy.

• Toe deviation is typically evaluated using survey tools or borehole tracking systems that pinpoint the actual toe position.
• Displacement in the horizontal plane indicates lateral drift.
• Displacement in the vertical plane can suggest a variation in drilling dip or depth.

Understanding toe deviation is crucial in blast design and mineral exploration, where accurate positioning at the bottom of the hole influences rock breakage efficiency, ore recovery, and safety.

3. Hole Angle Deviation Approach

Angle deviation refers to the difference between the planned drill angle and the actual drilled angle. This can be assessed at various points along the hole but is especially important at the collar and near the toe.

• Even small angle deviations can cause significant offset at the toe in long holes.
• Deviations can occur in both the azimuth (horizontal angle) and the inclination (vertical angle), leading to spiraling or drifting holes.

Angle deviation is commonly tracked using a gyro or borehole camera, and its identification is vital in situations where hole alignment impacts the outcome, such as in perimeter control blasting or directional drilling.

Particle Size Distribution Consequences

Poor fragmentation due to drilling deviation leads to:

• Increased presence of boulders that require secondary breaking.
• Excessive fines that may cause dust problems and reduce haulage efficiency.
• A wider particle size distribution (PSD) curve, indicating inefficient energy usage and poor blast performance.

Recommendation: Using WipFrag for Improvement

To mitigate the effects of drilling deviation and ensure consistent fragmentation, incorporating WipFrag image analysis software into the blast assessment process is highly recommended. WipFrag enables:

• Real-time fragmentation analysis, helping to evaluate PSD curves right after the blast.
• Identification of zones with excessive boulders or fines, linking these to potential drilling inaccuracies.
• Comparison of multiple blast results to detect patterns in performance deviations caused by hole misalignment.

Using WipFrag’s specification envelope tool, engineers can assess if the fragmentation meets crusher compatibility standards and adjust their drilling and blasting parameters accordingly. Furthermore, integrating WipFrag into a continuous improvement cycle ensures better control over drilling precision, energy distribution, and overall blast performance.

Conclusion

Understanding the fundamentals of blasting goes beyond explosive placement, it demands accurate drilling. Drilling deviation disrupts the propagation of shock waves and leads to poor fragmentation, affecting both safety and productivity. Leveraging tools like WipFrag empowers mining professionals to monitor, analyze, and improve blast results, ensuring a more efficient and cost-effective operation.

References

Adebayo, B., & Mutandwa, B. (2015). Correlation of blast-hole deviation and area of block with fragment size and fragmentation cost. International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET), 2(7), 402-406.

Manzoor, S., Danielsson, M., Söderström, E., Schunnesson, H., Gustafson, A., Fredriksson, H., & Johansson, D. (2022). Predicting rock fragmentation based on drill monitoring: A case study from Malmberget mine, Sweden. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 122(3), 155-165.

Introduction

Blasting is a critical operation in mining, quarrying, and construction that involves the controlled detonation of explosives to break rock into manageable fragments. The fundamental principle behind blasting lies in understanding the interaction between explosive energy and rock mechanics, particularly the propagation of shock waves and the subsequent formation of fractures.

The Shock-Wave Theory of Blasting

The shock-wave theory provides a framework for understanding how explosive energy transforms into mechanical work, breaking the rock. As mentioned by Hino, (1956), when an explosive charge detonates, it generates an intense shock wave accompanied by a rapid release of gas and energy.

This energy produces two primary effects:

1. Crushed Zone Formation:

Near the explosive charge, the rock undergoes intense compressive stress, exceeding its compressive strength. This creates a crushed zone, a region where the rock is pulverized into fine fragments. However, because rocks generally have a high compressive strength, this crushed zone is limited to the immediate vicinity of the charge.

Figure 1 )Shadab Far et al., 2019)

2. Shock Wave Propagation:

Beyond the crushed zone, a high-pressure shock wave propagates outward as a compressive wave. This wave does not immediately cause rock breakage but transfers energy through the rock mass.

At the first free face (a boundary with no external constraint, such as the surface of a bench or tunnel wall), the compressive wave reflects as a tensile wave. In rock mechanics, this transition is crucial because rocks are significantly weaker under tensile stress than under compressive stress. As the tensile wave interacts with the rock, fractures form when the effective tension the difference between the reflected tensile wave and any residual compression exceeds the rock’s tensile strength (Himanshu et al., 2024).

Thickness of the First Slab and Fragmentation

The initial fracture caused by the tensile wave occurs at a distance from the free face known as the thickness of the first slab (Hino, 1956). This distance is critical because:

• It determines the size of the initial fragment.
• Other fragment dimensions are generally proportional to this thickness.

If the remaining compressive wave retains sufficient energy after the detachment of the first slab, it continues propagating outward (See Figure 2). This process repeats at newly created free faces, producing successive layers of fractures and reducing the rock into smaller fragments. The cycle continues until the energy of the compressive wave diminishes below the tensile strength of the rock.

The interaction between these phenomena: shock wave propagation, energy dissipation, and rock strength, governs the fragmentation process. Understanding these principles allows blasting engineers to optimize blast designs to achieve desired fragment sizes, minimize blast induced issues like ground vibration, flyrock, overbreak, and ensure efficient downstream operations.

Factors Affecting Shock-Wave Propagation and Fragmentation

Several factors influence the effectiveness of a blast and the resulting fragmentation:

1. Explosive Properties

• The energy content, detonation velocity, and confinement of explosives significantly affect the shock wave’s intensity and duration.

2. Rock Properties

• Variations in rock strength, density, and structure (e.g., joints, fractures, and bedding planes) influence the propagation of shock and tensile waves.

3. Blast Design Parameters:

• Hole diameter, spacing, burden, and the placement of charges determine the distribution of energy and the resulting fragmentation.

4. Free Face Orientation:

• The presence and orientation of free faces play a pivotal role in enabling tensile wave reflection and fracture initiation.

5. Energy Distribution:

• Proper distribution of explosive energy ensures uniform fragmentation and minimizes the generation of oversize boulders or fines.

Importance of Fragmentation in Mining Operations

Effective fragmentation is essential for the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of mining operations. Well-fragmented rock facilitates:

• Reduced loading and hauling costs.
• Improved crusher throughput and efficiency.
• Lower energy consumption in downstream processing.
• Enhanced safety by minimizing the occurrence of hazardous oversize boulders.

Importance of Assessing Blast Performance and Output

WipFrag, a state-of-the-art image analysis software, revolutionizes the assessment of blast performance and fragmentation. By analyzing images of fragmented rock, WipFrag provides precise and actionable insights into the quality of a blast. Here’s how WipFrag enhances blasting operations:

1. Particle Size distribution (PSD) Analysis:

• WipFrag generates PSD curves that quantify the size range of rock fragments, enabling operators to evaluate whether the fragmentation meets specifications.

2. Specification Envelope Assessment

• The software allows users to define specification envelopes for crusher-compatible fragmentation. Deviations from these envelopes highlight areas for improvement in blast design.

3. Boulder Identification and Counting:

• WipFrag’s advanced algorithms detect and count oversize boulders, providing critical data for optimizing explosive placement and burden.

4. Image Merging and Orthomosaic Integration:

• The capability to merge multiple images ensures comprehensive analysis of large muck piles. Integration with drone orthomosaics enables wide-area assessment of blast results.

5. Continuous Improvement:

• By comparing fragmentation results across blasts, WipFrag supports continuous improvement in blasting practices, reducing costs and improving efficiency.

6. Real-Time Analysis:

• Integration with systems like Solo 6 and Reflex 6 facilitates real-time monitoring and analysis, ensuring immediate feedback for decision-making.

Figure 3

Figure 3 showcases results obtained from the WipFrag software, illustrating its capabilities in fragmentation analysis.

• Figure 3a presents the GIS-integrated on-site fragmentation assessment. This feature, embedded within WipFrag, allows users to visualize blast results spatially. The red sections of the GIS map highlight areas with poor blast outcomes, whereas lighter colors like blue and green represent zones with favorable fragmentation.
• Figure 3c displays the Particle Size Distribution (PSD) curves comparing three different blasts. The yellow envelope outlines the production specification of the case study mine, serving as a benchmark. WipFrag enables each mine to define their Key Performance Indicator (KPI) sizes and utilize them for ongoing assessments. This facilitates the evaluation of blast improvements over successive rounds.
• Additionally, the PSD curves feature size classifications and flag specific sizes that deviate from mine production requirements, ensuring precise monitoring and alignment with operational goals.

This comprehensive analysis provided by WipFrag aids in identifying areas of improvement, optimizing blasting strategies, and enhancing overall mining efficiency.

Conclusion

Blasting and fragmentation are complex processes driven by the interaction of explosive energy, rock mechanics, and blast design parameters. Understanding these fundamentals is essential for optimizing operations and achieving desired outcomes. WipFrag software plays a pivotal role in this optimization by providing detailed and accurate fragmentation analysis, enabling operators to assess performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement data-driven strategies for continuous enhancement. With tools like WipFrag, the mining industry can achieve safer, more efficient, and cost-effective blasting operations (download software here https://wipware.com/get-wipfrag/).

References

Hino, K. (1956). Fragmentation of rock through blasting and shock wave theory of blasting. In ARMA US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium (pp. ARMA-56). ARMA.

Himanshu, V. K., Bhagat, N. K., Vishwakarma, A. K., & Mishra, A. K. (2024). Principles and Practices of Rock Blasting. CRC Press.

Shadab Far, M., Wang, Y., & Dallo, Y. A. (2019). Reliability analysis of the induced damage for single-hole rock blasting. Georisk: Assessment and Management of Risk for Engineered Systems and Geohazards, 13(1), 82-98.

We’ve put together some photoanalysis systems FAQs based on questions from our customers.

For more information about our systems, please visit our YouTube channel.

We’ve put together some FAQs for WipFrag 4 image acquisition based on questions from our customers.

For more information about WipFrag, please visit our YouTube channel. Tutorial videos are available on a variety of WipFrag topics.

WipFrag 4 अब हमारे उपयोगकर्ताओं को विश्लेषण के लिए GeoTIFF ऑर्थोमोज़िक चित्र बनाने के लिए तृतीय पक्ष सॉफ़्टवेयर या एकल ड्रोन छवियों के बीच चयन करने की अनुमति देता है।

सॉफ्टवेयर के अंदर अपना खुद का ऑर्थोमोसिक बनाने के लिए, हमने ओडीएम (ओपन ड्रोन मैप) फीचर को एकीकृत किया है। इस नई सुविधा के साथ, आप एकल ड्रोन छवियां ले सकते हैं जिनके लिए महंगे तृतीय पक्ष सॉफ़्टवेयर की आवश्यकता नहीं है और अपनी स्वयं की जियो टीआईएफएफ फ़ाइल बना सकते हैं।

यदि आपके पास पहले से ही तृतीय पक्ष सॉफ़्टवेयर है और WipFrag 4 में अपलोड करने के लिए एक GeoTIFF ऑर्थोमोज़िक छवि बनाना चाहते हैं, तो बस एक ड्रोन और तृतीय पक्ष फ़्लाइट पथ सॉफ़्टवेयर का उपयोग करके एक GeoTIFF ऑर्थोमोज़िक छवि बनाते हुए चित्र लें।

WipFrag के साथ, हम विशिष्ट DJI उत्पादों और उड़ान पथ सॉफ़्टवेयर जैसे ड्रोन परिनियोजन या Pix4D की अनुशंसा करते हैं। ड्रोन के साथ फ़्लाइट पाथ सॉफ़्टवेयर उत्पादों का उपयोग करने से आप 3D प्रोफाइल, स्टॉकपाइल वॉल्यूम, एलिवेशन हीट मैपिंग और हमारे पसंदीदा - जियो टीआईएफएफ ऑर्थोमोसेक इमेज जेनरेट कर सकेंगे।

ड्रोन के बारे में निर्णय लेते समय, यहां कुछ विशिष्टताओं और कैमरा अनुशंसाओं के बारे में बताया गया है।

अनुशंसित ड्रोन चश्मा और उसका कैमरा:

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• अच्छा उड़ान समय (>25 मिनट अधिकांश अनुप्रयोगों के लिए उपयुक्त है)
• नीचे की ओर देखने में सक्षम जिम्बल (जमीन पर लंबवत)
• स्वायत्त मिशन योजना और उड़ान के लिए आईओएस इंटरफेस में सक्षम
• अच्छी उड़ान गति (>40mph/65kph हवा प्रतिरोध के लिए आवश्यक)
• अच्छा ऑपरेटिंग रेंज (>4mi/6.4km गड्ढे के वातावरण में मदद करता है)
• स्वचालित टक्कर से बचाव और घरेलू क्षमता पर वापसी
• उचित मूल्य और भागों / सहायक उपकरण खोजने में आसान
• जीपीएस और ग्लोनास

WipFrag GeoTIFF ऑर्थोमोसिक ड्रोन इमेज लेता है और विस्तृत ब्लास्ट फ़्रेग्मेंटेशन माप बनाता है। ड्रोन सॉफ्टवेयर छवियों को एक साथ जोड़ता है और एक उच्च रिज़ॉल्यूशन, बड़ी छवि बनाता है। ड्रोन सॉफ्टवेयर स्केल बनाए रखने और पृथ्वी की सतह का सटीक प्रतिनिधित्व करने के लिए तस्वीरों को संरेखित करता है।

ड्रोन ऑर्थोमोसिक छवियों को ब्लास्ट पाइल पर स्केल संदर्भ की आवश्यकता नहीं होती है क्योंकि जियो टीआईएफएफ ऑर्थोमोसेक छवि में स्केल संदर्भ एम्बेडेड होता है और विपफ्रैग 4 विंडोज सॉफ्टवेयर ने इन बड़े डेटा सेट को संभालने के लिए क्षमताओं को बढ़ाया है।

WipFrag 4 आपको उपयोग करने का विकल्प भी देता है हमारी मेलफ्रैग सेवा जो जियो टीआईएफएफ ऑर्थोमोजिक छवियों का भी समर्थन करता है. यूएवी छवि सबमिशन मानक मेलफ्रैग छवि सबमिशन के समान है। एक यूएवी छवि विश्लेषण में 9 छवि विश्लेषण क्रेडिट खर्च होते हैं।

कृपया हमारे पर जाएँ वेबसाइट के बारे में अधिक जानकारी के लिए विपफ्रैग 4 और हमारा MailFrag ऑनलाइन छवि विश्लेषण सेवा।

हमें अतिरिक्त सहायता और विस्तृत अनुशंसाएं प्रदान करने में प्रसन्नता हो रही है। बेझिझक हमें ईमेल करें support@wipware.com. दूरस्थ प्रशिक्षण सत्र भी उपलब्ध हैं।

For a tutorial on how this new ODM feature works, click यहां

WipWare यह घोषणा करने के लिए उत्साहित है कि हमने Android के लिए WipFrag जारी किया है। अब, हमारे ग्राहक अपने Android उपकरणों पर WipFrag के विखंडन विश्लेषण सॉफ्टवेयर का अनुभव कर सकते हैं। Android के लिए नए WipFrag में हमारा ऑटो-स्केल फीचर शामिल है जो एक संदर्भ पैमाने की आवश्यकता को समाप्त करता है।

सभी नए सब्सक्राइबर पहले महीने मुफ्त में प्राप्त करेंगे !!!

30 जून तक मान्य प्रस्ताव

हमारे WipFrag उत्पाद डिजिटल छवियों के तत्काल PSD विश्लेषण की अनुमति देते हैं। इन छवियों को एक विस्फोट के बाद, ढेर के ढेर पर इकट्ठा किया जा सकता है, एक भंडार का नमूना, प्रयोगशाला का नमूना या यहां तक कि ड्रोन / यूएवी छवियों का।

WipFrag 3 उपयोगकर्ताओं को iOS, DSLR और UAV छवियों का उपयोग करके ब्लास्ट पाइल विखंडन को पकड़ने की अनुमति देता है। IOS और Android पर ऑटो-स्केलिंग क्षमताओं के साथ, WipFrag 3 सुरक्षित, लागत प्रभावी और दुनिया में सबसे सटीक विखंडन विश्लेषण उपकरण है।

कण आकार और आकार वितरण प्रदान करने के अलावा, WipFrag का नवीनतम संस्करण भौतिक रंग के आधार पर दो प्रकार की अनियमितता / संदूषण / कमजोर पड़ने का पता लगाने में सक्षम है।

उपलब्ध अन्य प्लेटफॉर्म: WipFrag iOS, Windows के लिए WipFrag (केवल डाउनलोड करें) और Windows USB के लिए WipFrag।