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Stochastic Modeling Approach for the Evaluation of Backbreak due to Blasting Operations in Open Pit Mines

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Abstract

Backbreak is an undesirable side effect of bench blasting operations in open pit mines. A large number of parameters affect backbreak, including controllable parameters (such as blast design parameters and explosive characteristics) and uncontrollable parameters (such as rock and discontinuities properties). The complexity of the backbreak phenomenon and the uncertainty in terms of the impact of various parameters makes its prediction very difficult. The aim of this paper is to determine the suitability of the stochastic modeling approach for the prediction of backbreak and to assess the influence of controllable parameters on the phenomenon. To achieve this, a database containing actual measured backbreak occurrences and the major effective controllable parameters on backbreak (i.e., burden, spacing, stemming length, powder factor, and geometric stiffness ratio) was created from 175 blasting events in the Sungun copper mine, Iran. From this database, first, a new site-specific empirical equation for predicting backbreak was developed using multiple regression analysis. Then, the backbreak phenomenon was simulated by the Monte Carlo (MC) method. The results reveal that stochastic modeling is a good means of modeling and evaluating the effects of the variability of blasting parameters on backbreak. Thus, the developed model is suitable for practical use in the Sungun copper mine. Finally, a sensitivity analysis showed that stemming length is the most important parameter in controlling backbreak.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Mrs. I. Mahboobi for her kind help during the preparation of the manuscript and the anonymous reviewers for their useful comments and constructive suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia

    Mehmet Sari

  2. Department of Mining, Petroleum and Geophysics Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, Daneshgah Blvd., P.O. Box 3619995161, Shahrood, Iran

    Ebrahim Ghasemi & Mohammad Ataei

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  1. Mehmet Sari
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  2. Ebrahim Ghasemi
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Correspondence to Ebrahim Ghasemi.

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Sari, M., Ghasemi, E. & Ataei, M. Stochastic Modeling Approach for the Evaluation of Backbreak due to Blasting Operations in Open Pit Mines. Rock Mech Rock Eng 47, 771–783 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0438-z

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