Improving blast-induced rock fragmentation in Milton Quarry

拟议的研究项目旨在通过整合先进的监测和仪器技术来改善米尔顿采石场的爆破过程。地球物理探地雷达将用于描述采石场石灰岩岩体中开放空洞的空间变化。这些空洞会导致爆炸能量的逸出，从而导致岩石破碎。此外，基于无人机技术的航空方法将用于表征岩石几何结构特征，并用于估计岩体的原位块体尺寸分布。将岩体内开孔和不连续面的空间变化信息作为输入，利用离散裂隙网络模型建立岩体的三维结构模型。该模型对采石场甲板爆破实践进行了改进。无人机技术将用于通过图像分析测量爆炸后岩石尺寸分布。这样就可以评估爆破甲板改造对爆炸引起的破片尺寸分布的有效性。使用先进的仪器和监测技术，加上最先进的结构建模方法，将改善米尔顿采石场的爆破效果。

The proposed research project aims to improve the blasting process in Milton quarry by integrating advancedmonitoring and instrumentation techniques. A geophysical ground penetrating radar will be used tocharacterize the spatial variation of open voids in the limestone rock mass at the quarry site. These voids arecausing the escape of explosive energy and consequently a poor rock fragmentation. Moreover, an aerialmethod based on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle technology will be used to characterize the geometrical rockstructural characteristics which will be used to estimate the in-situ block size distribution of rock mass. Theinformation on spatial variation of open voids and discontinuties within the rock mass will be used as input tobuild a 3D structural model for the rock mass using Discrete Fracture Network model. The model allowsimproving the practice of decking blast in the quarry. The drone technology will be used to measure thepost-blast rock size distribution using image analysis. This allows assessing the effectivness of the blastdecking modification on the blast-induced fragmentation size distribution. Using advanced instrumentation andmonitoring techniques together with the state of the art structural modeling approach will allow improvment ofblasting outcomes at Milton quarry.