Rock mass-based blasting geometry evaluation using Kuz-Ram and split desktop for limestone fragmentation

  • Prisdwiki Aldhatan
    Universitas Negeri Padang
    Indonesia
  • Jukepsa Andas 
    Universitas Negeri Padang
    Indonesia
  • Rudy Anarta
    Universitas Negeri Padang
    Indonesia
  • Refky Adi Nata
    Universitas Negeri Padang
    Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims evaluated limestone blasting geometry under massive and blocky rock-mass conditions and developed geometry adjustments to improve fragmentation control. Thirteen production blasts conducted at PT Semen Padang during April–May 2025 were analyzed quantitatively. Fragmentation was predicted using Kuz-Ram and verified against field fragmentation measured using Split Desktop 2.0.1, with X50 and boulders ≥50 cm as evaluation criteria. Actual boulder percentages for massive rock were 67.47% and 69.00% using Kuz-Ram and Split Desktop, respectively, whereas blocky rock yielded 44.89% and 56.00%. Kuz-Ram evaluation of the proposed geometry reduced X50 from 78.05 to 31.29 cm in massive rock and from 46.41 to 26.56 cm in blocky rock. These findings indicate that rock-mass-specific geometry adjustments can improve predicted fragmentation; however, field validation is required before operational implementation.

Keywords
  • Blasting geometry, Limestone fragmentation, Kuz-ram, Split desktop, Rock mass characteristics
Lisensing Information
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

References
  1. Armaghani, D. J., et al. (2024). Enhancing rock fragmentation assessment in mine blasting through machine learning algorithms: A practical approach. Discover Applied Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-024-05888-0
  2. Bouzakis, K.-D., Gerardis, S., Skordaris, G., Katirtzoglou, G., Makrimallakis, S., Klocke, F., & Bouzakis, E. (2009). Effect of dry micro-blasting on PVD-film properties, cutting edge geometry and tool life in milling. Surface and Coatings Technology, 204(6–7), 1081–1086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2009.07.018
  3. Das, R. K., Dhekne, P. Y., & Murmu, S. (2023). Development of a multiplication factor for the Kuz-Ram model to match the fragment size obtained from WipFrag image analysis. Journal of Mines, Metals and Fuels. https://doi.org/10.18311/jmmf/2023/34116
  4. Figueiredo, J., Torres, V., Cruz, R., & Moreira, D. (2023). Blasting fragmentation study using 3D image analysis of a hard rock mine. Applied Sciences, 13(12), 7090. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13127090
  5. Gao, P., Pan, C., Zong, Q., & Dong, C. (2023). Rock fragmentation size distribution control in blasting: A case study of blasting mining in Changjiu Shenshan limestone mine. Frontiers in Materials, 10, 1330354. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2023.1330354
  6. Germain, P., & Hadjigeorgiou, J. (1997a). Influence of stope geometry and blasting patterns on recorded overbreak. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 34(3–4), 115.e1-115.e12. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1365-1609(97)00219-0
  7. Germain, P., & Hadjigeorgiou, J. (1997b). Influence of stope geometry and blasting patterns on recorded overbreak. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, 34(3–4), 628. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1365-1609(97)00219-0
  8. Hadi, A. M., Gusman, M., Octova, A., Saldy, T. G., & Viedtaha, R. (2024). Evaluation of Drilling and Blasting Geometry at Kencana Underground Gold Mine Pt. Nusa Halmahera Minerals, North Halmahera District, North Maluku Province. Springer Proceedings in Earth and Environmental Sciences, Part F3395, 223–240. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-5746-6_18
  9. Hao, Q., Cao, A., Lyu, W., Wang, C., Yan, L., & Lyu, G. (2025). Crack Extension Characteristics of Deep Hole Pre-splitting Blasting Under Different In-Situ Stress Fields and Drill Geometries: A Numerical Study. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 58(2), 1427–1449. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-024-04244-3
  10. Harsiga, E., & Tono, E. P. S. B. T. (2024). Technical study of blasting geometry to reduce the level of fragmentation at the Air Laya mine site pt. Bukit Asam, Tbk. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1419(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1419/1/012076
  11. Idowu, K. A., Olaleye, B. M., & Saliu, M. A. (2021). Application of Split Desktop image analysis and Kuz-Ram empirical model for evaluation of blast fragmentation efficiency in a typical granite quarry. Ghana Mining Journal, 21(1), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.4314/gm.v21i1.5
  12. Ilham, S., Alkatiri, H., & Haya, A. (2025). Blasting geometry analysis to obtain optimal fragmentation results in the iron ore mine of PT Adidaya Tangguh Taliabu island district North Maluku Province. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1454(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1454/1/012077
  13. Khoddami, A., & Mohammadi, B. (2025). A Novel Simulation Model for Multiple Solid Particle Erosion in Micro-blasting Process of Ti-6Al-4V Dental Implant Alloy Considering Actual Geometry of Impacting Particles. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 50(4), 2277–2300. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-024-09058-7
  14. Kuswanto, A., Santoso, E., & Annisa, A. (2022). Kajian pengaruh arah peledakan terhadap fragmentasi batuan overburden hasil peledakan berdasarkan Model Kuz-Ram. Jurnal Himasapta, 7(3), 117–122. https://doi.org/10.20527/jhs.v7i3.7497
  15. Latyshev, O. G., & Prischepa, D. V. (2018). Analysis of fractal characteristics of mine working geometry for assessing quality of perimeter blasting. Mining Science and Technology (Russian Federation), 2018(3), 26–34. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2018-3-26-34
  16. Mat, M. N. H., & Asmuin, N. (2018). Optimum design of nozzle geometry of dry ice blasting using CFD for the reduction of noise emission. International Journal of Integrated Engineering, 10(5), 130–135. https://doi.org/10.30880/ijie.2018.10.05.019
  17. Mat, M. N. H., Asmuin, N. Z., Basir, M. F. M., Goodarzi, M., Rahman, M. F. A., Khairulfuaad, R., Jabbar, B. A., & Kasihmuddin, M. S. M. (2020). Influence of divergent length on the gas-particle flow in dual hose dry ice blasting nozzle geometry. Powder Technology, 364, 152–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2020.01.060
  18. Mat, M. N. H., Asmuin, N. Z., Md. Basir, M. F., Goodarzi, M., & Hasan, N. H. (2020). Effect of impact force for dual-hose dry blasting nozzle geometry for various pressure and distance: an experimental work. European Physical Journal Plus, 135(2). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-020-00251-9
  19. Mikołajczak, A., Krawczyk, P., & Badyda, K. (2019). Initial investigation of the dry ice blasting convergent-divergent nozzle geometry with the CFD methods. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2116. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5114535
  20. Milus, A., Santoso, E., & Fikri, H. N. (2021). Kajian pengaruh faktor batuan terhadap fragmentasi batuan overburden hasil peledakan berdasarkan model Kuz-Ram. Jurnal Himasapta, 6(2).
  21. Moomivand, H., Soltanalinejad, S., & Mirzaei Karwansara, A. (2024). Assessment of the optimized stemming length considering rock fragmentation and escape of explosive gases using actual large-scale results. Results in Engineering, 25, 103575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2024.103575
  22. Müller, B., Hausmann, J., & Niedzwiedz, H. (2010). Control of rock fragmentation and muck pile geometry during production blasts (environmentally friendly blasting technique). Rock Fragmentation by Blasting - Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting, FRAGBLAST 9, 277–286. https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84859820019?origin=resultslist
  23. Murad, M., Setiawati, S., & Mukhtar, W. (2023). Rancangan geometri peledakan yang efisien untuk mendapatkan distribusi ukuran fragmentasi batu gamping. Jurnal Teknologi Mineral dan Batubara, 19(2). https://doi.org/10.30556/jtmb.Vol19.No2.2023.1386
  24. Nainggolan, D. R., Sitorus, R., Eveny, O. N., & Sariandi, F. (2018). Correlation between uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and blasting geometry on rock excavation at PT Agincourt Resources. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 212(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/212/1/012065
  25. Omotehinse, A. O., et al. (2023). A comparative analysis on the performance of modified Kuz-Ram and Kuznetsov–Cunningham–Ouchterlony models on small and large diameter drill-hole blasts. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering.
  26. Önen, B., Fidan, S., Sinmazçelik, T., & Çinar, A. (2017). Blasting nozzle internal geometry effects on wear and roughness of target material in particle erosion; [Nozul içi geometrilerinin partiköl erozyonunda hedef malzeme aşinma ve pörözlölöǧöne etkileri]. Journal of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture of Gazi University, 32(4), 1051–1061. https://doi.org/10.17341/gazimmfd.369362
  27. Paswan, R. K., Roy, M. P., Shankar, R., & Singh, P. K. (2021). Blast vibration and fragmentation control at heavily jointed limestone mine. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 39, 3469–3485. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-021-01705-2
  28. Perincek, O., Loxton, R., Kulkarni, S., & Arthur, D. (2025). Drill pattern optimisation for large complex blasts to improve fragmentation and dig efficiency. Mathematical Geosciences, 57, 577–599. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11004-024-10174-1
  29. Ramos, N. C., Alves, L. M. M., Ramos, G. F., Bottino, M. A., Melo, R. M., & Souza, R. O. A. (2021). The importance of MDP priming, silica blasting or glazing on the retention force of Y-TZP copings to varying geometry tooth abutments. Coatings, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings11030315
  30. Salmi, E.-F., Sellers, E. J., & Ehlers, A. (2021). A review of the methods to incorporate the geological and geotechnical characteristics of rock masses in blastability assessments for selective blast design. Engineering Geology.
  31. Sanchidrián, J. A., & Ouchterlony, F. (2023). Blast-fragmentation prediction derived from the fragment size-energy fan concept. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering.
  32. Sujatono, S. (2024). Application of image digital processing to evaluate accuracy in predicting rock fragmentation induced by blasting. Jurnal Teknologi (Sciences & Engineering), 86(4). https://doi.org/10.11113/jurnalteknologi.v86.20743
  33. Volchenko, N. G. (1977). Influence of charge arrangement geometry and short-delay blasting on the crushing indices in compression blasting. Soviet Mining Science, 13(5), 488–493. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02498463
  34. Wang, Y., Zhan, J., Peng, R., Liu, A., Gao, J., & Xiao, X. (2027). Material removal mechanism and evolution of cutting edge geometry of P20 cemented carbide inserts under abrasive blasting passivation. Tribology International, 226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2026.112461
  35. Wu, D.-Y., & Yang, J.-M. (2003). Impulse calculation of no-restriction touch blasting with geometry analysis. Liuti Lixue Shiyan Yu Celiang/Experiments and Measurements in Fluid Mechanics, 17(1), 9. https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/0037565452?origin=resultslist
  36. Yilmaz, O. (2023). Rock factor prediction in the Kuz–Ram model and burden estimation by mean fragment size. Geomechanics for Energy and the Environment, 33, 100415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gete.2022.100415.
  37. Zhang, B., Liu, Q., Li, M., Xie, S., Guan, W., Wang, X., & Wang, H. (2026). Mechanisms of Asymmetric Dynamic Response Induced by Weak Interlayer Geometry and Wave Impedance in Single-Hole Bench Blasting. Symmetry, 18(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/sym18081288
  38. Zhu, Y., Farhadi, A., He, G., Liu, X., Gu, L., & Zhao, W. (2018). Influence of Gap Air Flushing on Plasma Channel and Crater Geometry in Single Blasting Erosion Arc Discharge. Procedia CIRP, 68, 210–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2017.12.050

Downloads

Pdf

Statistic

Abstract Views
: 66 times
Pdf
: 30 times