ABSTRACT
The methods available for determining explosive performance range from simple calculations to field tests. The essential objective in the use of explosives for rock breakage consists in having a chemically concentrated energy source, properly placed and in sufficient quantity so that when it is liberatedin a controlled manner, in time and space, it can achieve the desired fragmentation of the rock material. Chemical explosives, depending upon the conditions to which they are exposed, can offer different behaviour than would be expected from their explosive matrix. To determine the suitability of an explosive substance for a particular use, its physicalproperties must be known first. The decomposition processes of an explosive compound can range from combustion, accelerated reaction, and lastly to detonation. The nature of the compound itself as well as the initiation system and the external conditions govern the reaction process. Detonation reaction
1 INTRODUCTION
Although explosives have been used for rock blasting for a very long time; plausible scientific theories on rock fragmentation by blasting have emerged only during the last few decades. However, the rock breakage process is still difficult to quantify and control to the level now demanded by blasting customers. Computer modelling as an engineering tool has been extended to blasting to carry out extensive blast simulations. Nevertheless, the validity of these models is dependent on knowledge of the explosive and rock interaction process (Mohanty, 1981, Leiper & DuPlessis, 2001, Cundall et al. 2001 & Cunningham, 2001). Therefore, the prediction of explosive performance is crucial to understanding the explosive-rock interaction process and rock breakage.
