Blast Modeling with DMC-BLAST - Open Pit and Underground

Stephen H. Chung
Orica USA Inc.

Dale S. Preece
Sandia National Laboratories

ABSTRACT

The DMC-BLAST (Distinct Motion Code) has been developed for modeling bench blasting to
one or two free faces such as choked blasting in surface gold operation and cast blasting in coal
mining, respectively. This computer code has been used to assist the analysis of rock mass
displacement after a blast was initiated in an orderly delay sequence. Applications of this feature
can be found in the studies of dilution control in surface mining of gold as well as coal involving
complex rock structures. Recently, DMC-BLAST has been modified to include a designated
delay firing order coupled with variable rock strengths in the blasted media. This newly added
feature allows the investigation of the effects of delay firing order on rock displacement in
blasting a complex interbedded ore-waste structure. Examples of blasting a steeply dipping coal
seams and bedded rock structure, especially in coal mining operations will be addressed and the
comparison of efficiency in blasting in an up-dip as opposed to blasting in a down-dip direction
will be discussed. Also covered in the paper is a new application of DMC-Blast to simulate a
stope blasting underground. Simulations of blasting in a few selected types of timing/structure
combinations will be presented in this paper.

Figures follow the text.

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INTRODUCTION

Following the development of the two-dimensional discrete element motion code in the late 80’s
and early 90’s at Sandia National Laboratory (Taylor and Preece, 1989 a and b, 1992),
DMC-BLAST was created to include features for simulating bench blasting (Preece and Scovira,
1994). This model was successfully compared with the SABREX heave prediction and validated
with several cast blasting exercises at two coal operations (Chung, McGill and Preece, 1994;
Chung, Haid and L’Heureux, 1998). The code underwent further modifications to enable the
study of spatial variation of horizontal rock motion during buffer/choke blasting (Preece, Chung
and Tidman, 1997, 1998).

The latest development is the addition of an “order of detonation” algorithm that allows the user
to designate the hole detonation sequence within the blast. With this new algorithm, the model
can now compare up-dip versus down-dip initiation direction for through seam coal blasting
applications. The model also now has the increased flexibility to examine ore-waste dilution
issues applicable to surface gold mining when using V-cut, center opening, and sinking cut type
blasts. The pit geometry has also been modified to allow the simulation of a stope blast in an
underground operation.

The latest version of DMC-Blast, ~3.3, has been compiled and tested for running on Linux 6.0.
This new feature has increased significantly the portability as well as the operation efficiency.

DMC-BLAST MODELING

DMC-BLAST is a computer program that combines discrete particle motion with gas flow to
simulate blast-induced rock motion. The code tracks in detail, during the explosion gas
expansion state, the gas flow in two directions from the blast hole and the motion of all
interacted particles due to gas loading (see Figures 1 and 2). It also tracks all collisions between
particles as they flow into the muck pile and calculates the peak kinetic energy, as well as
displacement of all rock particles.

The previous version of DMCBLAST (~2.4) allowed simulation of bench blasting in two
dimensions. The user could control the definition of the bench cross-section outline, designate
multiple layers of dipping rock defined by their dynamic elastic and damping characteristics,
specify the drill hole diameter and inclination, and load different explosives in each hole
including inert decking. However, the delay firing sequence for each row was restricted to a
single direction, that is, from right-to-left across the modeling screen as shown in Figure 3.

RECENT DMC-BLAST UPGEADES AND FIELD APPLICATIONS

The DMC-BLAST code has recently been upgraded to include several new features.

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First, an “order of detonation” algorithm has been written into the code. The user can now
designate the hole detonation sequence and is no longer restricted to firing holes from right-to-
left within the blast block being examined.

Many through seam coal practitioners debate whether it is better to blast down-dip or up-dip.
With the new algorithm, the model can now compare up-dip versus down-dip initiation direction
for through seam coal blasting applications. Figures 4 and 5 show the simulation set-ups for the
same rock strata and orientation, drill hole pattern, and explosive loads, but with reverse delay
firing order. The simulation results indicate that it is better to blast down-dip as there is less
disturbance to the dipping seam, and hence less mixing of waste into coal.

DMC-BLAST was previously demonstrated to be capable of modeling ore and waste boundaries
for buffer blasts fired in a row-by-row or echelon initiation sequence (Preece, Chung and Tidman
1998). For row-by-row or echelon shots fired into previously blasted rock, the model indicates
that on an ore block basis, lateral ground movement and vertical swell increases from the front of
the blast to the back of the blast. On a one hole or burden block basis, the model shows
semicircular displacement along the axis of the blasthole. Based on the bench height blasted and
the final angle of repose, it was demonstrated that selective mining of the blasted material in
splits could be beneficial to operations with dilution concerns. See Figure 6.

The order of detonation algorithm now permits DMC-BLAST to examine ore-waste dilution
issues applicable to surface gold mining when using V-cut, center opening, and sinking cut type
initiation sequences. These blasts start with an “opening” hole with adjacent holes firing away
from the opening hole in two directions. Blasts of this type are used to pull and stack the blasted
material in toward the center, often with the thought that the increased swell will improve
muckpile diggability. See Figure 7.

The simulation cross-section shows that the blasted material is pulled in towards the center from
two directions. This type of displacement and the resultant ground mixing may be unfavorable to
operations that are mining narrow strike driven ore zones. Operations with narrow strike driven
ore bodies may see less dilution by firing echelon blasts that move in a uniform lateral direction
as opposed to center opening type blasts that pull and mix the material from two different
directions. See Figure 8.

A new feature for simulating a mass stope blast has also been added to the program. As
demonstrated in Figure 9, the displacement of the blasted material in the stope can be visualized.

CONCLUSIONS

The DMCBLAST code has been recompiled into version 3.3 for LINUX 6.1. The ability to run
the code on a notebook PC has significantly improved the productivity in terms of turn around
time with no restriction on job site. The new user-defined firing-order allows the simulation of a
V-cut with an initiation sequence to open at a selected point and to continue in opposite
directions. The modified pit geometry has also added the flexibility to model a mass stope blast
underground.

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Taylor, L.M. and Preece D.S., 1989a, DMC - “A Rigid Body Motion Code for Determining the
Interaction of Multiple Spherical Particles”, Sandia National Laboratories, SAND883482.

Taylor, L.M. and Preece D.S., 1989b, “Simulation of Blasting Induced Rock Motion Using
Spherical Element Models”, First U.S. Conference on Discrete Element Methods, Colorado
School of Mines, Golden, Colorado.

Taylor, L.M. and Preece D.S., 1992, “Simulation of Blasting Induced Rock Motion Using
Spherical Element Models”, Engineering Computations, Vol. 9, No.2.

Preece, D.S. and Scovira D.S., 1994, “Environmentally Motivated Tracking of Geologic Layer
Movement during Bench Blasting Using Discrete Element Methods”, Proceedings of the First
North American Rock Mechanics Symposium, University of Texas at Austin, June l-3.

Chung, S.H., McGill, M. and Preece, D.S., 1994, “Computer Cast Blast Modeling”, ISEE
Annual Meeting, Austin, Texas, January 30 - February 3.

Chung, S.H., Haid, J. and L’Heureux, D., 1998, “Advanced Blast Modeling for Mining Steeply
Dipping Coal Seams”, The 7th International Symposium on Mine Planning and Equipment
Selection (MPES), Calgary, Alberta, Canada, October 6,

Preece, D.S., Tidman, J.P. and Chung, S.H., 1997, “Expanded Rock Blast Modeling Capabilities
of DMC- BLAST, Including Buffer Blasting”, Proceedings of the Thirteenth Annual
Symposium on Explosives and Blasting Research, Las Vegas, NV, February 2-5.

Preece, D. S., Chung, S. H. and Tidman, J. P., 1998, “An Assessment of Ore Waste and Dilution
Resulting From Buffer/Choke Blasting in Surface Gold Mines”, Proceedings of the 24th Annual
Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 8-l 1.

Chung, S.H. and Preece, D.S., 1999, “Explosives Energy and Muck-pile Diggability”,
Proceedings of the 25th Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, Nashville,
TN, USA. February 7- 10.

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Figure 1. Particle Motion Due to Gas Loading

Blastwell

Sphere Rows
Loaded by
Blastwell

Figure 2. Gas Flow Grid From a Hole

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Figure 3. Early DMC-Blast Delay Firing Order and Blast Set-Up

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Figure 4. Simulation of Through-Seam Coal Blasting in Up-Dip Direction

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Figure 5. Simulation of Through-Seam Coal Blasting in Down-Dip Direction.

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Figure 6. Longitudinal Section Across a Blast Fired With an Echelon Sequence

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Figure 7. User-Defined Order of Detonation

Figure 8. Cross-Section Across a Blast Fired With a Center Opening Sequence

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Figure 9. Stope blast simulation in underground operation.

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