ANALYSIS FOR A POTENTIAL ENHANCEMENT OF BLASTING PERFORMANCE FOR ENSURING GROUND STABILITY IN THE OIL SHALE MINE

Abstract

This thesis investigates how simulation-based blast design enhancements can improve blasting performance. The work builds on the field findings reported by Sabanov et al. (2023). The author created a complete method that mixes advanced models with an uncertainty analysis. The study uses JKSimBlast software to simulate three dimensional blasts, it includes mapping how explosive energy spreads, which relies on Kleine field theory. Monte Carlo simulations with 10,000 trials determine how much uncertainty there is in when a blast starts, how strong the rock is, and how much charge is present. This process predicts blast outcomes and includes the probability of those outcomes. A regression study of sensitivities, shown with tornado charts, points out the most important factors that control how well a blast works - these tools help design the best blast pattern for the mine's complex layers of rock. The pattern expands on previous designs based on experience to handle harder situations. The study's results show the new contributions of this simulation work. The radius of blast damage, which is how much the rock breaks, acts as a random factor - this radius follows a log normal spread, it averages about 0.29 m, which means that cracks do not spread in a fixed, set way, but they vary. The amount of explosive needed per volume of rock changes based on the orientation of the blast hole. Holes in the roof need about 2.02 g/dm3. Floor holes use about 2.12 g/dm3, and wall holes use about 2.49 g/dm3 on average. These differences show how geometric confinement and available free surfaces affect how well blasting works. The sensitivity study shows that the rock's uniaxial compressive strength mainly controls both the blast damage radius also the amount of explosive needed. Borehole diameter comes next. The properties of the explosive, such as its density and velocity of detonation, and factors based on experience, only have small effects. By measuring how much each factor influences the outcome, the study tells practitioners where to focus their efforts to control measures. In conclusion, this research extends the Sabanov’s field results by offering a simulation-based pre-validation framework for blast design. The study shows that a well-planned charge distribution, checked through simulations, can break rock evenly as well as keep the ground stable in different conditions. Engineers can fine tune blast patterns with confidence limits and safety factors. That makes sure that even the worst-case situations stay within safe design limits, this forward-looking, model-based approach improves mine design. It makes blasting operations safer and more effective before full-scale implementation.