Micro-sequential contour blasting—how does it influence the surrounding rock mass?

The optimal delay time between the contour holes in rock blasting has been studied by theoretical and empirical research in Sweden, regarding ground vibrations, increase in crack frequency, radial crack length and finally overbreak (half cast factor). The model test presented in this paper concerns controlled contour blasting in tunnelling and the full-scale blasts concern tunnelling, road cutting, and dimensional stone quarrying. The results indicate that the microsequential contour blasting technique (contour holes fired in sequence and with a delay in the order of 1–2 ms) is superior to simultaneous initiation both regarding blast-induced ground vibrations and crack frequency increase in the rock mass. Both these evaluation methods reflects the conditions deeper in the remaining rock mass. Simultaneous initiation, however, is superior to micro-sequential contour blasting both regarding the half cast factor and the length of radial cracks emanating from the blastholes. These two parameters are more related to the surface conditions after blasting. The industrial applications of this new knowledge are the use of micro-sequential contour blasting when ground vibrations are of greater concern than the contour, for example, in trench blasting or quarrying in urban areas, and the use of simultaneous initiation when an even rock surface is of high priority.