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Updated: Mar 2, 2026
09:41
Blast Quantification Using Hopkinson Pressure Bars
Published on: July 5, 2016
9.5K
Experimental study on layered cemented tailings backfill damage and failure mechanisms under blast loading
Hongjie Qiu1, Xianyang Qiu2, Rihong Cao1
1School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China.
Scientific Reports
|March 1, 2026
Summary
Optimizing charge placement in layered cemented tailings backfill (LCTB) is key for mine safety. Strategic positioning within high-strength layers or along interfaces can significantly reduce LCTB damage during blasting operations.
Area of Science:
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Cemented tailings backfill (CTB) stability is crucial for underground mine safety.
- Operational factors create layered cemented tailings backfill (LCTB) with heterogeneous (THSI) or homogeneous (CHSI) interfaces.
- Understanding blast effects on LCTB is essential for mitigating damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of charge position and LCTB strength configuration on dynamic failure.
- To analyze the effects of blasting on layered rock-backfill systems using physical models.
- To provide insights into charge placement strategies for LCTB.
Main Methods:
- Developed three-dimensional physical models simulating rock-backfill systems.
- Conducted five blasting tests varying charge position and LCTB strength.
- Analyzed dynamic volumetric strain (Δk) and sonic velocity change rates (η) to quantify damage.
Main Results:
- Failure progresses through crack initiation, propagation, and system destruction.
- For THSI, charging high-strength layers increased strain attenuation (Δk) and reduced damage (η).
- For CHSI, aligning charges with the interface showed moderate strain attenuation and lower damage.
Conclusions:
- Charge placement within high-strength layers (THSI) or along CHSI interfaces mitigates LCTB degradation.
- Findings offer a mechanistic understanding of charge-interface interactions in LCTB.
- Provides engineering guidance for optimizing charge placement in layered backfill systems.
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