Wave prefracturing of solid rocks under blasting

Considering features of wave prefracturing (microfailure) of rocks under blasting, the authors put forward a new investigation approach with the use of relations of dynamic elastic stress distribution in rocks and theory of cracks. The obtained relation to estimate prefracturing zone size in relatively solid rocks under confined explosion involves pressure of gases in explosion chamber, rock pressure, crack resistance of rocks, characteristic dimension of natural jointing (presence of defects) and deformation characteristics of rocks. It is shown that dimension of prefracturing zone in rocks depends both on natural and production factors and can differ by a few times.