Since 2001, Itasca has been a member of the Hybrid Stress Blast
Model (HSBM) project with the goal of developing a numerical model of the rock
blasting process. The software created by Itasca, called Blo-Up,
uses a unique combination of continuous and discontinuous numerical methods to
represent the key processes occurring during blasting.
Blo-Up is
a three-component coupled model of rock blasting. A coupled modeling approach
was chosen because no single numerical technique was found to adequately
describe all the physical phenomena occurring during blasting. The three
components are (i) a continuum geomechanics model for the early-time detonation
and near-field crushing; (ii) a brittle discrete element model for stress wave
propagation, fracturing and burden movement; and (iii) a gas product model for
burden acceleration by gas expansion, fracture flow, and atmospheric venting.
Furtney, J. K., P. A. Cundall, I. Onederra and E. Sellers.
(2011) “Numerical Modeling of Rock Blasting: Validation Tests for Blo-Up 2.5,”
in Continuum and
Distinct Element Modeling in Geomechanics --- 2011 (Proceedings, 2nd
International FLAC/DEM Symposium, Melbourne, February 2011), 359–367, D. Sainsbury, R. Hart, C.
Detournay, and M. Nelson, Eds. Minneapolis: Itasca International Inc.
If you need more information, please get in touch with us at: bloup@itascacg.com.
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