Effects of Controllable Blasting Variables on Number of Boulders Generated after Blasting in Ratcon and NSCE Quarries, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The research work examines the effects of controllable blasting variables on number of boulders generated after blasting. The objective of the research was achieved through collection of data related to blasting which are drill hole depth, drill hole diameter, burden, spacing, average charge per hole, and specific charge. The collected data were analysed statistically using both Microsoft Excel Software and SPSS Software. The result of the analysis reveals that all the input controllable blasting variables which are drill hole diameter (X₁), drill hole depth (X₂), hole spacing (X₃), burden (X₄), average charge per hole (X₅), specific charge(X₆) that participated as independent variables in the models are found to be significant and the R² values obtained from the graph show a very strong correlation between the number of boulders generated after blasting and the input variables except that of drill hole diameter which shows a very weak correlation. The equation generated using the SPSS could be used to determine number of boulders generated after blasting.