Discrete element modelling of an explosion test in granite

A field explosion test is conducted to investigate the shock wave propagation in jointed rock masses. The coupled method of UDEC and AUTODYN-2D is applied to predict the rock mass response due to the explosion. Comparing the prediction result with the field explosion test result and empirical formulas, it is evident that the numerical method is capable of modelling explosion problems with high reliability. The prediction result is calibrated by involving the test condition modifications and the dynamic equation of state of the rock. It is shown that the calibration result is in a better agreement with the test result than prediction result, indicating that inputting dynamic parameters is very important to obtain reliable results.