A laboratory and full-scale study on the fragmentation behavior of rocks

Rock fines produced in rock blasting and crushing processes is a major problem for aggregate producers. Laboratory and full-scale studies were carried out to explore the possible relationship between fines production and water content of rock material. The Brazilian tensile test was selected for the laboratory study while a cone crusher machine was employed for the full-scale trials. Results of the laboratory work showed that the percentage of fines fraction produced was a function of the type of rock tested and the tensile strength of individual specimens. Different rocks produced various amounts of fines, but for the rocks investigated, a correlation between its strength and its fines generation could be attained. The influence of water content on production of fines was also examined and showed that increased water content reduces both tensile strength and fines generation in the laboratory. The impact of water content on aggregate production was also studied in full-scale but the results were not as clear as those of the laboratory tests.