Use of fuzzy set theory for minimizing overbreak in underground blasting operations – A case study of Alborz Tunnel, Iran

In order to increase the safety of working environment and decrease the unwanted costs related to overbreak in tunnel excavation projects, it is necessary to minimize overbreak percentage. Thus, based on regression analysis and fuzzy inference system, this paper tries to develop predictive models to estimate overbreak caused by blasting at the Alborz Tunnel. To develop the models, 202 datasets were utilized, out of which 182 were used for constructing the models. To validate and compare the obtained results, determination coefficient (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE) indexes were chosen. For the fuzzy model, R2 and RMSE are equal to 0.96 and 0.55 respectively, whereas for regression model, they are 0.41 and 1.75 respectively, proving that the fuzzy predictor performs, significantly, better than the statistical method. Using the developed fuzzy model, the percentage of overbreak was minimized in the Alborz Tunnel.