Analysis of the influence of shear-tensile resistance and rock-breaking effect of cutting holes

In the process of drilling and blasting construction of large-cross-section tunnels, the layout of wedge-shaped cutting holes has a great influence on the effect of blasting. In this study, theoretical analysis and numerical simulation were used to assess the effect of different forms of cutting hole placement on blasting effectiveness. First, the fissure-inducing angle was proposed, a three-dimensional model of wedge-shaped cutting considering the effect of shear-tensile resistance was established, and theoretical analyses of cutting holes with different cutting angles and fissure-inducing angles were carried out. Second, the parameters of the Riedel–Hiermaier–Thoma model were determined based on the experimental data, and verified. Third, three-dimensional numerical models were established, and analyze the influence of different forms of hole deployment on the blasting effect from the perspective of stress wave propagation and dynamic damage to the surrounding rock. Finally, based on the theoretical analysis and numerical simulation results, the wedge-shaped hollowing holes were re-designed, and 20 tunnel blasting tests were carried out using this deployment method for large-section tunnel blasting, which verified the feasibility of this deployment method. The results of the study show that for level III surrounding rock, the angle of wedge-shaped cutting holes should meet 68° ≤ θ ≤ 70° and 70° ≤ β ≤ 72°. This study provides a kind of refined and efficient blasting for the drilling and blasting excavation process of large section tunnels.