Dynamic Uniaxial Compressive Tests on Limestone

: The dynamic properties of limestone play a pivotal role while selecting the suitable explosives for any limestone mine. Since the application of explosives creates dynamic loading and is a dynamic event, the determination of dynamic modulus values is technically more appropriate than the static measurement. The rock fragmentation would significantly improve by investigating the dynamic uniaxial compressive strength as specific fracture energy, stress intensity factor, fracture toughness of any detonating blast hole depend heavily on dynamic rock property and not on static rock property. Most of the limestone projects globally are still accustomed with using static compressive strength to understand the rock fragmentation. The present papers deal with determination of dynamic uniaxial compressive property using split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) system. The nano second high speed camera with laser captures the crack surface opening velocity during dynamic loading. It was observed during data analysis that dynamic compressive strength of limestone increases by 1.7-4.9 times of the static strength. It may be concluded by the study that determination of dynamic compressive strength is paramount for understanding the rock fragmentation.