presplitting

excavation technique

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July 13, 2026

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Presplitting is an excavation technique used in surface blasting to create a desired finished line. It involves drilling a series of closely spaced, lightly loaded holes along the intended excavation boundary. These holes are fired first to create a continuous crack, or presplit, in the rock. Subsequently, the interior rock mass is drilled and blasted using conventional methods. This technique helps to preserve the rock surfaces and can lead to cost savings by reducing the need for extensive concrete facing, as demonstrated in projects like the Stockton Dam.12

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tunnels and underground excavations
Sound-wall blasting
…met by the technique of presplitting, developed in the United States in the late 1950s. Basically, this technique consists of creating a continuous crack (or presplit) at a desired finished excavation line by initially firing a line of closely spaced, lightly loaded holes drilled there. Next, the interior rock mass…
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…met by the technique of presplitting, developed in the United States in the late 1950s. Basically, this technique consists of creating a continuous crack (or presplit) at a desired finished excavation line by initially firing a line of closely spaced, lightly loaded holes drilled there. Next, the interior rock mass…
Read More