RUWANPURA EXPRESSWAY PROJECT

Highway Section from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya – Phase I

CONTRACT No. RDA/GOSL/REP/LCB/P-01, 02, 03, 04

METHOD STATEMENT FOR

ROCK BLASTING (ROCK EXCAVATION)

Document Ref : RDA/GOSL/REP/LCB/MS/003

Revision: 00

Date: 30/11/2020

APPROVED
REV DATE DESCRIPTION
RE DATE

00 30/11/2020 Rock Blasting

Ruwanpura Expressway Project
Highway Section from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya – Phase I
Rock Blasting (Rock excavation) Method Statement No. 003

CONTENTS
ABBREVIATION..................................................................................................................................................................3

1.0 SCOPE OF WORK........................................................................................................................................................4

1.1 LOCATION OF WORKS...........................................................................................................................................4
1.2 INSPECTION AND JOINT SURVEY........................................................................................................................4

2.0 RESOURCE ALLOCATION..........................................................................................................................................4

2.1 MATERIALS.............................................................................................................................................................4
2.2 MAN POWER...........................................................................................................................................................4
2.3 SITE ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE......................................................................................................................5
2.4 MACHINES AND EQUIPMENTS.............................................................................................................................6

3.0 METHODOLOGY..........................................................................................................................................................6
3.1 BOULDER BLASTING.............................................................................................................................................6
3.2 CONTROL BENCH CUT BLASTING.......................................................................................................................7
3.2.1 DRILLING.........................................................................................................................................................7
3.2.2 CHARGING......................................................................................................................................................7
3.2.3 FIRING TIME AND NUMBER OF BLASTS......................................................................................................7
3.3 BLASTING FOR DRAINS.........................................................................................................................................7
3.3.1 DRILLING.........................................................................................................................................................7
3.3.2 CHARGING......................................................................................................................................................7
3.3.3 FIRING TIME AND NUMBER OF BLASTS......................................................................................................8
3.4 COMMON WAY OF HOLE CHARGING AND INITIATION......................................................................................8
3.5 MONITORING WORK..............................................................................................................................................9
3.5.1 PRESENT CONDITION OF STRUCTURES AROUND THE BLASTING SITE...............................................9

4.0 QUALITY CONTROL....................................................................................................................................................9

5.0 SAFETY MANAGEMENT..............................................................................................................................................9

6.0 MEASUREMENT CONTROL......................................................................................................................................10

APPENDIX A – PAYMENT ITEMS EXTRACTED FROM BOQ........................................................................................11

SECTION 1...................................................................................................................................................................11
SECTION 2...................................................................................................................................................................11
SECTION 3...................................................................................................................................................................11
SECTION 4...................................................................................................................................................................11

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Ruwanpura Expressway Project
Highway Section from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya – Phase I
Rock Blasting (Rock excavation) Method Statement No. 003

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Site Organization Structure.......................................................................................................5

Figure 2: Cross Section and Sequence of Blasting....................................................................................8
Figure 3: Drilling & Blasting pattern for Bench Cut.....................................................................................8
Figure 4: Drilling & Blasting pattern for Drain blast.....................................................................................9

ABBREVIATION

1) BOQ - Bills of Quantities

2) RDA - Road Development Authority
3) ROW - Right of Way
4) SK - Skilled Labor
5) USK - Unskilled Labor

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Ruwanpura Expressway Project
Highway Section from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya – Phase I
Rock Blasting (Rock excavation) Method Statement No. 003

1.0 SCOPE OF WORK

The following method statement refers to the steps and procedures involved in the rock blasting, as described
in Section 200.

Details of the materials, equipment, procedures and relevant documents including the quality control
verifications, the measurement verifications involved during the rock blasting activity have been discussed
below. Safety precautions and environmental management plan would be also assessed based on the main
contractors Safety Plan and Environmental Management Plan to carry out the stated earthwork activities.

1.1 LOCATION OF WORKS

The location of the rock blasting works will be limited to selected areas bound within the Right of Way (ROW),
approved by the Engineer.

1.2 INSPECTION AND JOINT SURVEY

Before the commencement of work a request will be made to the Engineer to conduct a joint survey and
measurements of the rock which is to be blasted.

2.0 RESOURCE ALLOCATION

2.1 MATERIALS

The major materials used for the rock blasting works include (but are not limited to the following).

 Explosive:  Water Gel / Dynamite

 Electric Detonators
 Ammonium Nitrate

 Other :  Barricade Tapes

 Warning Boards
 Flags
 Tires, steel plates, Geo Textiles, Rubber Mats and Sand bags

2.2 MAN POWER

1) Project Manager
2) Site Engineer
3) Technical Officer
4) Surveyor
5) Supervisor
6) Flagmen (If necessary)
7) SK/USK labour
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Ruwanpura Expressway Project
Highway Section from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya – Phase I
Rock Blasting (Rock excavation) Method Statement No. 003

8) Operators & Drivers

9) Safety and Environmental officer (If Needed)

2.3 SITE ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

Project Manager

Site Engineer

Material Technician
(Materials Testing Safety & Environmental
Laboratory) Officer

Technical Officer

Lab Technicians
Supervisor

Operators

Skilled Labor

Lab helpers Flagmen

Unskilled
Labor

Figure 1: Site Organization Structure

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Ruwanpura Expressway Project
Highway Section from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya – Phase I
Rock Blasting (Rock excavation) Method Statement No. 003

2.4 MACHINES AND EQUIPMENTS

Following items of machine illustrates the major machinery that can be expected on site. However, it is
important to note that the works involved may not be limited to machinery listed below. Each one’s quantity
and capacity requirement may be varies depending on the criticality of work, risks being performed.

1) Hand Drill Hammers

2) Air Compressor
3) Set of Speakers
4) Megaphones
5) Circuit tester
6) Exploder
7) Tamping rod
8) Siren
9) Other minor tools
10) Excavator
11) Breaker

3.0 METHODOLOGY

The drilling pattern, hole diameter, charge concentration etc., given herein are subject to change depending
on the properties and geological formation of the rock at the location.

Before the commencement of the work, the Engineer will be notified of the areas where rock will be blasted.
Accordingly, the Engineer will inspect the area for approval or conformation. Drilling will commence only after
the rock survey in order to determine the locations and drilling depths required.

Blasting will be executed in accordance with existing laws and regulations in Sri Lanka. Relevant permissions
will be obtained from the designated authorities before work start.

Explosive handling activities will follow according to Explosives Act No.21of Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka
and to its latest amendments. Approval from the authorities will be obtained for storage of explosives.

All blasting operations will be carried out under close supervision of the authorize site staff. Only competent
persons who have experience and knowledge in handling explosives will be appointed to take charge of the
blasting operations at each blasting location. Explosives will not to be taken to the work site until they are to
be used. Firing of the blast will only be carried out in the presence of the Engineer’s representatives. All
blasting will be limited to daytime.

The blasting methods are described below.

3.1 BOULDER BLASTING

Boulders, which can’t be moved by Loader or cannot be broken down by giant breaker, will only be blasted.
Movable boulders will be collected to a safe place for blasting

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Ruwanpura Expressway Project
Highway Section from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya – Phase I
Rock Blasting (Rock excavation) Method Statement No. 003

3.2 CONTROL BENCH CUT BLASTING

3.2.1 DRILLING

Hammer drill will be used for drilling the “Benches” within the edge. The entire bench depth will be limited to
the depth of 3m and will be blasted at one time.

 Blast hole diameter 36 to 40mm

 Drilling depth 1 to 3m
 Drilling Plane Vertical & parallel to CL of the road
 Specific Drilling 2 m / m³
 Burden and Spacing 1.1 to 1.3m

3.2.2 CHARGING

Specific charge will be 0.29kg / m³ (Dynamite/water gel 125g/hole and 1.2kg of ANFO). We anticipate charge
a maximum of 15 blast holes per time with 10 delay numbers.

3.2.3 FIRING TIME AND NUMBER OF BLASTS

 Maximum 10 Nos. of blast will be fired in a day.

 Blasting will be set to lunch time as much as possible.
 Only one blasting location will be done in a day.

3.3 BLASTING FOR DRAINS

3.3.1 DRILLING

Hammer drill will be used for drilling for the “Drains”. The required depth will be decided according to the
depth of Drain.

 Blast hole diameter 36 to 40mm

 Drilling depth 0.5 m to 1 m
 Drilling Plane Vertical & parallel to CL of the road
 Specific Drilling 3 m / m³
 Burden and Spacing 0.4m to 1m

3.3.2 CHARGING

Specific charge will be 0.33 kg / m³ (Dynamite/water gel 62.5g/hole and 50g of ANFO). We anticipate charge
a maximum of 10 blast holes per time with 10 delay numbers.

3.3.3 FIRING TIME AND NUMBER OF BLASTS

 Maximum 10 Nos of blast will be fired in a day.

 Blasting will be set to lunch time as much as possible.
 Only one blasting location will be done in a day.
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Ruwanpura Expressway Project
Highway Section from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya – Phase I
Rock Blasting (Rock excavation) Method Statement No. 003

3.4 COMMON WAY OF HOLE CHARGING AND INITIATION

 The Detonator coupled Dynamite/Water Gel piece with a long Ignite Cord or leg wire will be carefully
inserted down to the bottom of the hole.
 Measured amount of ANFO will be then added.
 Subsequently, the rest of the hole will gradually be filled with quarry dust (particles not larger than
5mm) and slightly tamped with a lightweight timber or PVC pipe.
 Protections will be introduced to control fly rock when required.
 All leg wires are series connected and will be fired using an exploder.

Remove Boulders
2. Remove Overburden

Over Burden

Exposed 3. Bench Blasting

Rock
Rock
Area

Figure 2: Cross Section and Sequence of Blasting

Rock face

Figure 3: Drilling & Blasting pattern for Bench Cut

1
2
4

5 6
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7
8
Ruwanpura Expressway Project
Highway Section from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya – Phase I
Rock Blasting (Rock excavation) Method Statement No. 003

Figure 4: Drilling & Blasting pattern for Drain blast

3.5 MONITORING WORK

Will be carried out by Qualified Mining Engineer to prevent / reduce below effects in every blast.

 Ground vibration level

 Fly rocks
 Air blast levels
And these effects will be monitored with authorized team (GSMB Monitoring Team) where necessary.

3.5.1 PRESENT CONDITION OF STRUCTURES AROUND THE BLASTING SITE

A crack survey will be carried out to record the present structural condition around the blasting site. The crack
survey report will be submitted to the RDA before starting the blasting activities.

(Refer Appendix C the format “Record for prior condition of houses around the site)

4.0 QUALITY CONTROL

Several inspections and verifications and regular site visits will be carried out by an expert blasting Engineer
to ensure that the steps and the procedure are fully complied with this.

5.0 SAFETY MANAGEMENT

Safety management is to be implemented as per Main contractors’ requirement and Method Statement
approved by the main contractor. All necessary precautions are to be taken in order to avoid any form of
accidents and/or damage with regard to site workers and/or adjoining properties.

Everyone on site is expected to wear their safety helmets and steel toe cap shoes, and depending on the task
at hand, gloved and/or safety glasses are to be worn.

An on-site first aid kit as well as a standby vehicle is to be parked in the vicinity in case an accident needs to
be tended to.

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Ruwanpura Expressway Project
Highway Section from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya – Phase I
Rock Blasting (Rock excavation) Method Statement No. 003

6.0 MEASUREMENT CONTROL

After fully cleaning the rock area, a joint survey will be done to estimate the rock volume. Then regular survey
will be done in every week to check the line and length of the location. These results will be used for the
payments and analyzing procedures in the company.

‘Appendix A’ illustrates the payment Items extracted from the BOQs.

APPENDIX A – PAYMENT ITEMS EXTRACTED FROM BOQ

SECTION 1

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Ruwanpura Expressway Project
Highway Section from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya – Phase I
Rock Blasting (Rock excavation) Method Statement No. 003

Item Nr Pay Item Item Description Unit Quantity

Excavation rock (to embankment as RUC1,RUC 312,550

19 207.004 cu.m
2.RUC3 , RUC4 by mix or converting ) .00

SECTION 2

Item Nr Pay Item Item Description Unit Quantity

Excavation rock (to embankment as RUC1,RUC 13,045

19 207.004 cu.m
2.RUC3 , RUC4 by mix or converting ) .20

SECTION 3

Item Nr Pay Item Item Description Unit Quantity

96,000
Excavation rock (to embankment as RUC1,RUC
19 207.004 cu.m .00
2.RUC3 , RUC4 by mix or converting )

SECTION 4

Item Nr Pay Item Item Description Unit Quantity

Excavation rock (to embankment as RUC1,RUC 470,000

19 207.004 cu.m
2.RUC3 , RUC4 by mix or converting ) .00

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