The China Society of Explosives and Blasting required a larger than 20% annual increase in the national use of digital electronic detonators since 2018. So, this article conducted a large number of on-site tests and then used the Hilbert–Huang Transform method to analyze and compare the vibration signals of digital electronic and nonel detonators during the excavation process of minor cross-sectional rock roadways from the perspective of time, frequency, and energy. Then, through vibration energy analysis, identification of actual delay time, and formula derivation, it was proved that the delay time error of the detonator can control vibration wave random interference and reduce vibration. The analysis results showed that when using a segmented simultaneous blasting network for excavation in small-sectioned rock tunnels, nonel detonators may provide more excellent protection to structures than digital electronic detonators. In the same segment, the timing error of nonel detonators produces a vibration wave with a random superposition damping effect, resulting in an average vibration reduction of 19.4% per segment compared to digital electronic detonators. However, digital electronic detonators are superior to nonel detonators for the fragmentation effect on rock. The research conducted in this paper has the potential to facilitate a more rational and comprehensive promotion of digital electronic detonators in China.

The effect of inter-ring delay time (IRDT) on rock fragmentation in the tunnel excavation blasting was studied at the Xinjiang Beizhan Iron Mine, China, to improve the rock fragmentation and optimize the blast design. Blasting tests were conducted with an IRDT of 50, 100, 150, 200, and 500 ms; each adjacent ring had an equal IRDT, and two replicate tests were conducted. The blasting plan with IRDT of 100 ms was the original blasting plan used in the mine. Two optimized blasting plans were proposed and implemented based on the experimental results, along with a control experiment using the original blasting plan. The fragment size of each blast test was measured and analyzed by the block-analyzed software. Both collision theoretical and field tests indicated that the IRDT plays an important role in rock fragmentation and that as the IRDT increases, the degree of rock fragmentation increases first and then decreases. For example, the fragment sizes X20, X50, and X80 showed an increase followed by a decrease; the percentage of large fragments (1-P750) showed a decline followed by a rise; the percentage of small fragments P25 showed an increase followed by a decline. The blasting plan with an IRDT of 150 ms had the most optimal rock fragmentation effect, with the lowest percentage of large fragments, the highest percentage of small fragments, and the smallest average fragment size of X50. Furthermore, the two optimized blasting plans demonstrated better control over blasting costs and rock fragmentation compared to the original blasting plan.

To further enrich the side-filling structure system of goaf-retaining roadways and explore the compression reaction mechanism of the composite in the support environment of underground mine roadways, this paper introduces a double-wall hollow composite pier structure (FPRSC structure) that is composed of the fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite and polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC) as restraint materials and the infill material featured with a high water-to-powder ratio. A total of 16 circular specimens with a diameter and height of 100 mm were tested to explore the axial performance of the combined support structure. The main control variables in the present research included the water-to-cement ratio of the high-water material (e.g., 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1), the thickness of the FRP pipe (i.e., 6 mm and 3 mm), the inner diameter of the PVC pipe (i.e., 29 mm and 22 mm), as well as the thickness of the PVC pipe (1.5 mm and 5 mm). Test results showed that the high-water material was under triaxial stress due to the double-wall tube binding, and the bearing capacity of the composite was higher than that of the single material. Meanwhile, the FPRSC structure exhibited obvious strain-hardening characteristics when the infill material is under the combined constraints of double-wall hollow tubes. Moreover, the ratio of PVC-c, FRP-A, and high-water material with a water–cement ratio of 3:1 shows the best axial mechanical properties. The new composite pier structure with high toughness and strength has wide application prospects in the field of goaf retention in deep underground mines.