The powder factor in blasting is expressed in pounds of explosive per what?

The powder factor in blasting is a crucial metric that quantifies the efficiency of explosive material used during the blasting process. It is specifically expressed in pounds of explosive per cubic yard of rock broken, making it relevant for evaluating how much explosive is required to fragment a certain volume of rock. This measurement is important for several reasons: it helps in optimizing the amount of explosive used, ensuring safety, and controlling the environmental impact of the blasting operation.

Using cubic yards allows for a practical assessment that aligns with common measurements in excavation and grading activities, where rock volumes are frequently calculated in this unit. This understanding enables the blasting engineer to adjust the amount of explosives applied based on the material properties of the rock being blasted, thereby achieving optimal results in demolition or excavation tasks.

Other options, such as cubic foot of debris, cubic meter of soil, or cubic inch of material, do not align as closely with typical industry practices for measuring blast effectiveness or the necessary scaling of explosives used for rock breaking. Therefore, the most relevant and accurate expression of the powder factor is indeed in pounds of explosive per cubic yard of rock broken.