Integrated Rock Mass Classification Approach for Predicting Blasting Behavior of Cambodian Limestone

¹ Centre of Tropical Geoengineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
² School of Civil Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: vynotdni@usm.my

Published online: 19 December 2025

Abstract

Limestone deposits as located in the study location exhibit high permeability and clear signs of strong karst development which can be seen across the site from their sinkholes, dolines and interconnected caverns as evidence. These found characteristics result in considerable geological variability and intricate drainage from the subsurface. Regionally, the limestone of Cambodia display lithology of semi-marble, argillaceous, chetty and micritic types, each reflecting mineral compositions and metamorphism levels. The karst landscape resembles Fengcong (cone karst) and Fenglin (tower karst) forms from their clustered hills and isolated towers shape. For quarry operations, understanding blastability is important because each parameter in terms of rock strength, joint spacing, hardness and dry density influence how efficient the rock breaks. This study examines the geological condition of Cambodian limestone and develops a preliminary rock mass classification to support blasting, in which geological and rock mass characterization were carried out by reviewing key blastability related parameters and observing karst features also the weathering patterns. The results show that karstic features and higher weathering grades increase heterogeneity within the rock mass. The preliminary classification proposed provides an initial basis for improving blasting strategies in karstic limestone location.