To achieve a smooth fracture plane with minimal damage to a rock block or remaining rock mass, a water-coupling cutting blasting technique was applied in a granite quarry. The mechanism of water-coupling cutting blasting is demonstrated with the specification of prerequisites for crack growing and arresting. Using the LS-DYNA program, the maximum principal stress distribution and rock damage evolution process were observed, and the validity of crack extension till coalescence was verified by comparing the calculated and theoretical water pressure needed to induce fracture. The optimum blasting parameters for achieving the best cutting blasting performance were obtained by simulations under different coupling ratios and blasthole spacings. The successful water-coupling cutting blasting practice in the granite quarry has great potential to be applied in other similar engineering.
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