In this chapter, we explain the fundamental principles of rock excavation. Initially, the excavation process is discussed in its most basic form, i.e. reaching the post-peak region of the complete stress-strain curve and altering the in situ block size distribution to the excavated fragment size distribution. Then the basic principle of blasting rounds is discussed; all blasting rounds involve a stress wave effect, stress wave reflections at free surfaces and a gas pressure effect. We highlight the pre-splitting method of near-surface excavation in which the final face is blasted before the bulk of the material is removed, in order to produce a boundary across which fragmentation is reduced. The complementary method for underground excavation, known as smooth-wall blasting, is also explained.

The principles of excavation using mechanical means, such as picks, discs and buttons, on partial- and full-face excavation machines are explained. The use of such machines within the excavation system is considered to demonstrate how important it is to consider the machine excavation process within the context of the overall construction strategy. Finally, we introduce the concepts associated with assessing effects of vibrations emanating from the excavation process on other structures.