The stress wave propagation in blasting processes was observed by a shadowgraph method using a Q switched ruby laser as a light source. Model experiments were carried out with PMMA plates and electric detonators. In this report, the results of the following experiments for fracture control are presented. These include stress waves interacting with a circular hole, stress waves generated by a charge holder with two wedge-shaped air cavities and stress waves reflected at the free surface. It is shown from these experiments that utilization of the circular hole with notches and the charge holder is available for fracture control.