Abstract: A method based on orthogonal experimental design is presented to deal with model validation of underground explosion. In this method, the model validation problem is formulated as an optimization problem in which the best match of the factors and their levels can be determined. In order to save computational time, the orthogonal experimental design method is used as an optimization solver. The effect of the factors and their levels under different validation criteria is also investigated by means of range analysis. The results show that mesh size has a major influence on simulation results when the minimum computational time or maximum computational accuracy is adopted as a validation criterion. And computational method has a major influence on simulation results when both the minimum computational time and maximum computational accuracy are adopted as validation criteria. It is demonstrated that the proposed method offers a new viewpoint and strategy for solving the model validation problems.