0886-7798(94)E0007-6

Blasting-induced Vibration in Tunnelling

Giorgio Berta

Abstract--This paper identifies the parameters that influence RdsumL,--L'article d~crit les param~tres qui influcnt sur les
vibration generated by rock blasting, and specifically considers vibrations gdn~r~espar les tits de mine, etplus particuli~ rement les
blast design relative to large-section tunnels. The paper discusses plans de tir dans les tunnels de grande section. I1 examine les
ways of modifying round blasting so as to reduce the initial moyens permettant de modifier les cycles de tir de faqon r~duire le
vibration level. The second part of the paper describes some cases niveau initial de vibration et d~crit quelques cas de tunnels creusds
of tunnels excavated by explosives close to structures under l'explosif pr~s d'ouvrages sensibles.
particular types of hazards.

Introduction stress (buildings,bridges, dsms, tun- of the ground that lies between the
ock blasting is the rock excava- nels,etc.)because the vibration can be blasting spot and the place where vi-

R tion technique most widely

Fadopted in the various branches
of the mining and construction indus-
transmitted to t h e m through the
ground. In such cases it is necessary
to check, during blast design, whether
the vibration-induced stressm a y com-
bration is recorded.
In short:
(1

try because it is economical, reliable, v=k'~ (1)

and safe. It is widely used in mining promise structure integrity; and,
and quarrying, excavations, trenches, where danger might be expected, it is
where
tunnels and large underground works. necessary to reconsider blast design
in order to reduce the induced vibra- v = vibration velocity
The job of the explosive---which is Q = weight of the explosive charge
loaded in boreholes in the rock and tion to acceptable levels.
In analyzing the behavior of R = distance
blasted according to a prearranged se- k',c~~ are factors,depending on the
quence (round)--is to fracture, frag- structures subjected to dynamic stress
and in blast design, a paper recently type of round and ground
ment and displace from its natural It must be pointed out that Q does
position a well-defined portion of the published on this subject (Piovano
rock. 1992) discusses two f u n d a m e n t a l not refer to the totalquantity of explo-
sivesblasted in a round, but only to the
A m o n g the secondary effectsof the phases t h a t facilitate the under-
standing and solution of the problems quantity primed, within one round,
explosion round, rock vibration at ex- with detonators having the same delay
cavation contour generatedbythe shock arising from blasting close to struc-
tures sensitive to vibration. The pre- number. In fact, in the ground the
wave following the explosion deserves seismic wave lasts only a few tens of
special attention. This phenomenon is sent paper is limited to blast design
for large-sectiontunnels. milliseconds, whereas the typical de-
usually harmless: vibrationlastsa very lay time of the detonators used in tun-
short time (a few tens of milliseconds), nels is 250 m s (or,m u c h more seldom,
after which the rock reverts to its ini- Part h Parameters Influencing 100 ms). As a consequence, the vibra-
tial conditions. Vibration Generated by Rock tionsgenerated by the shotholesprimed
However, the situation differs,and Blasting by N delay time fade out before the
a few problems arise,in the presence
1.1 Blasting-induced Vibration occurrence of the vibrations generated
of important structures likely to be by the blast of the shotholes primed by
particularly susceptible to dynamic Danger from vibration isevaluated
delay time N + 1 (see Fig. 1).
on the basis of its peak particleveloc-
The relationship(1) between vibra-
ity value related to the corresponding
tionvelocityand round parameters has
frequency; or, in particular cases, ac-
a general validity.
cording to the m a x i m u m acceleration
Present address: G. Berta, Italesplosivi, via In order to study a particularsitua-
Turati, 25, 20121 Milan, Italy. value. The vibration velocityderiving
tion it is necessary to carry out a cer-
from an explosion is directlypropor-
This article originally appeared in Gallerie, tain number of tests in the ground,
tional to the energy developed during
Nos. 39 and 40 (1993), and is reprinted measuring vibration velocity at differ-
the explosive reaction (and, therefore,
herein with permission of the author and ent distances from blast point.
to the amount of explosive used); and
the SocietAItaliana Gallerie. Wearegrateful In practice, the study is based on
to Mr. A. Motta, editor of Gallerie, and to
itis inversely proportional to the dis-
formula (1), modified as follows:
Mr. Berta for their help in acquiring and tance from the blasting point. The
preparing the manuscript for publication in value is also influenced by the w a y the
v = k (__R_RR)-m (2)
T&UST. explosive is used and by the features

Tunnellingand UndergroundSpace Technology,VoL 9, No. 2, pp. 175-187, 1994

Elsevier Science Ltd
Printed in Great Britain (~ Pergamon
0886-7798/94 $6.00 .00
175
 should probably be modified if the need
arises to keep round-induced vibration
within determined levels.

ftJ. .... 1.3 Round Features

I Wr''' IrIIr ''--- IFr-- I[Ir+ In large-section tunnels, the holes

are drilled by jumbos with two or more
booms, and their diameter is nearly
always 51 mm.
I' '' '1 ' ' ' ' I " ' ' ' I ''~ 'l '' | I I ~ I I Hole length--and, therefore, round
length (advance)--generally ranges
from 4 m to 5 m. These lengths are
,11, 250 ms .~ sometimes incompatible with the par-
ticular field situation (e.g., poor rock
Figure 1. Recording of vibration induced by shots primed with 250-ms delay type, small rock covering), and ad-
detonators. vances consequently have to be reduced.
The number of holes substantially de-
pends on face dimension and rock char-
acteristics. The face may range from
The values of vibration velocity (v) shotholes next to the free surface are
75 m 2to 100 m2; production shots spac-
blasted first and thus create new free
and the scaled distance (pdV/-Q) are ing and burden, from 0.80 to 1.20 m;
surfaces, which are exploited by the
respectively reported on the ordinates and contour shots spacing, from 0.40 to
shotholes blasted subsequently.
and on the abscissae ofa bilogarithmic 0.80 m. Consequently, 90 to 130 shots
The initial free surface usually coin-
diagram. The value of factor k and m per round are needed.
cides with excavation face. The excavation face generally coin-
(defining features of the shot and of the In the specific case of tunnels, be-
ground, respectively) is graphically ob- cides with tunnel section (full-section
cause the excavation face is the only
tained by the interpolation line (see excavation). In any case, it is possible
surface where the holes can be drilled, to carry out excavation in partial sec-
Fig. 2). it cannot function as a free surface. It
By expressing Q in (kg) and R in (m), tions, i.e.:
is therefore necessary to have recourse
v is defined in (ram/s). to an alternative free surface, obtained Top heading followed by bench-
at the beginning of the round by blast- ing (see Fig. 4).
1.2 Tunnelling ing a g r o u p of s h o t h o l e s (V-cut Pilot tunnel followed by full sec-
In rock blasting, every shothole shotholes). If the narrow space avail- tion enlargement (see Fig. 5).
must be parallel to a free surface in able permits, these holes are drilled The adoption of the particular
order to work correctly. The distance with a 60 inclination with respect to method selected has a considerable in-
between the shothole and the free sur- excavation face. Because of the lack of fluence on field organization because
face, which is called burden, is calcu- an adequate free surface, the V-cut the times for the two different phases
lated on the basis of the characteris- shots generate more intense vibrations (top heading and benching; pilot tun-
tics of both the shothole and the rock than the other shots, given the same nel and enlargement) must be quite
to be blasted. The rounds consist of a charge; therefore, if vibration is a prob- distinct.
certain number ofshotholes blasted in lem, they require especially careful In general, no special problems are
a p r e d e t e r m i n e d s e q u e n c e : the study. associated with the planning of the
The other shotholes (production round. In fact:
shotholes), blasted in a regular se- Blasting of the top heading does
quence, enlarge the initial opening al- not greatly differ from that of full
most up to design dimensions. section, except for the reduced
In the V-cut and the production dimensions of the face. Conse-
Vmm~ shotholes, charge diameter tends to quently, the round simply re-
looo . _ coincide with hole diameter. The quires fewer shotholes.
shotholes determining the walls and
v=k / R ~+rn; The blast design for the benching
the top of the tunnel (contour holes) are
is facilitated by the existence of
blasted last. Their dimensions depend
the free surface created by the
loo on the need to avoid excessive overbreak
top heading.
and damage to the contour rock. In
particular: The round pattern for pilot tun-
nel enlargement largely coincides
The spacing is smaller than that with the pattern for full-section
lo of the other round shotholes. excavation, except that V-cut
The hole diameter to charge di- shots are not necessary in this
ameter ratio is substantially case.
greater than 1; often it is ~bf= 2 c"
The explosives adopted must be
The charges consist of connect- approved for underground use, and it
able rigid plastic tubes provided is advisable that they be water-resis-
m,zg ~
with spiders which facilitate cen- tant and have a high strength. Excel-
tering in the hole. lent explosives may be chosen from
ol ; They are primed simultaneously,
lo 1oo lOOO
among gels, slurries and emulsions.
R - m - if possible. The diameter of the explosives
,5 -~+t The round pattern and priming se- (based on the hole disameter, which is
quence typical in the excavation of a nearly always 51 mm) is usually 40
Figure 2. Interpolation line of the large-section tunnel are shown in Fig- nun for V-cut and production holes,
peak particle velocity values (v) with ure 3. A pattern of this type, which is and 25 mm for contour holes.
the scaled distance (RIv/Q). quite valid for an efficient blasting, The blasting sequence is generally

1 7 6 TUNNELLING AND UNDERGROUND SPACE TECHNOLOGY Volume 9, N u m b e r 2, 1994

 obtained by electric detonators with
250 ms delay (or,lessfrequently and in
special cases,with non-electricdetona-
tors with 100 ms delays). Electricdeto-
nators provide 22 delays numbers (0 to
18 and 20-22-24).
5 Non-El detonators provide 24 de-

9 @ lays numbers. The detonator is always

inserted in the bottom charge.

1.4 Procedures for Reducing

@5 Vibration
The goal of blast design is to attain
the expected technical target (advance
and good contour) at an economical
cost.
In practice,optimization ofthe costs
of the following items is desired:
5e Explosives and detonators.
e4 5e Drilling.
o4
e5 ~3 Loading and h a u l a g e of the
e3 3 e4 ~Se
blasted rock.
C" e5 04 03 ~2 e2 e3 40 Time.
e2 1
The vibration problem is not taken
e4 03 02 ,1 eO I Oo 10 20 30 40 5o 9~ into consideration.
However, when the presence of
,=4 e3 02 el eO Oe le 2e 3e 40 5e
structures close to the tunnel course

t2"'
dictates a reduction of the stresses
6 e~ 4 .3 .2 ~ eO Oo 1e 2e 3e 4e 5e 6,
I transmitted to the environment, it is
necessary to reconsider the round--in
e6 ~ e4 .3 e2 i2 e2 3e 40 5e 60 7e
particular, by modifying those param-
I
e7 e6 e5 04 e3 e3 3e 4~ 50 6e 7e 8e eters (shown in relationship 2) which
I influence vibration velocity values.
It is advisable in such cases to ana-
lyze carefully all of the changes to be
made to the initial round pattern,
gradually determining the possible
benefits and the expense that the
changes imply.
Figure 3 represents a typical round
pattern for the excavation of a large-
section tunnel, with regard to:
-Excavation section 90 m s
3 2 I 0 0 1 3
- N u m b e r of holes 118
12.5 m -Advance 4m
-Explosive quantity 445 kg
- N u m b e r of detonators 118
- D e l a y detonator 250 ms
Figure 3. Drilling pattern and priming sequence of a typical full-section tunnel - N u m b e r of delays 10 (0-9)
round. The detail evidences the decoupling between the hole and charge in
contour shots. Table 1 shows, for each N delay
time, the number of n shotholes and

J ~1~~ i1~ I~
~ .~'~I~

Figure 4. Top heading followed by benching. Figure g. Pilot tunnel boring followed by full section
enlargement.

Volume 9, Number 2, 1994 TUNNELLINGANDUNDERGROUNDSPACETECHNOLOGY177

Table 1. Number of shot holes and quantity of explosive primed by detonators of 1. D e c r e a s e t h e Qm~ r e l e v a n t to
the same delay number, for each delay time. t h e p r o d u c t i o n shots, r a t i o n a l i z -
ing and balancing the distribution
Type of Shots Delay Time No. of Quantity of of the delays.
(N) Shotholes (n) Explosive There are 86 shotholes a n d 8 delay
times (1 to 8). Eight groups, including
A V cut shots 0 6 30 kg 10 or 11 holes each, c a n b e formed, with
a Qm~ = 11 x 4 = 44 kg of explosive. The
pea] particle velocity t h a t can be pre-
6 30 kg dicted is:
12 48 kg
16 64 kg ( 50 ~-,5
Vm~ = 200 t~444) = 9.7mm/s
19 76 kg
B Production shots
21 84 kg Relevant benefit: t h e r o u n d v=. x is
6 24 kg d e c r e a s e d by 38% (from 15.7 to 9.7
4 16 kg ram/s).
2 8 kg Charge for the field: Need for g r e a t e r
care w h e n placing the detonators.
2. Again, a d j u s t t h e Qmaffio f a l l
C Contour shots 9 26 65 kg the shots, using a greater number
of delays.
Totals 118 445 kg Also, change k of the V cut shots by
decreasing t h e i r burden. This is imple-
m e n t e d by drilling b a b y - c u t shots (see
Fig. 6). It can therefore be a s s u m e d
t h a t the V-cut shots factor k s u b s t a n -
the Q q u a n t i t y of explosive p r i m e d by F o r t h e V-cut shots: tially corresponds to t h a t of t h e pro-
d e t o n a t o r s of the s a m e d e l a y number. duction shots (k A = 200).
( 50 y15 Each of the 6 baby-cut shots is loaded
Each V-cut hole (A) is l o a d e d with 5 k g Vmax= 250 ( ~ } = 9.1mn4s
of explosive (~ = 40 ram); each produc- w i t h 1.5 k g of explosive.
tion hole (B), w i t h 4 k g ( = 40 ram); Using all the 22 delay n u m b e r s avail-
a n d each contour hole (C), w i t h 2.5 k g F o r t h e production shots: able, the p r i m i n g p a t t e r n can be ar-
(~ = 25 ram). r a n g e d as i n d i c a t e d in Table 2.
W i t h reference to r e l a t i o n s h i p (2), Vm~ = 2 0 0 (
~ 50 ~-1.5
) = 15.7ram/s The r e s u l t i n g p e a k particle velocity
the s i t u a t i o n a s s u m e d t a k e s into con- is:
s i d e r a t i o n a type of g r o u n d character- For t h e contour shots:
ized b y t h e factor m = 1.5. ( 50 1-I'5
Vm =2001~ ] =6.1mIn/s
The factor indicative ofshothole fea- Vm~ = 150 = 9.7 mr~s
t u r e s (different for each t y p e of shot) is
Relevant benefit: v=.~ decreases by
a s s u m e d to be: Therefore, i t can be p r e d i c t e d t h a t a 61% with r e s p e c t to the i n i t i a l value
k^ = 250 for V-cut shots. r o u n d t h u s p l a n n e d m a y induce vibra- (from 15.7 to 6.1 minis).
k s = 200 for production shots. tion o f v e l o c i t y u p to v = 15.7 mm/s. For Charge for the field: The drilling of
k c = 150 for contour shots. the t i m e being, l e t us n o t discuss the 6 baby-cut holes a n d i n c r e a s e in
w h e t h e r t h i s value is acceptable or not, consumption by 6 electric d e t o n a t o r s
The k factor is g r e a t e r for V-cut b u t i n s t e a d consider all t h e w a y s by a n d 9 kg of explosive m e a n s m a n a g i n g
shots t h a n for production shots be- which i t can be decreased. a g r e a t e r n u m b e r of delays.
cause of the lack of a n a d e q u a t e free
surface; t h e k factor for t h e contour production shots
shots is smaller, as a r e s u l t of t h e
considerable decoupling b e t w e e n hole
and charge diameter.
Let us also consider b l a s t i n g a r o u n d
a t a d i s t a n c e 50 m from a b u i l d i n g (R =
50 m). I t is possible to m a k e a prelimi-

~
n a r y e v a l u a t i o n of the s t r e s s e s induced
in the b u i l d i n g b y the v a r i o u s groups of V cut shots
shots, calculating on t h e basis of rela-
tionship (2) the m a x i m u m values t h a t
can be e n v i s a g e d for v i b r a t i o n velocity.
Table 1 shows that:
F o r t h e V-cut shots:
Q=~ = 3 0 k g
For t h e production shots:
Q=~ = 84 kg (delay n. 5)
F o r t h e contour shots:
Q~ =65kg
S u b s t i t u t i n g the respective values
for the symbols k, m, Q a n d R in rela-
tionship (2), the r e s u l t s are: baby cutshots
Figure 6. Pattern of baby cut shots, V cut shots and production shots.

178 TUNNELLINGAND UNDERGROUNDSPACE TECHNOLOGY Volume 9, N u m b e r 2, 1994

Table 2. Priming pattern, using all of the 22 delay numbers available.
Type of Shots Delay Time (N) No. of Shotholes (n) Maximum Quantity of Explosive (Q max)

A' Baby cut shots 0 6 9 kg

A V cut shots 1-3 2 10 kg

B Production shots 4-18 5-6 24 kg

C Contour shots 20-22-24 8-9 22.5 kg

3. T h e r e a r e t w o w a y s t o fur- A considerable reduction in the k constantly checked and the round-in-

t h e r d e c r e a s e t h e Q~a: factor can be assumed by further re- duced vibration controlled by means of
Decrease the advance, continu- ducingthe advance (k = 100). Calcula- the appropriate instruments. To ex-
ing to m a k e full-section rounds. tion of the expected vm~ gives: plain such procedures and document
W o r k with partial sections of the possibility of operating safely, even
the excavation face,blasting two f 50 ~-1.5 in very difficult conditions, Part II of
Vmu = 150 - - = 2.5 mm/s
or more rounds in a sequence, this paper describes some examples of
each with a smaller number of tunnels that have been excavated with
Relevant benefit: v . reduced by explosives, where the tunnels are lo-
shots, while keeping the advance 95% with respect to im~al conditions
constant. cated near structures at particularrisk.
(from 15.7 to 0.7 ram/s).
F r o m an operational viewpoint, itis Charge for the field: The same as
preferable to reduce the advance and evidenced in no. 3, with an increase in Part I1: Vibration Induced by
keep the round section constant. How- the waiting times. Rounds Blasted During Tunnel
ever, in particularly difficultcases and Driving
afterhaving reduced to a m i n i m u m the 1.5 Remarks The remainder of this paper deals
advance, itm a y be necessary (and con- with vibration induced by rounds
venient) to work with partial excava- To fully appreciate the efficiency of
the proposed changes, it may be inter- blasted during tunnel driving. It con-
tion sections and with rounds with a cludes with some examples of cases
number of shots equal to or less than esting to determine the compatible dis-
tance of a building from a round such considered both significant and inter-
the number of delays available. By esting, in terms of the need to safe-
operating in this manner, it will be as that outlined in Figure 3, and from
a round planned according to the crite- guard the soundness of, respectively:
possible to prime each shot with a dif-
ferent delay number. ria expressed in no. 4, above. A residential area.
B y reducing the advance from 4 to 2 Assuming v = 10 mm/s as the ac- A bridge and a railway tuimel.
m, the Q _ ~ of the round decreases to ceptable peak particle velocity value A rock face under unstable con-
10.5 kg ofexplosive, based on a charge for a building, by applying relationship ditions.
of 1.75 kg for the production shots. (2),the value of the distance R is: Ground previously treated with
Moreover, thanks to the substan- resin and cement.
tialreduction in the advance, a smaller A natural cave.
shothole factor can be assumed, e.g.,
k = 150. For the round shown in Figure 3 2.1 Vibration Control
The following peak particle velocity (Qm~ = 84 kg and k = 200):
then results: Usually vibration control measures
__1_ are taken when either"constructions ~
[ 50 ~-l.s = 0.7 mm/s (buildings, bridges, tunnels, towers,
Vmax = 150 [---~-~) dams, etc.) or natural structures that
For the modified round (Qm~ = 3.5 are particularly sensitive (sliding
Relevant benefit: v reduced by kg and k = 100): slopes, unstable rocks, pseudo cohe-
8 4 % with respect to ini~t~alconditions sive grounds, springs, etc.) are located
(from 15.7 to 2.5 ram/s). __!_ close to the front of the excavation.
Charge for the field: Need for a Because the fields of constructions
greater number of detonators, com- and natural structures are very differ-
pensated by a smaller specific explo- ent, the respective problems associ-
sive consumption; a greater incidence It can therefore be stated that when
ated with both are discussed below.
of waiting times resulting from the a round is to be blasted, the safe dis-
reduction in the advance. tance of a structure can be consider-
ably reduced by an appropriate blast 2.1.1. Common constructions
4. T h e n e e d t o k e e p t h e a d v a n c e design without compromising safety. The term "construction" refers to
reduced may go as far as boring Although the measures explained man-made structures, the parts, con-
h o l e s c o m p a t i b l e w i t h a s i n g l e car- above sometimes entail a certain in- nections and material features ofwhich
t r i d g e (i.e., 40 mm in diameter, 400 crease in costs, the cost of rock excava- are known, and which are connected to
m m l o n g and weight ranging from 0.58 tion by blasting is usually much lower, the ground where blasting occurs.
kg for slurries and emulsions to 0.730 even in situations involving consider- To analyze their behavior under seis-
kg for gels). Operations can be carried able risk, than the cost of excavation by mic conditions, it is necessary to refer
on with round advance reduced to I m, different means. to construction theory and to struc-
with Qm~ approx. 3.5 kg (production In actual practice, theoretical valid- tural engineering. The parameters
shots). ity of the above calculation must be usually adopted to define safety condi-

V o l u m e 9, N u m b e r 2, 1994 TUNNELLINGAND UNDERGROUNDSPACE TECHNOLOGY1 7 9

tions are vibration velocity and fre-
quency, as measured by triaxialgeo-
phones.
"51.5 B
Various countries have adopted
fairly concordant, but different,regu- + 4o.o 112.o 160.0
lations, which are compulsory in the
respective states and represent a ref-
erence for those countries where there
]- -I
isno specificregulation. In Italy,refer- ]
\
ence is usually given to D I N Standard +0.0 ; 60.0 .162.5
4150 (1986).

2.1.2 Natural structures

The natural structures whose be-
havior it is necessary to study in rela- D
tion to the dynamic stress induced by
blastingm a y be eithersuperficial(slid-
ing slopes,rock masses detached along Figure 7. Location o f advancement face with respect to the areas where
vibration is recorded.
a slope,etc.)or underground (aquifers
where disaggregation is feared, caves
in which stalactitesor stalagndtes are signed to measure and record vibra- Priming with electricdetonators
present, etc.). tioninduced by blasting. For the single (250 m s delay) availablein num-
The reference discipline for these case in which different instruments bers from 0 to 24.
studies is geotechnology. were used, they are specificallymen- The results given below are relative
The parameters usually adopted to tioned.The recordingsare always made to a typical situation, as shown in Fig-
evaluate the acceptability of blast- along three axes perpendicular to one ure 7, along with the measures taken
induced vibration are: another. to keep seismic stress within an ac-
Vibration velocity (measured by ceptable limit.
triaxialgeophones), when disag- 2.2.1 Vibration control in As blasting proceeded, round ad-
gregation of pseudo-cohesive buildings in a residential area vancements were planned on the basis
ground is possible. In the largest number of cases, of the values ofv recorded in the houses
Vibration acceleration (which is vibremetric control is made in build- closer to the tunnel face (see Table 3).
measured by accelerometers, ei- in_gs. It is, in fact, in residential areas Reference is made to the same lhnit
ther singleor triaxial,depending that recording needs to be continuous, values set forth by DIN Standard 4150,
on the needs), in the case of un- and the data constantly interpreted. relating to buildings under norms] con-
stable masses of rocks. Furthermore, there must be coordina- ditions (v < 5 mm/s for f< 10 Hz; v = 5-
tion between the tunnel face and the 15 mm/s for f = 10-50 Hz; v = 15-20
Because the problems that m a y be mm/s forf= 50-100 Hz; v = 20 mm/s for
encountered are varied and complex, ever changing situations occurring out-
side the tunnel. f > 100 Hz).
every situationmust be evaluated care-
Because of the complexity ofgronnd R o u n d n + 000.0: The check in
fully to obtain a reliable definitionof
structure, it often is nearly impossible building A records a v = 5.4 mm/s
the acceptabilitylimits.
to define a law of the type against a limit ofv = 20 minis.
There are no rules facilitatingsolu-
tions,but only bibliographicaldata that R o u n d n + 49.0: As distance de-
m a y be consulted. v-- k ( ~ - - creases, velocity in A increases (v = 7.7
minis). According to the previous re-
having general validity. In this case,
cording, the correlation among v, Q
2.2 E x a m p l e s vibration should be controlled system-
and R is determined as: v = 40 D.S. s
atically, by measuring its velocity in
The cases discussed in bibliogra- Even when distance is greater with
phies usually referto constructions,in the structures that are gradually sub- respect to A, the velocity measured in
jected to a risk as excavation proceeds.
particular to residential buildings. B is much higher (v = 12.2 ram/s). This
In particular, the vibration recording
Thus far,explosivesfirms have mostly value is anomalous with respect to the
of the entire round must display sepa- law studied for A, and it is due to the
dealt with the study of vibration in
rately the effects of every group of
residences--both because such build- bedding continuity linking advance-
shotholes primed with detonators with
ings are frequently encountered above ment face and building foundations
the same delay number, thereby al- (see Fig. 8). In order to avoid coming
or next to tunnels being driven, and
lowing the group ofshotholes causing
because reservations and complaints too close to the limit value, it was
the greatest stress to be detected. It
submitted by building dwellers, some- decided to reduce round advancement
will thus be possible to redetermine by adopting Q = 25 kginstead ofQ = 30
times even before the works begin,
the balance of the round and prevent
need to be promptly answered. How- kg.
dangerous situations.
ever, some lessfrequent occurrences-- R o u n d n + 51.5: Velocity decreases
One example is the case of a road
e.g., constructions other than build- in A (from 7.7 to 6.7 ram/s), whereas it
tunnel being driven underneath a resi-
ings and natural structures---arealso further increases in B. Because the
dential area, at very close distance.
discussed in this paper. The decision values in the V-cut holes were much
The tunnel is being driven full-section
toinclude such structureswas dictated higher than the values in the other
(85 m 2) in rock consisting of schists.
both by the interestinherent in these shotholes (see Fig. 9), it was decided to
The initial round pattern envisaged
problems and by the need to find solu- bore baby cuts.
the following parameters:
tionsboth simple and reliable,although R o u n d n+ 60.0: The usefulness of
inevitably approximate. Number of holes: 120-130 the baby cuts is checked. Now all of the
The instruments used in nearly all Opening with V-cut holes vibration recordings are balanced (see
of the vibration recordings mentioned Advancements: 3.00 m Fig. 10). A decrease of velocity in B is
in this paper are of the type Instantel Explosive used (Tutagex 810 + obtained. The valuesin A always agree
D S 477. This unit was expressly de- Emuldin A + Profil X): 350 kg with a v = 40D.S. -'8

180TUNNELLINGANDUNDERGROUNDSPACETECHNOLOGY Volume 9, Number 2, 1994

Table 3. Values o f recorded in houses closer to the tunnel face.

PosUtlon of the O.S.

Rounds (m) Buildings Q (kg) R (m) (m//kg ) f(Hz) v (mm's) v" (mm/,)

n + 000.0 A 30 67 12.2 >100 5.4 5.4

n + 49.0 A 30 43 7.8 >100 7.7 7.7

n + 49.0 B 30 48 8.8 >100 12.2 7.0

n + 51.5 A 25 42 8.4 >100 6.7 7.3

n + 51.5 B 25 45 9.0 >100 13.5 6.9

n + 60.0 A 25 44 8.8 >100 6.4 7.0

n + 60.0 B 25 43 8.6 >100 9.1 7.1

n + 62.5 B 25 43 8.6 >100 10.0 7.1

n + 112.0 B 25 60 12.0 >100 4.5 5.5

n + 160.0 C 30 70 12.8 >100 5.2 5.2

n + 160.0 D 30 90 16.4 >100 4.3 4.3

n + 162.5 C 3O 70 12.8 >100 5.3 5.2

n + 162.5 D 30 90 16.4 >100 4.4 4.3

v* = expected value (calculated by v = 40 D.S. u v ffi actual v a l u e

R o u n d n + 62.5: Velocityin B is still

within acceptable levels (v = 10.0 ram/s).
R o u n d n + 112.0: A s the tunnel face
moves away, there is no longer bedding
continuity with B, and velocity now
agrees with v = 40 D.S. ~.s
R o u n d n + 160.0: Vibration velocity
is checked in two more buildings (C
\
and D). The resulting values are quite
acceptable and in agreement with v =
40 D.S. ~'8
R o u n d n + 162.5: Results of the
previous round are confirmed.

2.2.2 Vibrometric control of a

railway bridge and tunnel
The course of a road tunnel being
driven was to approach some struc-
tures of a railway line, namely an arch
bridge in reinforced concrete (see Fig.
11) and a concrete-lined tunnel (Fig. Figure 8. Location o f the tunnel being driven with respect to the houses outside.
12), located at a minimum distance of
70 m and 60 m, respectively, from the
tunnel. ence of the railway bridge and t-nnel vibration velocitywas not to exceed the
The ground consisted of alternating would entail limitations in the use of following limits:
marl and limestone, in layers of vari- explosive.
able thickness and inclinations. 30 ram/s, for frequencies ~ 60 Hz;
The problem received the attention
The problem arose when the round 40 rnm/s, for frequencies > 60 Hz.
of the Railway Organization, ANAS
pattern necessary to drive the tunnel and the contractor, all of whom agreed The same limits were adopted for
had to be defined, because the exist- that in the liningofthe railway tunnel, the bridge as well. The measure was

Volume 9, Number 2, 1994 TUN~LLINGANDUNDERGROUNDSPACETECHNOLOGY181

 kk. Jlk

i
Figure 9. The vibrograph shows values much higher for Figure 10. When baby cuts are drilled (first trace), the V
the V cut holes. cut shots (second trace) generate vibration equal to that
from the other shotholes.

d i c t a t e d by previous works of t h e Rail- a s s u m e d was j u d g e d to be quite safe, as w h e r e E = elasticity m o d u l u s in con-

w a y s (Dilena a n d Kajon 1986) a n d b y it was k n o w n t h a t micro-fractures begin crete.
the Swiss regulation S N 640 312 (1978). to a p p e a r in concrete a t a velocity of The m a x i m u m v i b r a t i o n velocity
The l a t t e r r e g u l a t i o n sets forth, for a p p r o x i m a t e l y 5 0 0 m n d s (Oriard 1980). acceptable m a y t h e n be calculated ac-
t u n n e l s a n d bridges w h e n v i b r a t i o n is E v e n a r o u g h calculation can dem- cording to the following procedure.
g e n e r a t e d by blasting, a limit of: o n s t r a t e t h e full r e l i a b i l i t y of the l i m i t s (*) By the above formula, calculate
a g r e e d upon. In fact, t u n n e l l i n i n g the m a x i m u m d e f o r m a t i o n acceptable
30 mnds for 10-60 Hz should be considered a s a r i n g sub- on the b a s i s of a t u n n e l d i a m e t e r ~p= 8
frequencies; j e c t e d to stress p e r p e n d i c u l a r to i t s m a n d of a concrete w i t h k n o w n resis-
3 0 - 4 0 mm/s for 60-90 Hz axis, a n d therefore deformed. tance to compression ~c = 200 kg/cm 2
frequencies. A t t h e m a x i m u m deformation ~ in and elasticity m o d u l u s E = 2.5 105 kg/
Of g r e a t e s t concern was the r a i l w a y d i a m e t e r , ~ corresponds the m a x i m u m cm2:
t u n n e l , which would be more exposed strain
t h a n t h e bridge to the s t r e s s i n d u c e d 4-r~ 0/2
2E 11= . . . . Oc
b y t h e rounds b l a s t e d in the neigh- o= I] 2 E
boring r o a d tunnel. However, the l i m i t ( 4 - n)- /2
= 4 - ~ 4000 200
- - - - --~ 1.373 ram
2 2.5.105
(*) B y v = 2 u - r I" f (f being t h e
v i b r a t i o n frequency, for which i t is wise
to a s s u m e a very low value a t t h e
b e g i n n i n g of work), calculate t h e maxi-
m u m vibration velocity compatible w i t h
the l i m i t I] _< 1.373 ram:
v < 2 u ' 1.373 20 < 172 minis.
It should be noted t h a t t h e a s s u m e d
value f = 20 Hz is c o n s i d e r a b l y s m a l l e r
t h a n t h a t m e a s u r e d d u r i n g tests in
tunnel, w h e r e f was a l w a y s > 70 Hz.
Therefore, even a t t h e b e g i n n i n g of
excavation i t was possible to rely on a
considerable safety m a r g i n , o b t a i n e d
by the difference b e t w e e n t h e calcu-
Figure 11. Location of the tunnel being driven with respect to the railway l a t e d v a l u e (172 ram/s) a n d t h e l i m i t
bridge. value a s s u m e d (30-40 mnds).
D u r i n g operations, the a m o u n t of
v i b r a t i o n was a l w a y s v e r y low. A m o n g
t h e r e s u l t s obtained b y t h e n u m e r o u s
vibrometric recordings, some a p p e a r
p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t e r e s t i n g - - f o r example,
the different b e h a v i o u r of t h e two struc-
t u r e s (bridge a n d r a i l w a y tunnel) w h e n
subjected to stress from two subse-
quent rounds, the second of which en-
visaged a g r e a t e r a d v a n c e t h a n t h e
first (see Table 4).
Both s t r u c t u r e s were located 85 m
from t u n n e l face.
The r e s u l t s of the two s u b s e q u e n t
vibrometric recordings a r e shown in
Table 5.
The geophones were placed:
Into a recess o b t a i n e d i n the tun-
nel lining (see Fig. 12).
A t the top of one of the bridge
arches (see Fig. 11).
The two s t r u c t u r e s v i b r a t e in differ-
e n t ways:
Figure 12. Location of the tunnel being driven with respect to the nearby In t h e tunnel, t h e recording of
railway tunnel. the v i b r a t i o n i n d u c e d by t h e dif-

182 TUNNELLINGAND UNDERGROUNDSPACE TECHNOLOGY Volume 9, N u m b e r 2, 1994

Table 4. Comparison of two subsequent rounds in tunnel driving near a bridge W h e n vibrometric control was
and a railway tunnel. started, it was noticed that when blast-
ing occurred, already detached minor
Rrst Round Second Round rocks slid along the discontinuity sur-
faces with an average inclination of
about 40 . Moreover, it was noted that
Face section 100 sq. meters 100 sq. meters the relevant vibration velocity values
were always greater than 60 minis.
Number of holes 118 118 On the basis of this experimental
Length of round 2.40 m 3.60 m data, and after noting that the inclina-
tion of the naturally detached surfaces
Explosive (Gelatina 2 + 260 kg 400 kg was never greater than 40 , it was
Tutagex 210 + Profil x) decided to change the round design so
that the vibration velocity value re-
Electric Detonators 1 -15 1 -15 sulting at the face of the slope would
Max. weight per delay (Q) 25 kg 35 kg never be greater than 30-40 muds.
When data recordings were started,
the round pattern was as follows:
- Face section: m 280
Table 5. Results of the two subsequent vibrometric recordings. - Number of holes: 100-110
- Advancement: 3.2 m
First Round Second Round -Explosive: Tutagex 210 + Profil X
Recording - Explosive quantity: 240(Tutagex)+
of Units 35 (Profil X)
Tunnel Bridge Tunnel Bridge
= 275 kg
- Rock blasted in-situ: 256 m ~
Max. vibr.
velocity (mm/s) 4.0 1.1 5.2 1.6 - No. of detonators
(250 ms): 100-110
Max. accel- - D e l a y number: 9 (from 0 to 8)
eration (g) 0.25 0.07 0.32 0.06 - Maximum quantity of
explosive primed with
Frequency (Hz) 85 15 75 15 the same delay number (Off: 44 kg
With this type of round, at a dis-
tance R = 28 m from the face, the
ms~dmum vibration velocity recorded
ferent groups ofshotholes shows cient to carry out the most difficult on the outside face was v = 66 mm/s.
a clear separation in time (see phase of the excavation work. The round was modified as follows:
Fig. 13). The rock face, shaped and eroded by Advancement was reduced from
On the bridge, the first stresses the weather, presented such a high 3.2 m to 2.2 m.
generate a resonance where the degree of instability that safety nets
* Delay time was increased from
vibration frequency is the same and boulder guard frames for the pro-
number 9 to 24.
as the bridge's own frequency. tection of the road beneath had been
The vibration persists without installed long before. Given this situ- Abandonment of instantaneous
interruption for the complete du- ation, it was fairly difficult to state detonators and primiug of the V
ration of round blasting (about 4 what kinds of operating conditions cut shots by microdelay detona-
sec.) and later fades away very would satisfy the requirement for suf- tors (30 ms), with different delay
slowly (see Fig. 14). ficient safety. numbers.

2.2.3 Vibrometric control for an

unstable rock face I

~ J s case involved the driving of a ,. .;;k: .,'~'-. ,~~-."~=' ,..: . . . . ;. ,] .....
if.- I~111""
close-to-surface tunnel designed to re-
place the original (surface) road, which IpI
~|. ~ ~ ..,,_ l~M,h,- . ld . . . . . L.
11p~-'-
was excessively narrow for present-
day traffic and dangerously exposed to ,.~. ,dr ~ Ji . L .,t. il ....

rock fall. The excavation was carried

out full-face in bedded limestone (see z.m 2,~0

Fig. 15).
Because the face was approaching
the outside surface, it was feared that
the narrow distance would cause the
seismic stress deriving from the rounds
to disturb the already compromised
static balance of the rock face over-
hanging the outside road, which was
still being used for traffic. A study was
therefore started, substantially based
on vibrometric recordings, aimed at
Figure 13 (top). Graph of the vibration recorded in the lining of the railway
defining the best method to follow in tunnel.
order to ensure safety conditions suffi- Figure 14 (bottom). Graph of the vibration recorded on the railway bridge.

Volume 9, Number 2, 1994 TUNNELLINGANDUNDERGROUNDSPACETECHNOLOGY183

 3. Immediately after the round, and
after taking the appropriate safety
measures, the tunnel was checked to
_
determine whether the gas had in-
vaded the tunnel.
4. After a certain number of trial
rounds, after it had been ascertained
that no exit of gas had occurred, it was
_ I \
agreed that the seismic levels adopted
were acceptable, as the rock structure
had not been compromised.
I
5. Excavation was continued and
k was completed by constantly checking
the round-induced vibration and the
possible exit of gas.
Excavation was carried out by di-
viding the face in sections blasted in
the following sequence (see Fig. 16):
Excavation of the top heading:
-section 45 m 2
--advance 1m
-hole diameter 38 m m
-explosive 45 kg of Gelatine 2
in 25-mm-dia.
cartridges
-number of holes 100-110
Figure 15. Location of the tunnel with respect to the outside face. -priming el. det. with 30-ms
and 500-ms delays
Consequently, at a distance R = 26 microfractures and in the presence of
m and with Q reduced from 44 kg to 8 toxic gas (H2S) under pressure, the
kg, the vibration velocity recorded was rock was treated with injections of
18 m m / s - - a value which did not pro- mortar of cement and acrylic resin, in
duce any rock fall on the outside face. the following sequence (see Fig. 16):
Table 6 gives the data for the two 1. Injection o f c e m e n t i n Zone 1 in
rounds. These data, together with order to fill in the rock breakages.
findings f r o m the two subsequent 2. Injections of resin in Zone 2 in
rounds, allowed the attribution of the order to seal the microfractures.
values to the p a r a m e t e r s of relation-
ship (2), considered in P a r t I of this Before the blasting was to begin, i: r - .... _ .... , ~ ~:",
paper, in formula: the problem arose of evaluating the
possibility t h a t the round-induced ~/,~
~ 'N.," . . . .. . . ... . . ... . .
','_~: ',~I,
.,__~ ~ ,i
++ stress might disaggregate the rock (es-
pecially the resin-treated rock); and,
as a consequence, that the gas, no longer
This relationshipwas subsequently blocked, might invade the tunnel.
used to calculate,aftereach round (as In order to avoid this possibility, the
a function of the R distance of the face following procedure was adopted: Figure 16. Location of the
from the outside slope),the m A x l m u m advancement face with respect to the
1. Bibliographic research permit-
value of Q compatible with a value ofv cement and resin-treated areas.
ted determination of the range of vi-
on the outside face,kept within the 40 1[: Top heading.
bration velocity values that might pro-
mm/s limit. II: Benching.
duce the disaggregation of semi-cohe- III: Side walls.
sive grounds or originate micro-frac- 1 and 3: Cement-treated zone.
2.2.4 Vibrometric control in tures in the rock (see Table 7). 2: Resin-treated zone.
rock, previously waterproofed 2. At the m o m e n t ofround blasting,
with resin, subject to toxic gas vibrometric recordings were taken, by GC: Geophones in cement-treated
under pressure positioning a few geophones in the rock.
In order to drive two twin tunnels treated rock at the tunnel contour in- GR: Geophones in resin-treated
through a series of grounds with side probe holes (see Fig. 16). rock.

Table 6. Data for the two blasting

rounds for an unstable rock face. Table 7. Range of vibration velocity values that might produce the
disaggregation of semi-cohesive grounds or originate microfractures in the rock.
Standard Modified
Data for: Round Round Vibration Velocity (mm/s) Relative Effect

Q (kg) 44 8 80 - 120 Disaggregation of cemented sands (Galati~ 1975)

R (m) 28 26 150 - 450 Disaggregation of clay (Galati 1975)
v (mrn/s) 66 18 450 Micro-fissures in the rock (Dowding 1985)

184 TUNNELLING ANDUNDERGROUND SPACETECHNOLOGY Volume 9, Number 2, 1994

Table 8. Maximum values of vibration velocity recorded before and after evident. The m a x i m u m charge per de-
modification of the priming pattern adopted for the top heading rounds. lay time was always, within close ap-
proximation, 3.6 kg.
Round Primed Round Primed The table also reports the v values
Symmetrically Asymmetrically calculated on the basis of the equation
V 470 ( W~/-Q )-0.75,which had been
GR (R = 2m) GC (R = 4m) GR (R = 2m) GC (R = 4m) verified in the rock before the treat-
ment and which was used in the defini-
v (mm/s) 1000 150 320 80 tionofthe Q charge in the initialrounds.
v* (mm/s) 452 269 452 269 A level v =320 m m / s was deemed
acceptable. It was decided that every
time the recordings approached this
GR) Geophone in the resin-treated rock v) Actual value value, the round would be modified.
GC) Geophone in the cement-treated rock v*) Expected value The m a x i m u m vibration velocity val-
R) Distance geophone/nearest shot ues obtained in the excavation of the
bench were substantially smaller--on
average, about 80-100 mm/s in the
resin-treated rock, and 40-50 m m / s in
-no. of delays 6 (30-ms type) + between two stiff supports (the the cement-treated rock. N o problems
12 (500-ms type) two cement-treated areas). were experienced in the excavation to
Because the groups of shotholes place the side walls.
E x c a v a t i o n o f t h e bench: Vibrometric recordings were m a d e
blasted in subsequent delays
-section 40 m s using geophones Sensor S M 6 with
were arranged in a symmetrical
--advance 2.3 m their own frequency, 4.5 Hz.
pattern with respect to tunnel
-hole diameter 38 mm
axis, the increase in vibration
-explosive 35 kg of Gelatine 2
velocity in the resin-treated rock 2.2.5 Vibrometric Control in a
in 25-mm-dia.
could be related to resonance in- Cave
cartridges
duced by the symmetry of stress. A karst-origin cave---rich in stalac-
-no. of holes 40-45
-priming el. detonator with The smaller vibration intensity tites,stalagmites, and crystals of rare
500-ms delays in the outer area treated was beauty--was the object of a careful
-no. of delays 12 explained by the enormous ab- survey intended to determine whether
sorption of energy in the form of the soundness ofthis natural structure
Excavation to place the side elastic deformation due to the would be compromised by the mining
walls: resin-treated rock. activitythat was being carried out at a
-rounds with few shotholes to blast The assumption that the anoma- distance of a few hundred meters (see
limited volumes of rock. lous vibration velocity values in the Fig. 17).
Before b l a s t i n g b e g a n , some resin-treated rock were caused by reso- In fact, the cave is located within a
vibrometric recordings were made in nance led to a modification of the sym- mining permit area, and was discov-
rock not treated, in order to obtain the metrical priming pattern initially ered by chance w h e n the mining tun-
variation law of v (vibration velocity) adopted for the top heading rounds. nels had already developed in alldirec-
as a function of the scaled distance D.S. The resulting asymmetric pattern fea- tions. It was therefore necessary to
tured even-number delay detonators study the behaviour of the weakest
(D.S. = pfv/-Q ). all on one side of the face, and odd elements of the cave at the m o m e n t
The resulting law was: numbers all on the other side. they were subjected to the stress of
Table 8 reports the m a x i m u m val- blasting-induced vibration.
ues (v) of vibration velocity recorded The closest mining zones were lo-
before and after this modification: the cated more than 250 m from the cave.
The following interesting phenom- substantial reduction that resulted is However, in the past, before the cave
ena were evidenced by the analysis of
the firstrecordings in treated rock:
The behaviour of the resin-
treated rock was anomalous with
respect to that ofrockin general.
A very slow decrease in vibration
was evident. Therefore there was
continuity in the vibration gen-
erated by explosions with 500-
m s intervals.
The values ofvinthe area treated
with resin were greater than
expected.
In the outer,cement-treated zone,
vibration velocity was smaller
than expected.
The above phenomena were ex-
plained as follows:
The small decrease in vibration
in the resin-treated rock was in-
terpreted as though the rock
there behaved as an elasticspring Figure 1Z Location of the stoping operation with respect to the cave.
A = Accelerometers. G = Geophones.

Volume 9, Number 2, 1994 TUNNELLINGANDUNDERGROUNDSPACETECHNOLOGY185

was discovered, a research tunnel had Table 9. Data for three rounds blasted in limestone with Pb and Zn sulphide
been driven only a few meters away, minerals.
and the scaled distance of the shotholes
blasted at the time must have been Round
much more risky than is the case for
present-day shotholes.
The cave exhibits two types of Data for: First J Second Third
damage:
1. Many stalactites and stalag- Number of holes
11 2 6
mites, especially the slimmer ones, have
lost their apexes, which are lying on Average length of holes (m)
14 14 14
the floor, broken and re-cemented.
Total charge of explosive (kg)
2. Many of the columns and con- 535 75 185
cretions stretching from the ground to Number of delays (30 ms)
the ceiling show evident horizontal 0-6 0 0-5
fractures. Max. quantity of explosive primed
155 (*) 75 (^) 40 (.)
Mining is carried out by sublayers, by same delay (kg)
with shothole spread in a fan pattern
parallel to the blasting face, and a
(*) 3 shots charge
burden of 3-4 m per hole, diam. = 64 (^) 2 shots charge
ram, pneumatically filled with bulk (o) 1 shot charge
AnFo. In this type of blasting, the use
of"long~ delay detonators is not strictly
necessary (100 or 250 ms). In fact, the
microdelays (30 ms) are quite conve- velocity and acceleration values are or in the future. This aim may be
nientbecause they produce blasted ma- given in Table 10. fulfilled only by keeping the seismic
terial with better rock dimensions. These data, added to others, allowed level of the round within control.
The data for three subsequent the extrapolation of the law ruling vi- The most interesting findings, made
rounds blasted in limestone with Pb bration velocity variation v as a func- possible by the use of accelerometers,
and Zn sulphide minerals are given in tion of Q and R concern the slimmer structures (sta-
Table 9. lactites, etc.). These structures usu-
-in -1.16
The following units were used for ally behave similarly to the ground or
recording: squat bodies, but undergo a resonance
1. Instantel DS 477 with triaxial phenomenon when their own fre-
geophones. This relationship was used at the quency coincides with the stress fre-
2. Monoaxial accelerometers Bruel end of the survey to plan a reduction in quency. The damage and breakage
& Kjaer. Q with respect to the value obtained in observed in such structures are prob-
the first round (Q = 155 kg). The ably linked to induced resonance and
The units were positioned inside vibration velocity v = 7.1 muds related fatigue phenomena.
the cave in the following different spots to Q = 155 kg was, in fact, judged to be In the first case, breakage occurs
(see Fig. 17): at the limit of tolerance in consider- when the limit of resistance to flexion
GI: geophones on the ground. ation of the weakness of the natural is exceeded in a particular section. In
G2: geophones on a squat column structures present in the cave. the latter case, breakage occurs when,
at 1.70 m from the ground. The damage detected in stalactites, because ofincreasing concentric break-
AI: accelerometer on a column 7 stalagmites and the columns stretch- age, the area of the resisting section
m high, at 1.50 m from the ing from ground to top are at least decreases below a minimum value, de-
ground. partly the result of rounds where the Q pending on the dimensions, mass and
charge was excessive with respect to material of the structure.
A2: accelerometer on the same its R distance from the cave. This Because it was not possible to ana-
column at 3.50 m from the damage probably occurred while driv- lyze each single element of the cave,
ground. ing the research tunnel, when the ex- the study could not reach general con-
The three rounds, blasted at a istence of the caves was not known; clusions regarding the interpretation
distance of 270 m from the cave, therefore, it is necessary to ensure that of and solution to the problem. It was
produced vibration, for which the this will not happen again, either now judged advisable to propose guidelines

Table 10. Velocity and acceleration values for thre rounds blasted at a distance of 270 rn from the cave

Round

First Second Third

Recording Unit v (ram/s) a ~ (g) v (mm/s) a o (g) v (mm/s) a o (g)

G1 7.1 4.5 m
3.1
G2 7.1 4.4 3.2
A1 0.073 0.049
A2. 0.294 0.114 0.090

186 TUNNELLINGANDUNDERGROUNDSPACETECHNOLOGY Volume 9, Number 2, 1994

Table 11. Characterisitcs of explosives mentioned in this paper. produce vibration and, equally con-
stantly,are subjected to vibration (with
smaller or greater annoyance).
Type of Density (kg/m s ) Velocity of Energy (MJ/kg) Given this context, it seems absurd
Explosive Detonation (m/s) to argue whether 3 or 4 m m / s is a
dangerous vibration velocity for plas-
ter in buildings, w h e n the same plas-
Gelatine 1 1450 6550 4.52 ter, because of the thermic difference
Gelatine 2 1420 6100 4.44 between day and night, is daily sub-
jected to stress corresponding to a vi-
Tutagex 810 1250 4200 3.55 bration level of 30-40 mm/s (U.S. Bu-
Tutagex 210 1150 4200 3.52 reau of Mines 1988).
It is therefore advisable that every-
Emuldin 1A 1160 4900 3.84
one in the whole area surrounding the
ANFO 800 2300 3.66 operation be promptly informed and
reassured that the round-induced vi-
Profil X 1200 3240 2.66
bration is under control and is not
dangerous for structures; and that the
annoyance it produces, although un-
doubtedly unpleasant, will be shorter
to continue mining under acceptable They last just a few seconds---a in duration the fewer the obstacles
conditions, taking into account both short time compared to vibration that are placed in the w a y of the devel-
the conservation of the cave and the from mechanical means. opment of the excavation. Experience
economy of mining. Their intensity m a y be adjusted shows that ifthe relationship with out-
Upon consideration that w h e n re- in order to satisfy any need by siders is based on reciprocal trust and
search was being conducted close to simply dimensioning rounds ap- cordiality,the majority ofthe problems
the cave, the value of v must have propriately. connected with vibration can be solved
approached 15-20 mm/s (*);and hav- at the beginning of the project.
They occur at 8- to 10-hourinter-
ing checked that during tests, V was In allcases, itisadvisable to record,
vals; therefore, fatigue problems
always kept within _<7.1 ram/s, a pro- before blasting, the damage already
concerning persons or structures
posal was m a d e to the mine manage- existing in those structures that are of
under risk should not arise.
ment to blast every shothole with a interest because of their proximity to
They can be generated w h e n the the works being undertaken. This is
microdelay electric detonator with a
conditions to withstand them are the best way to avoid charges, albeit
different delay number. This arrange-
best and prior warning is made in good faith, that such damage
ment would increase neither the cost
possible. can be attributed to blasting. []
nor the organization of rounds. By
fixing Q = 40 kg (while R remained 270 The structure is subjected to risk
because mining was proceeding away for a limited time, i.e.,the time References
from the cave), it could be calculated necessary for the tunnel face to
move away from the structure Atlas Powder Company. 1987. Explosives
that v would be kept within the value and Rock Blasting. Dallas: Atlas
itself.
Powder Co.
Because the advancement face Berta, G. 1989. L'esplosivo strumento di
v<241 270 = 3.1 mngs
moves fairly quickly and new situa- lavoro. Italesplosivi Milano.
tions always occur, it is advisable to Berta, G. 1990. Explosives: An Engineering
tackle the problems related to seismic Tool. Italesplosivi Milano.
and itwas judged that that level would
impact when the tunnel route is being Dowding, C. H. 1985. Blast Vibration
have sufficiently protected the cave Monitoring and Control. Englewood
structures. decided; and to set forth--possibly in
Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall.
Table 11 lists the characteristics of agreement with the owner ofthe struc- Hutchison, E. C. and Smith, G. 1981.
explosives m e n t i o n e d i n this paper. ture or the person responsible for its Effective construction blasting damage
protection--the respective stress limit control. In Proceedings of the Seventh
values. It might be convenient at that Conference on Explosives and Blasting
2.3 Conclusions stage to accept limit values far below Techniques. Society of Explosives
By giving examples of some rules to those calculated to be tolerable, espe- Engineers.
follow, this paper has attempted to cially w h e n this does not raise prob- Konya, C. J. and Walter, E.J. 1985. Rock
illustratethat problems relatedtoblast- lems with respect to excavation. How- Blasting. U.S. Department of Trans-
ing-induced vibration can nearly al- ever, it is necessary to always bear in portation, Federal Highway Admini-
ways be solved. In fact,the vibrations mind that vibration is not an exclusive stration.
induced by tunnel rounds have some Piovano, G. 1992. Controllodellevibrasioni
effect of blasting;,and that people, as nell'usodell'esplosivo.Galleriee Grandi
positive features: well as their environment, constantly Opere Sotterranee (38).

(*) The values 15-25 mm/s were calcu-

lated after a s c e r t a i n i n g t h a t i n the
r e s e a r c h t u n n e l , the r o u n d s h a d a
m a x i m u m charge per delay time rang-
ing from 15 to 20 kg; and that the
m i n i m u m distance from the single
natural structures had been 30-40 m.

Volume 9, N u m b e r 2, 1994 TUNNELLING AND UNDERGROUND SPACE TECHNOLOGY 187