The propagation of sound from quarry blasting

doi:10.1016/S0022-460X(78)80114-X

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Volume 60, Issue 3, 8 October 1978, Pages 359-370

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-460X(78)80114-X Get rights and content

Experimentally obtained information is presented for some of the parameters upon which depends the propagation of sound from various types of quarry blasting. These include distance, wind direction, alignment of the quarry face, and barriers such as hills. A large number of observations were made at one quarry. The relationships derived from these were shown to apply to similar blasts at two other quarries. A marked feature of the results is their high variability, even after making allowance for the predicted variation due to the parameters mentioned above. The greater part of this variability is believed to be due to refraction of the sound by wind and temperature gradients. The work so far has not quantified these effects. By coupling the derived relationships with the determined variability, it is possible to make accurate predictions not only of the average but also of the maximum sound levels for a given blast.

References (5)

A.R. Isham
An investigation into primary blasting
Quarry Management and Products
(1974)
B. Perkins et al.
Handbook for prediction of air blast focusing
Ballistic Research Laboratories Report No. 1240
(1964)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (15)

Prediction of air-overpressure induced by blasting using an ANFIS-PNN model optimized by GA
2021, Applied Soft Computing
Citation Excerpt :
For the probability of structural damages, the AOp needs to be as high as 180 dB; for glass of widows to be broken, between 130 and 150 dB; and for windows to be vibrated, between 110 and 130 dB. As a result, especially in life-threatening and important regions, great efforts are usually made to keep AOp less than 110 dB [16,20,74]. In general, four key sources exist in every blasting operation that generate the AOp waves [75,76]:
Blasting operations typically have several negative impacts upon human beings and constructions in adjacent region. Among all, air-overpressure (AOp) has been persistently attractive to practitioners and researchers. To control the AOp-induced damage, its strength should be predicted before conducting a blasting operation. This paper analyzes the AOp consequences through the use of the Fuzzy Delphi method (FDM). The method was adopted to identify the key variables with the deepest influence on AOp based on the experts’ opinions. Then, the most effective parameters on AOp were selected to be used in developing a new hybrid intelligent technique, i.e., adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS)-polynomial neural network (PNN) optimized by the genetic algorithm (GA), called ANFIS-PNN-GA. From FDM and experts’ opinions, four parameters, i.e., amount of explosive charge, powder factor, stemming, and distance from the blast-face were identified as the most effective ones on AOp. In fact, in ANFIS-PNN-GA system, GA was used to optimize the ANFIS-PNN structure. The new framework of ANFIS-PNN-GA was developed, trained, and tested on actual datasets collected from a total of 62 blasting events. To show capability of the newly-proposed model, the ANFIS and PNN predictive models were also constructed to estimate AOp, and the performance prediction of the proposed models were evaluated through the use of several performance indices, e.g., correlation coefficient (R) and mean square error (MSE). R values of (0.94, 0.72, and 0.84) and (0.92, 0.58, and 0.77) and MSE values of (0.003, 0.03, and 0.021) and (0.005, 0.066, and 0.05) were obtained for training and testing datasets of ANFIS-PNN-GA, PNN, and ANFIS models, respectively. Accordingly, because of the role of GA as a practical optimization algorithm in improving the efficiency of both PNN and ANFIS models, results obtained by the ANFIS-PNN-GA model are more accurate compared to other implemented methods.
Prediction of airblast-overpressure induced by blasting using a hybrid artificial neural network and particle swarm optimization
2014, Applied Acoustics
Citation Excerpt :
An AOp level of the structural damage possibility is 180 dB, glass break is 130–150 dB, and window vibration is 110–130 dB. Therefore, many attempts are made to keep AOp below 110 dB in critical areas where the public is concerned [9,13,25]. In general, AOp waves are produced from four main sources in blasting operations [26–28]:
Blasting is an inseparable part of the rock fragmentation process in hard rock mining. As an adverse and undesirable effect of blasting on surrounding areas, airblast-overpressure (AOp) is constantly considered by blast designers. AOp may impact the human and structures in adjacent to blasting area. Consequently, many attempts have been made to establish empirical correlations to predict and subsequently control the AOp. However, current correlations only investigate a few influential parameters, whereas there are many parameters in producing AOp. As a powerful function approximations, artificial neural networks (ANNs) can be utilized to simulate AOp. This paper presents a new approach based on hybrid ANN and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to predict AOp in quarry blasting. For this purpose, AOp and influential parameters were recorded from 62 blast operations in four granite quarry sites in Malaysia. Several models were trained and tested using collected data to determine the optimum model in which each model involved nine inputs, including the most influential parameters on AOp. In addition, two series of site factors were obtained using the power regression analyses. Findings show that presented PSO-based ANN model performs well in predicting the AOp. Hence, to compare the prediction performance of the PSO-based ANN model, the AOp was predicted using the current and proposed formulas. The training correlation coefficient equals to 0.94 suggests that the PSO-based ANN model outperforms the other predictive models.
Prediction of near field overpressure from quarry blasting
2010, Applied Acoustics
Citation Excerpt :
The scatter in the a0 coefficients reported by USBM [2] is an example of the directionality of the propagation of blast waves. In fact, the contour curves of equal overpressures from bench blasting have a shape similar to an “egg” curve, longer at the floor level and shorter at the top [7–12]. These azimuthal variations may be reinforced in specific directions depending on the characteristics of the sequence of the blast [2,10,13].
This paper investigates the propagation of airblast or pressure waves in air produced by bench blasting (i.e. detonation of the explosive in a row of blastholes, breaking the burden of rock towards the free vertical face of the block). Peak overpressure is calculated as a function of blasting parameters (explosive mass per delay and velocity at which the detonation sequence proceeds along the bench) and the polar coordinates of the position of interest (distance to the source and azimuth with respect to the free face). The model has been fitted to empirical data using linear least squares. The data set is composed of 122 airblast records monitored at distances less than 400 m in 41 production blasts carried out in two quarries. The model is statistically significant and has a determination coefficient of 0.87. The formula is validated from 12 airblast measurements gathered in five additional blasts.
Assessment of noise and ground vibration induced during blasting operations in an open pit mine - A case study on Ewekoro limestone quarry, Nigeria
2009, Mining Science and Technology
Our study was carried out to assess the level of noise generated and ground vibrations induced during blasting operations at the Ewekoro limestone quarry in Nigeria. To achieve this objective, vibro monitor equipment was used to take readings related to noise generated and ground vibrations during all blasting operations that took place in the quarry for a period of one month. As well, a digital camera was used to take photographs of residential structures within villages near the quarry. The results obtained indicate that the ground vibration readings fall between 0.5 mm/s and 2.1 mm/s and the noise generated during the blasting operations between 82 dB and 89 dB. These readings when compared with the limits set by FEPA (Federal Environmental Protection Agency) of 5.0 mm/s and 150 dB) all fall within the permissible limits. However the photographs of most structures near the quarry reveal cracks and dilapidated building walls. Recommendations are made on how to sustain and improve current blasting techniques.
A method for the prediction of peak sound pressure level related to opencast blasting
1993, Applied Acoustics
The sudden noise caused by blasting can give rise to substantial complaints from people living in the proximity of opencast mines, quarries or construction sites. A measurement technique and simple prediction method are proposed which can be effectively applied for community exposure planning and reduction. The prediction method is based on measurements of the peak sound pressure level generated by small unconfined explosive charges; the sound propagation characteristics in the area can then be defined, as typical coefficients, and critical propagation directions can be taken into account. By means of a numerical relationship, in which also the main round parameters are considered, the peak sound pressure level in each position in the surrounding areas can be predicted.
Noise from opencast coal mining sites
1980, Applied Acoustics
The principal sources of noise in opencast coal mining operations are described. Currently available information on the assessment, prediction, measurement and control of this type of noise is considered. Some of the problems associated with the setting up of a scheme for the control of noise from opencast sites which are discussed are found to apply to other sources of environmental noise. It is concluded that at present there is insufficient information available to enable a scheme covering all aspects of noise control to be produced. Suggestions are made for further research.

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The propagation of sound from quarry blasting

An investigation into primary blasting

Quarry Management and Products

Handbook for prediction of air blast focusing

Ballistic Research Laboratories Report No. 1240