A Mixed Analytical and Empirical Model for the Prediction of Ground Vibrations due to Rock Blasting

The use of the concept of rock breakage and the theory of reflection of seismic waves at a free surface, a mixed model is developed for the prediction of blast induced ground vibration. This model is developed in two parts. The first part consists of an analytical derivation of the vertical particle velocity on the surface at any distance from the blast hole. This part along with other parameters incorporates the peak charge pressure on the wall of the cavity. As a second part, the peak charge pressure is calculated, empirically, using jointly Langefors-Kihlstrom (1976) and pearse (1955) equations. The proposed model accounts for the characteristics of the explosives, the rock mass properties and charge loading parameters. A good correlation has been observed on comparing the results of the model with field measurements.