A theoretical concept of structural dynamics to evaluate blast-induced damage on structures

Abstract The significant audible and inaudible parameters, in any excavation area, that give rise to complaints and damage to structures are air-overpressure and blast-induced ground vibration. A building can sustain high, safe levels of vibration, but the human response to the magnitude of vibration varies and depends on an acceptability limit. Moreover, from the structural point of view, the safe level of vibrational magnitude depends upon a building's shape and the quality of its construction. As the response spectrum can be correlated with structural strains, structural dynamics are preferred to Fourier frequency analysis to formulate a theoretical model for the determination of safe levels of blast-induced ground vibration for structures. A mathematical model is developed for determination of the natural frequency of structures together with a mathematical concept to explain possible causes of cracks in the interior and exterior plaster of walls.