Investigation of the variation of blast induced vibrations behind artificial discontinuities in SLI coal mine

INVESTIGATION OF THE VARIATION OF BLAST INDUCED VIBRATIONSBEHIND ARTIFICIAL DISCONTINUITIES IN SLI COAL MINEMehmet Akif ÇebiMine Engineering, M.S.Thesis, 2007Thesis Supervizor: Assoc.Prof. Kaan EraslanSUMMARYIn this study, variation of blast induced vibrations behind artificial discontinuities wasinvestigated in Seyitömer Coal Enterprise. Experiments were implemented in 25m thickdragline panel and two types of discontinuities formed in the field. First type artificialdiscontinuity was generated by successive barrier drill holes. 25m deep 30 drill holes weredrilled through 1m spaced 3 parallel lines, each of which include 1m spaced 10 holes. Bythis way, an artificial discontinuity namely barrier holes were formed by drill holes. Linesof the holes divided the panel into two parts to enable measurements in two oppositedirections and sides. Half of the holes were left empty and the other half were filled withwater. Peak particle velocity (PPV) was measured by two blast mate devices. Totally 119measurements were taken in front of, behind the empty and water-filled holes. As a result ofanalysis of PPV values, 14.30% to 18.54% decrease has been observed. Second artificialdiscontinuity was realized by digging 8m deep, 4m wide and 12m long trench. 149measurements at 77 explosions were performed in trench experiments. One measurement infront of and one measurement behind the trench were taken simultaneously at eachexplosion. By this way, influence of trench on PPV could be observed. Measurementdistances ranged from 38m to 299m and PPV values decreased 27.76% to 58.12%. PPVdecline was found to be inversely proportional with the distance between the explosionpoint and measurement station. The study provides an applied scientific data in the subjectof environmental effect of blasting and elimination of it.Key words: Artificial Discontinuity, Barrier Holes, Open Pit Blasting, Vibration,