Ground Vibrations Arising from Using Two Types of Explosives - A Comparative Study

Results of an investigation into ground vibrations carried out in an open pit coal mine in New South Wales has been analysed. As this mine is located in a sensitive area in regard to potential damage from ground vibrations, severe restrictions were imposed on the blasting operations. In this study 44 sets of recorded experimental blast data have been analysed. Two valuable equations have evolved from the data when two types of explosives were used. A comparison between the effects of two explosive types, namely ANFO and slurry, on ground vibration is presented. It has been shown that the intensity of ground vibration is greater for slurry in short distances but becomes same in a specific longer distance. It was also found that in long distances the intensity of vibration is greater using ANFO than slurry.