BLASTING AND EXPLOSIVES I 213

Vector Sum

(EQ 11.28)

where:
R resultant vector sum velocity (in./s)
V = particle velocity in vertical direction (in./s)
L = particle velocity in longitudinal direction (in./ s)
T = particle velocity in transverse direction (in./s)

Norn: Values of V, L, and T must occur at the same instant of time.

Vibration Level Criteria

The safe blasting vibration criteria in Figure 11.5, which were developed by the U.S. Bureau of
Mines, have been generally accepted as the most reliable standards available. This curve has
been adopted in many regulatory schemes on the federal, state, and local levels.

10.0 ..-----,--......-....-.................................- - - - - . -......--,-....,...............,.....,......

2 in.ls

0.75 in.ls,
Drywall

0.50 in.ls,
_________
Plaster
,' , '

.1 ..__ _........_......__.__......_....,_....,_......_...,__ ____._......._..,_....,_..........................

1 10 100
Frequency, Hz
Source: Siskind et al. 1980.

FIGURE 11.5 Safe levels of blasting vibrations for residential structures based on both peak
particle velocity and frequency

© 2002 by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration.

All rights reserved. Electronic edition published 2009.