Scholarly record

SAFETY EVALUATION OF A HISTORIC PLACE AND SCHOOL CLOSE TO LIMESTONE QUARRY BLASTS

B. Ercikdi, A. Kesimal, E. Yilmaz

Abstract

This study investigates the potential environmental impact of ground vibrations produced from blasting operations performed at AraklД±-TaЕџ\"on\"u limestone quarry where the school, mosque, historic place and village houses are situated. During the study, the parameters of scaled distance were recorded carefully, and the groundvibration components were measured at different locations by suitable monitors for 31 blast events. From the statistical analysis of the results, the general peak particle velocity equation was constructed with a coefficient of determination 0.68 in order to predict the ground vibrations resulting from the blasting activities in the quarry. Higher coefficients of determination were obtained when the data were compared for each bench. Using the general equation obtained, it was aimed to establish a scaled distance table, which will be used as a guide for future blasting operations to adjust blasting parameters and hence to reduce environmental impact. It was found that 3.2\%, 83.8\% and 13\% of blast induced ground vibrations had a frequency of 5-12 Hz, 13-40 Hz and higher than 40 Hz, respectively. The intensity of the air blast in all measurements was recorded below 140 dB, which is the level of human annoyance.

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