Exploring the Relation between Seismic Coefficient and Rock Properties Through Field Measurements and Empirical Model for Evaluating the Effect of Blast-Induced Ground Vibration in Open- Pit Mines: A Case Study at the Thuong Tan III Quarry (Vietnam)

Abstract

Blasting is one of the most effective methods for fragmenting rock in quarries. Nevertheless, itsadverse effects are significant, especially blast-induced ground vibration. Field measurement andempirical equations are simple methods to determine and estimate the intensity of blast-induced groundvibration. However, we cannot evaluate the effects of blast-induced ground vibration on the surroundingenvironment based on these outcomes. Therefore, this study explores the relation between seismiccoefficient and rock properties through field measurements and an empirical model for evaluating theeffect of blast-induced ground vibration in open-pit mines. Accordingly, the seismic coefficient (K) isconsidered the main objective in this study. Firstly, it was determined based on the rock properties.Subsequently, an empirical model for estimating blast-induced ground vibration was developed based onfield measurements. This empirical equation was then expanded to determine K to check whether itmatches the determined K by the rock properties. Finally, it was used as the threshold to determine themaximum explosive charged per delay to ensure the safety of the surrounding environment from blastinducedground vibration. For this aim, the Thuong Tan III quarry (in Binh Duong province, Vietnam)was selected as a case study. Fifth-teen blasting events with a total of 75 blast-induced ground vibrationvalues were recorded and collected. An empirical equation for estimating blast-induced ground vibrationwas then developed based on the collected dataset, and K was determined in the range of 539 to 713 forthe Thuong Tan III quarry. Based on the measured blast-induced ground vibrations, developed empiricalmodel, and K values, the Phase 2 software was applied to simulate the effects of blast-induced groundvibration on the stability of slopes as one of the impacts on the surrounding environment. From thesimulation results, we can determine the maximum explosive charged per delay for each type of rock toensure the stability of the slope.