Predicting the Distribution of Ground Vibration Acceleration Induced by Mining Activities Taking into Account the Directionality of Vibration Attenuation

Abstract

Entrepreneurs carrying out mining works under seismic hazard conditions are obliged to conduct studies in the field of engineering geophysics, including measuring, interpreting and evaluating the effects of rock mass tremors on ground vibration parameters, and thus the occurrence of harmful impacts on surface objects. However, for technical reasons, this is a difficult task to implement at all points subject to the influence of mining activities. Therefore, it becomes expedient to look for solutions that would provide greater accuracy in forecasting the distribution of ground vibration parameters. This paper proposes a method for forecasting the distribution of peak ground accelerations (PGAs) induced by mining activities, taking into account the directionality of vibration attenuation. In many cases, the explanation of the variation in the magnitude of recorded ground surface vibrations after a rock mass tremor cannot always be explained by only the variation of epicentral distances and the value of the vibration amplification factor by quaternary formations. Therefore, it is reasonable to take into account the directionality of vibration attenuation. The authors analyzed and evaluated the accuracy of predicting the distribution of ground vibration accelerations induced by mining activities, taking into account the directionality of vibration attenuation, using three models: the first, a classical model assuming isotropic vibration attenuation; the second, a model taking into account the anisotropy of vibration attenuation with elliptical isolines; the third, a model without assuming the shape of the isolines of vibration intensity parameters. For both models that took into account anisotropy of vibration attenuation, better results (more accurate descriptions of observed ground vibration accelerations) were obtained than for the model assuming isotropy. The most accurate estimates of vibration magnitude were obtained using the latter model.