An integrated technique for vibration monitoring adjacent to a blast hole

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 86, No. 972, 1993

R. Yang, ICI Explosives Canada, McMasterville, Quebec W.F. Bawden Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario S. Talebi, CANMET-MRL, Sudbury, Ontario P. Rocque, Hemlo Gold Mines Inc., Marathon, Ontario

Although the measurement of blast vibration close to the blasthole is critical to the understanding of rock fragmentation mechanisms and blast damage in the rock masses, limited experience for such monitoring exists. Because much higher vibration amplitude and frequency ranges are expected in rock masses close to an explosive charge as compared to far field vibrations, different problems from those for the far field monitoring must be considered for near field blast vibration monitoring. Currently, guidelines for design of the near field blast monitoring systems do not exist. This paper describes the development of an integrated technique for vibration monitoring close to a blast hole, including selection and installation of transducers, design of a monitoring system and signal recording. A densified cement was designed for grouting accelerometers in order to match p-wave impedance between the rock and grout. The monitoring technique described has proven suitable for blast vibration