Partnering with Penn State University, GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech studied underground mine response to blast-induced vibrations.
At the research study site, GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech installed a three component borehole stress meter to measure borehole stress due to near-field blast vibrations. Two locations were monitored, one in the roof and another in a pillar at an underground limestone mine. The stress meter was comprised of strain gauges oriented in three 60° directions (shown with different colors) to measure dynamic movement of the borehole.
GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech produced a video visualizing the borehole dynamic behavior in response to a blast located 220 ft away. The panel shows the movement time history along each axis of measurement (same colors as in borehole section). The vertical gray lines are delays. The right figure shows the loaded face with the sequence of holes going off at the same time, orange holes actively going off, gray holes already blasted. For better visualization, the deformations on the borehole section have been exaggerated 2500x and time is slowed down 30x.
The research is looking to understand blast damage to the roof and rib of the mine as it relates to blast design and its relation as a potential contributor for future roof or pillar failures.
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Contact the Eastern Pennsylvania Office to learn more about this project.