A study of blast-induced vibration on oil pipelines based on numerical and field analysis

Abstract

Blasting is the initial stage of development in mining operations. Therefore, the use of explosives requires a technical design to control its adverse effects on nearby structures. In that regard, the blast vibrations in Izeh-Karun 3 main road project were recorded using four 3-component Blast Recorder seismographs. The seismographs recorded a peak particle velocity of 8.8 mm.s-1 in the nearby oil pipe. The blast pattern and the resulting ground vibration are simulated. The numerical model is verified using the recorded seismic data and the empirical model. The stresses applied on the oil pipeline were measured by the static analysis of the stress induced by the oil pipeline's internal pressure and the dynamic analysis of ground vibration. The pipeline stress was equal to 271 MPa, lower than the pipeline yield stress (414 MPa). Therefore, the vibrations induced by the blasting operation did not damage the oil pipeline. Comparing the vibration induced in the oil pipeline (8.8 mm.s-1) with the critical vibration level (50 mm.s-1) showed that the pipelines near the blast operation were at a safe distance.