Issues of data acquisition and interpretation of paraseismic measuring signals triggered by the detonation of explosive charges

Abstract

The paper tackles the issues of data acquisition during the measuring of vibrations caused by the detonation of explosive charges in various types of works (blasting in mines, demolition works, tunneling). Depending on the placement of an explosive charge (a charge detonated on the surface or a charge placed in a hole), it triggers side effects in the form of mechanical vibrations, which are propagated in the environment and may pose a hazard to buildings. In the case of propagation in the air, there is an acoustic wave and an airblast wave. For the assessment analysis on the impact of vibrations on buildings, a ground-propagated signal is used, while what is propagated by air is a disturbance. Selected examples in the paper demonstrate how an acoustic wave and an air-blast wave interferes with the signal recorded by geophones. Afterwards, the paper presents the results of the tests conducted at a training area, during which various masses of explosive charges placed in different ways were detonated. The examples demonstrate that this interference may lead to the misinterpretation of recorded measurements. This paper is the first of two papers that will present the results of research into this matter and the suggested resolutions in order to eliminate this interference.