Research

The directors, staff and associate consultants at Blast Log both past and present have been involved with the cutting edge of research and development.

Topics include:

Publications

Planning to comply

Planning to comply with statutory vibration limits associated with blasting

Planning to comply is a key concept that we promote throughout industry and has been adopted on many of the operations that we were involved with.

This methodology can be employed by operators to clearly demonstrate to any authority or residents group that they are indeed planning to comply with their vibration limits. This process actively uses the collected vibration results rather than 'monitoring for compliance' or leaving it to chance.

The paper outlines the pitfall of 'monitoring for compliance'.

To download a copy of the planning to comply paper click here

Click here for a shorter version presented on agg-net.com entitled 'Don't leave it to chance'.

First published - Pegden M. and Birch W.J., 2005. Environmental Impact of Blasting Planning to Comply. Transactions of the Institution of Materials, Minerals and Mining, (Mining Technology Trans Inst. Min. Mettall.A), Vol. 114, December 2005, pp 199-208.

Reducing the environmental effect

Reducing the environmental effect of aggregate quarrying: dust, noise and vibration

The wide range of ALSF projects connected with the three environmental footprint elements of dust, noise and vibration have been considered in one review report, completed as part of a wider review of the ALSF research programme relating to land-won aggregates.

The projects include assessments of potential impact, development of new monitoring equipment and methods, and application of new operational systems and techniques to mitigate any effects.

Topics include:

  • The effects of quarry blasting and the environmetal impacts produced
  • A thorough explaination of ground vibration and air overpressure
  • The measurement of blast vibrations and the seismograph
  • A detailed explaination of vibration levels relating to structural damage criteria
  • Human perception to vibration and disturbances within buildings
  • The major contributing factors that affect air overpressure

To download a copy of this document Click here

The origins of air overpressure

Full scale investigation into the origins and prediction of air overpressure from quarry blasting

This ALSF funded project examined some of the key controlling factors (charge weight, distance and burden) and how they relate to each other in giving rise to the precise magnitude of the peak air overpressure for a given quarry blast.

Topics include:

  • Physics of blast vibrations through air
  • Relationship between air overpressure and face velocity
  • Development and application of a low cost optic fibre system to monitor blast performance
  • Interaction of multiple short delay detonations in free air relating to orientation and distance from an explosive source
  • Application of linear superposition techniques to the air overpressure signals
  • Development of a methodology to examine the origin of air overpressure

The work carried out laid down a foundation for other researchers to build upon.

To download a copy of this document Click here

Selected papers & conference contributions

Birch, W.J., Johnson, C., Farnfield, R. & Hosein, S. 2023. Determination of Seismic Velocity from Quarry Blasts Using GPS Enabled Vibration Monitors. Proceedings of the 49th Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, San Antonio, USA 2023. International Society of Explosive Engineers.

Farnfield, R., Birch, W.J., Johnson, C. & Hosein, S. 2023. MEMS Accelerometers in Blast Induced Shock and Vibration Monitoring. Proceedings of the 49th Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, San Antonio, USA 2023. International Society of Explosive Engineers.

Brown, I., Birch, W.J., White, T. & Johnson, C. 2022. Cost - Benefit Analysis of Using Electronic Detonators in a Large Carboniferous Limestone Quarry in the North of England. Proceedings of the 48th Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, Las Vegas, USA 2022. International Society of Explosive Engineers.

Birch, W.J., Bermingham, L., White, T., Hosein, S. & Johnson, C. 2018. Potential Impact of Blast Layout, Sequence and Detonator Timing On Air Overpressure from Blasting. Proceedings of the 44th Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, San Antonio, Texas 2018. International Society of Explosive Engineers.

Birch, W.J., Bermingham, L., Johnson, C. & Hosein, S. 2017. Determination of the Precise Origins of Air Overpressure Generated From Production Blasts at Melton Ross Quarry. Blasting and Fragmentation, Volume 11 Number 1 September 2017. International Society of Explosive Engineers. ISBN 1937-6359

Anderson, D.A., Birch, W.J. & Hosein, S. 2016. A Protocol to Reduce the Risk of Dealing with Misfires. Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, Las Vegas, Nevada 2016. International Society of Explosive Engineers.

Anderson, D.A., Birch, W.J. & Hosein, S. 2015. Seismic Analysis of Explosive Performance. Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, New Orleans, Mississippi 2015. International Society of Explosive Engineers.

White, T.J., Birch, W.J. & Bilton A, 2014. Back to the future: A new UK room and pillar coal mine Proceedings of 18th Extractive Industry Geology, St. Andrews University, United Kingdom, June 11-14, 2014, (Extractive Industry Geology Conferences Ltd, 2016).

To view a copy of the paper above Click here

Birch, W.J., Hosein, S. & Farnfield, R 2014. Blast Vibration Monitoring & Calibration in the 21st Century. Proceedings of the 40th Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, Denver, Colorado 2014. International Society of Explosive Engineers.

Birch, W.J., Bermingham, L., Johnson, C., Farnfield, R & Hosein, S. 2013. Investigation to Determine the Origin of Air Overpressure from Quarry Blasting. Proceedings of the 39th Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, Fort Worth, Texas 2013. International Society of Explosive Engineers.

Birch, W.J., Bermingham, L., Hosein, S., White, T.J. & Farnfield, R. 2012. Phase - the forgotten problem of blast vibration prediction. Proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting, New Delhi, India. CRC Press. ISBN 978-0415621434

Birch, W.J., Bermingham, L., Hosein, S. & Farnfield, R. 2012. Control of air overpressure from quarry blasting? - It about time. Proceedings of the 38th Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, Nashville, Tennessee 2012. International Society of Explosive Engineers.

Birch, W.J., Hosein, S. & Mason D, 2010. Controlling the environmental impact of blasting at the Ffos-y-fran reclamation scheme. Proceedings of 16th Extractive Industry Geology, University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom, September 8-11, 2010, (Extractive Industry Geology Conferences Ltd, 2012).

To view a copy of the paper above Click here

Birch, W.J., Hosein, S. & Tompkin S, 2010. Blasting in the proximity to a world heritage site - a success story. Proceedings of 16th Extractive Industry Geology, University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom, September 8-11, 2010, (Extractive Industry Geology Conferences Ltd, 2012).

To view a copy of the paper above Click here

Adcock, C., Hosein, S., Adderley, G. & Farnfield, R., 2010. The Environmental Distrubance from Special Effects Blasting in Open Water. Proceedings of the Thirty-sixth Annual Conference of Explosives and Blasting Techniques, Orlando, Florida, 2010, International Society of Explosives Engineers, Cleveland, Ohio, Vol. 1.

Birch, W.J., Hosein, S. & Farnfield, R., 2009. Influence of distance in the effective use of electronic detonators to control blast induced ground vibrations. Proceedings of the Thirty-fifth Annual Conference of Explosives and Blasting Techniques, Denver, Colorado, 2009, International Society of Explosives Engineers, Cleveland, Ohio, Vol. 1.

Birch, W.J., White, T., West, R., Pegden, M. & Hosein, S., 2009. Application of statistical multilevel modelling to control blasting operations adjacent to sub-surface structures. Vibrations from Blasting Workshop hosted by Fragblast 9 - the 9th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting, Granada, Spain,12-13 September 2009, Spathis & Noy (eds), CRC Press, pp. 17-23, ISBN 978 0 415 48295 0

Birch, W.J., White, T.J. & Hosein, S., 2008. Electronic Detonators: A Step Forward In Blast Vibration Control? Proceedings of 15th Extractive Industry Geology, Cardiff University, United Kingdom, June 25-27, 2008, (Extractive Industry Geology Conferences Ltd, 2010).

To view a copy of the paper above Click here

Birch, W.J., Pegden, M., White, T., Hosein, S. & Farnfield, R., 2007. The Use of Electronic Detonators to Access Additional Aggregate Reserves Adjacent to Sub-Surface Structures. Proceedings of EXPLO 2007 Blasting: Techniques & Technology, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 3-4 September 2007, AusIMM.

Pegden, M., Birch, W.J., Hosein, S., Rangel-Sharp, G.D. & Farnfield, R. 2007. The Acoustic Response of Structures to Blast-Induced Ground Vibration: Fact or Fiction. Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, Nashville, Tennessee, 2007 International Society of Explosives Engineers, Cleveland, Ohio, Volume 2.

Birch, W.J., Pegden, M., Hosein, S., Farnfield, R. & Leckenby, D. 2007. A Methodology to Control Peak Particle Velocity Levels at Multiple Locations by use of Electronic Detonators. Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, Nashville, Tennessee, 2007 International Society of Explosives Engineers, Cleveland, Ohio, Volume 2.

Birch, W.J., Pegden, M., Hosein, S., & Farnfield R. 2006. The Application of Electronic Detonators to Improve Blast Vibration Predictions at Limestone Quarries. Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, Dallas, Texas 2006 International Society of Explosives Engineers, Cleveland, Ohio, Volume 2.

Birch, W.J., Kirke, M. & Hosein, S. 2005. A New Technique for Predicting Vibration Levels from Tunnel Blasting. Proceedings of the 31st Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, Orlando, Florida 2005 Volume 2. International Society of Explosive Engineers.

Pegden, M., Birch, W.J. & Wetherelt, A. 2005. Is That Normal? Fundamental Observations for Best Practice Blast Vibration Analysis. Proceedings of the 31st Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, Orlando, Florida 2005 Volume 2. International Society of Explosive Engineers.

Birch, W.J., Pegden, M., West, R. & White, T. 2004. The Application of Likelihood Ratio Test to Blast Vibration Analysis. Proceedings of the 30th Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, New Orleans, Louisiana 2004 Volume 2. International Society of Explosive Engineers.

White, T.J., Pegden, M. & Birch, W.J. 2003. Developments in the use of Scaled-Distance Modelling Which Allow an Increase in the Permitted Charge Weights While Still Ensuring Vibration Compliance. Explosives and Blasting Technique, Holmburg (ed.), Swets and Zeitlinger, Lisse, 89-96.

Farnfield, R., Yuill, G & Birch, W.J. 2003. Experiences with the Deconstruction of Multi-Hole Quarry Blast Vibration Signals. Proceedings of the 2nd World Conference on Explosives and Blasting, Prague, Czech Republic 2003. European Federation of Explosive Engineers (EFEE).

Birch, W.J., Pegden, M & West, R.M. 2001. An Advanced Blasting Scaled-Distance Model Incorporating Individual Location Response. Proceedings of the 27th Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, Orlando, Florida 2001 v2. International Society of Explosive Engineers.