The effect of the number of holes on blast-induced ground vibrations

This study investigated the effect of the number of holes on blast-induced ground vibrations in open-pit blasting operations. The study was conducted at an overburden removal site at the Garp Lignite Enterprise open pits. The number of holes used in the blasts throughout the study was grouped as 10–50, 51–100, 101–150, and 151–250 holes and each group was analyzed separately. The same hole pattern and non-electric delay detonators were used in all blasts, and each hole was loaded with an equal amount of explosive. In the study, seismographs were used to measure ground vibrations. A separate analysis was carried out for each hole group in addition to an overall analysis encompassing all the measurement data. In statistical analysis, Scaled Distance—Peak Particle Velocity graphs were plotted, equations and coefficients of determination were computed, and finally, a comparison was made. In conclusion, the study results showed that the number of holes did not affect blast-induced ground vibration level.