Evaluation of blasting vibration with center-cut methods for tunnel excavation

Ground vibration generated repeatedly in blasting tunnel excavation sites is known to be one of the major hazards induced by blasting operations. Various studies have been conducted to minimize these hazards, both theoretical and empirical methods using electronic detonator, the deck charge method, the center-cut method among others Among these various existing methods for controlling the ground vibration, in this study, we investigated the cut method. In particular, we analyzed and compared the V-cut method, which is commonly used in tunnel blasting, to the double-drilled parallel method, which has recently been introduced in tunnel excavation site. To understand the rock fragmentation efficiency as well as the ground vibration controllability of the two methods, we performed in-situ field blasting tests with both cut methods at a tunnel excavation site. Additionally, numerical analysis by FLAC3D has been executed for a better understanding of fracture propagation pattern and ground vibration generation by each cut method. Ground vibration levels, by PPVs measured in field blasting tests and PPVs estimated in numerical simulations, showed a lower value in the double-drilled parallel compared with the V-cut method, although the exact values are quite different in field measurement and numerical estimation.