An Alternative Approach to Determine the Holmberg-Persson Constants for Modelling Near Field Peak Particle Velocity Attenuation

Abstract

A new approach to determine the Holmberg and Persson site specific constants (K and α) for modelling near field peak particle velocity (PPV) attenuation due to blasting is presented. Currently the Holmberg-Persson approach requires the measurement of peak particle velocity at several locations resulting from a known explosive source. The objective is the determination of the attenuation characteristics of the rock mass in a specified direction and for a given explosive type. The new alternative approach significantly reduces instrumentation and monitoring requirements. It uses an analytical method to predict the peak particle velocity at the point at which rock crushing ceases and combines this with a known value of PPV measured at a pre-defined location. Four case studies which include both model scale and full scale blasting conditions are used to demonstrate and validate this alternative approach.