Numerical Simulation for the Damping Effect of Empty Holes on Blasting Vibration

Abstract

The two-dimensional discrete element program (UDEC) is applied to simulate the dampi- ng effect of empty holes on blasting vibration. The results show that the peak particle velocity of monitoring point on the condition that there are empty holes between monitoring point and blast hole is less than that without empty holes. The factors which have impact on cushioning effect, such as the depth of empty hole, the diameter of empty hole, the distance between empty hole and blast hole and the rows of empty hole, are investigated numerically. It is found that the depth of empty hole has dominated influence on the damping effect and the damping effect on blasting vibration strengthens with the increment of the depth. The diameter of empty hole and the distance between empty hole and blast hole have slight influence on the damping effect. The increment of rows of empty hole can enhance the damping effect on blasting vibration as well. The results in the present study may provide a reference for the application of empty hole to reduce the blasting vibration in practical engineering.