ABSTRACT
Ground vibrations are seismic waves traveling through the earth’s surface, caused by natural events like earthquakes or human activities such as traffic, construction, mining, and demolition. Blast-induced vibrations can be particularly hazardous to nearby structures if their intensity surpasses safe limits. This paper presents a case study on monitoring ground vibrations and evaluating the structural integrity of nearby buildings during the implosion of a coal tower and two 110 m-high chimneys at a steel plant in Jharkhand, India. Vibrations were recorded using 3D geophones and uniaxial piezoelectric accelerometers placed 30–42 m from the nearest structures. The data was analyzed to determine peak particle velocity (PPV) and frequency content. Two vibration phases were noted—one from the blast, another from the collapse. Blasting produced PPV values ranging from 0.29 to 11.75 mm/s, while chimney collapse generated 0.28 to 74 mm/s, mainly in the vertical direction. Post-blast inspections revealed only minor, repairable structural damage.
