Environmental impact of rock excavation in urban areas: comparison between blasting and hydraulic breaker hammer

Authors: Toraño, J.; Rodriguez, R.; Diego, I.; Menéndez, M.

Source: Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, Volume 23, Number 2, June 2006 , pp. 117-126(10)

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Abstract:

This paper compares the two most used rock excavation techniques in urban areas: blasting with explosives and using breaker hammers. From the follow-up of several works, data has been obtained that allow us to compare both techniques and their effects over the surrounding environment, mainly the noise production and ground vibrations. Results show that although the use of explosives is not popular due to security reasons, it allows faster excavations, is safer for the surrounding structures and has less environmental impact than the breaker hammers. However, we will also show a particular case where the complementary use of both techniques is successful.

Keywords: Urban areas excavation; Breaker hammer; Blasting; Noise; Ground vibrations; Metaheuristics

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00207720600747442

Affiliations: 1: School of Mines, Oviedo University, Independencia 13, 33004, Oviedo (Asturias), Spain

Publication date: 2006-06-01

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