6th International Conference on Computer Applications in the Minerals Industries

Istanbul, Turkey. 5-7 October 2016

CAMI2016-11

EnviroBLASTO: A Calculator for Estimating the

Environmental Impacts of Rock Blasting
Panagiotou, G.N.1, Tsiavos, E.N.1
1

School of Mining Engineering & Metallurgy, National Technical University of Athens, Greece

Abstract EnviroBLASTO is a calculator that

estimates the environmental impacts caused by blasting
operations in open pits, quarries and construction sites. In
particular, the calculator estimates for a certain charge weight
per delay and blasthole configuration, the expected peak
particle velocity of the ground vibrations and the airblast
pressure at a point of interest. Flyrock range is also estimated
for defining exclusion zones based on safety factors provided.
From the users point of view, EnviroBLASTO runs in a
single GUI window which is sectioned to include data input,
results and plots fields. A detailed output report is generated
for each project, for printing and record keeping, and various
plots are generated for compliance checking under a number
of international blast vibration and airblast standards.
Currently, EnviroBLASTO is available as a Microsoft
Windows application while an Android version and a web
application are under development.

and frequency. Air vibrations are stress waves that travel

through the atmosphere and produce an additional pressure
above the normal atmospheric pressure (overpressure), called
airblast. Modern blasting seismographs can measure the ppv
and frequency of the blast vibrations and the pressure of the
airblast at a point of interest. In order to assure that blast
vibrations and airblast will not make any harm to nearby
properties or even nuisance to people, government and local
regulations have been issued with which the operator must
comply.
Flyrock range, generally, is not controlled by regulations,
but the operator must establish a clearance zone around a blast
beyond which there should be no risk to personnel and
equipment from flying rock fragments.
When designing blasting operations or making changes to
existing blasting plans, it is of paramount importance to have
an estimate of the magnitude of these side-effects, in advance,
and make a prognosis, within a certain degree of confidence,
that the blast will not violate compliance regulations.

Keywords: blast vibrations, airblast, flyrock, calculator.

1. Introduction
Efficient blast performance requires efficient utilization of
the explosives energy. In a properly designed blasting
operation, the explosives energy should be used to break the
rock into fragments, of specific size distribution, and displace
them, within a planned displacement area, in order to facilitate
future handling.

EnviroBLASTO is a calculator that estimates the ppv,

airblast pressure and flyrock range of a blast, for a set of
blasting parameters provided by the user and checks whether
they comply with selected regulations.
2. ppv and Airblast Calculators
Stand-alone or as modules of a general blast design
software package, ppv and airblast calculators do exist for
many years in the market. Some of them are excel tools like
the OSMRE calculators [1], others are web-based
applications like the EduMine online tool [2]. Major
explosives manufacturers also provide such calculators in
their web-sites or even distribute them, free of charge, as
smart phone applications for Android, Apple or BlackBerry
devices, like Dyno Nobels Explosives Engineers Mobile
App [3] and Oricas Pocket Blast Guide Mobile App [4]. The
capabilities of these calculators are generally limited and lack
the functionality needed to address various situations and

Although most of the explosives energy is consumed for

rock breakage and displacement, a small part of the released
energy is not used to produce the intended work, but ground
vibrations, air vibrations and flyrock. These are the sideeffects of any blasting operation and should receive adequate
attention during the blast design phase since, potentially, may
cause damages to structures and equipment and injuries or just
nuisance to people.
Ground vibrations are stress waves that travel within the
body of the earth and the earths surface and are
characterized, mainly, by their peak particle velocity (ppv)

6th International Conference on Computer Applications in the Minerals Industries

Istanbul, Turkey. 5-7 October 2016
CAMI2016-11

options, check compliance with different regulations, display

graphs and produce reports.
Commercial blast design software packages, on the other
hand, usually do include ppv and airblast modules with such
capabilities, but one should afford their high cost.
EnviroBLASTO has competitive advantages compared to
other calculators because it has capabilities beyond the limits
of the others at minimal cost.
3. EnviroBLASTO: A Quick Tour
EnviroBLASTO is Bench Blasting Environmental Impacts
Calculator developed in Python 2.7 as a Microsoft Windows
application. It estimates the ppv, airblast pressure and flyrock
range of a benching operation based on blasting parameters
provided by the user and selected prediction equations to suit
various blasting industries. Furthermore, it displays the
estimated ppv and airblast pressure values on the selected
compliance regulation diagram for checking and plots the
attenuation curves of both ppv and airblast pressure over
distance from the blast site. Finally, it produces a
comprehensive report that includes all the generated figures in
the form of a pdf file for printing and saving.

Figure 2. EnviroBLASTOs drop-down menus and

cascaded sub-menus
In the INPUT section of the window the user enters text for
project related information or numeric values related to
blasthole parameters, distances, factors of safety and
frequency. Some values are selected through a scroll bar or a
slider.

All the action happens in the main applications window

(Figure 1).

The Calculate button enables the user to select his

preference to estimate: Blast Vibrations, Airblast, Flyrock or
All the above. Upon clicking one of these buttons, the
currently (final) selected Options are displayed in the Selected
Options window and the calculation results are displayed in
the Results window of the OUTPUT section.

The menu bar has clickable buttons that activate dropdown menus and cascaded sub-menus, when appropriate,
through which the user makes selections (Figure 2).
The Options button enables the user to select the Units
(metric/imperial), the Prediction Equation for the estimation
of the ppv, the Blast Type for the estimation of the airblast
pressure and the applicable Compliance Standards for both
blast vibrations and airblast.

The View Plots button enables the user to select his

preference to plot: Vibration Compliance to Standard,
Predicted ppv vs Distance, Predicted Airblast vs Distance,
Predicted Flyrock Range & Blast Safe Distances. Upon
clicking one of these buttons, the selected plot is displayed in
the Plots section of the window.
The Report button prepares a report in pdf format and
opens it with a pdf Reader so that the user can print and
save as it using standard pdf Reader procedures.
The Help button provides access to the User Manual and
to information regarding EnviroBLASTO.
Finally, the Quit button exits the application in a proper
way.
Figure 3 shows a screenshot that displays the input values,
the selected options, the calculation results and the position of
the estimated ppv on the selected compliance standard
diagram for a given project.

Figure 1. EnviroBLASTOs main application window

6th International Conference on Computer Applications in the Minerals Industries

Istanbul, Turkey. 5-7 October 2016
CAMI2016-11

When the ppv is estimated according to the DIN 41501:2001 standard then the following equation is used:
Sedimentary Rock:
ppv = 969 * L 0.6 * R -1.5

(2)

Crystalline Rock:
ppv = 206 * L 0.8 * R -1.3

(3)

where:
ppv = peak particle velocity (mm/s)
L = maximum charge weight detonated within any 8 ms
period (kg)
R = distance from blast to the point of interest (m).
The user may also provide, when vibration monitoring
data are available, site specific values for the H-factor and Bfactor.

Figure 3. EnviroBLASTO in action

4. EnviroBLASTO: Behind the Scenes
Industry proven formulae has been used for the
development of the applications algorithm.

4.2. Airblast Pressure

The airblast pressure is calculated by equation (4)

4.1. Blast Vibrations

The peak particle velocity (ppv) is calculated by equation
(1).
ppv = H * ( D / W 1/2 ) B
(1)

P = K * ( D / W 1/3 ) E

where:
P = airblast pressure (Pa) (psi)
D = distance from blast to the point of interest (m) (ft)
W = maximum charge weight detonated within any 8 ms
period (kg) (lb)
K = K-factor, depends on the type of blast and units system
(metric/imperial)
E = E-factor, depends on the site conditions

where:
ppv = peak particle velocity (mm/s) (in/s)
D = distance from blast to the point of interest (m) (ft)
W = maximum charge weight detonated within any 8 ms
period (kg) (lb)
H = H-factor, depends on the type of industry blasting and
units system (metric/imperial)
B = B-factor, depends on the site conditions.

Table 2 lists the values of K-factor and E-factor for

different types of blast and units systems.

Table 1 lists the values of H-factor and B-factor for

different types of industries and units systems.
Table 1. H-factor and B-factor values
(adapted from Table 26.3 of [5])
Industry & Confidence
H-factor
Level
Metric
Imperial
General (Best Fit)
1140
160
Construction (Lower Bound)
173
24.2
Construction (Upper Bound)
1730
242
Construction (Upper Bound4320
605
High Confinement)
Construction (Best Fit)
Quarries (Best Fit)
Coal Mines (Best Fit)
Coal Mines (Upper Bound)
Coal - Low Frequency Sites
(Best Fit)

53
1090
905
3330
1250

5
182
119
438
138

(4)

Table 2. K-factor and E-factor values

(adapted from Table 26.7 of [5])
Blast Type & Confidence
K-factor
Level
Metric Imperial
(Pa)
(psi)
Open Air (no confinement)
358900
187
Quarry Face
3710
1.32
Metal Mine
1430
0.401
Construction (average)
2480
1
Construction (highly
248
0.1
confined)
Coal Mines (parting)
259600
169
Coal Mines (highwall)
537
0.162
Buried (total confinement)
173
0.061

B-factor
-1.60
-1.60
-1.60
-1.60
-1.09
-1.82
-1.52
-1.52
-1.31

E-factor

-1.38
-0.97
-0.71
-1.10
-1.10
-1.62
-0.79
-0.96

The user may also provide, when airblast monitoring data are
available, site specific values for the K-factor and E-factor.

6th International Conference on Computer Applications in the Minerals Industries

Istanbul, Turkey. 5-7 October 2016
CAMI2016-11

Airblast pressure is also reported as the sound level

equivalent in dBL by equation (5)
dBL = 20 * log (P / Po)

4.4.1. Vibration Compliance to Standard

The application can check if the estimated ppv for the
expected vibration frequency complies with one of twelve
different international regulations (standards). These are, in
alphabetical order by the country of issue:

(5)

where:
P = airblast pressure (Pa) (psi)
Po = reference pressure (2 * 10-5 Pa) (2.9 * 10-9 psi)

4.3. Flyrock Range

Flyrock range is calculated using a method described in
Chapter 15, Flyrock of the ISEE Blasters Handbook [5].
The flyrock range is given by equation (6)
Rm = 11 * SDOB -2.167 * d 0.667

(6)

where:
Rm = maximum flyrock range (m)
SDOB = scaled depth of burial (m/kg 1/3), see equation (7)
d = blasthole diameter (mm)
SDOB = [Is + (0.0005 * m * d)] /
[0.00923 * (m * d 3 * e) 0.333]

In addition, the user may introduce, via the Generic option

of the Vibrations: Compliance Standard sub-menu a
maximum permitted ppv value.

(7)

The point that corresponds to the value of the estimated

ppv and the expected frequency is shown on the plot with a
red star (Figure 4).

where:
SDOB = scaled depth of burial (m/kg1/3)
Is = stemming length (m)
m = contributing charge length factor, see equation (8)
d = blasthole diameter (mm)
e = explosive density (g/cm3)
m = (1000 * Ic) / d

(AUS) AS 2187.2:2006
(CHE) SN 640312:2013-12
(DEU) DIN 4150-3:1999
(ESP) UNE 22381:1993
(FRA) Circ.No.86-23:1986
(FRA) NOR ENVP9430348A:1994
(GBR) BS 7385-2:1993
(GRE) KMLE:2011
(IND) DGMS Circ.No 7:1997
(TUR) TER 27601:2010
(USA) OSM Sec.816:1986
(USA) RI 8507:1980

(8)

where:
m = contributing charge length factor (blasthole diameters),
[see Note]
Ic = charge length (m)
d = blasthole diameter (mm)
Note: m has a maximum value of 8 for a blasthole diameter
less than 100mm and a maximum value of 10 for a blasthole
diameter greater than or equal to 100mm.
To get the blast clearance distance for equipment and
personnel, multiply the flyrock range by the appropriate
factors of safety.

Figure 4. The Vibrations Compliance Standard plot

4.4.2. Estimated Peak Particle Velocity vs Distance
The Estimated Peak Particle Velocity versus Distance plot
shows the way the predicted blast vibrations attenuate when
leaving the blast site (Figure 5). By pointing the mouse over
the red line of the diagram the user gets the coordinates of that
point, x= distance from the blast, y= estimated ppv.

4.4. Plots
EnviroBLASTO creates four plots that appear in the
OUTUT Plots window and can be saved, in png format, for
future use.

6th International Conference on Computer Applications in the Minerals Industries

Istanbul, Turkey. 5-7 October 2016
CAMI2016-11

In addition to the standard Python libraries, the following

packages have been used in the programs code:

6. Conclusions
Blast vibrations, airblast and flyrock are unwanted and
sometimes disturbing effects of any bench blasting operation.
With modern technology and techniques these impacts can be
measured and minimized, but can also be estimated, with
certain degree of confidence, before the actual blast takes
place.
EnviroBLASTO is a user friendly calculator which has
competitive advantages over other calculators already in
existence. It estimates the peak particle velocity of the ground
vibrations, airblast pressure and flyrock range of a benching
operation based on blasting parameters provided by the user
and selected prediction equations to suit various blasting
industries. It also displays useful plots regarding the
compliance of the estimated values with various international
vibration and airblast standards, as well as the way the
estimated vibrations and airblast attenuates with distance from
the blast site.

Figure 5. The Estimated Peak Particle Velocity vs Distance

plot
4.4.3. Estimated Airblast Level vs Distance
The Estimated Airblast Level versus Distance plot shows
the way the predicted airblast attenuates when leaving the
blast site (Figure 6). By pointing the mouse over the red line
of the diagram the user gets the coordinates of that point, x=
distance from the blast, y= estimated airblast level.
The green line drawn on the diagram corresponds to the
maximum airblast permitted by the compliance standard
selected by the user in the Options. Currently, the application
can check if the estimated airblast level complies with one of
four different international regulations (standards). These are,
in alphabetical order by the country of issue:

Numpy [8]: for the scientific calculations.

Tkinter [9] and its extension Pmw [10]: for
programming the Graphical User Interface (GUI).
Matplotlib [11]: for creating the plots.
Fpdf [12]: for the generation of the reports as pdf
documents.

(AUS) AS 2187.2:2006
(FRA) Circ.No.96-52:1996
(GRE) KMLE:2011
(USA) USBM RI 8485

In addition, the user may introduce, via the Generic option

of the Airblast: Compliance Standard sub-menu a maximum
permitted airblast level value.
4.4.4. Estimated Flyrock Range & Blast Safe Distances
The Estimated Flyrock Range and Blast Safe Distances
plot is just a pictorial presentation of the flyrock range and the
equipment and personnel clearance distances, based on
selected factors of safety (Figure 7).
Figure 6. The Estimated Airblast Level vs Distance plot

5. EnviroBLASTO: Programming Technicalities

EnviroBLASTO has been developed in Python Ver. 2.7.11
[6] using the PyCharm Professional Ver. 2016.1.4 [7]
Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for editing,
debugging and running the code, and it is a Microsoft
Windows application for Window 7 or newer.

6th International Conference on Computer Applications in the Minerals Industries

Istanbul, Turkey. 5-7 October 2016
CAMI2016-11

References
[1] Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement,
U.S. Dept. of the Interior,
http://www.osmre.gov/resources/blasting/arblast.shtm
(assessed: 13 June 2016)
[2] EduMine,
http://www.edumine.com/xtoolkit/xmlicon/blastPPV.htm
(assessed: 13 June 2016)
[3] Dyno Nobel,
http://www.dynonobel.com/practical-innovations/recentinnovations/mobile-app (assessed: 13 June 2016)
[4] Orica,
http://www.oricaminingservices.com/au/en/page/products_an
d_services/mobile_blasters_app/pocket_blast_guide_mobile_
app (assessed: 13 June 2016)
[5] ISEE Blasters Handbook (2011), 18th Edition,
International Society of Explosives Engineers, Cleveland,
Ohio, USA.
[6] www.python.org (assessed: 13 June 2016)
[7] www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/ (assessed: 13 June 2016)
[8] http://www.numpy.org/ (assessed: 13 June 2016)
[9] https://wiki.python.org/moin/TkInter (assessed: 13 June
2016)
[10] http://pmw.sourceforge.net/ (assessed: 13 June 2016)
[11] http://matplotlib.org/ (assessed: 13 June 2016)
[12] https://pypi.python.org/pypi/fpdf/1.7 (assessed: 13 June
2016)

Figure 7. The Estimated Flyrock Range and Blast Safe

Distances plot
Currently, EnviroBLASTO is available as a Microsoft
Windows application while an Android version and and a web
application are under development.
EnviroBLASTO has been developed at the Laboratory of
Excavation Engineering of the National Technical University
of Athens. Contact details are given in the applications About
window (Figure 8).

Figure 8. EnviroBLASTOs About window