Electronic Initiation and Waveform Analysis improve off-Site Blasting Effects
Document type: Case Study

CASE STUDY

ELECTRONIC INITIATION AND WAVEFORM ANALYSIS
IMPROVE OFF-SITE BLASTING EFFECTS
 PROJECT SUMMARY
DIGISHOT® ELECTRONIC INITIATION
SYSTEM IMPROVES THE OFF-SITE EFFECTS
FROM BLASTING AND INCREASE QUARRY
PRODUCTIVITY
Electronic initiation systems provide accurate delay timing
for today’s demanding blasting applications. Electronics
also provide the explosive engineer with the ability to
program precise delay times to further improve blast
performance including reduced peak particle velocity
(PPV) and increased frequencies (Hz) which minimizes
ground vibration.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY APPLIED
DEMANDING SEISMIC LIMITATIONS REQUIRES THE ELECTRONIC DETONATOR’S TIMING
USING STATE-OF-THE ART TECHNOLOGY FOR ACCURACY AND PROGRAMMABILITY IS USED
BLASTING IN CONJUNCTION WITH WAVEFORM ANALYSIS
 SOFTWARE
In 2011, a central Vermont quarry converted from
nonelectric detonators to Dyno Nobel’s DigiShot electronic The process to determine the optimum delay timing
initiation system. This change was made to better comply sequence for each specific blast event starts with accurate
with a 0.500 inches-per-second vibration limit mandated seismic data collection. A series of seismographs are
by the mineral rights holder, a global producer of industrial deployed at the quarry’s regular monitoring locations, to
fillers and pigments. capture seismic data from single test holes that are loaded
 and detonated on the active production benches.

Since only a single “signature” test hole is detonated, the
 PROJECT GOALS shape of the captured waveform is based solely on the
 geology between the test hole and the seismograph.
IMPROVE VIBRATION READINGS AT
SURROUNDING RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES The state-of-the-art waveform analysis software allows
AND INCREASE BLAST PRODUCTIVITY this single waveform to be used as a building block,
 evaluating multiple timing variables, to determine the best
Following this stone producer’s commitment to evaluate delay sequences to program into the DigiShot electronic
the performance of the DigiShot electronic initiation detonators to reduce PPV and improve Hz, which reduces
system, Dyno Nobel recommended the use of signature structural response.
hole waveform analysis (SHA). This technology allows the
user to select millisecond delay timing sequences that will
reduce PPV and increase Hz for the different blast sites
at the quarry and their specific seismograph monitoring
locations.

CASE STUDY

The average PPV reading recorded at all monitoring
 locations and at all distances for nonelectric blasts was
 0.278 inches-per-second compared to the DigiShot blasts
 averaging 0.163 inches-per-second: a 41% decrease in
 the recorded PPV. This, combined with an average of a 10
 Hz increase in the frequency spectra has resulted in the
 virtual elimination of neighbor complaints at this quarry.

This stone producer also reports improved diggability,
 better fragmentation and improved highwall stability. These were a few of the unexpected benefits this
 producer and other quarries have experienced when new
 technologies are introduced and implemented as part of a
 better blasting program. A single waveform is “stacked up” using different timing
variables to simulate specific blast parameters. Dyno Nobel’s Application Technology Team provides
 speedy turnaround when a request for waveform analysis
 timing is submitted by the quarry’s blaster. A specific
 VALUE ADDED analysis is completed for each blast event depending on
 the number of boreholes, rows and decks in that specific
 blast design. In most cases the timing analysis is provided
LARGER BLASTS, IMPROVED GROUND
 to the blaster on the same day as the submission so he
VIBRATION AND INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY can prepare for the next day’s blast. This ensures the best
ACHIEVED BY THE PROPER IMPLEMENTATION chance to minimize off-site ground vibrations and maintain
OF ELECTRONIC DETONATORS positive neighbor relations. Data collected from 107 separate events, comparing non-
electric blasts detonated during 2010 and DigiShot initiated
blast events with waveform analysis, detonated in 2011,
indicate that average blast size increased by 18%.

separate events, comparing non-
electric blasts detonated during 2010 and DigiShot initiated
blast events with waveform analysis, detonated in 2011,
indicate that average blast size increased by 18%. Total
explosives detonated in these larger blasts increased by
34%, yet produced significantly lower vibration readings. The mineral producer’s mandated 0.50 inch-per-second
vibration limit is now consistently achieved. In 2010,
blasts initiated with nonelectric detonators exceeded this
limit on five separate occasions compromising their good
neighbor promise. Due to reductions in ground vibration
the quarry is now planning on drilling larger diameter
boreholes. Originally the quarry used a 3.5-inch diameter
borehole but due to these improvements an increase
to 4-inch diameter hole will be made. This increased
 NONEL® vs. DigiShot & SHA
borehole diameter will also allow for an expanded pattern,
further reducing drilling and blasting costs. Depending on
bench height the average drill pattern used for the 3.5-
inch diameter in borehole was 10x10. Using a 4-inch
diameter borehole, borehole was also 10x10. Using a
4-inch diameter borehole, this limestone, should allow for
an expanded pattern of 11x11.

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its affiliates as to the applicability of any procedures to any particular situation or circumstance or as to the completeness or accuracy of any
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document or the information contained herein. User assumes sole responsibility for all results and consequences. © 2020 Dyno Nobel