Experimental Study of Vibration Reduction Effect of Barrier Holes Under Blasting

Barrier holes are often utilized around blasting excavations to reduce vibration. Understanding the vibration reduction effect of barrier hole is significant for the optimal design of barrier hole. In this study, a series of blasting tests were conducted on mortar block with barrier holes and opening. The horizontal first-peak strains and peak particle velocity (PPV) were recorded to investigate the effect of barrier hole parameter on stress wave attenuation, as well as vibration reduction effect at both ground surface and adjacent opening. The test results showed that barrier hole diameter, spacing, and the number of barrier hole rows all have significant impacts on the first-peak compressive strain on the adjacent opening wall, PPV on the top surface of the mortar block, and the vibration–isolation rate across the barrier hole screen. With the increase in barrier hole diameter and the number of barrier hole row or decrease in barrier hole spacing, the first-peak compressive strain of the adjacent opening and PPV on the block surface decrease, and the vibration–isolation rate increases. Among all barrier hole parameters, the barrier hole diameter has the greatest impact on the vibration–isolation rate. Correlations between barrier hole parameters and vibration isolation effect were established. The findings in this study can provide a framework for the design of barrier hole arrangements. Highlights This study presents a series of correlations between the barrier holes parameters (i.e. number of roles, barrier hole diameters, barrier hole diameters) and vibration reduction effect based on blasting tests on mortar models.