Blasting near segmented pipelines: damage potential assessment

A synthesis of existing knowledge from various disciplines is presented to establish a framework from which to assess the potential for damage to buried segmented pipe from nearby blasting. Although experience has shown that blast damage to buried utilities is relatively rare, research and testing programs have not specifically addressed practical aspects of this topic. Thus, rational regulatory controls based on theoretical or empirical technical criteria have not been developed for construction blasting adjacent to buried utilities. Yet blasters and contractors, utility owners and regulators, and consulting engineers must address control of such blasting in a practical manner. This paper summarizes empirical data presented in the literature, simplified blast induced strain, analyses of material behavior, and construction standards to assess the potential for damage to buried segmented pipelines.