Study on ground vibration effects and propagation characteristics induced by building collapse during blasting demolition

Abstract

With accelerating urban renewal, blasting demolition has become the preferred technique for removing large-scale structures. However, collapse-induced ground vibrations during this process pose potential environmental threats due to high intensity, low frequency, and long duration, while their propagation characteristics and dynamic mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. This study systematically investigates ground vibration effects from building collapse during blasting demolition through integrated field measurements, model testing, and numerical simulations. Based on a large-scale demolition project, comparative analyses examine time- and frequency-domain differences between blasting-induced vibrations and collapse-induced ground impacts, revealing pronounced low-frequency energy concentration in the latter. Considering field testing limitations, outdoor simulation experiments on collapse-induced ground vibration were conducted, accompanied by energy-based analyses elucidating attenuation behavior during propagation. Findings reveal that collapse-induced vibrations induce pronounced structural amplification effects in the far field, with energy distribution strongly influenced by structural configuration and foundation conditions. Additionally, peak instantaneous energy occurrence time at monitoring points increases monotonically with source distance. This comprehensive analytical framework provides theoretical foundation and technical reference for vibration prediction, safety assessment, and control in blasting demolition projects within complex urban environments.