Quarry & Mining Operation

Close-In Blasting

SubTerra, Inc. specializes in providing design and consulting services for close-in blasting projects. Projects have ranged from foundation blasting within 7-ft of a plate glass door in a Dentists office to removing rock from against the Big Tujunga Dam and included US Army Corps of Engineers projects at Howard Hansen Dam (WA) and the Cougar Dam (OR).

Close-in controlled blasting with perimeter control typically requires separate analysis of energy contributions from cut/trim/perimeter, buffer and production holes. Our expertise includes predicting dynamic stresses induced by blasting for alternative blasthole loads and blast patterns as well as the more traditional prediction of peak vibration magnitude. We have prepared General and Detailed Blast Plans to meet DOT, USACE and other Public Agency requirements. Close-in controlled blasting with perimeter control typically requires separate analysis of energy contributions from cut/trim/perimeter, buffer and production holes. Our expertise includes predicting dynamic stresses induced by blasting for alternative blasthole loads and blast patterns as well as the more traditional prediction of peak vibration magnitude. We have prepared General and Detailed Blast Plans to meet DOT, USACE and other Public Agency requirements.

  • Property Inspections

    Pre and Post Blast Property Inspections for structures ranging from residences to large industrial complexes.

  • Blast Design

    Test and Production Blast Design

  • Prediction of Blasting Effects

    Prediction of blasting effects on structures, humans, animals, fish and other wildlife.

  • Blasting Plans

    Preparation of General and Detailed Blast Plans

  • Analysis

    Signature hole analysis.

  • Test Monitoring

    Blast Monitoring of Test Events

  • Production Monitoring

    Production Blast Monitoring

  • Hydrophone Monitoring

    Hydrophonic monitoring

  • Mitigation & Corrective Actions

    Development of Mitigation and Corrective Action Plans, if required.

  • Additional Instrumentation

    Deployment of vibrating wire instrumentation.

Blast Permitting

SubTerra, Inc. has been involved with permitting blasting activities at numerous urban and suburban quarries and construction sites. This has included preparing analyses for input to both SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) Checklists and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS). Analyses typically address potential impacts to structures, residents, water quality and quantity, landslide hazards, and wildlife. They may also include predictions of impacts to gas pipelines, fish, and fish habitats, if circumstances warrant.

Far-Field and Compliance Vibration Monitoring:

We provide standard compliance monitoring relative to USBM/OSM limits, owner-specified limits, or other damage criteria. Regression analyses of test or production blast data are used to generate new “site laws” for use on future blasts. Near-Field Blast Monitoring is currently carried out using our fleet of Instantel Vibration Monitors. This equipment can be coupled to a wide range of sensors, including accelerometers, geophones, hydrophones, and specialized pressure sensors for monitoring near-field blast effects. Property Inspections that provide documentation for conditions prior to blasting, pile driving, or other vibration sources. Such inspections establish a baseline for evaluating possible vibration impacts on structures such as buildings, houses, or wells.

Warning Systems and Remote Data Access

We have developed wireless and internet based data acquisition systems that allow individual users to access their data from off-site and to receive both on site visual and off-site cell or e-mail notification when vibration thresholds are exceeded.

Monitoring Equipment Sales, Planning, and Rentals

SubTerra, Inc. is a licensed distributor of Instantel® Blast Monitoring Equipment. This instrumentation has been supplied for a broad range of uses ranging from standard compliance monitoring at quarries to specialized near field blast monitoring at Yucca Mountain and dynamic pore pressure monitoring in dam foundations. We offer both sales and rental of Instantel equipment.

Speak with a member of SubTerra’s team of Licensed Blasting Engineers to learn more about Instantel Monitoring or custom integration with our wide selection of supported instrumentation for use with the Minimate Pro IV, Micromate, and Minimate Pro products.

1. Pre and Post Blast Property Inspections for structures ranging from residences to large industrial complexes.

2. Test and Production Blast Design

3. Prediction of blasting effects on structures, humans, animals, fish and other wildlife.

4. Preparation of General and Detailed Blast Plans

5. Signature hole analysis.

6. Test Blast Monitoring

7. Production Blast Monitoring

8. Hydrophonic monitoring

9. Vibrating wire instrumentation

10. Development of Mitigation and Corrective Action Plans, if required.