Dynamic Properties of Residential Structures Subjected to Blasting Vibrations

The responses of 23 single family residences to motions from surface mining blasts were analyzed with Fourier power spectral density and transfer functions to determine their dynamic response properties. The fundamental frequency of the structural frames, which had an average value of 7.0 Hz, decreased with increasing height of the structure. The damping of these structures was observed to increase with increasing induced absolute motions. Walls vibrating in flexure had fundamental frequencies higher than those of the structural frames (12 Hz - 21 Hz). These results apply directly to the study of the response of structures subject to ground motions from mining activities, and are also useful for the study of response to earthquakes.