Blasting Effects on Pipelines

When construction involving blasting is performed adjacent to a buried pipeline, the control of blast related ground shock and of the resulting stresses in the pipeline are of major concern.

It was recognized in the early 1960's that blasting was becoming more frequent due to increased blasting for highways, quarrying and ditching for loop lines near existing high-pressure pipelines. In response, the pipeline industry developed technology to assess the effects that such blasting might have on pipelines and guidelines to prevent it from damaging pipelines. Kiefner & Associates, Inc., has carried on this effort and has the means and staff to perform assessments of the blast effects on nearby pipelines. Some of the services that Kiefner & Associates, Inc., can provide and have provided to clients are:

• Development of criteria for blasting near pipelines
• Estimation of pipeline stresses as a function of blast design
• Modification of blast design to minimize pipeline stresses
• Design for pipeline monitoring and instrumentation for blast effects
• Methods of mitigating blast effects on pipelines