Environmental impacts of blast-induced acceleration on slope instability at a limestone quarry

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of blast-induced acceleration on the stability of slopes at Arakli-Tasonu limestone quarry where a planar shear failure has recently been observed. The planar failure occurred within rock layers consisting of limestone and clayey limestone. The triggering mechanism of the planar shear failure was investigated using blast-induced acceleration values obtained from 73 shots, field measurements, laboratory assessment of rock material properties and utilizing limit equilibrium analysis. From the analysis of slope stability, the safety factor at a magnitude of 0.106g was found to be lower than a minimum value of 1.2 in the case of a water-filled tension crack of a slope, 15 m depth. These findings indicate that the planar shear failure was strongly influenced by the acceleration of uncontrolled blasting operations as well as heavy rainfall.