Prediction of an environmental issue of mine blasting: an imperialistic competitive algorithm-based fuzzy system

Ground vibration resulting from blasting is one of the most important environmental problems at open-cast mines. Therefore, accurately approximating the blast-induced ground vibration is very significant. By reviewing the previous investigations, many attempts have been done to create the empirical models for estimating ground vibration. Nevertheless, the performance of the empirical models is not good enough. In this research work, a new hybrid model of fuzzy system (FS) designed by imperialistic competitive algorithm (ICA) is proposed for approximating ground vibration resulting from blasting at Miduk copper mine, Iran. For comparison aims, various empirical models were also utilized. Results from different predictor models were compared by using coefficient of multiple determination (R ²), variance account for and root-mean-square error between measured and predicted values of the PPVs. Results prove that the FS–ICA model outperforms the other empirical models in terms of the prediction accuracy. In other words, the FS–ICA model with R ² of 0.942 can forecast PPV better than the USBM with R ² of 0.634, Ambraseys–Hendron with R ² of 0.638, Langefors–Kihlstrom with R ² of 0.637 and Indian Standard with R ² of 0.519.