U.S. Department of The Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Three Parkway Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

B -- COMPARATIVE STUDY OF NON-TRADITIONAL RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE RESPONSE TO COAL MINE BLASTING SOL 143868RFP0012103 POC K. Oberle 412/937-2838 WEB: N/, NONE. E-MAIL: ERROR --, KOBERLE@OSMRE.GOV. The Office of Surface Mining (OSM) is required to ensure the prevention of damage to public and private property; and injury to people from the adverse effects of blasting. Based on the research conducted to date, damage to buildings has never been observed below ground vibrations of 0.5 in/s or airblasts of 140 decibels. Research over the years has defined the structure response characteristics of "typical" one and two story residential structures. OSM has built their regulations around this research since the majority of structures near coal mines are residential. The intent of the regulatory scheme, as outlined in the preamble to the federal rules and the development of a blasting plan, is for the coal mine permittee and the regulatory authority to tailor the allowable limits based on the site specific need to prevent damage to occupied dwellings. The regulatory authority is responsible for lowering the limits if necessary to prevent damage Occasionally, structures are found near the mine that do not fall into the "typical" category or may not have been included in the body of data on which the rules were founded. Such structures may include pre-fabricated houses, trailers, log homes, sub-code homes and adobe structures. This study will measure the response characteristics of these "untypical" structures and determine if the current rules provide for their protection or if modified vibration limit are prudent. The objective of the study is to observe the response characteristics of untypical residential structures to blast induced ground vibration and airblast. The response will be compared to the existing research to determine if the untypical residential structures are afforded the same level of protection as typical residential structures under the existing OSM rules. It is anticipated that a fixed price contract will be awarded. The estimated price range is $35,000 -- $100,000. This procurement is subject to the availablility of funds. The RFP will be available on or after July 25, 2000. Requests for the RFP MUST be in writing and MUST be accompanied by qualification/capability statements to establish a bonafide capability to fulfill the requirment. To be considered qualified you must have conducted at least ten blast-induced structure response evaluations. Along with your request, please submit abstracts of the evaluations and references.(See numbered Note 25). Reference RFP00-12103 on all requests. Telephone, e-mail or fax requests WILL NOT be accepted. OSM does not intend to pay for the preparation of the above qualification statements. Posted 07/10/00 (W-SN473037). (0192)

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