The Impact of Chisel Shape and Length on Hand-Arm Vibration Transmitted from Electrical Demolition Hammer Handle on Concrete Surfaces

Introduction: This study aims to determine the amount of hand-arm vibration transmitted from heavy electric destruction tools and the effect of using chisel with different lengths and shapes when demolishing concrete surfaces. Material and Methods: To evaluate the magnitude of hand-arm vibration on the left and right handles of two powerful electric demolition hammers commonly applied in Iranian construction work and urban services, 323 measurements were made (RONIX and NEC). The demolition procedure was carried out by two experienced users on 49 concrete slabs of the same grade (20 C) with thicknesses of 10 and 15 cm while utilizing standard tools, such as hammers with two different chisel head shapes (flat and point) and lengths (40 and 60 cm). Utilizing two SVANTEK vibration meters concurrently on each hammer handle, measurement and evaluation were according to the ISO 5349:1, 2 procedures. Results: The mean effective (frequency weighted root mean square) acceleration (awrms) for the Vector Sum Values (VSV) in the hammer handles were 15.71 m/s2. The primary vibrational axis transmitted to the handle of tool was the vertical axis, at 13.60 m/s2. When employing flat and point chisel, the mean awrms were 16.59 m/s2 and 14.82 m/s2, respectively. The difference between the results of 60 and 40 chisel was a little more than 2m/s2. The dominant and harmonic frequencies of the tools were generally in the range of 25 Hz to 80 Hz and 200 Hz to 400 Hz Conclusion: The mean results generally indicated that point chisel with shorter lengths (40 cm) accelerates at a lower rate than flat chisel with longer lengths (60 cm). In the frequency range below 40 Hz, the RONIX hammer produced a larger acceleration than the NEC hammer indicating that the NEC hammer had a higher safety competitive advantage compared to the another hammer.