• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.509-519
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• 2004

The ground subsidence that occurred in the abandoned coal mining area, Gaeun, Korea, was observed using 25 JERS-1 SAR interferograms from November 1992 to October 1998. We carried out measurements on a subset of image pixels corresponding to point-wise stable reflectors(PS: permanent scatterer) by exploiting a long temporal series of interferometric phases and compared it with the distribution map of in situ examined crack level. PSs could be identified by means of amplitude dispersion index and coherence of the interferograms and the density of PS was much higher in an urban area than in a mountainous region. The measured subsidence rate represented the average velocity in a period of image acquisition and excluded complex nonlinear displacements such as an abrupt collapse. The mean line-of-sight velocity in the study area is 0.19cm/yr and the estimation error is 0.18cm/yr. The center of the abandoned Gaeun coal mine(0.49cm/yr) and the area opposite Gaeun station(1.66cm/yr) were observed as the most highly subsiding areas.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Seismic reflection surveying is one of the most widely used and effective techniques for coal seam structure delineation and risk mitigation for underground longwall mining. However, the ability of the method can be compromised by the presence of volcanic cover. This problem arises within parts of the Bowen and Sydney Basins of Australia and seismic surveying can be unsuccessful. As a consequence, such areas are less attractive for coal mining. Techniques to improve the success of seismic surveying over basalt flows are needed. In this paper, we use elastic wave-equation-based forward modelling techniques to investigate the effects and characteristics of seismic wave propagation under different settings involving changes in basalt properties, its thickness, lateral extent, relative position to the shot position and various forms of inhomogeneity. The modelling results suggests that: 1) basalts with high impedance contrasts and multiple flows generate strong multiples and weak reflectors; 2) thin basalts have less effect than thick basalts; 3) partial basalt cover has less effect than full basalt cover; 4) low frequency seismic waves (especially at large offsets) have better penetration through the basalt than high frequency waves; and 5) the deeper the coal seams are below basalts of limited extent, the less influence the basalts will have on the wave propagation. In addition to providing insights into the issues that arise when seismic surveying under basalts, these observations suggest that careful management of seismic noise and the acquisition of long-offset seismic data with low-frequency geophones have the potential to improve the seismic results.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.93-102
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• 2020

The excavation broken zones (EBZ) of gateways is a significant factor in determining the stability of man-made opening. The EBZ of 55 gateways with variety geological conditions were measured using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). The results found that the greatly depth of EBZ, the smallest is 1.5 m and the deepest is 3.5 m. Experimental investigations were carried out in the laboratory and in the coal mine fields for applying the combined arch support theory to large EBZ. The studies found that resin bolts with high tensile strength and good bond force could provide high pretension force with bolt extensible anchorage method in the field. Furthermore, the recently invented torque amplifier could greatly improve the bolt pretension force in poor lithology. The FLAC3D numerical simulation found that the main diffusion sphere of pretension force was only in the free segment zone of the surrounding rock. Further analysis found that the initial load-bearing zone thickness of the combined arch structure in large EBZ could be expressed by the free segment length of bolt. The using of high mechanical property bolts and steel with high pretension force will clearly putting forward the bolt length selection rule based on the combined arch support theory.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.601-618
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• 2024

The joint probability distribution of uncertain geomechanical parameters of geotechnical strata is a crucial aspect in constructing the reliability functional function for roof structures. However, due to the limited number of on-site exploration and test data samples, it is challenging to conduct a scientifically reliable analysis of roof geotechnical strata. This study proposes a Copula method based on small sample exploration and test data to construct the intensity characteristics of roof geotechnical strata. Firstly, the theory of multidimensional copula is systematically introduced, especially the construction of four-dimensional Gaussian copula. Secondly, data from measurements of 176 groups of geomechanical parameters of roof geotechnical strata in 31 coal mines in China are collected. The goodness of fit and simulation error of the four-dimensional Gaussian Copula constructed using the Pearson method, Kendall method, and Spearman methods are analyzed. Finally, the fitting effects of positive and negative correlation coefficients under different copula functions are discussed respectively. The results demonstrate that the established multidimensional Gaussian Copula joint distribution model can scientifically represent the uncertainty of geomechanical parameters in roof geotechnical strata. It provides an important theoretical basis for the study of reliability functional functions for roof structures. Different construction methods for multidimensional Gaussian Copula yield varying simulation effects. The Kendall method exhibits the best fit in constructing correlations of geotechnical parameters. For the bivariate Copula fitting ability of uncertain parameters in roof geotechnical strata, when the correlation is strong, Gaussian Copula demonstrates the best fit, and other Copula functions also show remarkable fitting ability in the region of fixed correlation parameters. The research results can offer valuable reference for the stability analysis of roof geotechnical engineering.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.281-292
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• 2024

North Korea relies heavily on coal as the primary energy source, playing an important role in all energy demand sectors except for the transportation sector. Approximately half of the total electricity is generated through coal-fired power plants, and coal is used to produce heat and power for all industrial facilities. Furthermore, coal has been a significant contributor to earning foreign currency through long-term exports to China. Nevertheless, since the 1980s, indiscriminate mining activities have led to rapid depletion of coal production in most coal mines. Aging mine facilities, lack of investment in new equipment, shortages of fuel and electricity, difficulties in material supply, and frequent damage from flooding have collectively contributed to a noticeable decline in coal production since the late 1980s. North Korea's coal deposits are distributed in various geological formations from the Proterozoic to the Cenozoic, but the most critical coal-bearing formations are Ripsok and Sadong formations distributed in the Pyeongnam Basin of the Late Paleozoic from Carboniferous to Permian, which are called as Pyeongnam North and South Coal Fields. Over 90% of North Korea's coal is produced in these coal fields. The classification of coal in North Korea differs from the international classification based on coalification (peat, lignite, sub-bituminous coal, bituminous coal, and anthracite). North Korean classification based on industrial aspect is classified into bituminous coal, anthracite, and low-grade coal (Chomuyeontan). Based on the energy factor, it is classified into high-calorie coal, medium calorie coal, and low-calorie coal. In North Korea, the term "Chomuyeontan" refers to a type of coal that is not classified globally and is unique to North Korea. It is a low-grade coal exclusively used in North Korea and is not found or used in any other country worldwide. This article compares North Korea's coal classification and the international coal classification of coal and provides insights into the geological characteristics, reserves, utilization, and research trends of North Korean coal resources. This study could serve as a guide for preparing scientific and industrial agendas related to coal collaboration between North Korea and South Korea.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.349-359
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• 2020

Quantification of the influence of the fracture of thick magmatic rock (TMR) on the behavior of its overlying strata is a prerequisite to the understanding of the deformation behavior of the earth's surface in deep mining. A three-dimensional numerical model of a special geological mining condition of overlying TMR was developed to investigate the overburden movement and fracture law, and compare the influence of the occurrence horizon of TMR. The research results show that the movement of overlying rock was greatly affected by the TMR. Before the fracture of TMR, the TMR had shielding and controlling effects on the overlying strata, the maximum vertical and horizontal displacement values of overlying strata were 0.68 m and 0.062 m. After the fracture, the vertical and horizontal displacements suddenly increased to 3.06 m and 0.105 m, with an increase of 350% and 69.4%, respectively, and the higher the occurrence of TMR, the smaller the settlement of the overlying strata, but the wider the settlement span, the smaller the corresponding deformation value of the basin edge (the more difficult the surface to crack). These results are of tremendous importance for the control of rock strata and the revealing of surface deformation mechanism under TMR mining conditions in mines.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.71-84
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• 2023

In this paper, the effects of the thickness of cubic samples on the tensile strength of concrete blocks were studied using experimental tests in the laboratory and numerical simulation by the particle flow code in three dimensions (PFC3D). Firstly, the physical concrete blocks with dimensions of 150 mm×190 mm (width×height) were prepared. Then, three specimens for each of seven different samples with various thicknesses were built in the laboratory. Simultaneously with the experimental tests, their numerical simulations were performed with PFC3D models. The widths, heights, and thicknesses of the numerical models were the same as those of the experimental samples. These samples were tested with a new tensile testing apparatus. The loading rate was kept at 1 kg/sec during the testing operation. Based on these analyses, it is concluded that when the thickness was less than 5 cm, the tensile strength decreased by increasing the sample thickness. On the other hand, the tensile strength was nearly constant when the sample thickness was raised to more than 5 cm (which can be regarded as a threshold limit for the specimens' thickness). The numerical outputs were similar to the experimental results, demonstrating the validity of the present analyses.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.255-258
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• 1999

Pneumoconiosis, very popular to coal miners who are exposed to coal dusts dominantly, was introduced in the 19th century to describe lung diseases consequent to the inhalation of mineral dusts. Coal workers' pneumoconiosis(CWP) colloquially called "black lung" in the United States, is a distinct pathologic entity resulting from the tissue reaction to deposits of dust include the coal macule, which associated with focal emphysema constitutes the characteristic lesion of simple CWP and complicated CWP or progressive massive fibrosis(PMF). Coal mining are also associated with chronic bronchitis, chronic airflow limitation, and/or generalized emphysema. Progressive massive fibrosis lesions may imprint on and obliterate airways and vessels, and cavitation is not uncommon, being the consequence of ischemic necrosis or mycobacterial infections. We report a case which is unusual form of progressive massive fibrosis to be differentiated from lung carcinoma. It is a rapid growing PMF with ischemic necrosis. By the studies which are about risk of having progressive massive fibroois, it is predicted to be 1.4%. And the other study shows that simple pneumoconiosis clearly predisposed to PMF, with five year attack rates of 13.9%, 12.5%, 4.4% and 0.2% among men with categories 3, 2, 1, and 0 respectively at the start of the risk periods.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.82-89
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• 2018

The objective of this study is to evaluate efficiencies of chemical suppressants for control of fugitive dust in ash pond of thermal power plant. In this study, $MgCl_2$, PAM (polyacrylamide), and PVA (poly vinyl alcohol) that are generally applied to suppression of fugitive dust generated from unpaved road, coal mining, storage piles and etc, were employed as chemical dust suppressants. The coal ash (coal combustion residuals) were sampled from the ash pond of Yeongheung power division in Incheon, South Korea. The characterization of the sample including particle size distribution, pH, $pH_{PZC}$ and pore volume as well as XRF analysis were carried out. The suppressant treated-samples were investigated with the wind tunnel experiments to estimate and compare the effect of suppressants on stabilization of the surface of coal ash samples. According to the results, the stability of suppressant-treated samples were significantly improved compared to water-treated samples. Among the three kinds of suppressants, PAM and PVA showed higher efficiencies and cost saving than $MgCl_2$.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.325-328
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• 2005

To estimate presumptive local ground subsidence area near Abandoned Under ground Coal Mine(AUCM) at Samcheok city in Korea, the geological properties of existing ground subsidence area and the geophysical prospecting data were analyzed using GIS. The electrical resistivity survey and seismic reflection survey database were constructed from investigation reports and factors which are related with ground subsidence such as geological map, topological map, land use map, lineament map, groundwater level, RMR (Rock Mass Rating), mining tunnel map and slope database were constructed also to make a comparative study of each parameters. As a result of the spatial analysis of existing ground subsidence area, 9 major factors causing ground subsidence were extracted and a connection between the structure of underground and the ground subsidence was determined from the analysis of geophysical prospecting data. The estimation of presumptive ground subsidence area was performed using the correlation between the result from neural network analysis of 9 factors and the scrutiny of geophysical prospecting data.