• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.418-426
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• 2008

A surface blasting method with a single tree face is currently used in Pasir Coal Mine in Indonesia. The single free face is usually the ground surface. This kind of blasting method is easy to use but inevitably causes enormous ground vibrations, which, in turn, can affect the stability of the slopes comprising the various boundaries of the open pit mine. In this regard, we decided to make a specific blasting guideline for the control of found vibrations to ensure the safety of the pit slopes and waste dumps of the mine. Firstly, we derived a prediction equation for the ground vibration levels that could be occurred during blasting in the pits. Then, we set the allowable levels of ground vibrations for the pit slopes and waste dumps as peak particle velocities of 120mm/s and 60mm/s, respectively. From the prediction equation and allowable levels, safe scaled distances were established for field use. The blast design equations for the pit slopes and waste dumps were $D_s{\geq}5\;and\;D_S{\geq}10$ respectively. We also provide several standard blasting patterns for the hole depths of $3.3{sim}8.8m$.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.375-383
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• 2019

In underground retreating longwall coal mining, hard roof collapse is one of the most challenging safety problems for mined-out areas. Identifying precursors for hard roof collapse is of great importance for the development of warning systems related to collapse geohazards and ground control. In this case study, the Xinhe mine was chosen because it is a standard mine and the minable coal seam usually lies beneath hard strata. Real-time monitoring of hard roof collapse was performed in longwall face 5301 of the Xinhe mine using support resistance and microseismic (MS) monitoring; five hard roof collapse cases were identified. To reveal the characteristics of MS activity during hard roof collapse development and to identify its precursors, the change in MS parameters, such as MS event rate, energy release, bursting strain energy, b value and the relationships with hard roof collapse, were studied. This research indicates that some MS parameters showed irregularity before hard roof collapse. For the Xinhe coalmine, a substantial decrease in b value and a rapid increase in MS event rate were reliable hard roof collapse precursors. It is suggested that the b value has the highest predictive sensitivity, and the MS event rate has the second highest.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.166-175
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• 2014

In this study, the thermal environment in a large scale coal mine located in Taebaek, Gangwondo was assessed by a field survey. In order to estimate the thermal environment, various heat stress indices such as WBGT, HSI, ESI, KATA index and effective temperature were investigated. Correlation analysis was also conducted. It was found that the thermal environment in most workplace was high. In particular, the correlation coefficient between HSI reflected in physiological fatigue characteristic and the maximum sweat evaporation heat was -0.834. This shows that the correlation coefficient have the most influence on HSI index. The factor which has the most influence on the maximum sweat evaporation heat is velocity of air. The thermal environment of high-depth coal mines is likely to be improved by installing a structure that enables the maximum prevention of extended digging, air doors, or the leakage of the inflow of air in the first shaft.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2018

This paper investigates the mechanisms of tunnel spalling and massive tunnel failures using fracture mechanics principles. The study starts with examining the fracture propagation due to tensile and shear failure mechanisms. It was found that, fundamentally, in rock masses with high compressive stresses, tensile fracture propagation is often a stable process which leads to a gradual failure. Shear fracture propagation tends to be an unstable process. Several real case observations of spalling failures and massive shear failures in boreholes, tunnels and underground roadways are shown in the paper. A number of numerical models were used to investigate the fracture mechanisms and extents in the roof/wall of a deep tunnel and in an underground coal mine roadway. The modelling was done using a unique fracture mechanics code FRACOD which simulates explicitly the fracture initiation and propagation process. The study has demonstrated that both tensile and shear fracturing may occur in the vicinity of an underground opening. Shallow spalling in the tunnel wall is believed to be caused by tensile fracturing from extensional strain although no tensile stress exists there. Massive large scale failure however is most likely to be caused by shear fracturing under high compressive stresses. The observation that tunnel spalling often starts when the hoop stress reaches $0.4^*UCS$ has been explained in this paper by using the extension strain criterion. At this uniaxial compressive stress level, the lateral extensional strain is equivalent to the critical strain under uniaxial tension. Scale effect on UCS commonly believed by many is unlikely the dominant factor in this phenomenon.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.461-469
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• 2019

Background: Collisions involving workers and mobile machines continue to be a major concern in underground coal mines. Over the last 30 years, these collisions have resulted in numerous injuries and fatalities. Recently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) proposed a rule that would require mines to equip mobile machines with proximity detection systems (PDSs) (systems designed for automated collision avoidance). Even though this regulation has not been enacted, some mines have installed PDSs on their scoops and hauling machines. However, early implementation of PDSs has introduced a variety of safety concerns. Past findings show that workers' trust can affect technology integration and influence unsafe use of automated technologies. Methods: Using a mixed-methods approach, the present study explores the effect that factors such as mine of employment, age, experience, and system type have on workers' trust in PDSs for mobile machines. The study also explores how workers are trained on PDSs and how this training influences trust. Results: The study resulted in three major findings. First, the mine of employment had a significant influence on workers' trust in mobile PDSs. Second, hands-on and classroom training was the most common types of training. Finally, over 70% of workers are trained on the system by the mine compared with 36% trained by the system manufacturer. Conclusion: The influence of workers' mine of employment on trust in PDSs may indicate that practitioners and researchers may need to give the organizational and physical characteristics of each mine careful consideration to ensure safe integration of automated systems.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2014

This study analyzed the optimal routes of auxiliary vehicles in an open-pit mine that need to traverse the entire mine through many working points. Unlike previous studies which usually used the Dijkstra's algorithm, this study utilized a heuristic algorithm for the Traveling Salesman Problem(TSP). Thus, the optimal routes of auxiliary vehicles could be determined by considering the visiting order of multiple working points. A case study at the Pasir open-pit coal mine, Indonesia was conducted to analyze the travel route of an auxiliary vehicle that monitors the working condition by traversing the entire mine without stopping. As a result, we could know that the heuristic TSP algorithm is more efficient than intuitive judgment in determining the optimal travel route; 20 minutes can be shortened when the auxiliary vehicle traverses the entire mine through 25 working points according to the route determined by the heuristic TSP algorithm. It is expected that the results of this study can be utilized as a basis to set the direction of future research for the system optimization of auxiliary vehicles in open-pit mines.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.366-376
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• 2017

In this paper, we investigated the subsidence possibility and countermeasures according to the current mining method through investigation of the subsidence condition in operation mine. Most of the metal mine were broken, investigating to subsidence pattern of the Sink-hole. Coal mines are becoming more and more deep, investigating to Trough type subsidence patterns in existing mining areas. History of nonmetallic mines have not been developed for over 30 years, but large and small ground deformation problems have been investigated. Mining also has ground subsidence functionality due to time dependence by relying more heavily on empirical methods than technical methods. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out the various researches on systematic development method and prevention of subsidence of nonmetallic mines.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.1125-1133
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• 2018

Real-time characterization of the rock thermal deformation and fracture process provides guidance for detecting and evaluating thermal stability of rocks. In this paper, time -frequency characteristics of acoustic emission (AE) and electromagnetic radiation (EMR) signals were studied by conducting experiments during rock continuous heating. The coupling correlation between AE and EMR during rock thermal deformation and failure was analyzed, and the microcosmic mechanism of AE and EMR was theoretically analyzed. During rock continuous heating process, rocks simultaneously produce significant AE and EMR signals. These AE and EMR signals are, however, not completely synchronized, with the AE signals showing obvious fluctuation and the EMR signals increasing gradually. The sliding friction between the cracks is the main mechanism of EMR during the rock thermal deformation and fracture, and the AE is produced while the thermal cracks expanding. Both the EMR and AE monitoring methods can be applied to evaluate the thermal stability of rock in underground mines, although the mechanisms by which these signals generated are different.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.429-437
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• 2018

In order to reduce deformation of roadway floor heave in deep underground soft rockmass, four support design patterns were analyzed using the Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua (FLAC)3D, including the traditional bolting (Design 1), the bolting with the backbreak in floor (Design 2), the full anchorage bolting with the backbreak in floor (Design 3) and the full anchorage bolting with the bolt-grouting backbreak in floor (Design 4). Results show that the design pattern 4, the full anchorage bolting with the bolt-grouting backbreak in floor, was the best one to reduce the deformation and failure of the roadway, the floor deformation was reduced at 88.38% than the design 1, and these parameters, maximum vertical stress, maximum horizontal displacement and maximum horizontal stress, were greater than 1.69%, 5.96% and 9.97%. However, it was perfectly acceptable with the floor heave results. The optimized design pattern 4 provided a meaningful and reliable support for the roadway in deep underground coal mine.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2000.03b
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• pp.117-124
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• 2000

This paper presents the construction planning and the detail design of a 16.2 km long railroad tunnel in a mountainous area. Major design conditions for railroad are the single track, loop-typed alinement, and a maximum grade of 24.5$\textperthousand$. A underground station(double track) with a length of 1.1km is located in the middle of the line for train cross-passing. Tunnel is excavated in highly complex geological conditions including faulted areas, abandoned mine works areas, and various rock types such as sandstone, shale, limestone, and coal seam partly. Drilling and blasting method was adopted because it is more flexible than TBM(Tunnel Boring Machine) as a result of risk assessment for geological conditions in this area. Two working adits were planned to adjust the construction schedule and can be used for ventilation and maintenance in operation phase. New material and concept were introduced to the tunnel drain design. They are expected to improve tunnel drain condition and capability. Rational tunnel support design was tried to consider the various tunnel size and purpose and to use the geological investigation results.