• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.10-16
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• 2016

Recently, transition from open pit to underground mining in limestone mines is an increasing trend in Korea due to environmental issues such as noise, dust and vibrations caused by crushers and equipment. The severe damages in the surrounding rock mass of underground opening caused by explosive blasting may lead to rock fall hazards or casualties. It is well known that variables which mainly affect blast-induced rock falls in underground mining are: blast vibration level, joint orientation and distribution and shape of the cross sections of underground structures. In this study, UDEC program, which is a DEM code, is used to simulate blast vibration-induced rock fall in underground openings. Variation of joint space, joint angle and joint normal stiffness was considered to investigate the effect of joint characteristics on the blast vibration-induced rock fall in underground opening. Finally, jointed rock mass models considering blast-induced damage zone were examined to simulate the critical blast vibration value which may cause rock falls in underground opening.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1092-1100
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• 2004

This paper presents the effect of opening configuration on the thermal behavior and air pattern of earth tube system. The earth tube system is a fresh air load reduction system by using underground double floor space for air-conditioning. In order to analyze the effect of opening configuration on thermal performance of this system and air pattern in underground double floor space quantitatively, we used a model dealing with tree-dimensional profile of wind velocity and temperature in underground double floor space. In conclusion, it is confirmed that heat exchange of a fresh air is mainly performed with upper and lower wall in underground double floor space, and that heat exchange area increased by installing the opening near the wall.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.39-44
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• 2002

Recently, underground spaces can be usually applied to the alternative of land use for parking. However, lack of window and natural light are among the most cited drawbacks associated with dark image of underground. If underground parking lots are designed to be positive and safe environment for people, openings for daylighting will play a significant role. The natural light and unobstructed view to outdoor are main elements to create optimal underground parking lots. This paper focuses on investigating the actual day lighting conditions and evaluating the day lighting performance of openings as potential lighting resources. For the study, the field measurements and Questionnaire surveys are conducted. And then, the day lighting performance of underground parking lots based on opening geometry and orientation are evaluated by scaled model experiments. As results, the feelings of safety and orientation of underground parking lots are improved by openings for day lighting regardless of the sizes. The required illuminances (daylight factor 0.5%) for underground parking lots can be satisfied in the skylight opening ratio of 4% or more.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.33-44
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• 2000

In order to investigate the effect of progressive collapse of underground circular opening on surface subsidence, laboratory model tests were performed. The modelling materials were sand which has been used as KS standard. Six test models which had respectively different depths of openings were produced. Surface subsidence and horizontal displacements were measured according to progressive collapse of underground opening. Some subsidence prediction method such as NCB method, profile function method and influence function method were considered to predict the subsidence of sand models. The profile function method approximated by Gaussian error function was finally suggested as the most appropriate to sand models.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2012

As a series of studies about natural ventilation driven by wind in basement parking lots of apartment, the influence of opening size and surrounding buildings on ventilation rate was analyzed. Natural ventilation in underground parking lots almost rely on wind than temperature difference. To investigate natural ventilation driven by wind, wind tunnel tests by using scale model and tracer gas method were conducted. $CO_2$-gas concentration was measured, natural ventilation rates were calculated. The experimental results showed that the natural ventilation rate is more reliable to wind direction and surrounding building than opening size and distance between buildings. It was verified that surrounding buildings play a principal role in increasing air flow rate by accelerating wind speed, and growing turbulence intensity. And it showed that ventilation performance is able to be increased by oblique wind to entrance ramp than head on wind in underground parking lots with surrounding buildings.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.358-371
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• 2018

The stability of openings in the underground mine is major concern in the operation of mines that must ensure productivity and safety. Among many rock conditions affecting cavities stability, the width and height of the opening is an important design factor. In this paper, we consider to determine the maximum unsupported span of a opening in a limestone mine by using the Q system among several rock classification schemes. In order to determine the span of the unsupported opening in the limestone mine, rock mass classifications were carried out at over 200 sites in the underground limestone mines. The relationships by using the Q system and the stability graph proposed by Mathews to determine the maximum span of the unsupported opening were derived and compared. We propose a new classification method that combines GSI and RMR rock classification systems to make it easy to use in a field.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.457-475
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• 2018

For increase of reality in numerical analysis, a blasting vibration waveform obtained from field blast operations has been directly used for input parameters of dynamic analysis in the form of vibration velocity. A numerical model was built considering the geological characteristics of underground limestone opening as well as the mining stages in this opening, and the effect of blast operations on stability of underground limestone opening was investigated by dynamic numerical analysis. The adequacy of applying the real vibration waveform to dynamic analysis has been approved from the preliminary analysis, and the dynamic numerical analysis results show that the continuous mining operation can cause the collapse of roof in openings and the active yield zone around openings. Therefore, the additional reinforcements should be applied for ensuring the stability of underground limestone openings.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 2019

Some leading countries in mining have a very quantitative guideline for underground mine opening design which is useful to minimize mine hazards such as rockfall and collapse. Those hazards sometimes can cause a huge damage on human life and property in the mines. Construction guidelines of underground mines in Korea consist of qualitative and general expressions although the workers' safety rules and guides are well provided. Recently, mining operations in Korea are going underground due to the environmental regulations and resource depletion at shallow depth, and therefore there is a growing demand on a specialized and systematic guideline for mine opening design securing the underground stability. In this paper, current status of mining industry, research trends, and mining guidelines in Korea and overseas have been reviewed to give an insight into developing a new Korean guideline for underground mine design.

• Computational Structural Engineering
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.117-124
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• 1991

In order to predict properly the effects of ground motion associated with earthquakes on underground radioactive waste disposal facilities, an understanding of the structural behavior of an underground opening in discontinuous rock masses subjected to dynamic loadings is essential. This paper includes literature review on computational models for discontinuous rock masses and on mathematical models for the structural analysis of underground opening. Then, structural analyses of underground openings using the distinct element computer program written for the static and dynamic analysis of discontinuous rock masses have been performed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.679-696
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• 2009

The paper aims at analyzing the stress distribution around an underground opening that is subjected to non-symmetrical surface loading with emphasis on opening shapes with sharp corners and the stress concentrations developed at these locations. The analysis is performed utilizing the BIE method coupled with the Neumann's series. In order to implement this approach, the special recurrent relations for half plane were proven and the modified Shanks transform was incorporated to accelerate the series convergence. To demonstrate the capability of the developed approach, a horseshoe shape opening with sharp corners was investigated and the location and magnitude of the maximum hoop stress was calculated. The dependence of the maximum hoop stress location on the parameters of the surface loading (degree of asymmetry, size of loaded area) and of the opening (the opening height) was studied. It was found that the absolute magnitude of the maximum hoop stress (for all possible surface loading locations) is developed at the roof points when the opening height/width ratio is relatively large or when the pressure loading area is relatively narrow (compared to the roof arch radius), and contrarily, when the opening height/width ratio is relatively small or when the surface pressure is applied to a relatively wide area, the absolute magnitude of the maximum hoop stress is developed at the bottom sharp corner points.