Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
Search
            ×
                        Mining
                        Mining
                            NIOSH
                            All CDC
                    Submit
                For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
                Advanced Search
            Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





Mining Publication: A Measurement Method for Determining Absorption Coefficients for Underground Mines
Keywords: Absorption Mining, tunneling, and excavating machinery Noise Noise absorption Underground mining
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Original creation date: December 2006
Authors: PG Kovalchik, RJ Matetic, GP Cole, AK Smith
Conference Paper - December 2006
Download PDF Document (0.16 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20031467
Inter-Noise 2006. The 35th International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering, 3-6 December 2006, Honolulu, Hawaii. West Lafayette, IN: International Institute of Noise Control Engineering, 2006 Dec; :1-9
Previous studies conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have shown that approximately 90% of coal miners and 49% of metal/nonmetal miners had a hearing impairment by age 50. Mine workers are exposed to additional noise levels underground due to the reflection of machine generated noise that would otherwise dissipate in an above ground setting. Determining the sound absorption coefficients is essential in modeling the sound field in an underground mining environment. Sound absorption is a measure of the amount of acoustic energy that strikes a surface and is absorbed, rather than reflected. The acoustic environment that mining machines operate in is a critical factor affecting the sound pressure level exposure for mining machine operators. Impedance tube testing is an inappropriate method for determining underground absorption coefficients due to the brittle composition of some of the materials such as coal and slate. Classic absorption coefficient estimation using T60 measurements will not work well in an underground environment because the theory assumes: a finite room, a diffuse field, and relatively uniform absorption. None of these assumptions are true in an open-ended mine entry. This paper will present a method using a ray-tracing technique to determine absorption coefficients for underground mines. Absorption coefficients are determined and presented for octave bands from 63 Hz to 8 kHz. The absorption coefficients will be essential for determining and predicting potential overexposure to machine operators in different mine environments.
Image of publication A Measurement Method for Determining Absorption Coefficients for Underground MinesConference Paper - December 2006
Download PDF Document (0.16 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20031467
Inter-Noise 2006. The 35th International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering, 3-6 December 2006, Honolulu, Hawaii. West Lafayette, IN: International Institute of Noise Control Engineering, 2006 Dec; :1-9
See Also
The Development of a Damped Drill Steel to Reduce Roof Bolting Machine Drilling Noise
Geologic Characterization
Heavy Construction Equipment Noise Study Using Dosimetry and Time-Motion Studies
Heavy Construction Equipment Noise Study Using Dosimetry and Time-Motion Studies
Measurement Method for Determining Absorption Coefficients for Underground Mines
Programmable Electronic Mining Systems: Best Practice Recommendations (In Nine Parts): Part 4: 3.0 Safety File
Proximity Detection: A Continuing Research Imperative
Refuge Alternatives in Underground Coal Mines
Safe and Economical Inerting of Sealed Mine Areas
Ultra-Low Frequency Through-the-Earth Communication Technology
Wireless Mesh Mine Communication System
Page last reviewed: September 21, 2012
Page last updated: September 21, 2012
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate Mining
        Site BrowserSafety and Health TopicsData & StatisticsMethodologyMine DisastersMSHA Data FilesMine & Mineworker ChartsTools & PublicationsTools You Can UsePublicationsNews & ArticlesResearch ProgramNORA Mining CouncilStrategic PlanMining Program, 2019-2023Miner Health Program, 2020-2030ProjectsContractsFunding OpportunitiesMining LinksAbout UsContact NIOSH MiningEmploymentFacilitiesHistoryVisitor Information NIOSH Homepage
 NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue