Search

Virtual reality allows the creation of computer-generated worlds within which trainees can be exposed to simulated hazardous conditions and their responses under stress tested. However, such systems often require expensive workstations and need to be programmed from scratch. The AIMS Research Unit at the University of Nottingham has produced a PC-based virtual reality application tool that allows the creation of training applications without programming. The case for virtual reality training is discussed, features of the SAFE-VR application tool outlined and examples of a pre-shift truck inspection and drill-rig operation described., Virtual reality allows the creation of computer-generated worlds within which trainees can be exposed to simulated hazardous conditions and their responses under stress tested. However, such systems often require expensive workstations and need to be programmed from scratch. The AIMS Research Unit at the University of Nottingham has produced a PC-based virtual reality application tool that allows the creation of training applications without programming. The case for virtual reality training is discussed, features of the SAFE-VR application tool outlined and examples of a pre-shift truck inspection and drill-rig operation described.

The AIMS Research Unit at the University of Nottingham is using a range of computer-aided design systems in conjunction with other 3D graphics and virtual reality packages to create easily used solutions to specific environmental problems. In the case of disused mines with potential as landfill sites, advanced computer graphics and virtual reality technology can be applied to visualising the design, assessing the impact and modifying the design before, during and after development. The real-time virtual reality experience can be extended to produce a range of interactive systems for training staff to spot and correct environmental and engineering hazards in their workplace., The AIMS Research Unit at the University of Nottingham is using a range of computer-aided design systems in conjunction with other 3D graphics and virtual reality packages to create easily used solutions to specific environmental problems. In the case of disused mines with potential as landfill sites, advanced computer graphics and virtual reality technology can be applied to visualising the design, assessing the impact and modifying the design before, during and after development. The real-time virtual reality experience can be extended to produce a range of interactive systems for training staff to spot and correct environmental and engineering hazards in their workplace.

The Department of Mining Engineering at the University of Nottingham is conducting research into the combining of commercially-available software with in-house systems to provide decision support for surface mine design. In the example presented, DbaseIV databases are created for rock mechanics data, truck specifications and hierarchic details of different types of hydraulic excavators, while geological models are based on Surpac string files. Both packges are accessed by the Xi-Plus expert system, which creates and manipulates DbaseIV program files. The rules relating geological factors to mining equipment and mining methods are stored in knowledge bases in a rule-based expert system. Equipment selection is controlled by a high-level expert system, which accesses the various lower-level knowledge-based systems or standard software packages as and when specific information is required or specific operations need to be carried out. The utilisation of data is thus optimised and waste of design effort minimised, while the logical sequence of lower-level calls is also controlled., The Department of Mining Engineering at the University of Nottingham is conducting research into the combining of commercially-available software with in-house systems to provide decision support for surface mine design. In the example presented, DbaseIV databases are created for rock mechanics data, truck specifications and hierarchic details of different types of hydraulic excavators, while geological models are based on Surpac string files. Both packges are accessed by the Xi-Plus expert system, which creates and manipulates DbaseIV program files. The rules relating geological factors to mining equipment and mining methods are stored in knowledge bases in a rule-based expert system. Equipment selection is controlled by a high-level expert system, which accesses the various lower-level knowledge-based systems or standard software packages as and when specific information is required or specific operations need to be carried out. The utilisation of data is thus optimised and waste of design effort minimised, while the logical sequence of lower-level calls is also controlled.

Pressures on universities in the developed world include a severe reduction in funding per student, the view that universities supply education to students rather than graduates to industry, and the possibility of degrees being provided via the internet or by international companies. Three strategies to retain mining engineering as a degree course are: merging with other departments to form larger units; offering allied disciplines within mining engineering departments; and co-operating between mining engineering departments at different universities. All UK mining engineering units have merged with other universities or departments and in Sweden there is now a merged Department of Mining and Civil Engineering at Lulea. Degrees in environmental engineering are offered by three of the four mining departments in the UK, whereas in Germany and other EU countries the popular trend is towards degrees in underground space, tunnelling and rock engineering or waste handling and disposal.The first example of inter-university co-operation is the European Mining Course based jointly in Aachen, Delft, Helsinki and London, whose development is described in detail., Pressures on universities in the developed world include a severe reduction in funding per student, the view that universities supply education to students rather than graduates to industry, and the possibility of degrees being provided via the internet or by international companies. Three strategies to retain mining engineering as a degree course are: merging with other departments to form larger units; offering allied disciplines within mining engineering departments; and co-operating between mining engineering departments at different universities. All UK mining engineering units have merged with other universities or departments and in Sweden there is now a merged Department of Mining and Civil Engineering at Lulea. Degrees in environmental engineering are offered by three of the four mining departments in the UK, whereas in Germany and other EU countries the popular trend is towards degrees in underground space, tunnelling and rock engineering or waste handling and disposal.The first example of inter-university co-operation is the European Mining Course based jointly in Aachen, Delft, Helsinki and London, whose development is described in detail.

The adoption in the UK of continuous mining and bolting at depths of more than 1 000 m has led to a need to improve the design and operation of auxiliary ventilation and to consider the selective use of air-cooling systems where the limits of ventilation improvement are reached. A computer-based climatic prediction tool has been developed at the University of Nottingham. Its current model predicts psychometric and thermodynamic conditions within long, rapid-development, single-entry drives, taking into account mass and heat transfer between strata, water, machinery and the ventilation air. The results produced are correlated against data from 105 S district tailgate tunnel development at Maltby colliery and a case study of the tunnel is presented to illustrate the effect of increased depth and strata temperature on the climate in rapid tunnel developments., The adoption in the UK of continuous mining and bolting at depths of more than 1 000 m has led to a need to improve the design and operation of auxiliary ventilation and to consider the selective use of air-cooling systems where the limits of ventilation improvement are reached. A computer-based climatic prediction tool has been developed at the University of Nottingham. Its current model predicts psychometric and thermodynamic conditions within long, rapid-development, single-entry drives, taking into account mass and heat transfer between strata, water, machinery and the ventilation air. The results produced are correlated against data from 105 S district tailgate tunnel development at Maltby colliery and a case study of the tunnel is presented to illustrate the effect of increased depth and strata temperature on the climate in rapid tunnel developments.

Key areas of research by the Geotechnics Group of the School of Chemical, Environmental and Mining Engineering at the University of Nottingham, UK, include the prediction of mining-induced subsidence and displacement, the development of a rock mass classification system applicable to UK coal mining design, the modelling of strata behaviour at Asfordby longwall mine, the development of methane reservoir modelling techniques for targeting recovery from abandoned coal mines, the measurement and prediction of stability changes during flooding of disused mines by groundwater recharge and the evaluation of the environmental impact of mine water after abandonment. Improvements in computer software and hardware have made it possible to build sophisticated models and adapt them to tackling new problems., Key areas of research by the Geotechnics Group of the School of Chemical, Environmental and Mining Engineering at the University of Nottingham, UK, include the prediction of mining-induced subsidence and displacement, the development of a rock mass classification system applicable to UK coal mining design, the modelling of strata behaviour at Asfordby longwall mine, the development of methane reservoir modelling techniques for targeting recovery from abandoned coal mines, the measurement and prediction of stability changes during flooding of disused mines by groundwater recharge and the evaluation of the environmental impact of mine water after abandonment. Improvements in computer software and hardware have made it possible to build sophisticated models and adapt them to tackling new problems.

Recent advances in virtual reality technology offer the potential to expose mine personnel to hazardous situations in a safe, highly visual and interactive manner. Customised simulations of mine layouts, dynamic operations and mine environment can be set up and mine personnel allowed to move around the virtual mine, making decisions at key points. The consequences of correct and incorrect decisions can be immediately fed back to the trainee. Although virtual reality cannot replicate essential tactile skills and human interactions, it can be used to reinforce classroom teaching or modify it by feedback, prior to on-the-job training. Desktop virtual reality systems developed at the University of Nottingham include systems to train surface mine truck drivers in safe working practice, to train and test new mine workers in general safety inspection and to train and test mine rescue teams in incident response., Recent advances in virtual reality technology offer the potential to expose mine personnel to hazardous situations in a safe, highly visual and interactive manner. Customised simulations of mine layouts, dynamic operations and mine environment can be set up and mine personnel allowed to move around the virtual mine, making decisions at key points. The consequences of correct and incorrect decisions can be immediately fed back to the trainee. Although virtual reality cannot replicate essential tactile skills and human interactions, it can be used to reinforce classroom teaching or modify it by feedback, prior to on-the-job training. Desktop virtual reality systems developed at the University of Nottingham include systems to train surface mine truck drivers in safe working practice, to train and test new mine workers in general safety inspection and to train and test mine rescue teams in incident response.

This dissertation addresses the benefits and issues of part-time work experienced by female Chinese students at the University of Nottingham. Chinese students are by far the largest group of student migrants in the UK, with a remarkable increase of approximately 60 percent since 2009 (Cassidy, 2015). Part-time work is a big aspect of student life for many reasons. Obvious reasons include financial independence, social networking and gaining work experience for future careers. Through fourteen face-to-face interviews, this research examines motivation, working conditions and positive or negative impacts on the students. A very specific issue that is discussed in detail covers two different cases of harassment at work and the cultural differences and legal awareness that play a key role. Recommendations for appropriate reactions based on the research are made. The dissertation also argues that the motivation of the students to take on part-time jobs is in correlation with the quality of the experiences that were made by these students. Keywords: female Chinese students, part-time jobs, University of Nottingham, academic performance, social network, harassment, cultural differences