Acoustic characteristics of coal and rock during the failure process

     

    Submission Deadline

    30 July 2027

     

    Guest Editor(s)

    Prof. Dr. Gang Liu  Website  E-Mail: liugang@usth.edu.cn

    Heilongjiang University of Science and Technolog

    Prof. Dr. Guangbo Chen  E-Mail: cgb150617@126.com

    Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology

    Prof. Dr. Yongliang He  E-Mail: hyl@tyust.edu.cn

    Taiyuan University of Science and Technology

    Special Issue Information

    Dear Colleagues,

    Brief Summary for the Special Issue
    Acoustic Characteristics of Coal and Rock during Failure

    Coal and rock failure is a long-standing challenge in mining engineering, underground construction, and geohazard prevention. Traditional stress‑based monitoring often fails to capture the progressive internal damage that precedes macroscopic rupture. Acoustic techniques—especially acoustic emission (AE) and ultrasonic transmission—provide a real‑time, non‑destructive window into the evolving fracture process. Despite extensive research, the intrinsic heterogeneity of coal‑rock masses, coupled with varying stress paths and fluid‑solid interactions, leads to highly complex acoustic responses that are not yet fully understood.

    This Special Issue aims to consolidate state‑of‑the‑art studies that deepen our understanding of acoustic signatures throughout the entire failure cycle—from microcrack initiation to post‑peak instability. We intend to bridge experimental observations, theoretical models, and field applications, with the ultimate goal of establishing reliable acoustic precursors for early warning and risk assessment.

    Contributions focusing on experimental investigations, numerical modeling, signal processing, machine learning, digital twins, smart materials, and predictive maintenance are particularly encouraged.

    We welcome contributions covering, but not limited to:

    • Acoustic emission (AE) characteristics and source mechanisms
    • Ultrasonic velocity and attenuation changes during loading
    • Time‑frequency analysis, wavelet transform, and machine‑learning‑based signal classification
    • Coupling between acoustic parameters and mechanical properties (stress, strain, permeability)
    • Numerical simulations of wave propagation in fractured media
    • Field monitoring systems for coal mines, tunnels, and slopes
    • Combined acoustic‑other geophysical methods (e.g., electromagnetic, infrared)
    • Guide for Authors

    We invite original research articles that present novel experimental data, innovative signal‑processing algorithms, or validated field case studies. Submissions should clearly state the scientific or engineering relevance of the findings and, where possible, provide quantitative links between acoustic indices and failure progression. All manuscripts will undergo a rigorous peer‑review process to ensure high scientific quality.

     

    Keywords

    • Acoustic characteristics
    • Failure process
    • Acoustic emission
    • Fracture mechanics