ARBA MINCH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT & METHODS
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT

Submission Date: _____________________

Section: ________________
1. A project in medium-silica sandstone is being investigated. Field drilling tests proved that
air-track drills with 31/2-in HD bits can achieve a penetration rate of 2.5 ft/min. The
drills use 12ft steel. The blasting pattern will be 6 X 8 ft with 2 ft of sub drilling. The
average depth to finish grade is 8 ft., assuming a 50-min production hour, determine the
hourly production of drilling.
2. A project utilizing experienced drillers will require drilling and blasting of medium-silica
granite. No field drilling tests were conducted. It is proposed to use a 61/2 B downhole
drill at 350 psi. The drills to be used have a single-pass capability of 20 ft and take steel
in 20-ft lengths. The blasting pattern will be a 10X12-ft grid with 3 ft of subdrilling. On
the average, the specified finish grade is 30 ft below the existing ground surface.
Determine the drilling production, assuming it takes 30 min to change a 61/2in downhole
hammer.
3. A project in medium-silica granite is being investigated. Field drilling tests proved that
air-track drills with 31/2-in B bits can achieve a penetration rate of 1.1 ft/min. The drills
use 10-ft steel. The blasting pattern will be 8 X 8 ft with 2 ft of subdrilling. The average
depth to finish grade is 16 ft. The drilling production must match that of the, loading and
hauling operations, which is 300 bcy/hr. Assuming a 40min production hour drilling, how
many drill units will be required? (Use: 1mph = 88ft/min, 1cubic yard = 27cubic feet)

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