07/09/2022

F R AC T U R E M E C H AN I C S
OF ROCK
I N DR I LLING

Agha Shafi M. Pathan

Aspects of Rock Penetration

01 02 03
PENETRATION FORMATION RATE OF
OF AN OF A PENETRATION
INDENTER FRACTURED AND SPECIFIC
AND WEDGE ZONE ENERGY

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Penetration of an Indenter

 Uneven Stress distribution

 Variation due to Rigidity

of Indenter

 Max. Stress generated

near the edge of indenter

Isobars created under an Indenter 3

Penetration of a Wedge
 Small contact area as
compared to
indenter
 Ability of exerting
side pressures on the
rock
 larger chips formed,
more effective
penetration than
indenter Process of Chip Formation by a Wedge
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Formation of a Fractured Zone

 Fracture formation occurs due to combination of the shear
and tensile stresses , provided the initial compression (WOB)

old style diamond bits where

the diamonds jut outward

Process of Fracture Formation by a Diamond bit 5

Formation of a Fractured Zone

 PDC bits give better penetration rates than the traditional
diamond bits under the same operating conditions

Process of Fracture Formation by a PDC bit 6

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Stages of Fracture Formation

 As the teeth of the bit will
penetrate in the formation to
a larger depth, the
penetration rate is likely to
increase with increasing
feed force.
 As the speed of rotation of
the bit increases, the teeth of
the bit will penetrate the
formation more frequently.
Hence the penetration rate is
likely to increase with
increasing rotary speed.
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Rate of Penetration (ROP)

 Penetration distance per unit time
 ROP is a function of four parameters, as expressed below:
P = f (W, N, C, Q)

o P = Penetration rate
o W = Feed force on the bit
o N = Rotary speed of the bit
o C = Height of tooth of the bit
o Q = Compressed air flow volume used

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Rate of Penetration (ROP)

Relationship between
the rate of Penetration
and weight on bit

Rate of Penetration (ROP)

Contributory proportions of
different modes for
formation of fracture

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SPECIFIC ENERGY (SE)

 The total work done per unit volume penetrated (drill volume).
The quantity of rock broken is logically measured geometrically, by volume rather
than by mass, since it is determined by a stress pattern which is itself geometrical.

 The concept of SE in rock drilling was introduced by Teale (1965).

 An equation was proposed that correlates various parameters of energy
transfer through a drill bit in rotary drilling.

𝑭 𝟐𝝅 𝑵𝑻
𝑺𝑬 = + ×
𝑨 𝑨 𝑷
SE = Specific energy
F = Thrust applied on the drill bit
A = Area of blasthole cross-section
N and T = Rotary speed and Torque applied to the drill bit respectively
P = Penetration rate 11

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SPECIFIC ENERGY (SE) – Calculation

Assignment (to be submitted by Monday, 22nd August 2022)

 A drill is being operated at a rotary speed of 200 RPM

having applied torque for rotation as T, if 25 lb. /1000 is
thrust load and 4 FPM is penetration rate. What will be the
amount of Specific Energy required to drill 50 × 50 𝒎𝒎𝟐
cross sectional diameter blasthole.
 Define hydraulic and pneumatic drills. What are the
advantages of the modern hydraulically operated drills
over the pneumatic ones?
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