Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Real-time rock strength determination based on rock drillability index and drilling specific energy: an experimental study

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The geological condition of surrounding rock is essential for supporting design and disaster prevention of roadways in the underground coal mines. The main point of this research is to compare two methods, namely rock drillability index and drilling specific energy, of assessing the geological conditions of surrounding rocks through theoretical analysis and drilling tests. Firstly, this study suggested from a theoretical point of view that the use of drilling specific energy to assess rock strength at low penetration velocity has limitations and pointed out the superiority of rock drillability index. Subsequently, the Measurement While drilling Test System (MWDTS) is introduced and used to perform a series of drilling tests. Then, based on the monitored drilling parameters, the rock drillability index and drilling specific energy are calculated respectively, and feasibility of these two methods is compared. The experiment results indicate that although the drilling parameters vary greatly during the different drilling tests, the rock drillability index can reflect the rock strength well. However, the fluctuation and error of drilling specific energy at the low penetration velocities are considerable and cannot be used to assess rock strength. Besides, it was found that the error of using the rock drillability index to assess rock strength is smaller than that of drilling specific energy. The above results show that the application scope and the stability of the rock drillability index are better than the drilling specific energy in real-time assessment of rock strength.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

I d :

Rock drillability index

π 1 :

First dimensionless parameter related to rock drillability index

π 2 :

Second dimensionless parameter related to rock drillability index

D :

Diameter of the borehole

F p :

Pushing force against the bottom of the borehole

M :

Torque of the drill bit

v :

Penetration velocity

ω :

Angular velocity of the drill bit

e :

Drilling specific energy

e t :

“Thrust” component of drilling specific energy

e r :

“Rotary” component of drilling specific energy

N :

Rotation speed of the drill bit

P :

Feed pressure of hydraulic cylinder collected by the pressure sensor

A ′ :

The area of the hydraulic cylinder

R c :

Uniaxial compressive strength

MWD:

Measurement while drilling

UCS:

Uniaxial compressive strength

MWDTS:

Measurement while drilling test system

PDC:

Polycrystalline diamond cutter

CM:

Cement mortar

CV:

Coefficient of variation

References

  • Ahmed U, Bordelon D, Allen D (1993) MWD Rock Mechanical Properties To Avoid Drilling Related Problems. SPE/IADC Drill Conf 7

  • Amadi WK, Iyalla I (2012) Application of Mechanical Specific Energy Techniques in Reducing Drilling Cost in Deepwater Development. SPE Deep Drill Complet Conf 10

  • Bakalowicz M (1995) La zone d’infiltration des aquifères karstiques. Méthodes d’étude. Structure et fonctionnement. Hydrogéologie 4:3–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Benson AK (1995) Applications of ground penetrating radar in assessing some geological hazards: examples of groundwater contamination, faults, cavities. J Appl Geophys 33:177–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/0926-9851(95)90040-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beres M, Luetscher M, Olivier R (2001) Integration of ground-penetrating radar and microgravimetric methods to map shallow caves. J Appl Geophys 46:249–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0926-9851(01)00042-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capik M, Yilmaz A, Yaşar S (2016) Relationships between the drilling rate index and physicomechanical rock properties. Bull Eng Geol Environ 76:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-016-0991-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen J, Yue ZQ (2015) Ground characterization using breaking-action-based zoning analysis of rotary-percussive instrumented drilling. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 75:33–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2014.11.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen J, Yue Z (2016) Weak zone characterization using full drilling analysis of rotary-percussive instrumented drilling. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2016.09.012

  • Dupriest FE (2006) Comprehensive Drill Rate Management Process To Maximize ROP. SPE Annu Tech Conf Exhib 9

  • Dupriest FE, Koederitz WL (2005) Maximizing Drill Rates with Real-Time Surveillance of Mechanical Specific Energy. SPE/IADC Drill Conf 10

  • El-Qady G, Hafez M, Abdalla MA, Ushijima K (2005) Imaging subsurface cavities using geoelectric tomography and ground-penetrating radar. J Cave Karst Stud 67:174–181

    Google Scholar 

  • Hakalehto KO (1972) Energy Required To Break Rock By Percussive Drilling. 14th U.S. Symp. Rock Mech. 10

  • Hareland G, Hoberock LL (1993) Use of Drilling Parameters To Predict In-Situ Stress Bounds. SPE/IADC Drill Conf 15

  • Hatherly P, Leung R, Scheding S, Robinson D (2015) Drill monitoring results reveal geological conditions in blasthole drilling. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 78:144–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2015.05.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang Q, Feng X, Li S et al (2019) Cracking-restraint design method for large underground caverns with hard rock under high geostress condition and its practical application. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 36:1081–1101. https://doi.org/10.13722/j.cnki.jrme.2018.1147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang Q, Liu X, Yan F et al (2020) Failure Performance of 3DP Physical Twin-Tunnel Model and Corresponding Safety Factor Evaluation. Rock Mech Rock Eng. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-020-02244-7

  • Karasawa H, Ohno T, Kosugi M, Rowley J (2002a) Methods to Estimate the Rock Strength and Tooth Wear While Drilling With Roller-Bits—Part 2: Insert Bits. J Energy Resour Technol Asme - J Energ Resour Technol 124. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1482406

  • Karasawa H, Ohno T, Kosugi M, Rowley J (2002b) Methods to Estimate the Rock Strength and Tooth Wear While Drilling With Roller-Bits—Part 1: Milled-Tooth Bits. J Energy Resour Technol Asme - J Energ Resour Technol 124. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1482405

  • Leung R, Scheding S (2015) Automated coal seam detection using a modulated specific energy measure in a monitor-while-drilling context. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 75:196–209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2014.10.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Löfgren M, Neretnieks I (2003) Formation factor logging by electrical methods: Comparison of formation factor logs obtained in situ and in the laboratory. J Contam Hydrol 61:107–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-7722(02)00117-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ohno T, Karasawa H, Kosugi M, Rowley J (2004) Proposed Practical Methods to Estimate Rock Strength and Tooth Wear While Drilling With Roller-Cone Bits. J Energy Resour Technol Asme - J Energ Resour Technol 126. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1794696

  • Oloruntobi O, Butt S (2020) Application of specific energy for lithology identification. J Pet Sci Eng 184:106402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2019.106402

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patel A (2013) Characterization of cavities in rocks using drilling parameters. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 63:122–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2013.08.014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pessier RC, Fear MJ (1992) Quantifying common drilling problems with mechanical specific energy and a bit-specific coefficient of sliding friction. Proc - SPE Annu Tech Conf Exhib Delta 373–388

  • Pinto CN, Lima ALP (2016) Mechanical Specific Energy for Drilling Optimization in Deepwater Brazilian Salt Environments. IADC/SPE Asia Pacific Drill Technol Conf 17

  • Teale R (1965) The concept of specific energy in rock drilling. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 2:57–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(65)90022-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Q, Gao H, Yu H et al (2019) Method for Measuring Rock Mass Characteristics and Evaluating the Grouting-Reinforced Effect Based on Digital Drilling. Rock Mech Rock Eng 52:841–851. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-018-1624-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warren TM (1987) Penetration Rate Performance of Roller Cone Bits. SPE Drill Eng 2:9–18. https://doi.org/10.2118/13259-PA

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolcott DS, Bordelon DR (1993) Lithology Determination Using Downhole Bit Mechanics Data. SPE Annu Tech Conf Exhib 10

  • Wyllie MRJ, Gregory AR, Gardner LW (1956) Elastic wave velocities in heterogeneous and porous media. Geophysics 21:41–70. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1438217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yarali O, Kahraman S (2011) The drillability assessment of rocks using the different brittleness values. Tunn Undergr Sp Technol 26:406–414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2010.11.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yue ZQ, Lee CF, Law KT, Tham LG (2004) Automatic monitoring of rotary-percussive drilling for ground characterization-illustrated by a case example in Hong Kong. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 41:573–612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2003.12.151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang K, Hou R, Zhang G et al (2016) Rock Drillability Assessment and Lithology Classification Based on the Operating Parameters of a Drifter: Case Study in a Coal Mine in China. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49:329–334. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-015-0723-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 52074260).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory for Geomechanics & Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu, China

    Bosong Yu, Kai Zhang, Ganggang Niu & Xinran Xue

  2. School of Mechanics & Civil Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu, China

    Bosong Yu, Kai Zhang, Ganggang Niu & Xinran Xue

Authors
  1. Bosong Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kai Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ganggang Niu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xinran Xue
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kai Zhang.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yu, B., Zhang, K., Niu, G. et al. Real-time rock strength determination based on rock drillability index and drilling specific energy: an experimental study. Bull Eng Geol Environ 80, 3589–3603 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02154-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02154-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation