Mining Science and Technology, 12 (1991) 6 7 - 7 7 67

Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., A m s t e r d a m

Relating drilling parameters at the bit-rock interface" theoretical

and field studies

Thomson Sinkala
Division of Mining Equipment Engineering, Luled University of Technology, 951 87 LuleEt, Sweden
(Received March 28, 1980; accepted May 14, 1990)

ABSTRACT

Sinkala, T. 1991. Relating drilling parameters at the bit-rock interface: theoretical and field studies. Min. Sci. Technol., 12:
67-77.

An explicit expression relating drilling parameters at the bit-rock contact is derived. The expression estimates the
minimum torque, related to bit-rock contact only, required to maintain constant bit rotation. Theoretical results from the
developed bit-rock contact relation agree very satisfactorily with those obtained from field tests and other previous
experience.

Introduction Drilling parameters with major effect on

To date, considerable effort has been de-
voted to the study of relationships between
various drilling parameters. Such investiga-
tions range from the purely theoretical to
field activities [1]. Limitations of previous in-
vestigations have been discussed earlier [2]. In
particular, almost all drilling rate theories de-
veloped in the past have not included the
interaction between thrust, torque, and rock
inhomogeneity, despite the strong effects of
these on drilling rates.
In the following sections, an attempt will
be made to account for these parameters by
examining the minimum torque, related to
bit-rock contact only, required to maintain
constant bit rotation. The present discussion
concerns percussion drilling with independent
rotation. A simplified working principle for
this technique can be found, for example, [2].
penetration rate
For given drilling conditions, the effect of
a number of drilling parameters on penetra-
tion (v) and penetration rate (R) in full-scale,
upward percussion drilling may be assumed
to be constant a n d / o r negligible without loss
of generality. For instance, we could assume
that:
(1) flushing during upward drilling is effi-
cient because gravity helps to remove the
cuttings from the hole;
(2) frictional resistance between drill rods
and hole walls in short holes, and changes in
button diameter (e0) and bit diameter (D)
due to wear are negligible for a considerable
number of metres;
(3) the inclination of an undeflected drill
string in undeviated holes, the impact energy
( E i ) , the joint system of the drill string, the

0167-9031/91/$03.50 1991 - Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.

68
average rotation speed (n) and the impact
frequency ( f ) are practically constant.
Under these assumptions, penetration (~,)
in full-scale percussion drilling would then be
affected mainly by torque (-r), thrust ( F ) and
the rock properties, whereas the penetration
rate (R) would be affected mainly by the
penetration (u) and the impact frequency ( f ) ;
so:
R=(f) X(p)
Assuming further that:
(1) The drilling parameters referred to are
only those parameters which act on the bit
simultaneously with the stress wave energy
induced by piston impacts on the drill string.
(2) The torque and thrust act continuously
on the bit.
(3) The rock is sufficiently hard so that the
action of thrust and torque cannot break and
displace the rock without the action of the
effective impact energy (Er).
The main function of the thrust is to main-
tain bit-rock contact and to keep the drill
string joints closed before the pulses arrive so
that energy losses are minimized [1-3]. The
torque is applied mainly to move bit inserts
to new surfaces [1,3-5], and simultaneously
to tighten drill string joints before the arrival
of stress waves [2,5].
Bit rotation, of course, is not essential for
button penetration. It is, however, necessary
for overall bit advance--measured by the rate
of total rock face advance R (in m/min). For
a given rock and bit geometry there is a
certain bit rotation angle at which the
penetration rate is optimal [6,7].
Theoretical study of bit-rock interaction
In practice, rock properties (for example
rock structure and compressive strength) are
unknown in advance of drilling. It would
therefore be advantageous if rock properties
did not appear explicitly in equations for
T. SINKALA
predicting penetration rates. In this discus-
sion therefore only those parameters which
may be measured directly or indirectly at the
bit-rock interface will be explicitly consid-
ered. Other parameters, such as rock proper-
ties and effective impact energy (Er) , will
remain implicit, in, for example, assessing the
magnitude of "step-wise" response penetra-
tion (1,) and "continuous" response torque
('r), in the formulation of the equations.
A crater formed by a hemispherical indentor
P.A. Lindqvist [8] and R.G. Lundqvist [9]
have investigated the instantaneous formation
of a crater from a hemispherical button-rock
contact. An example of the resulting hemi-
spherical crater penetration is illustrated in
Fig. 1. These studies, like earlier ones [1],
considered only the thrust or indentation
force. In defining the new relation for bit-
rock contact torque has been introduced (see
Fig. 2(b)). Due to the continuous action of
torque ('r) it is supposed that the chips
(marked by the asterisk in Fig. 2(b)) on the
left side of the button would be trapped be-
tween the button and the intact rock. The
chips on the right side of button are assumed
either to fly out of the crater, or be flushed
out of the crater.
Using Fig. 2(b) as the model, it is thought
that the following could occur:
Iol k4 ,dl
(b)~ (el
(c) I ~ If)
Fig. 1. Observed sequence of events during the penetra-
tion of rock by a hemispherical b u t t o n (from [8]).
RELATINGDRILLINGPARAMETERSAT THE BIT-ROCKINTERFACE
(a)
Buttons ~ . Direction
(b)
/ k ~ ~ Bit body
e I r/ Profile of "]1 Profile of
I / button et f / button et
/ "~,.I / depth ~' t l l depth
t "~}'/k \ jw"
T; /
Fig. 2. Trapping of rock chips between intact rock and
button due to action of torque (r). (a) Plan view. (b)
Cross-sectional view of a single button. F = axial force;
p = force acting at a point on the button.
Case 1: The b u t t o n slides out of crater
while the chips remain stationary. This case
would possibly incur the largest torque value
with some penetration (v) and button-on-rock
friction.
Case 2: Only rock-on-rock sliding occurs
while the b u t t o n - r o c k pieces interface is sta-
tionary.
Case 3: The relative speed of rock chip
m a y vary and m a y also differ from the speed
of the button.
It is thought that, when other drilling
parameters remain constant, the torque re-
quired to rotate a bit depends, in general, on
the penetration (v), the friction between rock
and b u t t o n (/*br) and between the rock chips
and rock mass (/.trr). Nevertheless, the torque
can not be related to the coefficients of fric-
tion (~br and /*rr)" In this discussion, there-
fore only case 1 will be considered, with the
assumption that b u t t o n on rock friction is
zero, i.e. /~b~= 0. In this case r therefore
depends only on the v.
69
Torque necessary to maintain constant drill bit
rotation
Let N be the n u m b e r of button inserts on
the bit. To simplify the discussion, it is as-
sumed that the bit b o d y has a flat end. If
thrust is uniformly distributed on all the but-
tons, force (Fab) per b u t t o n would be:
F
Fab = ~ (1)
Consider a single b u t t o n on the bit. For
simplicity, suppose the button protrusion is
hemispherical. Fig. 2(b) illustrates the forces
acting on a b u t t o n and the associated instan-
taneously formed crater. The force ( p ) acts
continuously on the button. The analysis is
simplified b y considering the forces acting
just after the b u t t o n has slid off the b o t t o m of
the crater. This can occur due to the com-
bined effects of bit rebounds [2] and applied
torque. Contact forces are assumed to act on
a single point of contact k (Fig. 2(b)) of the
r o c k - b u t t o n contact, where v' = v.
Taking moments about the contact point k
(Fig. 2(b)) gives:
Fb
pa = 7 (2)
Substituting for a and b:
r ~ ( 2 r v - v 2)
P = r- (3)
where:
r -- b u t t o n radius.
In general, buttons on bits are so arranged
that each circumferential row of buttons cuts
a separate annular area on b u t t o n / r o c k con-
tact surfaces. With some overlapping the but-
ton arrangement could supposedly cover the
entire bit diameter (Fig. 2(a)).
If the entire bit diameter is n o w considered
(Fig. 3), let:
D = bit diameter;
d x -- thickness of an annular element of drill
bit area (shaded area in Fig. 3);
70 T. SINKALA

Limits
For the b u t t o n geometry discussed, the
b o u n d a r y conditions for the equations de-
rived are as follows: Normalized torque and
normalized penetration are defined by the
equations:
3"r
"r, - F D = normalized torque

D 1,
= I,, = normalized penetration
Fig. 3. Elemental area on surface of bit bottom. (See
text for explanation.) Then:
_ .2)

= button density per unit area of drill bit. 'T$ = 1 (10)

2 P$
Then:
N 4N F o r the assumed protrusion of a hemi-
- bit are~ - ~vrD (4) spherical b u t t o n out of a bit body, v, cannot
possibly be larger than 1 / 2 since p < 0 / 2 .
The area of the annular element (Fig. 3) is Equation (10) then gives:
given by:
d A = 27rx d x (5) (11)
Force (t) per unit bit area is:
4Up That branch of the square root has been
t=p~= ~:D2 (6) chosen for which zero normalized torque (~-,)
corresponds to zero normalized penetration
Hence, the elemental torque which m u s t be
(u,). The other branch, 1 / 2 < 1,, < 1, is re-
applied to sustain the bit rotation, for the
area d A is: jected.
In the treatment for percussion drilling
d~'elem = tx dA given above, the applied torque ('r) is related
Substituting for d A and t above from eqns. to the applied thrust ( F ) , the drill bit diame-
(5) and (6), respectively, yields: ter (D), the penetration (1,) and the average
b u t t o n radius (q~/2). The reader might have
d'Felem ~--- 27rp~x 2 dx (7) noticed that the theoretical treatment of this
Hence, the total torque which m u s t be ap- p r o b l e m has been drastically simplified. Thus,
plied to sustain the drill bit rotation is: for example, ~- is related to the above men-
tioned parameters through a static equi-
r = 2vrp~ foD/ Zx 2 d x = -~p~
q7 D~ 3 (8) librium equation for a drill b u t t o n in point
contact with a rigid rock. Hence, rock defor-
Substituting for p from eqn. (3), ~ from m a t i o n and rock fracturing, which might at
eqn. (4), and b u t t o n radius r by q)/2 in eqn. first sight appear to be essential to the analy-
(8) gives: sis of torque, thrust and penetration are not
explicit in the analysis. This m a y appear to be
~. = 3 F D ~((kl: contrary to intuition. Nevertheless, it will be
q~ - - 2p~'2) (9)
shown through data f r o m field tests that the
R E L A T I N G D R I L L I N G PARAMETERS A T T H E B I T - R O C K I N T E R F A C E 71

formulae derived do in fact agree very satis- recorded. Therefore only average values of
factorily with data from field tests. the actual penetration (G) are used here. This
G (from field data) is an average for every 10
m m (data sampling interval used) related to
Experimental study of the bit-rock interaction average bit advance, and is generally less than
the penetration (1,) per piston impact.
A series of drilling experiments was carried For simplicity of data treatment, it is as-
out at LKAB-Kiruna mine, Sweden. The holes sumed that the penetration per piston impact
were upward-directed normal production is approximately equal to the average
holes in sublevel caving. A hydraulic, top- penetration related to total bit advance. In
hammer percussive drill with independent ro- our tests, the penetration rate ( R , ) is re-
tation (a twin-boom Atlas Copco Simba H222 corded in m / m i n , and the piston impact rate
with a COP 1238 H F rock drill) was used. ( f ) is expressed as the number of impacts per
Both the button bit and X-bit were used for second. Following the assumption above, ~
drilling. u~ = R/(6Of), where f = 100 impacts per sec-
A Transtronic drilling processor TYP 93B ond for the machine used. Substituting for
was used to register data on one of the two u -- G in eqn. (9):
rock drills on the rig. Information was re-
corded every 10 m m of drill bit advance while FD ~(60f~ R - Rz)
drilling. Among the parameters recorded "r = --y- 30/~- R (12)
were: hole length (L), penetration rate (R a),
thrust on bit (F~), torque pressure (Pi), rota- In practice, it is nearly always true that
tion speed (n) and percussion pressure (P). q5 >> G. For example, from field data the but-
Methods by which the information recorded ton diameter q~ ~ 10 mm, and the average
is converted to familiar forms of these para- approximate penetration per piston impact
meters can be found in [2]. G ~ 0.1 mm. Equations (9) and (12) may then
The rock in which drilling took place was be written in the following approximate form:
mainly iron ore [10]. The texture of the ore 2
was generally dense and fine grained. Some ~" 15fq~ (13)
pyrite-rich fracture zones (10-20 cm) ran
along the drift. Rock hardness values were: In eqns. (12) and (13) R (or G), F, and ~"
average compressive strength (oo) ~ 50 MPa are variables while q~, f, and D have been
minimum and 170 MPa maximum; and aver- assumed to be constant. For the argument on
age tensile strength a t ~. 4 MPa m i n i m u m and the validity of this assumption, see [2].
11 MPa maximum. In general, the waste rock To evaluate this b i t - r o c k contact relation
was softer than the ore, and was mainly char- given in eqs. (12) or (13), more than 400 holes
acterized by a high penetration rate. Hard- were drilled. The average recorded number of
ness values for the waste rock could not, data points for each variable was about 1500.
however, be obtained. Using these data the validity of this bit-rock
contact relation may now be tested as fol-
Examining the bit-rock relation using data lows:
from field tests Theoretically, if, in eqn. (13), the thrust ( F )
and penetration rate (R) remain constant, the
At present, there is no way of estimating torque (-r) should also remain constant.
how many piston impacts are actually in- To check this argument in practice, con-
volved in every "total" rock face advance stant values of thrust (F~) which had corre-
72 x. SINKALA

s p o n d i n g c o n s t a n t p e n e t r a t i o n r a t e s ( R a) w e r e
s e l e c t e d f r o m a c t u a l field d a t a . R e s u l t s a r e
s h o w n in T a b l e 1, w h e r e it is c l e a r l y seen t h a t
c o r r e s p o n d i n g m a g n i t u d e s o f t o r q u e (~'a) a r e
practically constant. The difference (e) be-
tween the average torque values and mea-
s u r e d t o r q u e f o r t h e d a t a in t h e t a b l e h a s a
m a x i m u m o f a b o u t 8%; this r e s u l t is v e r y
encouraging.
Comparison of experimental and theoreti-
cal t o r q u e v a l u e s f o r t h e s e tests w e r e p e r -
f o r m e d as f o l l o w s :
The actual, measured values of thrust (Fa)
a n d p e n e t r a t i o n r a t e ( R a) w e r e s u b s t i t u t e d in
e q n . (12). T h e r e s u l t i n g t h e o r e t i c a l v a l u e s o f
t o r q u e (~-) w e r e t h e n c o m p a r e d w i t h t h e m e a -
s u r e d v a l u e s o f t h e t o r q u e (~'a)"
Figure 4 shows a plot of theoretical torque
( ' r ) o b t a i n e d f r o m eqn. (12) v e r s u s a c t u a l
( m e a s u r e d ) t o r q u e (~-a), u s i n g d a t a w i t h 30%
r e l a t i v e e r r o r (A,r) (see k e y t o T a b l e 1 f o r A,r
d e f i n i t i o n ) . T h e a g r e e m e n t is c o n s i d e r e d t o b e
good between the actual and the theoretical
v a l u e s if t h e a s s u m p t i o n s m e n t i o n e d earlier
a n d t h e field d r i l l i n g c o n d i t i o n s , a r e t a k e n
into consideration.
The results of a comparison between theo-
retical values and raw data (without scrutiny

TABLE 1
Magnitude of torque (ra) for constant penetration rate (Ra) and thrust (Fa)
L Ra Fa 'ra T AT Tav e Hole number
(m) (m/min) (N) (Nm) (Nm) (%) (Nm) (%)
4.33 0.438 9 300.0 42.3 41.8 + 1.20 41.1 2.87 fl 1.002
4.44 0.438 9 300.0 44.4 41.8 + 6.22 7.98
6.21 0.438 9 300.0 39.3 41.8 - 5.98 4.43
7.42 0.438 9 300.0 40.3 41.8 - 3.59 1.99
8.27 0.438 9 300.0 39.3 41.8 - 5.98 4.43
1.59 0.571 10100.0 49.4 52.0 - 5.00 49.2 0.51 fll.002
2.15 0.571 10100.0 49.4 52.0 - 5.00 0.51
3.57 0.571 10100.0 50.4 52.0 - 3.08 2.54
4.57 0.571 10100.0 47.4 52.0 - 8.85 3.56
2.76 0.595 8 700.0 42.3 45.8 - 7.64 43.4 2.42 k4.001
3.02 0.595 8 700.0 45.4 45.8 - 0.87 4.73
4.24 0.595 8 700.0 43.4 45.8 - 5.24 0.12
5.86 0.595 8 700.0 42.3 45.8 - 7.64 2.42
0.80 1.125 9 300.0 70.6 68.2 + 3.52 68.2 3.47 f17.002
1.53 1.125 9 300.0 70.6 68.2 + 3.52 3.47
1.75 1.125 9 300.0 70.6 68.2 + 3.52 3.47
1.97 1.125 9 300.0 69.6 68.2 + 2.05 2.00
1.99 1.125 9 300.0 63.5 68.2 - 6.89 6.94
2.40 1.125 9 300.0 64.5 68.2 - 5.43 5.47
3.25 1.125 9 300.0 71.6 68.2 + 4.99 4.93
3.26 1.125 9 300.0 63.5 68.2 - 6.89 6.94
5.14 1.125 9 300.0 69.6 68.2 + 2.05 2.00
Note the magnitudes of (AT) and (e)
L = hole length (location along hole from which data is sampled); R a = actual (measured) penetration rate;
Fa = actual (measured) thrust; Ta = actual (measured) torque; Tav = average actual (measured) torque; T = theoretically
predicted torque; A~- = (T -- Ta)/Ta = relative error between measured and theoretically predicted torque (T); e = ]Tav
-- ~'a[/Tav = absolute deviation from average torque (Tav).
RELATING DRILLING PARAMETERS AT THE BIT-ROCK INTERFACE 73

for recording and other errors) are presented so that r = Ta(AT + 1)

in Table 2. The comparison is in terms of
Then:
relative error between the measured and the
predicted penetration rates as a percentage of T = kFaR
the theoretical penetration rates.
The results obtained (shown in columns
R - - - 2
4-6 in Table 2), indicate (as a percentage of
the total number of data points), accepted for
each hole when screened at 10%, 20%, and The absolute relative error of R is then:
30% relative error. There is more than 50% R - R a ra2 - r 2 2 A T -I- A r 2
agreement between theoretical and actual raw
IARl= = T2 = (1+AT) 2
values at 30% relative error for holes drilled
with a button bit. t2ATI
The penetration rate (Ra) ha been used as
a "screen" because, if eqn. (13) is considered, where it has been assumed that AT<< 1.
and the relative error of r is taken to be: Therefore, the error in R is twice as large as
AT T-- r a
the error in r. Hence, using the penetration
rate (Ra) to check the soundness of the data
%
is on the safe side.

TABLE 2
C o m p a r i s o n b e t w e e n m e a s u r e d a n d theoretical values ( d a t a is as o b t a i n e d from the field; i.e. operational a n d
recording, errors, etc., are present)

Hole n u m b e r Hole length N u m b e r of recorded Relative error between

(m) data points theoretical a n d actual
per variable p e n e t r a t i o n rates *
Ra, ra, a n d F a 10% 20% 30%
Button bit:
K4.001 13.24 1324 19 37 53
K5.001 24.24 2424 24 45 63
Fll.003 12.43 1243 18 38 52
F12.001 10.81 1081 21 39 56
F17.002 16.40 1640 23 41 71
Fll.012 24.80 2480 17 35 54
F17.001 11.99 1199 24 60 72
VF26.001 16.93 1693 19 34 50
VF27.001 15.34 1534 18 32 46
K27.004 22.87 2287 25 49 74

X-bit
VF31.001 ** 19.35 1935 9 19 31
VF31.002 12.82 1282 14 26 38
VF33.001 20.18 2018 14 26 38
VF33.002 18.13 1813 14 28 40
VF36.002 ** 17.80 1780 10 21 34
VF36.003 21.17 2117 13 22 37

* % / o f data accepted from total d a t a points given in c o l u m n 3 at error value indicated.

* * N e w bit.
74 T. SINKALA

IO0- Penetration rate (R.) = 0.571 m/rain, constant

80.00

,.* ,,
Z 8 i
70.00
..-z

...~ 60.00
60
O 50.00
S @

40
4,a ~ 40.00
$ $

O > Pf=33 bars

20 ~30.00
0

20.00
. . . . . . . . ~ld . . . . . . . ~ld . . . . . . . ;Id . . . . . . . ~1[~. . . . . . . 1'(30 5.00 ..... ;]60 ...... 716b ...... 8166 ...... 9'.00 . . . . . . 1'0.00
Thrust (F,), (kN)
Actual torque (Ta) , (Nm)
Fig. 5. Relationship between torque (Ta) and thrust (Fa)
Fig. 4. Theoretical (T) versus actual torques (%) for for constant penetration rate (Ra). The data is raw; i.e.,
data with relative error (AT) of 30% (q, = 9.5 mm and operational, system and recording errors are present.
D = 76 m m ) .

The average diameter used for the blunted similar to an illustration by Knissel [13] shown
inserts was approximately 7 mm. Whenever a in Fig. 8. This inverse proportionality has also
new X-bit was used, the measured values of been observed by Montabert (in [12]).
the torque (%) were high, and did not agree According to eqn. (13), the torque (~-) in-
accurately with the predicted values of the creases as the penetration rate (R) increases.
torque (~-). However, with used X-bits where This is confirmed by the present data (see
the insert ends were blunted and smoothed, Table 1) and by studies by Knissel [13] and
the fit obtained was much better, as demon- Montabert (in [12]). (See, for instance, Fig. 6.)
strated in Table 2. This suggests that the
behaviour of blunted and smoothed X-bits
resembles that of button bits. TORQUE

Examining bit-rock relation using present and

f
past studies

From eqn. (13), we can note that: if all

other variables in this equation remain con- I FEED
I I THRUST
stant, the applied torque (~-) should be pro- I b
I
portional to the applied thrust ( F ) . This rela- I !

tion is confirmed by the data from the pre-

sent study (Fig. 5), observations by Unger
and Fumanti [11] and is similar to the sketches
presented in Montabert's work as reported by
Z

i
:/.7.
/,,
~ J J FEED
I I THRUST
Pearse [12] illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7.
From eqn. (13) we also see that the MINIMT~ ~ X [~TJH
penetration rate (R) is inversely proportional Fig. 6. Sketch showing the relationship between thrust,
to the square of the bit diameter (D). This is torque and penetration rate (after [12]).
RELATING DRILLING PARAMETERS AT THE BIT-ROCK INTERFACE 75

TORQUE
sults have also been obtained by Montabert
WEAK GROUND (in [12]) (Fig. 7), and by Schunnesson [14].
Schunnesson also observed low torque (low
penetration rate) in hard rocks, and high
torque (high penetration rate) in soft rocks,
MEDI~ GROUND for 115 m m diameter holes drilled using In
I
The Hole hammer equipment. The machine
TORQUE # l / used by Schunnesson [14] is programmed to
drill at constant thrust.
-- . . . . . l l --~ l - ----
- H~D GROUND
The observed variation in torque with
penetration rate is of course expected, since
-- ~ I FEED
one would expect a greater penetration rate in
T ~ U S T FOR

PRESET
P THRUST softer rocks than in hard rocks.
WEAK GROUND THRUST
Fig. 7. Sketch showingthe relations~p between selected
preset ma~mum torque and thrust for weak, medium,
Discussion and conclusions
or hard rock (after [121).

For the validity of the bit-rock contact

In Table 1, rock hardness is characterized
by a low penetration rate (holes 4 and 11) for
hard rock, and high penetration rate (hole 17)
for soft rock.
The penetration rate (R) and torque (~-)
increase with a decrease in rock hardness.
This is shown in Table 1 where for constant
thrust (Fa), the torque (%) increases with
increasing penetration rate (R~). These re-
FEED THRUST = i0 kN
I\ ROCK, O N TE
0
i !
36 45 ~6
Fig. 8. Effect of bit diameter on penetration rate (after
[131).
relation developed here, it is essential that
drill bit rotation be maintained; that is, there
is no " j a m m i n g " of the drill bit. If drill bit
rotation does not occur, the bit buttons (or
inserts) will not impact virgin rock to create
new craters on successive impacts, and zero
overall bit advance will then be obtained.
In the derivation, it will be noticed that the
effects of frictional forces between a button
and the rock at the b u t t o n - r o c k contact have
not been included in the " b i t - r o c k contact
relation", since we are only interested in the
minimum torque ('r) required to maintain bit
17000 N1oo ,
rotation. It should also be noted that the
effect of rock breakage has not been consid-
ered explicitly in the calculations here. How-
ever, it may be argued that this assumption is
justified because rock breakage in percussive
drilling is due to percussion forces applied to
new rock surfaces (rather than, for instance,
torque and thrust on a bit during rotary drill-
ing). Furthermore, the drastically simplified
treatment of torque and bit rotation has been
justified by the data obtained from field tests.
6% A 66 When other drilli.ng parameters remain
BIT DIAMETER, (MM) constant, the torque required to rotate a drill
string is directly proportional to thrust (Fig.
5). After the rock has been penetrated, the
76
magnitude of the torque related to the drill
string-rock contact, which is required to
rotate buttons on the bit to new positions,
depends on penetration, frictional forces and
the rebound of the bit from the rock. F o r
short ( = 20-25 m long) holes such as the ones
examined here, it has been shown (Table 1,
for instance) that the magnitude of this torque
is essentially only what is necessary to over-
come resistance (approximately equal to that
caused b y the penetration) in order to main-
tain a constant bit rotation speed. These fea-
tures have made it possible to employ torque
in the Ntanje system as the key parameter for
the automatic control of the drilling process
in different rock conditions, and thereby
minimise hole deviations [15].
Limitations of the b i t - r o c k contact relation
One major source of discrepancy between
the measured and theoretical torque was the
recording instrument whose readings also in-
cluded "off-rock" penetration rates ( R a ) ,
especially at "under-thrust" values (less than
about 5 kN). W h e n such values of R a are
used in eqn. (12) the theoretical values of
torque ('r) will differ substantially from ac-
tual values.
The remaining discrepancies m a y be due to
deviations from assumptions made. Hole de-
viations; over- and under-thrusting of bit; bit
or button wear and shape; resolution and
precision of the registered data; the flushing
efficiency; and fluctuations in piston impact
frequency will definitely affect the accuracy
of data used for discussing the b i t - r o c k con-
tact relation.
Furthermore, it is thought that, for a very
porous rock and a very course-grained rock in
relation to the bit b u t t o n size, eqn. (12) might
not give accurate results. Here, apart from
penetration (v), the porosity or grain coarse-
ness might contribute substantially to corre-
sponding torque (~'a) values. For very soft
rocks, thrust (Fa) and torque ( ~ ) alone (that
T. S I N K A L A
is, with no percussion) might cause rock
breakage, in which case, the relation devel-
oped in eqns. (1)-(13) will not apply.
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank L K A B -
Kiruna mine and Atlas C o p c o M C T AB for
their material support, and also the Swedish
R o c k Engineering Research F o u n d a t i o n
(BeFo) for financial support.
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