Stress and Energy Reflection from Impact on Rocks Using Different Indentors

Abstract

Experiments have been conducted using an impact method with drop-hammers to obtain the required signals so that a detailed analysis of these data could be undertaken to quantify the drillability index of rocks. The dynamic stress waveform or reflected energy from the rock-drill bit interface is represented as a drillability index. This information enables the assessment of the characteristics of the rock under the bit. The results show that neither the amplitude nor the frequency spectra of the reflected stress wave significantly changes with the type of rock tested. However, the energy reflection coefficient varies with rock hardness. In the process of drilling the rocks, the energy reflection coefficient can increase by approximately 20% when the hardness or penetration resistance index of rock is doubled. This investigation confirmed the variation of reflected energy of rocks. For a single sharp or domed indentor, energy reflection decreases with penetration resistance index of the rock while it increases with this index in actual drilling or testing of percussive bits. In drill bit design and in tests for using a single indentor, a reasonable indentor shape should be adopted to correspond to a high energy reflection coefficient. By contrast, the energy reflection from a drill system or percussive bit should be minimised in practice.