Chapter 1.

3
Rock Mechanics
Bench drilling - Tunnel driving - Roof bolting - Reaming - Production drilling

Gunnar Wijk / Maria Pettersson

Modified by Andreas Nordbrandt / 2003-08-13

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1.3 Rock mechanics – Percussive drilling

Rock Parameters
• Compressive strength c 60 - 400 MPa

• Stamp strength ST 600 - 4000 MPa

• Indexation parameter 2RST 5 - 10 mm

• Stamp crater volume VST mm3

• Rock brittleness index 1 - 3
• Cerchar Abrasivity Index CAI 1-6
• Density  2000 - 5000 kg/m3

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1.3 Rock mechanics – Compressive strength
Compressive strength test

Fc
F
  c
c
πd 2
d 4

d = 20 mm standard
2d
ROCK TYPICAL c

Sandstone 100 MPa

Limestone 150 MPa
Fc
Granite 250 MPa

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1.3 Rock mechanics – Stamp load test
Stamp load test

Fb 2b Bohus granit, b=5 mm

150
Rock
sample

Fb [kN]
Concrete Fb< FST xb

0
1.12 1.00 0.79 1.05
1.02 0.87 0.85
Fb= FST xST
Bohus granit, b=2 mm
standard
40

ST [k
VST

FSTF[kN]
20

0
0 100 200
VST [mm3]
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1.3 Rock mechanics – Stamp load test

Results from the Stamp Load test

F
• Force :   ST  Need of Contact (Impact) force
ST πb2

• Penetration : xST  when is maximal force needed

• Volume of crater : VST  penetration rate

• Width of crater : 2RST  indexation between blows

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1.3 Rock mechanics – Brittleness and CAI
Rock Brittleness

FST VST
  1  3
800 b 4 x ST  c

VST
 Brittle rock: large volume and less penetration => large 
x ST

Cerchar Abrasivity Index, CAI

Edge of steel is scrathed on a rock surface, wear  CAI 1 < CAI < 6

Sandstone CAI  4-5

Limestone CAI  1
Granite CAI  5

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1.3 Rock mechanics – Calculations from s. l. t.
Calculations with help from data from the Stamp Load Test

Piston Penetration rate NVST

weight m B f
D 2
Impact velocity v
4
Impact rate f
Minimum rpm n
2 RST
f
D
Stamp load F x
Impact energy mv 2 EST  ST ST
E energy 2
2 mv 2
Impact power P  Ef E  NEST
2
Impact energy P  Ef
Drill bit Impact power
diameter D
Number of buttons N
Wear flat radius a
Bohus granite example
Rock
FST=30 kN, xST=0.8 mm, vST=60 mm3
Stamp force FST
Penetration xST D=76 mm, N=12, f=50Hz 
Volume of crater VST
Radius of crater RST B=48 cm/min, n=75 rpm, P=7.5 kW
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