Estimating rock properties using sound signal dominant frequencies during diamond core drilling operations

Abstract

In many engineering applications such as mining, geotechnical and petroleum industries, drilling operation is widely used. The drilling operation produces sound by-product, which could be helpful for preliminary estimation of the rock properties. Nevertheless, determination of rock properties is very difficult by the conventional methods in terms of high accuracy, and thus it is expensive and time-consuming. In this context, a new technique was developed based on the estimation of rock properties using dominant frequencies from sound pressure level generated during diamond core drilling operations. First, sound pressure level was recorded and sound signals of these sound frequencies were analyzed using fast Fourier transform (FFT). Rock drilling experiments were performed on five different types of rock samples using computer numerical control (CNC) drilling machine BMV 45 T20. Using simple linear regression analysis, mathematical equations were developed for various rock properties, i.e. uniaxial compressive strength, Brazilian tensile strength, density, and dominant frequencies of sound pressure level. The developed models can be utilized at early stage of design to predict rock properties.