Evaluation of rock mass quality and its mechanical properties through digital drilling process monitoring
The evaluation of rock mass quality and its mechanical properties is crucial for tunnel construction. The basic quality (BQ) method is the national standard for rock mass classification in China, with the BQ value determined by the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and the integrity index (Kv). Ho...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674775525000678 |
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| Summary: | The evaluation of rock mass quality and its mechanical properties is crucial for tunnel construction. The basic quality (BQ) method is the national standard for rock mass classification in China, with the BQ value determined by the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and the integrity index (Kv). However, traditional rock mechanics testing methods have inherent limitations, which complicate the rapid evaluation of rock mass quality at tunnel sites. Digital drilling process monitoring (DPM) offers a novel approach for evaluating rock mass quality and its mechanical properties. A hydraulic rotary drilling rig, equipped with the DPM system, was used to conduct digital drilling tests at the tunnel face. The DPM data for the net drilling process and each sub-process were then analyzed. The correlations between DPM parameter indices and rock mechanical parameters were investigated. Finally, the rock mass quality and its mechanical properties along three boreholes were evaluated. The results indicate that drilling speed in the linear zone (VDPM) is quantitatively correlated with rock UCS. Higher UCS values of the drilled rocks correspond to lower VDPM values of the drilling rig. The variability in specific energy is associated with structural disturbances within the rock mass. There is an approximately linear relationship between the standard deviation of normalized specific energy and rock mass Kv across the three boreholes. The rock mass quality along drilling depth generally ranges from good (Ⅰ-Ⅱ) to poor (Ⅲ-Ⅴ). This digitalization method provides more detailed information for tunnel stability analysis and design optimization than geological survey data. |
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| ISSN: | 1674-7755 |