Title: Estimating rock properties using sound level during drilling: field investigation

Authors: B. Rajesh Kumar, Harsha Vardhan, M. Govindaraj

Addresses: Department of Mining Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, P.O. – Srinivasnagar – 575025 (D.K), Mangalore, Karnataka, India. ' Department of Mining Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, P.O. – Srinivasnagar – 575025 (D.K), Mangalore, Karnataka, India. ' Department of Mining Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, P.O. – Srinivasnagar – 575025 (D.K), Mangalore, Karnataka, India

Abstract: The process of drilling, in general, always produces sound as a by-product. Sound is used as a diagnostic tool for identification of faulty components in the mechanical industry. However, its application in the mining industry for estimating rock properties has not been much explored. Knowledge of rock properties is essential for mine planning and design. An attempt has been made in this paper to estimate the rock properties using the sound levels produced during drilling. The results of this study show that sound level produced during drilling can be a promising tool for estimating rock properties.

Keywords: rock drilling; blast holes; equivalent A-weighted sound levels; universal compressive strength; rock properties; mining industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2010.037618

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2010 Vol.2 No.3, pp.169 - 184

Published online: 20 Dec 2010 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article