Title: A fuzzy logic based classification for assessing of rock mass drillability

Authors: Reza Khalokakaie; Mohammad Ataei; Reza Mikaiel; Seyed Hadi Hoseinie

Addresses: Faculty of Mining, Petroleum and Geophysics, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, 3619995161, Iran. ' Faculty of Mining, Petroleum and Geophysics, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, 3619995161, Iran. ' Faculty of Mining, Petroleum and Geophysics, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, 3619995161, Iran. ' Faculty of Mining, Petroleum and Geophysics, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, 3619995161, Iran

Abstract: This paper describes a fuzzy classification system for evaluating of rock mass drillability. Six parameters; Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS), joints dipping, Mohs hardness, joints aperture, joints spacing and grain size have been used. In this fuzzy system, each rock mass is classified into five modes from very poor to excellent condition. As a case study, 15 rock masses in two mines in Iran have been studied and classified using fuzzy system and classic classification. The comparison of the results shows that the fuzzy classification produces clearer results than classic system especially in rock masses with boundary condition.

Keywords: drilling; rock mass; drillability classification; fuzzy logic; fuzzy classification; mines; Iran; uniaxial compressive strength; joint dipping; Mohs hardness; joint aperture; joint spacing; grain size; mining.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2011.045470

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2011 Vol.3 No.4, pp.278 - 289

Published online: 17 Feb 2012 *

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