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Extreme hard rock drilling is one of the processes of construction through metamorphic rocks. Unlike normal drilling processes, extreme hard rock drilling requires additional preparation. Hard rocks need special attention since lack of preparation can lead to equipment damages and construction delays.
This type of drilling is necessary for areas with pre-determined hard rock formations. Hard rocks are rocks that rate over six (6) on the Mohs scale of hardness. Some of the most common types of hard rocks include:
Most drillers perform tests like the scratch test using etcher kits to see how hard the ground is. They determine the hardness by comparing the results of the etcher kits with the Mohs scale.
Some of the reasons why construction companies need to use extreme hard rock drilling processes for special surfaces:
Hard rock drilling equipment are designed to overcome the compressive strength of hard rocks. On the other hand, normal drilling equipment are easily damaged by hard rock surfaces. It would be a waste of money to risk damaging normal drilling equipment since they’re inefficient on hard rock surfaces as well.
Using standard drilling processes on extreme hard rock surfaces will take time. Drilling rates are slower when using normal equipment. Additionally, the wear and tear on the equipment will lead to less effective drilling. It would be a waste of time to use normal equipment instead of extreme hard rock drilling equipment.
These are some of the essential things to consider when doing extreme hard rock drilling on pre-determined surfaces:
This will make cutting hard rocks easier. There are bits with self-sharpening abilities as well, so it would be wise to look into this when choosing core bits.
Pay attention to drilling parameters like water flow, rotation speed, and feed pressure. Properly monitoring these will make the core bit last for a longer time.
Apart from the ones mentioned above, it would also be helpful to consider drilling fluid additives. These will help cool the core bit for it to last longer.
If you are looking for an experienced team to help you do extreme hard rock drilling, Solmer Civil is the best Newcastle earthmoving company for you.
We have decades of experience in Newcastle Earthmoving and Structural landscaping. We are well-equipped with materials for extreme hard rock drilling. Call us on 0418 497 921 or email marty@solmer-civil.com.au for more enquiries.