Drillability of a rock depends on hardness of its constituent minerals.

grain size coarse-grained structure is easier to

drill

crystal form. minerals with high symmetry abrasive

macroscopic properties
slatiness fissuring contact zones, layering veining inclination

Rocks are classified into three main groups

Igneous or magmatic rocks Sedimentary rocks

(formed from solidified lava or "magma").

(formed by deposition of broken material or by chemical precipitation).

Metamorphic rocks

(formed by the transformation of igneous or sedimentary rocks, in most cases by an increase in pressure andheat).

Igneous rock

Depending on whether the magma solidifies at depth, or as a dyke rock, or on the surface, the rock is given different names even if the composition is the same. plutonic rock: magma solidifies deep down in the earth's crust. dyke rock: magma rises towards the surface. volcanic rock: on the surface.

Sedimentary rocks
deposition of material by mechanical or chemical action and a consolidation of this material under the pressure of overlying layers. also arise as a result of the chemical precipitation of minerals or by proliferation of organic organisms

Metamorphic rocks
effects of chemical action or increased pressure and/or temperature on a rock formation can sometimes be so great that it produces a transformation. recrystallization of the mineral grains formation of new minerals

Rock classification

Rock Strength

Fracture Mechanics

strength of brittle materials is their ability to break by crack propagation. tensile strength of these materials is so much lower than the compressive strength. stress concentration in front of the crack tip stress intensity factor KI is a function of the crack length and the load o

The critical value of KI when the crack just starts moving is a material constant KIC.
The work done per unit new crack surface is GIC which is coupled to KIC through the relation:

Abrasiveness
The factors that enhance abrasive capacities of rocks are the following: The hardness of the grains of the rock. The rocks that contain quartz grains are highly abrasive. The shape of the grains. Those that are angular are more abrasive than the round ones. The size of the grains. The porosity of the rock. It gives rough contact surfaces with local stress concentrations. The heterogeneity. Poly mineral rocks, although these are equally hard, are more abrasive because they leave rough surfaces with hard grains as, for example, quartz grains in a granite.

Rock Mass Strength and Structure

Rock Breaking Processes

Primary

Primary breakage processes would include the following

Impact or hammering. Percussive drilling. Button type cutters for raise and tunnel borers Disc type cutters for raise and tunnel borers. Drag bit. Diamond bits.

Theory

Tertiary breakage processes include: 1. Breaking boulders by impact or mud blasting 2. Crushing 3. Milling

Miscellaneous
Thermal spalling Water jets.