How To Deal with Stones Encountered by A Rotary Drilling Rig When Driving Piles

Encountering stones when a rotary drilling rig is driving piles is a common problem. Improper handling can easily lead to stuck pipes, equipment damage or project delays. Scientific response requires taking into account the size, hardness and burial depth of the stone, and adopting targeted measures to overcome obstacles.

1. Judging the characteristics of the stone: Based on the vibration and resistance changes fed back by the drilling rig, initially determine the size and hardness of the stone. When necessary, lift the drill for observation to provide a basis for subsequent handling.

2. Replace the dedicated drill bit: For hard isolated rocks, switch to a cone drill bit or a conical impact drill bit to break the rock by high-frequency impact. Avoid using ordinary drill bits for hard drilling to prevent wear and tear.

3. Reduce drilling parameters: Lower the rotational speed and decrease the pressure applied, gradually crushing the stone in a slow advance manner. Prevent the drill pipe from bending or getting stuck due to excessive impact force.

4. Pretreatment by blasting: For large-sized stones that are difficult to crush directly, holes can be drilled and a small amount of explosives can be filled in for blasting. The dosage of the medicine must be strictly controlled to avoid affecting the stability of the surrounding strata.

5. Manual removal of small stones: If the stones are small and stuck in the holes, you can lift the drill and use a grab or a special tool to remove the crushed stones. Make sure there is no residue in the hole before continuing to drill.

6. Adjust the pile position to avoid: If the stone is deeply buried and the treatment cost is high, make minor adjustments to the pile position after obtaining the consent of the design party. Avoid obstacles to ensure construction efficiency and safety.

The treatment of rotary drilling machine stones should follow the principle of "judgment first, then action", and flexibly apply means such as equipment adjustment, tool adaptation or scheme optimization, which can not only reduce equipment wear and tear but also ensure the quality of pile foundation construction. Properly handling stone obstacles is a key ability for rotary drilling RIGS to operate efficiently in complex geological conditions and also reflects the wisdom of adaptability during construction.