ANALYSIS OF VARIABILITY OF ROCK PROPERTIES INFLUENCING WEAR OF BIT

Abstract

This paper examines the analysis of variability of the rock properties influencing tool wear in quarries. Rock samples were collected from six different locations within the South Western Nigeria. These samples were tested in the laboratory for hardness, uniaxial compressive strength, point load strength index, silica content, and mineral composition using Schmidt hammer, 1100kN compression machine, X-Ray fluorescence spectrometer and petrological microscope respectively. The equivalent quartz content for all the samples were determined as well. The results obtained show that the value of Schmidt rebound value, uniaxial compressive strength, point load strength index and equivalent quartz content varies from 47.10 - 52.60, 90.6 -124.71MPa, 7.59 - 13.54 MPa and 45.60 - 63.53%. The average coefficient of variation for all the samples ranges 0.16- 3.01%. All wear parameters have relationship with silica content.