Impact of Red Clay’s Expansive-Shrinkage on Water Well Drills and Countermeasures
The swelling-shrinking property of red clay poses challenges to water well drilling rig:
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Swelling Risks
- When wet, red clay expands, increasing soil pressure around the borehole.
- Poor control of mud fluid loss causes water seepage, triggering expansion and potential collapse.
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Shrinking Risks
- Drying causes red clay to crack, destabilizing the borehole wall.
- Cracks lead to mud loss, reducing wall protection effectiveness.
Countermeasures:
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Drill Selection
- Prefer low-disturbance drills like hydraulic power head models.
- Their smooth operation minimizes disruption to red clay.
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Mud Parameter Control
- Strictly manage mud fluid loss to form a dense mud cake.
- Prevent excessive water penetration into red clay layers.
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Emergency Fixes
- Throw clay balls into the hole to reinforce the wall if swelling/shrinking occurs.
- Adjust mud properties to enhance wall protection capacity.
These measures effectively reduce the impact of red clay swelling-shrinking on drilling operations.water well drilling rig
