Investigation into failure mechanisms of lunar regolith simulant under thin-walled drilling tool with critical parameters

Zheng Gao; Mingzhong Gao; Haichun Hao; Yan Wu; Jinfeng Cao; Qichen Sun; Junshan Gong; Jiahua Li; Lang Zhou; Xuemin Zhou

doi:10.1016/j.ijmst.2025.05.004

International Journal of Mining Science and Technology (Jun 2025)

Investigation into failure mechanisms of lunar regolith simulant under thin-walled drilling tool with critical parameters

Zheng Gao,
Mingzhong Gao,
Haichun Hao,
Yan Wu,
Jinfeng Cao,
Qichen Sun,
Junshan Gong,
Jiahua Li,
Lang Zhou,
Xuemin Zhou

Affiliations

Zheng Gao: State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Sciences and Geothermal Energy Exploitation and Utilization, Institute of Deep Earth Sciences and Green Energy, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Mingzhong Gao: State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Sciences and Geothermal Energy Exploitation and Utilization, Institute of Deep Earth Sciences and Green Energy, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Haichun Hao: State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Sciences and Geothermal Energy Exploitation and Utilization, Institute of Deep Earth Sciences and Green Energy, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Corresponding author.
Yan Wu: State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Sciences and Geothermal Energy Exploitation and Utilization, Institute of Deep Earth Sciences and Green Energy, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Jinfeng Cao: School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266520, China
Qichen Sun: Beijing Spacecrafts, China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing 100090, China
Junshan Gong: Beijing Spacecrafts, China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing 100090, China
Jiahua Li: State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Sciences and Geothermal Energy Exploitation and Utilization, Institute of Deep Earth Sciences and Green Energy, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Lang Zhou: State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Sciences and Geothermal Energy Exploitation and Utilization, Institute of Deep Earth Sciences and Green Energy, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Xuemin Zhou: State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Sciences and Geothermal Energy Exploitation and Utilization, Institute of Deep Earth Sciences and Green Energy, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2025.05.004
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 35, no. 6
pp. 863 – 879

Abstract

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Acquiring pristine deep lunar regolith cores with appropriate drilling tools is crucial for deciphering the lunar geological history. Conventional thick-walled drill bits are inherently limited in obtaining deep lunar regolith samples, whereas thin-walled coring bits offer a promising solution for lunar deep drilling. To support future lunar deep exploration missions, this study systematically investigates the failure mechanisms of lunar regolith induced by thin-walled drilling tools. Firstly, five thin-walled bit configurations were designed and evaluated based on drilling load, coring efficiency, and disturbance minimization, with Bit D demonstrating optimal overall performance. And the interaction mechanisms between differently configured coring bits and large-particle lunar regolith were elucidated. Coring experiments under critical drilling parameters revealed an operational window for the feed-to-rotation ratio (FRR of 2.0–2.5), effectively balancing drilling load and core recovery rate. Furthermore, a novel theoretical framework was developed to characterize dynamic drilling load parameters, supported by experimental validation. Based on these findings, practical strategies are proposed to mitigate drilling-induced disturbances, including parameter optimization and bit structural improvements. This research could provide valuable insights for designing advanced lunar deep drilling tools and developing drilling procedures.

Published in International Journal of Mining Science and Technology

ISSN: 2095-2686 (Print); 2589-062X (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Technology: Mining engineering. Metallurgy
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-of-mining-science-and-technology

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