This paper presents the performance optimization of a Down-The-Hole (DTH) percussive drilling hammer using GA (Genetic Algorithm) and PSO (particle swarm optimization). The objective function for the optimization is the impact transmitted to the rock ...
This paper presents the performance optimization of a Down-The-Hole (DTH) percussive drilling hammer using GA (Genetic Algorithm) and PSO (particle swarm optimization). The objective function for the optimization is the impact transmitted to the rock representing the measure combining the percussive force with blow per minute (BPM). The design parameters to be optimized are related to the inlet and outlet opening area through which the pressurized air is passed from and to the air chambers of the hammer. The optimization method consists of two parts: one is real-coded GA featuring rank-based stochastic universal sampling, blend alpha crossover, non-uniform mutation and elitism, and the other is PSO featuring momentum and local/global attractions. Finally, the performance improvement via the optimization methods is presented and compared.