2006-08-20 06:00:33 · 8 answers · asked by goring 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
There are 2 methods of water drilling.
If the impact of the water exceeds the strength of the material then no abrasive is added to the stream. In sandstone for example drilling rates of 7 meters a second have been achieved by exceeding the strength of the material.
This method is not practical for steel. Steel is an amazing substance and makes the world as we know it possible. Steel requires abrasive in the stream and diamond orifices are expensive. Cutting depth is related to stream diameter thus no thick steel is cut this way. (greater than 4 inches)
If you would like information in depth procure the 2nd edition of "Novel Drilling Techniques" as it isnt in the first edition. The second edition has tables and photographs. Fascinating book. Tunneling could be done without explosives or the current generation of boring machines which are HUGE and terribly expensive. You can make a simple drill with 2 hydraulic cylinders to demonstrate the effect and take measurements. Be sure to use a shield as back scatter could cut you in half. Better yet do it remotely via closed circuit tv.
Nice article at http://www.memagazine.org/backissues/may01/features/coldkni/coldkni.html
2006-08-20 06:31:32 · answer #1 · answered by Kirk M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely yes...
Often high pressure water jets have small amounts of
an abrasive ( quartz / garnet ) injected into the water jet
to improve & speed up cutting...
Not so much to cut concrete as in the cutting of steel..
"Flow-jet" is a major manufacture of these water-jet cutting
machines which commonly work at between 60, 000 & 80,000 psi water pressure.....Not Cheap machines..
2006-08-20 13:23:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, and it is done all the time. A lot of your manufacturing pieces are cut with extreme high pressure water. And if you can cut steel, you will certainly cut through concrete..
2006-08-20 13:08:36 · answer #3 · answered by Al s 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Erosion could occur over time to any piece of steel or concrete.
For it to happen in the short-term it would depend on the thickness of the piece and the strength of the water
2006-08-20 13:06:24 · answer #4 · answered by The Big Shot 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In concrete if it's a very thin slab. But like in a solid road of it, no.
2006-08-20 13:05:45 · answer #5 · answered by Claire 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh yes, widely used in industry, for cutting cloth too.
2006-08-20 13:06:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yup.
2006-08-20 13:12:04 · answer #7 · answered by MrZ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but it might take awhile.
2006-08-20 14:28:55 · answer #8 · answered by dudezoid 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋