Literature review: A.

Lubinski, a Study of
the Buckling of Rotary Drilling Strings
Introduction
In his paper, Arthur Lubinski takes the initiative to analytically study the buckling of rotary
drill strings, this is a first study in the field, later to be reviewed and adapted by lubinski
himself in 1962, and later again by S. Miska and D. Gao.
During this study, the focus is determining

 the critical values for which buckling occurs.

 the points of tangency.
 The contact forces.

Analytical Approach:
First buckling (no side force)
𝑑2 𝑌
Based on the theory of elastic stability (𝑀 = 𝐸𝐼 𝑑𝑋² ) and by considering the drill string as
double hinged with the following forces applied on the drill string:
- Weight of the string and hyper static pressure due to the mud 𝑝 is the linear weight
in mud.
𝑑𝑌
𝑝𝑋
𝑑𝑋
- The contact force when considering a post-buckling configuration.
𝐹
- The bit’s axial reaction force.
𝑅𝑎
- The sear force on a chosen section.
𝑑3𝑌
𝐴 = 𝐸𝐼
𝑑𝑋 3
the sum of those forces being equal to zero and the force
The differential buckling equation was established for the shear force:
𝑑3 𝑌 𝑑𝑌
𝐸𝐼 + 𝑝𝑋 + 𝑅𝑎 = 0
𝑑𝑋 3 𝑑𝑋
For a more general study, the approach taken is to use dimensionless equations, by choosing
a dimensionless unit 𝑚
3
𝑚 = √𝐸𝐼/𝑝
the variables are changed: 𝑌 = 𝑚 𝑦 and 𝑋 = 𝑚 𝑥 , the differential equation becomes:

𝑑3𝑦 𝑑𝑦
3
+𝑥 +𝑐 =0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
Where as 𝑐 = 𝑅𝑎 / 𝑝𝑚 when not considering the side forces, as the drill string is considered
hinged at both ends, with the following boundary conditions, at both ends, no displacement
𝑥 = 𝑥1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 𝑥2 ⇒ 𝑦1 − 𝑦2 = 0
And both ends, bending moment is null:

𝑑2𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦
𝑥 = 𝑥1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 𝑥2 ⇒ | = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 | =0
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑥=𝑥 𝑑𝑥 2 𝑥=𝑥
1 2

The resolution is done via power series method, and thus the post buckled shape is
determined as a function of depth 𝑦(𝑥).

Second buckling order (side force is considered)

When looking for the second order of buckling, beyond the first tangency point, the
differential equations changes by introducing the side force, the upper end of the drill string
is indexed as 1, the lower end, located at the drill bit, is indexed as 2 , the tangency point, is
indexed as 3.
The drill string buckling is modeled by the following equation

𝑑3 𝑌 𝑑𝑌
𝐸𝐼 3
+ 𝑝𝑋 + 𝑅𝑎 − 𝐹 = 0
𝑑𝑋 𝑑𝑋

Because of the side force, the drill string shape is modeled differently at the upper and the
lower end (below tangency and above it) with the added conditions at the tangency point:
𝑥 = 𝑥3 , 𝑌 = 𝑟
So, the system is modeled with 3 equations for the upper part, 3 equations for the lower
part, the condition at the tangency point.
Conclusion:
The Lubinski approach is a simplistic approach but not a simple one, the analytical formulation
of the problem because much more complex as we introduce the side force the problem
becomes more complex, the boundary conditions provide us with a system of 7 equations
instead of 3.
The review of this paper serves as good introduction to the study of the phenomenon, learning
the major parameters influencing buckling (neutral point location, buckling in drill collars vs
drill pipes, mud effect) as well as a reminder of elasticity theories and resolution of differential
equations.