Abstract: A method for simulating the drilling performance of a roller cone bit drilling an earth formation may be used to generate a visual representation of drilling, to design roller cone drill bits, and to optimize the drilling performance of a roller cone bit. The method for generating a visual representation of a roller cone bit drilling earth formations includes selecting bit design parameters, selecting drilling parameters, and selecting an earth formation to be drilled. The method further includes calculating, from the bit design parameters, drilling parameters and earth formation, parameters of a crater formed when one of a plurality of cutting elements contacts the earth formation. The method further includes calculating a bottomhole geometry, wherein the crater is removed from a bottomhole surface.

Abstract: A method for simulating the drilling performance of a roller cone bit drilling an earth formation may be used to generate a visual representation of drilling, to design roller cone drill bits, and to optimize the drilling performance of a roller cone bit. The method for generating a visual representation of a roller cone bit drilling earth formations includes selecting bit design parameters, selecting drilling parameters, and selecting an earth formation to be drilled. The method further includes calculating, from the bit design parameters, drilling parameters and earth formation, parameters of a crater formed when one of a plurality of cutting elements contacts the earth formation. The method further includes calculating a bottomhole geometry, wherein the crater is removed from a bottomhole surface.

Abstract: A method for simulating the drilling performance of a roller cone drill bit drilling earth formation may be used to determine lateral force acting on the bit during drilling, to design roller cone drill bits, and to optimize the drilling performance of a roller cone bit. The method for determining the lateral force acting on each of the roller cones of a roller cone drill bit includes calculating, from bit design parameters and a selected earth formation to be drilled, the lateral force acting on each of the cutting elements of the drill bit. The method also includes simulating incrementally rotating the bit and recalculating the lateral force acting on each of the cutting elements. The incrementally rotating and the recalculating is repeated for a number of incremental rotations. The method further includes combining the lateral forces acting on the cutting elements on each one of the roller cones.