This document presents a study on the effects of downhole cuttings beds on torque and drag calculations in directional wells. It discusses soft string and stiff string models, areal clearance factor calculations, analytical and finite element analysis methods, and contact force calculations. Graphs are presented showing the relationship between central angle, thickness, depth and hook load/drag using different analytical models and cuttings bed thicknesses. The conclusion is that finite element analysis can improve torque and drag calculations by accounting for drillstring stiffness and contact forces.