Discrete Element Method Simulation and Field Evaluation of a Vibrating Root-Tuber Shovel in Cohesive and Frictional Soils
Article
Awuah, Emmanuel, Aikins, Kojo Atta, Antille, Diogenes L., Zhou, Jun, Gbenontin, Bertrand Vigninou, Mecha, Peter and Liang, Zian. 2023. "Discrete Element Method Simulation and Field Evaluation of a Vibrating Root-Tuber Shovel in Cohesive and Frictional Soils." Agriculture. 13 (8). https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13081525
| Article Title | Discrete Element Method Simulation and Field Evaluation of a Vibrating Root-Tuber Shovel in Cohesive and Frictional Soils |
|---|---|
| ERA Journal ID | 210069 |
| Article Category | Article |
| Authors | Awuah, Emmanuel, Aikins, Kojo Atta, Antille, Diogenes L., Zhou, Jun, Gbenontin, Bertrand Vigninou, Mecha, Peter and Liang, Zian |
| Journal Title | Agriculture |
| Journal Citation | 13 (8) |
| Article Number | 1525 |
| Number of Pages | 22 |
| Year | 2023 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG |
| Place of Publication | Switzerland |
| ISSN | 2077-0472 |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13081525 |
| Web Address (URL) | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/8/1525 |
| Abstract | Soil-cutting forces are key indicators of root-tuber harvesters and other soil-engaging tools’ performance. To improve operational efficiency, minimise soil disturbance, and reduce fuel consumption, the draught and vertical forces involved in root and tuber crop harvesting must be minimised. Two field experiments assessed the harvester’s performance at a depth of 200 mm, varying frequencies, and travel speeds on clay and sandy loam soils. Discrete element models (DEM) were developed and subsequently used to replicate the field experiments and evaluate S-shaped and fork-shaped shovels. Linear regression and ANOVA (p < 0.05) were used to analyse the data. Draught force concurrently increased with speed in both soil textures but decreased with vibration frequency. The draught force decreased by approximately 41% in clay soil and 21% in sandy loam soil when the harvester was operated between 5 Hz and 14.5 Hz and between 10 Hz and 12.5 Hz, respectively. DEM simulations had relative errors of 4% (clay) and 4.7% (sandy loam) for draught force and drawbar power compared to experimental data. The S-shaped shovel was more efficient at crushing and translocating soil–crop mass to the rear of the harvester than the fork-shaped shovel. These DEM soil–crop models are reliable for evaluating other root-tuber harvesting tools. © 2023 by the authors. |
| Keywords | clay; frequency; sandy loam; soil reaction forces; soil–crop model; Jerusalem artichoke |
| ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 300202. Agricultural land management |
| Byline Affiliations | Nanjing Agricultural University, China |
| Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana | |
| Centre for Agricultural Engineering | |
| Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia |
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https://research.usq.edu.au/item/z2545/discrete-element-method-simulation-and-field-evaluation-of-a-vibrating-root-tuber-shovel-in-cohesive-and-frictional-soils
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