Published May 1, 2015 | Version 10001359
Journal article Open

3D Finite Element Analysis for Mechanics of Soil-Tool Interaction

Description

This paper is part of a study to develop robots for farming. As such power requirement to operate equipment attach to such robots become an important factor. Soil-tool interaction plays major role in power consumption, thus predicting accurately the forces which act on the blade during the farming is very important for optimal designing of farm equipment. In this paper, a finite element investigation for tillage tools and soil interaction is described by using an inelastic constitutive material law for agriculture application. A 3-dimensional (3D) nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) is developed to examine behavior of a blade with different rake angles moving in a block of soil, and to estimate the blade force. The soil model considered is an elastic-plastic with non-associated Drucker-Prager material model. Special use of contact elements are employed to consider connection between soil-blade and soil-soil surfaces. The FEA results are compared with experimental ones, which show good agreement in accurately predicting draft forces developed on the blade when it moves through the soil. Also a very good correlation was obtained between FEA results and analytical results from classical soil mechanics theories for straight blades. These comparisons verified the FEA model developed. For analyzing complicated soil-tool interactions and for optimum design of blades, this method will be useful.

Files

10001359.pdf

Files (456.8 kB)

Name Size Download all
md5:57c64b85d08a23c65fbcb3166e02a290
456.8 kB Preview Download

Additional details

References

  • Zhang, J., and Kushwaha, R.L. 1998, "Dynamic analysis of tillage tool: Part I – Finite element method", Canadian Agriculture Engineering; Vol (40), pp. 287-292.
  • Ashrafi Zadeh, S.R, 2006. "Modeling of energy requirements by a narrow tillage tool'. Unpublished Doctoral Thesis at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
  • S.Karmakar, 2008, "Modeling of soil-tool interaction in tillage". Transworld research network, India.
  • M. Abo-Elnor, R. Hamilton, J.T. Boyle, 2004, "Simulation of soil-blade interaction for sandy soil using advanced 3D finite element analysis", Soil & Tillage Research. Vol(75), pp. 61-73.
  • J. Wang, and D. Gee-Clough, 1991, "Deformation and failure in wet clay soil. Simulation of tine soil cutting". Proc IAMC Conference Beijing, China. Pp. 219-226.
  • L. Chi, and R.L. Kushwaha, 1989, "Finite element analysis of force on a plane soil blade". Canadian Agriculture Engineering, Vol(31), pp. 135- 140.
  • J. Shen, and R. L. Kushwaha, 1998, "Soil-Machine Interactions-A Finite Element Perspective", Marcel Dekker Inc. Publishers,.
  • S.K. Upadhyaya, U.A. Rosa, and D. Wulfsohn, 2002, "Application of the finite element method in agricultural soil mechanics", Advances in soil Dynamics, PP. 117-153.
  • D.R.P. Hettiaratchi, A.R., Reece, The calculation of passive soil resistance. Computers and Geotechnique. 24 (1974) 280-310. [10] E. McKyes, O.S. Ali, The cutting of soil by a narrow blade. Journal of Terramechanics. 14 (1977) 43-58.J. Shen, and R. L. Kushwaha, 1998, "Soil-Machine Interactions-A Finite Element Perspective", Marcel Dekker Inc. Publishers,. [11] J. M. Huang, J. T. Black, An evaluation of chip separation criteria for the fem simulation of machining. J. Manufacturing science and Engineering. 118 (1996) 461-469. [12] Ng. Eu-Gene, D.K. Aspinwall, Modeling of hard part machining. J. Material processing technology. 127 (2002) 222-229. [13] A.P. Markopoulos, Finite element method in machining process. Springer, London, 2013. [14] Y. Chen, L. J. Munkholm, T. A. Nyord, Discrete element model for soilsweep interaction in three different soils. Soil & Tillage Research. 126 (2013) 34-41. [15] Ansys version 11.0: Standard user's manual, 2008. Available from www.ansys.come [16] E. McKeyes, Soil cutting and tillage. Elsevier Science Publishing Company, New York, 1985. [17] I. Shmulevich, Z. Asaf, D. Rubinstein, Interaction between soil and a wide cutting blade using the discrete element method. Soil & Tillage Research. 97 (2007) 37–50.