Stochastic variatio in discrete element method (DEM) for agricultural simulations

Abstract

The diversity of physical and mechanical properties of agricultural materials makes them a good object for analysis, using stochastic variation during the discrete element modelling (DEM) of fibrous agricultural materials. Consequently, our study focuses on the use of coefficient of variation in agricultural DEM simulations. Laboratorial three-point bending, sideward compression and dynamic cutting tests were conducted to define the main mechanical parameters and behaviour of corn stalks. The effects of the different variations of coefficients (between 0.0 -1.0 by 0.2 increments) on the quantitative and qualitative simulation results were analysed. The results of the study clearly demonstrate that the coefficients of the variation could be advantageously utilised.

A Study on the Physical Properties of Banana Straw Based on the Discrete Element Method

“…A complicated calibration process is required actual to determine the contact model parameters. Kovács et al [9,10] used a variety of particle types to establish discrete element models for different parts of the outer epidermis of corn straw and set other bond parameters to characterise the mechanical relationship between straw fibres, thus realising the natural stress of the fibre structure when cutting materials by cutter. Zhang et al [11] checked the bonding parameters of the discrete element model of corn straw through compression and shear experiments and compared the crushing results with the experiments, verifying the accuracy of the DEM used in the simulation of the crushing process of straw shredding.…”