A model for predicting narrow tool behavior under dynamic conditions

• Main Author: Swick, W. Christopher
• Other Authors: Agricultural Engineering
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 2017
• Subjects: LD5655.V855 1984.S988; Shear strength of soils > Testing; Shear strength of soils > Mathematical models; Tillage > Testing
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10919/80134

Most models available today for predicting the forces encountered by tillage tools apply to slow moving tools and do not take into account speed effects. However, most tillage operations are performed at speeds in the range of 2-8 km/h, and experimental studies show that tool forces increase significantly with tool speed. This effort of developing a model for predicting the forces on narrow tools under dynamic conditions was carried out in three steps. First, a series of laboratory tests was conducted to determine the effect of shear rate on soil shear strength and soil-metal friction parameters. Second, a model was developed to include dynamic effects. Third, the model was verified experimentally under laboratory conditions. Direct shear tests using a conventional shear box were conducted on an artificial soil at shear rates between 0. 5 and 12 7 cm/min. Experimental results showed that for the soil tested, the angle of internal friction, soil-metal friction angle, cohesion, and adhesion are independent of shear rate. A soil-tillage tool interaction model developed for quasi-static soil failure was modified to include shear rate effects and accelerational force effects. Experimental verification tests for the model were conducted under controlled conditions using an indoor soil bin facility. Tests were conducted with flat tines at speeds from 5. 4 to 120 cm/s. The overall trend was for the model to underpredict the observed total tool force by 16 %. However, the model demonstrated that terms including accelerational force effects can account for a large portion of the increase in tool force observed to occur with an increase in tool speed. === Master of Science