Soil disturbance and force mechanics of vibrating tillage tool

Experiments were conducted with vibrating tillage tools in a sandy loam soil. It was observed that during oscillating operation, initially draft increased slightly with an increase in forward speed but later it decreased. For the non-oscillating operation, draft increased continuously with increase in forward speed. The ratio of draft from oscillating to non-oscillating mode varied from 0.63 to 0.93. The total power required for oscillating operation was 41–45% more than the power required for non-oscillating operation. The soil surface was cracked due to tool motion showing the characteristics of lifting up of soil clods during the oscillating operation, whereas it showed the characteristics of soil flow during non-oscillating operation. The soil was pulverized more due to oscillating than non-oscillating operation. The reduction in dry bulk density of soil mass in the oscillating operation was about 70–270% more than that during the non-oscillating mode.     

Modeling compaction in agricultural soils

Research was conducted to quantify the effect of tire variables (section width, diameter, inflation pressure); soil variables (soil moisture content, initial cone index, initial bulk density); and external variables (travel speed, axle load, number of tire passes) on soil compaction and to develop models to assess compaction in agricultural soils. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory soil bin at the Asian Institute of Technology in three soils, namely: clay soil (CS), silty clay loam soil (SCLS), and silty loam soil (SLS). A dimensional analysis technique was used to develop the compaction models. The axle load and the number of tire passes proved to be the most dominant factors which influenced compaction. Up to 13% increase in bulk density and cone index were observed when working at 3 kN axle load in a single pass using a 8.0–16 tire. Most of the compaction occurred during the first three passes of the tire. It was also found that the aspect ratio, tire inflation pressure and soil moisture content have significant effect on soil compaction. The initial cone index did not show significant effect. The compaction models provided good predictions even when tested with actual field data from previous studies. Thus, using the models, a decision support system could be developed which may be able to provide useful recommendations for appropriate soil management practices and solutions to site-specific compaction problems.     

Performance of an oscillating subsoiler in breaking a hardpan

A single shank tractor mounted oscillating subsoiler was developed to break hardpan, common in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) farms especially after harvest when heavy trucks transport the cut canes from the field to the sugar factory. Field experiments were conducted to determine the optimum combination of performance parameters of the subsoiler. Field tests were conducted at frequencies of oscillation of 3.7, 5.67, 7.85, 9.48 and 11.45 Hz; amplitudes of 18, 21, 23.5, 34 and 36.5 mm; and forward speeds of 1.85, 2.20 and 3.42 km h⁻¹ at moisture contents close to the lower plastic limit of the clay soil. A reduction in draft but an increase in total power requirement was found for oscillating compared to non-oscillating subsoiler. The draft and power ratios were significantly affected by the forward speed, frequency and amplitude. Their combined interaction, expressed in terms of the velocity ratio (the ratio of peak tool velocity to forward speed), however, had the strongest influence. At the same velocity ratio, the draft reduction and power increase were less at higher amplitude of oscillation. For the field conditions tested, the optimum operation for least energy expenditure was obtained at an amplitude of 36.5 mm, frequency of 9.48 Hz and speed of 2.20 km h⁻¹ with a draft ratio of 0.33 and power ratio of only 1.24. It could be concluded that the oscillating subsoiler reduces draft for breaking hardpan, reduces soil compaction and promotes the use of lighter tractors by utilizing tractor power-take-off (p.t.o.) power to achieve higher efficiency of power transmission. ©     

3D Dynamic analysis of soil–tool interaction using the finite element method

Previous experimental and finite element studies have shown the influence of both soil initial conditions and blade operating conditions on cutting forces. However, most of these finite element analyses (FEA) are limited to small blade displacements to reduce element distortion which can cause solution convergence problems. In this study a dynamic three-dimensional FEA of soil–tool interaction was carried out based on predefined failure surfaces to investigate the effect of cutting speed and angle on cutting forces over large blade displacements. Sandy soil was considered in this study and modeled using the hypoplastic constitutive model implemented in the commercial FEA package, ABAQUS. Results reveal the validity of the concept of predefined failure surfaces in simulating soil–tool interaction and the significant effect of cutting acceleration on cutting forces.     

An in-situ determination of virgin compression line parameters for predicting soil displacement resulting from agricultural tire passes

This paper demonstrates the determination of the virgin compression line parameters from initial soil density, contact pressure and resulting rut depth in uniform soil conditions for which a constant soil density change to a depth of 500 mm was obtained in soil bin experiments (whereby total soil depth was 750 mm). The density change was determined with a “non-invasive” technique determining soil displacement (strain) by placing talcum powder lines into the soil during preparation of the soil bin and measuring the change in their relative position. The soil compaction model COMPSOIL with these parameters predicted wheel rut depth to within ±5%, from which in turn an absolute soil density increase can be determined to within ±3%. The model was successfully validated against data for uniform initial densities of 1.2 g/cm³ and 1.6 g/cm³ and a simulated layered field condition. The estimation of the virgin compression line was validated in the field as well. The parameters of the virgin compression line were estimated using soil density change data for the corresponding average contact pressures of different tires with loads of 4.5–10.5 t.     

Performance prediction of animal drawn vehicle tyres in sand

Four animal drawn vehicle (ADV) tyres of 5.00–19, 6.00–19, 7.00–19 and 8.00–19 sizes were tested in sand under various but controlled conditions in an indoor soil bin. A tyre test carriage with four-bar parallel linkage was developed for accommodating a single wheel of different sizes. Performance tests were conducted at five levels of inflation pressure and load. The sand compaction level was varied in the range of 3.4–4.5 MPa/m and forward speed of the test carriage was maintained at 3.1 km/h. Performance of the tyres 7.00–19 and 8.00–19 was identical and offered less rolling resistance as compared to other tyres. However, their use in camel carts may not be recommended beyond the payload of 6 kN on single wheel with inflation pressure and sand compaction range of 172–379 kPa and 3.4 –4.5 MPa/m, respectively. Based on the experimental results, empirical models were developed to predict the performance of tyres. The accuracy of prediction of the developed empirical models was compared with that of existing semi-empirical approaches. Model with sand mobility number considered relatively simple and convenient to use in the field and yields reasonably good prediction for rolling resistance and sinkage.     

Measurement of compacted soil density in a compaction of thick finishing layer

The compaction of a soil is one of the important construction operations that influences the durability of soil structure. Therefore, the measurement of soil density, used to judge the degree of compaction, has to be performed exactly. Since a compaction of a thick finishing layer could be executed with the enlargement of compaction machinery and the improvement of productivity, new equipment which can measure the soil density in a deep stratum has to be developed. In this paper, we propose a method of accurately estimating compacted soil density based on the three dimensional stresses measured in the ground during compaction by a stress state transducer (SST). A tracked vehicle mounted with a vertical oscillator was used to compact a decomposed granite soil of 45 cm depth. A model experiment was executed at a frequency that was varied from 16 to 25 Hz, setting the load ratio of maximum oscillating force to the vehicle weight (4.9 kN) to be 1.2, 1.6 and 2.0. The three dimensional stresses in the ground were measured by use of the SST. Comparing the dry density converted from cone penetrometer test results and the dry density estimated from Baily’s formula, the compacted soil density at the lowest soil stratum could be estimated by measuring earth pressure using SST.     

Experimental validation of distinct element simulation for dynamic wheel–soil interaction

The deformation behaviour of the soil during dynamic wheel–soil interaction was studied by using the discontinuum modelling technique, distinct or discrete element method (DEM). The simulation model was developed using DEM for two types of soil, soil-A (coarse sand) and soil-B (medium sand). A transparent sided soil bin was used to observe the soil deformation. Three CCD video camera photographic images of the validation experiments were analyzed and compared with the simulation program results.This paper presents the simulation and validation results for two types of soil at three different vertical loadings of 4.9, 9.8 and 14.7 N. Wheel sinkage, vertical and horizontal draft force acting on the rigid wheel and the soil deformation images from the validation experiments were some of the data used to compare the simulation program results with the validation experiments. The simulation program was helpful to understand the complex deformation behaviour of the soils. The simulated results for the deformation behaviour of soil-B showed better correlation with the validation experiments than soil-A. The results obtained have also been compared with the previous work on DEM to explain phenomena such as the high simulated sinkage of the rigid wheel.     

Several contributions to soil compactibility induced by cyclic loading test

To investigate the soil compactibility during the cyclic loading, three different kinds of paddy field soils were prepared so as to clarify interrelationships among stress amplitude ratio, bulk density, soil water content and pore water pressure. The presetting values of specimen include the soil water content(percent dry basis) and bulk density of 25% d.b. and 1.1 Mg/m³ respectively. The relation between the number of cyclic loading and axial strain exhibited an asymptotically increasing trend, converging toward a specific value for each experimental condition. Possible effect caused by elastic–plastic characteristics could be recognized, when axial strain for 0.5 Hz excitation becomes greater than the one of 1.0 Hz under same stress amplitude ratio. When the stress amplitude ratio took 0.1, the absolute value of axial strain of 0.5 Hz was greater than the one of 1.0 Hz, whereas its decreasing trend was recognized in the sequence of silt, clay and silty sand. The qualitative relations between pore water pressure and number of cyclic loading were also examined to scrutinize the effect of effective water pressure to the soil compactibility.     

Re-examined principles of thrust generation by a track on soft ground

Dr. Bekker’s first book Theory of land locomotion offers in fact two different concepts of thrust generation on soft ground with respect to the slip: (a) as the push of grousers causing horizontal soil “distortion” and (b) as the shear force in the failure plane linked with the shear deformation. Bekker preferred the second concept and backed it up by the unique shear-ring measuring technique. To clear up the matter, the author decided to re-examine the thrust generation by a track plate experimentally in field conditions. The tests have shown that the initial stage of thrust generation in compressible ground is always horizontal soil compression by grousers, which divides the soil under a track into separate blocks initially at rest. This compression increases at least to the transition point, when a block is sheared off simultaneously at the bottom and in both lateral planes and starts sliding along the channel formed by the preceding grouser. The analysis of these measurements enabled to define the compressive displacement of the face of the soil block (travel of the grouser) appurtenant to the mentioned transition point, useful to define the thrust–slip curve. The case may also be described by the conventional shear stress–shear displacement relationship, imagined to take place in the bottom failure plane, however, namely the “shear displacement” is rather an unusual quantity.     

Steering forces on undriven tractor wheel

The steering forces on an undriven, angled wheel mounting a 6-16 8PR tire were measured on a wheel test carriage at zero camber angle and at 1.5 km/h forward speed in a soil bin with sandy clay loam soil. The lateral force developed was found to be a function of slip angle, normal load, and inflation pressure for a particular soil condition. An exponential relationship could estimate the coefficient of lateral force of the 6-16 tire. The coefficients of this equation were found to be linearly related to inflation pressure. Rolling resistance of the wheel tested was found to be a function of slip angle, normal load, and inflation pressure for the soil condition tested. A linear relationship existed between the rolling resistance and slip angle, where the coefficients were found to be a function of inflation pressure and normal load. The generalized equations developed in the present study for estimating coefficients of lateral force and rolling resistance by taking both the tire and operating parameters into account, were found to be reasonably good by looking at the high coefficient of determination between experimental and estimated values.     

Dynamics of a powered disk in clay soil

Experiments were conducted with a single powered disk in a laboratory soil bin containing Bangkok clay soil with an average moisture content of 18% (db) and 1100 kPa cone index. The disk was 510 cm in diameter and 560 mm in radius of concavity. During the tests the disk angle was varied from 20° to 35°, ground speed from 1 to 3 km/h and rotational speed from 60 to 140 rpm. The working depth was kept constant at 12 cm. The vertical, horizontal and lateral reactions of the soil were measured by force transducers. The forward and rotational speeds were recorded. It was observed that disk angle, rotational speed and ground speed had significant effects on soil reactive forces and power requirement. With a small disk angle, low ground speed, and high rotational speed, the soil longitudinal reactive force was a pushing force and became a resistive one at larger disk angles and ground speeds. The soil transverse reactive force increased with an increase of rotational and ground speed but decreased with the increase of disk angle, whereas the vertical relative force increased only with the increase of ground speed but decreased with the increase of rotational speed and disk angle. It was found that the powered disk required the least power at a disk angle of 30° and rotational speed between 80 and 100 rpm. Increase in ground speed from 1 to 3 km/h increased the total power requirement by 31.8%. Upon driving the disk forward, the draft reduced considerably compared to that of the free-rolling disk. By driving the disk in the reverse direction, the draft reduced slightly. At a disk angle of 30°, rotational speed of 100 rpm, and ground speed of 3 km/h, the total power requirement of the forward-driven disk was 65% higher than that of the free-rolling disk. The predicted engine power of the forward-driven disk, however, was only 21% higher than that of the free-rolling one owing to the more efficient power transmission through the PTO, as opposed to the drawbar. The effects of reverse driving and free rolling of the disk were also studied.     

Calculation of the unsteady aerodynamic parameters of a rotating cascade of oscillating blades in incompressible flow

The unsteady aerodynamic parameters of 3D blade cascades oscillating in incompressible flow are determined with account for blade geometry and the influence of the steady hydrodynamic loads acting on the blades. On the assumption of separationless flow and harmonic blade oscillations, the corresponding boundary-value problem for the amplitude function of the unsteady velocity potential component is solved in the linear formulation, using a finite-element method. Test calculation results are presented and an example of calculating the unsteady aerodynamic parameters of a hydro-turbine model is given.__________Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Academii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 1, 2005, pp. 40–52. Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kurzin and Tolstukha.     

Power spectral density analysis of draft and torque fluctuations of a PTO powered disk tiller

Experiments were conducted in a typical Bangkok clay soil with a PTO driven disk tiller to collect the draft force and torque variation data. Tests were conducted at different forward speeds of 0.29, 0.59, 0.86, 1.08 and 1.37 m/s and at 28° and 33° disk gang angle settings. Average soil moisture content was 26% and average cone index of the test soil was 1870 kPa during all the tests. The draft force was measured by a three point linkage dynamometer. The PTO torque was measured by a slip ring type torque transducer. Tests were also conducted in the unpowered mode. Fast Fourier transform (FFT) and power spectral density (PSD) analysis techniques were used to analyse the draft force and torque variations in a time domain. The results indicated that the dominant frequencies of the draft force variations were within the range of 2.5–5.5 cycles/m of forward travel. The wave length was longer at a higher disk gang angle setting. The dominant frequency component of the torque variations varied from 3.3 to 4.3 cycles/revolution of the disk. In the unpowered mode the dominant frequencies of the draft signals had less magnitude than those of the powered mode for the same operating conditions at both disk gang angle settings of the powered disk.     

Effect of travel speed and vertical load on the subsoil force and displacement under a smooth steel roller

A smooth steel roller was tested in an indoor soil bin. Subsoil forces and displacements were measured at depths of 50, 100, 150, and 200 mm. Roller operating conditions included roller travel speed, the vertical load, and number of passes. Three travel speeds, 1, 3, and 5 km h^?1 and three vertical loads 20, 40, and 60 kN were tested. The draft needed to move the roller was also recorded. For multiple passes, subsoil forces were increased by 30% if vertical load increased by 50%; while the roller draft increased by 20%. For a single pass, no significant differences detected between the subsoil forces at speeds of 1 and 3 km h^?1; when the roller traveled at 5 km h^?1 with a vertical load of 60 kN, the subsoil force was approximately reduced by 30% compared to those at lower travel speeds. For both single and multiple passes, increasing travel speed did not significantly increase subsoil forces and displacement below 150-mm depth; however, the power required to drive the roller was significantly increased. Higher travel speed was more effective in creating larger subsoil displacement and subsoil forces within 100-mm from the soil surface. For similar effects below 100-mm, lower travel speed was found appropriate.     

Modeling soil-bulldozer blade interaction using the discrete element method (DEM)

Limited studies have been conducted to establish scaling relationships of soil reaction forces and length scales of bulldozer blades using the Discrete Element Method (DEM) technique. With a DEM-based similitude scaling law, performance of industry-scale blades can be predicted at reduced simulation efforts provided a calibrated and validated DEM soil model is developed. DEM material properties were developed to match soil cone penetration testing. The objectives of the study were to develop a DEM soil model for Norfolk sandy loam soil, establish a scaled relationship of soil reaction forces to bulldozer blade length scales (n = 0.24, n = 0.14, n = 0.10, and n = 0.05), and validate the DEM-predicted soil reaction forces on the scaled bulldozer blades to the Norfolk sandy loam soil bin data. Using 3D-scanned and reconstructed DEM soil aggregate shapes, Design of Experiment (DOE) of soil cone penetration testing was used to develop a soil model and a soil-bulldozer blade simulation. A power fit best approximated the relationship between the DEM-predicted soil horizontal forces and the bulldozer blade length scale (n) (R² = 0.9976). DEM prediction of soil horizontal forces on the bulldozer blades explained the Norfolk sandy loam soil data with a linear regression fit (R² = 0.9965 and slope = 0.9634).     

Force prediction equation using distorted model as an analog device

The force versus speed response of a distorted model of a soil-engaging tool operating in a soil and at a depth where the performance evaluation of the prototype is required to be determined, is used to compute analog values. A prediction equation relating draft force with tool width, depth of cut, soil specific weight, tool velocity and analog values has been developed. A comparison between the forces predicted by the equation and that measured on flat rectangular blades and angled tools operating at a speed of 2–8.5 km/hr is presented. The closeness in prediction accuracies points that the distorted model itself can be used as a fairly good analog device.     

Soil displacement beneath an agricultural tractor drive tire

Soil strain transducers were used to determine strain in an initially loose sandy loam soil in a soil bin beneath the centerline of an 18.4R38 radial-ply tractor drive tire operating at 10% travel reduction. The initial depth of the midpoints of the strain transducers beneath the undisturbed soil surface was 220 mm. Strain was determined in the vertical, longitudinal, and lateral directions. Initial lengths of strain transducers were approximately 118 mm for the longitudinal and lateral transducers and 136 mm for the vertical transducer. The tire dynamic load was 25 kN and the inflation pressure was 110 kPa, which was a recommended pressure corresponding to the load. In each of four replications, as the tire approached and passed over the strain transducers, the soil first compressed in the longitudinal direction, then elongated, and then compressed again. The soil was compressed in the vertical direction and elongated in the lateral direction. Mean natural strains of the soil following the tire pass were −0.200 in the vertical direction, +0.127 in the lateral direction, and −0.027 in the longitudinal direction. The mean final volumetric natural strain from the strain transducer data was −0.099, which was only 35% of the mean change in natural volumetric strain calculated from soil core samples, −0.286. This difference likely resulted from the greater length of the lateral strain transducer relative to the 69 mm lateral dimension of the soil cores. The strain transducer data indicated the occurrence of plastic flow in the soil during one of the four replications. These results indicate the complex nature of soil movement beneath a tire during traffic and emphasize a shortcoming of soil bulk density data because soil deformation can occur during plastic flow while soil bulk density remains constant.     

Evaluation of link-track performances using DEM

A two-dimensional discrete-element model for the interaction between link-track and soil is presented. The model was developed using commercial PFC2D code. Two different particles, sphere and clump of two spheres, were used to represent the soil. The soil parameters of the model were determined using Hertzian contact theory. Based on the model and soil parameters, simulations of biaxial tests and calculations of the internal angle of friction and cohesion were preformed. The simulation results showed that the internal angle of friction should not exceed the value of 0.65 when using the spherical particles. Based on the clumped particles model, simulations of shear tests with two grouser plates (lengths 100 and 150 mm) were performed under different soil conditions, normal pressures, and cleat heights. A curve fitting of the simulation results was performed using three semi-empirical models from Bekker, Janosi, and Wong for representing the shear stress–displacement relationship. The best fitting was achieved using Wong’s approach. The simulation results of the cleat effects were compared with Bekker’s grouser approach and McKyes’s formulation for soil–blade interaction. In most of the cases, the results of Bekker’s model were the lower bound and McKyes’s model, the upper bound of the DEM simulation results. The properties of the soil model for the DEM were determined using simulation results of shear tests by grouser plate. In the range investigated, the size of the shearing grouser plate is not significant in determining the soil model properties.     

Investigation of elemental shape for 3D DEM modeling of interaction between soil and a narrow cutting tool

Discrete Element Method (DEM) has been applied in recent studies of soil cutting tool interactions in terramechanics. Actual soil behavior is well known to be inexpressible by simple elemental shapes in DEM, such as circles for 2D or spheres for 3D because of the excessive rotation of elements. To develop a more effective model for approximating real soil behavior by DEM, either the introduction of a rolling resistance moment for simple elemental shape or the combination of simple elements to form a complex model soil particle shape cannot be avoided. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of elemental shape on the cutting resistance of soil by a narrow blade using 3D DEM. Six elemental shapes were prepared by combining unit spheres of equal elemental radius. Moreover, cutting resistance was measured in a soil bin filled with air-dried sand to collect comparative data. The elemental shape, with an axial configuration of three equal spheres overlapped with each radius, showed similar results of soil cutting resistance to those obtained experimentally for the six elemental shapes investigated.