MAIZE STRAW CUTTING PROCESS MODELLING AND PARAMETER CALIBRATION BASED ON DISCRETE ELEMENT METHOD (DEM)

Abstract

In order to simulate straw cutting process, this paper established a maize straw cutting model with discrete element method (DEM) based on straw cutting experiment. Firstly, maize straw model consisting of several small particles was established by DEM. Then, a straw cutting experiment was conducted and the maximum straw cutting resistance was 199 N for straw with 15 mm diameter. Then, single-factor experiment was conducted to analyze the effect of DEM parameters on straw cutting effect and the max straw cutting resistance Fmax. The normal stiffness between particles and blade (ball-facet-kn) and shear stiffness between particles and blade (ball-facet-ks) were found to be the significant factors affecting Fmax, and the value of the parameters that has no significance was determined. The optimum combination of the significant parameters was 17662 N·m-1 of ball-facet-kn and 52499 N·m-1 of ball-facet-ks. The verification test results showed that the maize straw model was cut off, thus it could simulate the real straw cutting effect, and the relative error of max straw cutting resistance Fmax between the simulation and the experiment was below 9.1%. Thus, it could be concluded that the established maize straw cutting model was accurate and reliable.