Soil bin tests and discrete element modeling of a disc opener

Abstract

Soil disturbance and cutting force are two of the most common performance indicators for openers. These were investigated for a disc opener through measurements in an indoor soil bin and modeling using the discrete element method (DEM). In the soil bin experiments, the disc was tested at a constant depth of 37.5 mm and different tilt angles (0°, 10°, and 20°). Draft and vertical forces, and soil throw caused by the disc were measured. The DEM model was validated using the results from the experiments. The validated model was used to predict soil-cutting forces under various operational parameters. Both the experiments and the model showed an increasing trend of soil throw with the tilt angle. The model produced a decreasing trend for the draft force and vertical force, while the experiments did not show any particular trend. In comparison with the experimental results, the model results had relative errors of 10.5%, 1.9%, and 59.7% in predicting soil throw, draft and vertical forces, respectively. The draft force predicted with the model increased from 9.4 to 74.7 N following a polynomial equation when the gang angle of the disc was varied from 0° to 30°, and from 3.1 to 82.9 N following a polynomial equation as well when the working depth was varied from 12.5 to 75.0 mm. The model was able to produce well-defined trends of draft, vertical, and lateral forces of the disc opener.