The Effects of Multiple Parameters on Initial Apparent Viscosity and Rheological Behavior in a Liquid-Phase Paddy Field

Abstract

Highlights Soil rheological properties in the liquid phase under various clay contents, moisture contents, and settling times were investigated. A numerical model of the initial apparent viscosity was established and verified. The change in soil rheological behavior at different rotating speeds was analyzed. Abstract. It is particularly important to study the rheological properties and rheological behavior of liquid-phase paddy soil to improve the working efficiency of power machinery in paddy fields. In this research, a rotational rheometer was used to record the shear stress, shear rate, and apparent viscosity of the soil during the test. Additionally, a numerical model was established to explore the effects of soil clay content, moisture content, and settling time on soil rheological properties. Through single factor analysis, the contribution rate of each factor to the change in the initial apparent soil viscosity was ranked as follows: moisture content (X2) > soil clay content (X1) > settling time (X3). Subsequently, the variations in shear stress and apparent viscosity at different shear rates were explored. The changing trend of soil rheological behavior was mainly related to soil texture, in which silty loam was thixotropic and clay loam was gelatinous. The prediction models for the initial apparent viscosity were validated, and the results showed great agreement. The research evaluated and predicted the rheological behavior of liquid-phase paddy field soil and provides a reference for the design, development, and use of paddy field power machinery. Keywords: Apparent viscosity, Clay content, Moisture content, Rheology, Settling time, Shear stress.