<i>A New Method of Quantifying Discrete Element Method Predicted Furrow Profiles of Narrow Point Openers</i>

James B Barr; John Fielke; Jack Desbiolles

doi:10.13031/aim.201701589

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A New Method of Quantifying Discrete Element Method Predicted Furrow Profiles of Narrow Point Openers

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  2017 ASABE Annual International Meeting 1701589.(doi:10.13031/aim.201701589)
Authors:   James B Barr, John Fielke, Jack Desbiolles
Keywords:   Click here to enter keywords and key phrases, separated by commas, with a period at the end

Abstract. Narrow point openers are widely used in Australia to place seed and fertiliser into furrows for no-tillage seeding operations. However, excessive soil disturbance at seeding limits their performance. The discrete element method (DEM) can be used to model the soil-tool interaction although current methods for quantifying furrow profiles have limitations. This study investigates a method for quantifying the furrow profile using a grid bin technique and averaging along a travel distance. Two openers with varying rake angle were simulated with DEM and compared to previous soil bin studies in sandy loam soil. The DEM model predicted similar furrow profiles to the soil bin studies, with loosened furrow area, ridge height, dip area, and furrow backfill predicted with a relative error of between 0.5 and 15%. The model also showed correct trends on the effect of rake angle, highlighting the ability of DEM and the grid-binning technique to accurately predict changes in the furrow profile with small design changes.

Keywords. Discrete Element Method, Furrow Opener, Soil Disturbance, Soil-Tool Interaction, Particle Packing Voidage

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