Research on the Design of the Core Ploughshare Furrow Opener Based on the Discrete Element Method

Abstract

The working process of the furrow opener is the state of movement between the working parts and the soil particles. The discrete element method (DEM) could not only truly express the geometrical characteristics of the soil particles but also be suitable for the experimental study on the furrow opener. In this paper, the physical and mechanical properties parameters of the surface soil particles were measured by the equipments, such as the soil triaxial apparatus, the direct shear apparatus, and so on. We established the discrete element 3-D model of the surface soil particles. The core ploughshare furrow opener was simulated by the discrete element software. We also revised the discrete element simulation model using the glass soil bin and the high-speed camera technology. The results of tests compared with discrete element simulation showed that both had the good correlation and the same laws. At the same time, we verified the validity of the simulation model parameter selection. We provided the effective method for the study and optimization design of the furrow opener.