A Hand-held Instrument for the In situ Measurement of Soil Shear Strength in the Puddled Layer of Paddy Fields

There is a requirement for a practical measure of soil strength in the puddled layer of paddy fields to assist with traction studies. Although the puddled layer is very weak, too weak for conventional, in situ, strength-measuring techniques, it is considered to have a major effect on traction parameters, particularly rolling resistance. A simple instrument utilizing the torque meter and extension rods of a conventional hand-held soil shear vane was constructed. The shear vane was replaced by a cruciform shear head made of stainless steel rods.Measurements with this instrument were made over a range of water contents in three remoulded agricultural soils with different textures. The torque readings produced using this instrument were found to be proportional to the corresponding soil shear strength values, determined using a fall-cone apparatus.Evaluation of this device in a simulated paddy field, indicated that a 130 mm diameter shear head was the most appropriate size for measuring soil shear strengths in the range 0·4 to 4·0 kPa found in a 200 mm puddled layer.     

基于嵌入式力学传感器的圆锥指数仪设计与试验

为消除在测量过程中因圆锥杆受被测材料摩擦力所产生的测量误差,改进了圆锥指数仪设计,将微型力学传感器嵌入到圆锥杆下端,实现了对土壤和青贮玉米饲料压实度的精确测量.试验结果表明,测量2种土壤压实度过程中,原有圆锥指数测量方法因圆锥杆受摩擦力作用所产生的测量误差可忽略不计.而在青贮玉米饲料压实度测量过程中,2种不同紧实度样本中圆锥杆受摩擦力约占压力传感器测量值32.56％和34.05％,当圆锥头不受阻力时,嵌入式力学传感器测量值为零,而压力传感器测量值约为110 N和280 N,表明原有测量结果存在较大误差.     

油菜直播地表土壤物理机械特性参数测量装置研究

针对油菜直播地表农田土壤物理机械特性参数室内测量费时费力、田间测量仪器功能单一等问题,设计了一种油菜直播地表土壤物理机械特性参数测量装置,实现集成测量土壤含水率、坚实度、粘聚力和内摩擦角4种土壤物理机械特性参数且测量结果可以通过手机APP实时储存显示。装置基于自走式移动平台实现行走控制,以STM32单片机为核心控制器,利用FDR传感器获取土壤含水率,通过圆锥贯入部件测量土壤坚实度和抗剪切强度参数(包括粘聚力和内摩擦角)。分析了装置的圆锥贯入部件和土壤含水率检测部件测量原理,设计了装置测量控制系统硬件电路及软件,开展了传感器标定试验,确定了柱式压力传感器、薄膜压力传感器和土壤水分传感器的输入输出响应关系。选取71个土壤样本,融合土壤含水率和基于圆锥受力平衡关系获取的摩擦因数,运用最小二乘法建立了土壤粘聚力和内摩擦角数学测量模型,模型决定系数R²分别为0.932和0.956。开展了装置田间测量试验,对土壤含水率、坚实度、粘聚力和内摩擦角进行集成测量,结果表明：相较于AYD-2型土壤坚实度仪、干燥箱干燥法和ZJ-D型直剪仪测量结果,油菜直播地表土壤物理机械特性参数测量装...     

圆锥指数仪贯入沙土过程的三维离散元法模拟

在圆锥指数仪贯入沙土试验的基础上,建立了半圆柱形沙土料床的三维数值模型,利用离散元法对圆锥指数仪贯入沙土过程进行了模拟,讨论了圆锥指数的主要影响因素及其影响规律。研究结果表明:贯入圆锥的铅垂方向阻力、圆锥指数及半圆柱形料床侧壁的正压力均随着贯入深度的增加而增大,且形状窄、粒径大的料床圆锥指数明显大于形状宽、粒径小的料床;贯入后的大颗粒料床侧壁正压力明显大于小颗粒料床;当圆锥贯入速度大于0.2 m/s时,圆锥指数才明显增大,此时贯入过程已经对料床产生较强的冲击效应。最后,把贯入后的料床根据颗粒的位移划分为4个区域,可以直观地判断出贯入过程的影响范围,为实地测量土壤坚实度时取样点间距的选取提供了理论依据。     

Tillage Tool Design by the Finite Element Method: Part 2. Experimental Validation of the Finite Element Results with Soil Bin Test

Laboratory soil bin tests of subsoiler cutting in a sandy loam soil were carried out in order to validate the results obtained from the finite element calculations reported in Part 1 of this study. Measured results of subsoiler draught force and soil failure dimension taken on the surface were presented for four combinations of the subsoiler shank rake angle and chisel angle. Soil bin tests also measured the variation of draught force with subsoiler displacement. It was observed that the angle of both the subsoiler parts affected the dimensions of the surface soil failure and the magnitude of subsoiler draught force.Finite element method predictions of the subsoiler draught force as well as the extent of surface soil failure agreed well with measurements made in the soil bin. The predicted draught force for all subsoiler types exceeded the measured ones. The overprediction error ranged from 11·76 to 20·04%. The finite element model provided a good approximation to the maximum upward soil movement for the experiments. Better finite element method predictions of the front soil failure was obtained for the two subsoiler designs with a small chisel angle of 15° than for the designs with chisel angles of 23 and 31°. Among the four investigated subsoiler types the best subsoiler design was devised, which required the lowest draught and developed good soil loosening qualities as estimated by soil volume change. This subsoiler had a shank of 75° rake angle and an inclined chisel of 15° angle. Keeping a good soil loosening performance was attributed to the smaller shank rake angle of 75°, which indicated that the shank played an important role for the determination of the quality of soil loosening.     

圆锥指数仪贯入沙土试验的离散元法模拟

利用离散元法对圆锥指数仪贯入沙土的试验进行了数值模拟研究.贯入试验与数值模拟结果所揭示的现象相吻合,即圆锥侧壁上的土壤摩擦阻力对总贯入阻力影响微小.离散元数值模拟结果显示,贯入圆锥锥尖部位的颗粒力链为强力链,颗粒的速度数值较大但方向杂乱,其他位置颗粒几乎静止;圆锥指数仪的贯入阻力随贯入深度增加而显著增大;土槽侧壁的正压...     

心尖锚的力学分析

设计了一种六齿镍钛合金锚钩用于封堵器等二尖瓣、三尖瓣返流修复系统的心尖固定,并对其力学特性进行研究.通过分析心脏结构及解剖数据,确定锚钩形状和可控尺寸设计变量,利用Solidworks建立锚钩3D模型,运用Abaqus软件对23个不同尺寸锚钩模型的入鞘过程进行有限元计算,分析锚钩入鞘过程中的最大入鞘力、最大冯米塞斯应变和入鞘轨迹的影响因素.制作了一种规格锚钩实物,与计算结果进行对比分析.结果表明:鞘部长度、鞘部角度及齿宽对应力、应变的影响最大,可以通过减小鞘部长度、鞘部角度及齿宽,有效降低最大应力、应变值;厚度、曲率半径及齿宽对入鞘力起到决定性作用,而根长和角度对入鞘力的影响很小;轴向刺入深度主要通过控制鞘部长度及鞘部角度来定义,径向刺入深度则由曲率半径的大小所决定.研究可为需心尖固定的心脏介入产品设计提供一定的借鉴意义.     

西藏林芝地区土壤水分特征曲线适用性研究

西藏地区自然气候特征、成土母质和成土条件有着显著的地区特性,了解西藏高原地区土壤水动力学特性对于研究高原地区水文和水循环过程具有重要的意义。2015年分别在林芝地区米林县(海拔2 905 m),八一镇(海拔3 240 m)和林芝县(海拔3 879 m)3个青稞种植区田间取样,在原状土土壤水分特征曲线测试的基础上,研究了西藏林芝地区土壤基质势和土壤含水率之间的关系,并建立了参数的微分求解方程,发展了土壤水分特征曲线非线性函数的参数估计方法;基于实测值构建Jacobi矩阵,采用全局性最优方法确定了van Genuchten模型和Gardner-Russo模型的参数。结果表明,-11.0~-4.0、-42.0~-11.0 k Pa以及-54.0~-42.0 k Pa基质势区段的单位基质势平均含水率变化量分别为5.4×10-3、11.2×10-3和6.7×10-3cm~3/(cm~3·k Pa),最大差异性发生在-54.0~-42.0 k Pa之间,西藏地区的土壤水分特征曲线形状主要决定于黏粒质量分数,而砂粒质量分数则主要影响土壤水分特征曲线的变异性。van Genuchten模型和模拟6组试验数据的相对误差平均值和最大值分别为0.04和0.09。采用Gardner-Russo模型模拟6组试验数据的相对误差的平均值和最大值分别为0.06和0.14。van Genuchten模型模拟西藏林芝地区的土壤水分特征曲线的精度及有效性显著超过Gardner-Russo模型。     

A soil-climate index to predict corn yield

Rainfall-soil storage (RAINSTOR) equations were developed and refined by fitting various combinations of RAINSTOR against measured corn yield. Separate equations are needed to reflect both water stress (droughty and ponding) conditions. The most limiting value (maximum stress) was used in the calculation of RAINSTOR index values. The RAINSTOR index is a good parameter for predicting corn yield on nearly level soils in the udic moisture regime of New York State. The initial correlation analyses showed a marginal relationship between rainfall and corn yield (r² = 0·13). After using the rainfall-soil storage equations, the RAINSTOR versus corn yield relationship dramatically improved (r² = 0·80). The RAINSTOR equation was tested at two additional sites and the r² was equal to 0·61 and 0·70, respectively.     

圆锥贯入过程的离散元仿真

以室内矾土颗粒、玻璃球和Toyoura砂的贯入试验结果为参考,利用离散单元法对圆锥贯入过程进行了数值仿真.数值仿真与室内试验结果对比表明:数值仿真得到的颗粒集合的贯入曲线与室内试验的结果较吻合,说明离散元法能够很好地模拟圆锥贯入过程中颗粒之间、颗粒与圆锥间的相互作用,并得到合理的宏观特性.仿真和室内试验都指出,随着孔隙率的增大,贯入阻力的数值随之减小.最后,就细观参数、贯入速度、试样颗粒数量及颗粒形状等因素变化对数值仿真结果的影响进行了分析.     

Interactions of the Cutting Edge of Tillage Implements with Soil

The effect was studied of the cutting edge geometry of tillage implements on tillaged forces, soil failure and soil movement below the tillage depth. Tests were conducted using 400 mm wide experimental sweeps under the controlled conditions of a tillage test track (large outside continuous soil bin) and in the field. Corresponding tests were also conducted using a glass-sided soil bin to help quantify the interactions between the soil and tillage implements. By changing from a tillage tool with a sharp cutting edge geometry to a blunt one, the results showed that the draught force of a tillage tool with a similar overall geometry could be increased by up to 80% and the direction of the vertical force could be altered from one which acted to pull the tool into the soil to a force which provided tool lift. X-ray transmission, soil pore counts and cone penetrometer measurements, during the experimental sweep tests showed that the blunter cutting edges often formed cracks in the soil below the tillage depth. During the tillage test track tests a small angle of interference (negative clearance between the underside of the tool and the soil) increased the cone penetration resistance of the soil below the depth of tillage. Corresponding tests in the glass-sided soil bin revealed that the tool smeared the soil as the cutting edge passed.     

Soil Dynamics of Single and Multiple Tines at Speeds up to 20 km/h

A force prediction model has been developed for single and multiple tines at speeds at which inertial effects are signficant. The soil worked by the tines is assumed to obey the Mohr-Coulomb criterion. The model can be extended to estimate the dynamic forces in adhesive soils by revising tine rake angle to account for geometry changes resulting from the soil body adhering to the tine.Results of experiments carried out between speeds of 1 and 20 km/h are reported for both frictional (laboratory) and cohesive (field) soils and comparisons are made between theoretical and measured values. The predicted forces agreed with experimental data and in the majority of cases the magnitude of the difference between the predicted and experimental data was less than the least significant difference between treatment means at the 0·05 probability level.     

Effect of Peat on the Compactibility of Some Trinidadian Soils

The effect on compactibility of incorporating peat into four Trinidadian agricultural soils before compaction was investigated in a laboratory experiment. A factorial experiment was used to study the effect of peat applied at four levels (0, 4, 8 and 12% by mass) on the maximum dry bulk density (MDBD) and optimum moisture content (OMC) of the four soils (two sandy loams, clay loam and clay) compacted using 5, 15 and 25 Proctor hammer blows. The compaction tests were carried out at different moisture contents which varied according to the values of the plastic limits of the soils.Results showed that while the mean values of MDBD of the soils declined significantly (p = 0.001) from 1·51 to 0·92 Mg m^-3 with increasing peat content, the mean values of OMC increased from 24·2 to 42·6%. While MDBD increased, OMC decreased with increasing compaction levels. This applied to all the soils tested. The clay soils had significantly lower values of MDBD and greater values of OMC than the sandy loam soils. There were significant interaction effects between soil type and level of added peat and between compaction level and level of added peat. These interactions were used to describe the effect of peat on soil compactibility. Multiple linear regression equations based on compactive effort, sand content, clay content and percentage peat content, were generated for predicting values of MDBD and those of OMC of compaction of the soils used in this study. There was reasonable agreement between the equation for predicting MDBD and a similar equation derived for Nigerian soils in previous work. A good negative relationship obtained between MDBD and OMC is also similar to the one derived from previous research.     

Drawbar Pull Performance of Tractors Based on Italian Type-approval Data (1960–1989)

An analysis of tractor maximum drawbar pull is reported based on Italian type-approval tests for the period 1960–1989. Only for four-wheel drive (4WD) tractors has the vehicle traction ratio (ratio between maximum drawbar pull and gross weight) improved over the years. The 4WD tractors present the highest traction ratio among all of the wheeled tractors and, when used without ballast, have a value which is 3% higher than analogous front-wheel auxiliary drive (FWAD) tractors in the four-wheel drive mode. The FWAD tractors in the four-wheel drive mode and without ballast have a traction ratio which is 28% higher than when they are used in the two-wheel drive mode. The two-wheel drive (2WD) tractors without ballast have a traction ratio which is 8% higher than that of FWAD tractors in the two-wheel drive mode. The ballast does not seem to improve the traction ratio of FWAD and 2WD tractors, even if it increases, as would be expected, the maximum exertable pull. Typical traction ratio values for wheeled tractors on concrete and without ballast are 0·887 for 4WD tractors, 0·860 for FWAD tractors in the four-wheel drive mode, 0·723 for 2WD tractors and 0·672 for FWAD tractors in the two-wheel drive mode. Crawler tractors on level and compact farm-land and without ballast present a mean traction ratio of 0·917.     

Thermal properties of gram

Values of specific heat, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of rewetted whole grain were found. The specific heat of the grain shows a nonlinear relationship both with temperature and moisture content in the range of 292 to 308 K and 12·4 to 32·4% d.b. respectively, resulting in a second-order multiple regression equation. Bulk thermal conductivity increases both with increase in temperature and moisture content in the ranges 283 to 312 K and 11·5 to 27·2% respectively and was found to vary from 0·114 to 0·247 W/m K. Thermal diffusivity increases with increase in moisture content and decreases with increase in temperature in the temperature and moisture ranges of 293 to 307 K and 12·5 to 26·5% respectively, and its value lies between 9·46 × 10⁻⁸ to 16·35 × 10⁻⁸ m²/s.     

桑园土壤非等径颗粒离散元仿真模型参数标定与试验

为获取土壤离散元仿真模型的土壤颗粒物理参数和接触参数,本文采用试验与仿真相结合的方法,以桑园土壤为例,对土壤颗粒的接触参数进行了仿真标定。首先利用粉体仪、斜面仪、等应变直剪仪等,分析了试验地不同深度土壤的粒径分布,测量了试验地不同深度土壤休止角、滑动摩擦角、剪应力、内聚力、内摩擦角;然后,根据实测土壤粒径分布,利用EDEM软件建立了非等直径土壤球形颗粒模型。在此基础上,以土壤颗粒间及土壤与65Mn钢间的静摩擦因数、滚动摩擦因数、恢复系数为试验因素,土壤休止角、土壤-65Mn钢滑动摩擦角为目标值,建立了基于中心组合试验设计（CCD）方案,并利用Design-Expert软件对仿真试验结果进行了分析,得到了仿真标定的土壤-土壤间静摩擦因数、滚动摩擦因数和恢复系数的最优值分别为0.89、0.45和0.43;标定的土壤-65Mn钢间静摩擦因数、滚动摩擦因数和恢复系数的最优值分别为1.15、0.05和0.4。利用以上标定的最优参数对桑园土壤进行了休止角与滑动摩擦角仿真试验,试验结果表明,休止角仿真值与试验值相对误差为1.69%,土壤-65Mn钢的滑动摩擦角仿真值与试验值相对误差为2.88%。在此基础上,依据实测的土壤剪应力,采用试错法,以实测土壤内摩擦角为目标值,优化标定了土壤-土壤颗粒Hertz-Mindlin with Bonding接触模型中的粘结参数,标定法向粘结刚度、切向粘结刚度分别为1×108、5×107N/m3,临界法向应力和临界切向应力均为10kPa,接触半径为1.1倍颗粒半径,直剪仿真得到内摩擦角为30.24°,仿真值与直剪试验内摩擦角平均值相对误差为5.53%。本文提出的土壤颗粒建模方法、标定方法及其所标定的参数值,可用于砂质壤土桑园耕作机械触土部件与土壤相互作用的离散元仿真分析及其结构优化。     

桑园土壤非等径颗粒离散元仿真模型参数标定与试验

为获取土壤离散元仿真模型的土壤颗粒物理参数和接触参数,本文采用试验与仿真相结合的方法,以桑园土壤为例,对土壤颗粒的接触参数进行了仿真标定。首先利用粉体仪、斜面仪、等应变直剪仪等,分析了试验地不同深度土壤的粒径分布,测量了试验地不同深度土壤休止角、滑动摩擦角、剪应力、内聚力、内摩擦角;然后,根据实测土壤粒径分布,利用EDEM软件建立了非等直径土壤球形颗粒模型。在此基础上,以土壤颗粒间及土壤与65Mn钢间的静摩擦因数、滚动摩擦因数、恢复系数为试验因素,土壤休止角、土壤-65Mn钢滑动摩擦角为目标值,建立了基于中心组合试验设计（CCD）方案,并利用Design-Expert软件对仿真试验结果进行了分析,得到了仿真标定的土壤-土壤间静摩擦因数、滚动摩擦因数和恢复系数的最优值分别为0.89、0.45和0.43;标定的土壤-65Mn钢间静摩擦因数、滚动摩擦因数和恢复系数的最优值分别为1.15、0.05和0.4。利用以上标定的最优参数对桑园土壤进行了休止角与滑动摩擦角仿真试验,试验结果表明,休止角仿真值与试验值相对误差为1.69%,土壤-65Mn钢的滑动摩擦角仿真值与试验值相对误差为2.88%。在此...     

Physical properties of gram

The dependence of physical properties of gram on moisture content was determined. The best approximate shape was found to be a prolate spheroid. At 10·9% moisture content d.b., the measurements yielded an average 1000 grain weight of 0·173 kg, a mean surface area of 133·4 mm², and sphericity and roundness of 74% and 70% respectively. In the moisture range from 9·64 to 31·0% d.b., studies on rewetted gram showed that the bulk density changed from 780 to 708 kg/m³, kernel density from 1311 to 1257 kg/m³; porosity from 40·5 to 43·7% and static coefficient of friction from 0·384 to 0·651 over surfaces of different materials. The angle of repose was observed to change from 25·5° to 30·4° in the moisture range from 8·62 to 17·6% d.b.     

Measurements of the Effect of Animals on Airflow in an Experimental Piggery

Airflow and animal activity are important factors influencing the distribution of pollutants in livestock housing. In order to investigate the effects of the animals on commonly measured characteristics of airflow, an ultrasonic anemometer was used to determine air velocities in the occupied zone of an experimental slot-ventilated piggery with near-isothermal, rotary airflow. The determinations were made at eight points at 20 or 40 cm from the floor. Four situations were considered: when the piggery was empty, when it housed unheated models of pigs, and when it housed pigs either in an active or quiet state. Mean air speed and relative turbulence intensitiesI_t, defined here as the standard deviation of the local air speed divided by the mean local air speed, were calculated. In the empty building, air speeds around 0·7 m/s were measured at 20 cm and in the range of 0·3–0·6 m/s at 40 cm, ranges of relative turbulence intensities being 0·15–0·19 and 0·07–0·17, respectively. In comparison, in the vicinity of either models or pigs, the average air speeds of 0·3–0·5 m/s were lower (p<0·05), withI_tvalues of 0·25–0·54.The results indicate that the occupants of livestock housing affect the airflow around them, and will have substantial effects on the characteristics of airflow in these buildings. This has implications for research carried out in model buildings or empty full-scale buildings.     

Compressibility of Some Trinidadian Soils as Affected by the Incorporation of Peat

The effect on compressibility of incorporating peat into four remoulded Trinidadian agricultural soils was investigated over a range of stresses from 0 to 1000 kPa using a compression machine. Air-dry peat was applied at four levels (0, 4, 8 and 12% by mass) to the soils (two sandy loams, clay loam and clay) and tested at three moisture contents close to the Proctor optimum moisture content of the soils. Compression curves (bulk density versus log applied stress) for each soil at the moisture levels tested were almost linear and parallel over the range of stresses from about 100 to 1000 kPa.Mean values of dry bulk density declined significantly at 0.001 level with increasing peat content from 1·23 to 0·87 Mg m^-3. Mean bulk density values increased significantly at 0·001 level with increasing applied stress and moisture content and declined with increasing clay content. Significant interaction effects were observed between soil type and peat content and between peat content and moisture content. Peat incorporation resulted in greater soil compression, but the increases were less evident in clay than in sandy loam soils. Soil compression refers to the decrease in soil volume with the application of external load. The compression index, C (slope of the dry bulk density versus log applied stress relationship), increased significantly at 0·05 level from 0·21 Mg/m³ in one sandy loam soil to 0·38 Mg/m³ in the clay soil. While the C value did not differ significantly with increasing peat content in the sandy loams and the clay loam, it decreased significantly at 0·01 level in the clay soil. An equation expressing C as a function of initial soil bulk density before compression and a strain parameter was developed in order to explain the variation of C in the soils tested. A method is described that can be adopted to quantify the effect of peat on soil compressibility.