J. agric. Engng Res.

(1997) 68, 63 75

Calculation, Validation and Simulation of Soil Reactions on Concave Agricultural Discs

D. R. P. Hettiaratchi;* M. M. Alam
* Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, The University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK Department of Farm Power & Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mimensingh, 2202, Bangladesh (Recei ed 15 July 1996; accepted in re ised form 19 May 1997)

There are several recently developed mathematical models which quantify the geometry of the contact surfaces of agricultural discs and the soil reactions which act on them. The paper illustrates the application of these models by means of a detailed worked example which sets out a systematic calculation procedure for estimating soil reactions generated by a Mohr-Coulomb soil on a concave spherical agricultural disc of specied curvature and size. The tilted disc in this example is set with a disc angle which brings the convex disc surface into contact with the furrow wall. From a practical standpoint, this worked example incorporates the basic steps in a general computer solution for predicting the quasi-static behaviour of disc cutting elements. The predictions of the mathematical models have been evaluated against measured orthogonal force components acting on a vertical disc and a disc with three tilt angle settings. These investigations were carried out under carefully controlled laboratory conditions with the discs working loam soils. The disc angles were varied from around 10 to 80. The model was found to predict the performance of these discs with reasonable accuracy. The best agreement between experiment and theory was found to occur at disc angle settings around 30, this being particularly so for the draught and suction force components. The mathematical models are also used to examine the nature of the theoretical soil reaction characteristics of concave agricultural discs when operating in typical light and heavy soils. A selection of simulated performance curves are presented and these illustrate the general trends in the variation of the soil forces acting on concave discs as their angular orientation and depth of cut are varied over a comprehensive range of settings. Some unambiguous conclusions for optimising disc performance can be drawn from these simulations. 1997 Silsoe Research Institute
0021-8634 / 97 / 090063 13 $25.00 / 0 / ag970179 63

1. Introduction There have been several recent attempts to develop mathematical models to predict the performance of disc cutting elements used in agricultural tillage machines. The main purposes of these models are to satisfy two needs: (1) the accurate evaluation of the geometry of the complex curved contact surfaces between soil and metal13 and (2) the evaluation of the soil reactions on these surfaces.4,5 Rigorous mathematical solutions can be formulated for the former but unfortunately the latter can be resolved only on a semi-empirical basis. All these models require a formidable number of calculation steps and cannot be classed as being user friendly. However, they do provide the basis for the development of powerful computer models, which are of considerable value to designers of disc cutting tools. In the absence of these models, the inuence of the angular setting of a disc on its draught, suction and side thrust can be judged either from experience or by experiment. The paper is an attempt to use the available theoretical background to present a systematic calculation procedure for predicting the forces acting on a single agricultural disc having both disc and tilt angles working a Mohr-Coulomb soil. The equations are presented in a form suitable for hand calculations or alternatively they can be used as the basic steps for a computer solution. These models are used to trace the inuence of angular orientation, depth of cut and soil type on the soil reactions acting on a single disc cutting element. 2. Calculation strategies 2.1 . General considerations An unattractive feature, common to all the theoretical analyses currently available, is the excessive
1997 Silsoe Research Institute

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D . R . P . H ET T I AR A T CH I ; M. M . AL A M

Notation

A c ca d dS DS

F K

m m0 N

NC ND P q Q R S w wS

S W

adhesive force between soil and cutting plane [N] cohesion [N / m2] adhesion between soil and cutting plane [N / m2] cutting depth [m] depth to lower extremity of scrubbing zone [m] specic draught of disc [N / m2]. Pressure equivalent to the uniform distribution of the draught force FX over the total contact surface area projected on to the YZ plane. soil reaction component [N] non-dimensional earth pressure coefcients; subscripts , ca , q . Charts for these factors are published in Hettiaratchi and Reece.8 scrubbing depth index. Details in companion papers.2,3 scrubbing depth index for specied S non dimensional geometrical factors with reference to characteristic dimension R . Subscripts: dened in text curvature number of disc ( S / R ) operating depth number of disc ( d / R ) soil reaction component on disc surface [N] surcharge pressure due to soil build-up over rupture block [N / m2] soil displacement or velocity vectors on skew cutting surface [m, m / s] radius of disc rim [m] radius of disc base sphere [m] width of a chord of a horizontal contact circle of the base sphere [m] width of a chord of a horizontal contact circle of the base sphere at the soil surface [m] rake angle of cutting plane [] rake angle of a symmetrical cutting surface [] rake angle angle limit for boundary wedge formation [] unit weight of soil [N / m3] general identier for a plane surface maximum angle of friction between cutting surface and soil []

m mobilised angle of friction between boundary wedge and disc surface []; ( m ) slip-line direction relative to horizontal in ) a plane shear zone []; (45 1 2 directional coefcient modifying sign of A; 1 . disc angle [] S scrubbing limit of disc angle [] scrubbing angle [rad]; ( S) , 0 tilt angle of disc [] quasi-symmetrical position index 0 / angle of internal friction of soil [] angle made by quasi-symmetrical plane with direction of translation [] 0 root of Eqn (12) in companion paper5 to meet kinematic requirements for quasisymmetrical failure []
General subscripts used with , and w cc refers to concave contact surface c refers to convex (scrubbing) contact surface Note: Soil force components, and values of , and which are common to both the concave and convex contact surfaces are identied by an as asterisk (*). Specic values to be allocated to these symbols are summarised in Table 1 of the companion paper.5

number of calculation steps required to evaluate even the simplest settings of a disc cutting tool. A detailed calculation procedure for the estimation of the contact surface geometry has been set out by Hettiaratchi.3 This analysis species the individual equations required for each step in a sequential calculation procedure. The information necessary for the user to draw up a computer solution is therefore available. The theoretical analysis developed by Hettiaratchi5 for predicting the forces on discs has an added complication in that it requires an input from published earth pressure charts. Furthermore, the angular orientation of the so-called quasi-symmetrical failure planes associated with the equivalent skew cutting surfaces is an integral part of this analysis and a numerical solution of a transcendental equation in is required to obtain this information. It is clear that a fully free-standing computer programme for predicting soil reactions on disc elements must incorporate

SOIL REACTIONS ON CONCAVE AGRICULTURAL DISCS

65

two subroutines to evaluate (a) the earth pressure coefcients for two-dimensional soil failure and (b) the inclination of the quasi-symmetrical planes. The former requires a routine which applies Sokolovskis solution6 for evaluating passive earth pressure,7,8 and is a major undertaking in itself. The latter requirement, can be dealt with in a fairly straightforward manner, by invoking any numerical procedure for the solution of transcendental equations. An interactive programme, which requires the user to supply the relevant earth pressure coefcients and the value of from published charts, can readily be developed from available data. If a solution routine for is incorporated into the programme, then only the earth pressure coefcients need be supplied.

Equation (1) cannot be used in the case of a clay soil where 0 or is very small.7 From practical observations it is sufcient to set ca c for these conditions. From careful experimental observations Godwin et al .4 have shown that the equivalent surcharge q , due to the soil build-up ahead of the concave disc surface, can be represented by the following expression: q (hC d ) cos (2)

where hC is the height of the disc centre above the soil surface.

3. Worked example 3.1 . Introduction

2.2. Input parameters The calculation procedure requires an input of the following parameters (a ) Disc particulars S Radius of curvature of the disc (m) R Rim radius of disc (m) d Depth of cut of disc (m) Tilt angle of disc () Disc angle () (b ) Soil and soil -metal parameters c Cohesion (kPa) Angle of internal friction () Angle of friction between disc surface and soil () ca Adhesion between soil and disc surface (kPa) Unit weight of soil (kN / m3) q Surcharge due to soil accumulation (kPa) (c ) Skew cutting surface parameters Orientation of quasi-symmetrical plane () Q Rake angle in quasi-symmetrical plane () (d ) Earth pressure coefcients K , Kca and Kq obtained from Hettiaratchi and Reece8 for , and Q. (e ) Restrictions The analysis neglects inertia forces of the system and the calculations therefore establish the quasi-static soil forces on the disc. Minor effects due to disc thickness and its rotation are also not taken into account. The adhesion ca between the soil and the metal disc surface is usually taken as: ca c tan cot (1)

The theoretical framework developed in previous papers2,3,5 is used in the following worked example to estimate the three orthogonal force components Fx , Fy and Fz of the soil reaction acting on a disc cutting tool. The positive directions of these forces and the basic parameters of the disc are set out in Fig. 1 . The relevant equations are reproduced here in full and those with a prex letter identify the particular paper in which they have been derived, where A Reference 2 and B Reference 5. Thus A(11), for example, refers to Eqn (11) in reference 2. Equation numbers without a prex are those set out in this paper. The notation used in all these papers has been standardised except for some minor dimensions which have dual meanings and these are explained where they occur in the text. 3.2 . Disc particulars R 300 mm; S 600 mm; 20; 70 Cutting depth d 150 mm 3.3 . Soil and soil -metal parameters c 50 kPa; 35; 245; 125 kN / m3 ca c tan cot 3.25 kPa (1)

3.4 . Non -dimensional factors , surcharge and scrubbing limit NC S / R 600 / 300 20 ND d / R 150 / 300 05 1 2 NDX cos sin [(N 2 A(11) C 1) NC] 1 2 2 cos 20 sin 20[(2 1) 2] 0.85

66
Y

D . R . P . H ET T I AR A T CH I ; M. M . AL A M

A scrubbing zone is present at the specied disc setting because S.

O

3.5 . Geometry of the CC plane

2 2 NR0 (N 2 C N HO) 1

A(8)

(2 1.532 ) 1.286
2 2

1 2

S X +Fy +Fx wS V

2 2 NRS (N 2 C N HS)

B(3)
1 2

(22 1.0322) 1.713

CC tan1[ND / (NRS NR0)]

tan1[05 / (1.713 1.286)] 495

B(4)

+Fz d

As discussed in Section 6 of Hettiaratchi,5 the rake angle limit D, below which the rupture block has a plane of discontinuity, can be shown to be 546. Because CC D the rupture block developed by the concave zone in this example is of type II [see Fig. 4 (b ) in Hettiaratchi5]. This need not concern us in the calculation procedure because the K factors used in Section 2.8(a) automatically allow for this change in rupture conguration.
2 NWS 2 sec (2ND cos N 2 D) 1

Fig. 1. Main parameters used to fix disc attitude and furrow geometry. The centre of the base sphere of the disc is at O. The direction of translation (V) is parallel to the negati e X direction

A(5)
1 2

2 sec 20 (2 05 cos 20 052) 1.768

1 N NWE [cos sin1( 1 2 WS) 2 NWS(cos ND)] / ND

The soil surface is well below the hub centre level because ND NDX. q R (NDX ND) cos 125 03(0.85 05)cos 70 0.45 kPa
2 NH0 cos sin (N 2 C 1) 2 cos 20 sin 20(22 1) 1.532 1 1

[cos 20 sin1(05 1.768)( / 180) 05 1.768(cos 20 05)] / 05 1.261 wS wCC RNWE 03 1 .261 0 .378 m

B(5)

(2)

B(1)

NHS NH0 ND 1.532 05 1.032

B(2)

3.6 . Geometry of the CV plane S 70 589 111

R wCV 1 2

A(12) B(7)

2 2 2 S cos1sec [(2ND cos N 2 D) / (N C N HS)] 1

cos sec 20[(2 05 cos 20 05 ) /

2

B(6)

05 03 111 / 1800 0.029 m Estimation of scrubbing depth dS. The main coefcients of the quadratic in m are set out in Eqn (14) of Hettiaratchi.2 The numerical values in this

(22 1.0322)] 589

SOIL REACTIONS ON CONCAVE AGRICULTURAL DISCS

67

example are as follows: C1 cos2 cos2 cos2 70 cos2 20 0.1033

2 C2 cos sin (N 2 C 1) 2 cos 20 sin 20 (22 1) 1.5321 1 1

Because CV W a boundary wedge is associated with the CV plane.

3.7 . Orientation of quasi -symmetrical planes (a ) Conca e zone plane Interpolation using the charts shown in Figs 6 (b ) and 6 (c ) in Hettiaratchi2 for CC 495 and 35 gives the following values:

A (1 C1)N 2 D (1 0 .1033) 052 0.2242 B 2(C1C2 cos )ND 2 (0.1033 1.5321 cos 20) 05 0.7814
2 C (N 2 C C 2)C1

60 [Fig. 6 (b )]: 0.375 80 [Fig. 6 (c )]: 0.385

(0 .385 0 .375) 0 .38 70: 0.375 1 2

(22 1 .53212) 0 .1033 0.1707

2 m0 [B (B 2 4AC ) ] / 2A 2 m0 [0.7814 (0.78142 4 0 .2242 0 .1707) ]/ 1 1

CC 0 .38 70 266 A(14)

QCC tan1[tan CC cos( CC)]

1

B(11c)

tan [tan 495 cos(70 266)] 404 (b ) Con ex zone plane Interpolation using the charts shown in Figs 6(b) and 6(c) in Hettiaratchi2 for W (90 ) (90 35) 55:

[2 0.2242] 0.234 dS (1 m0)d (1 0.234) 0.15 0.115 m NH1 NH0 m0ND 1.532 0.234 05 1.4150
2 2 NR1 (N 2 C N H 1) 1

B(8)

60 [Fig. 6 (b )]: 0.355

B(9)

80 [Fig. 6 (c )]: 0.375

(0 .375 0 .355) 0 .365 70: 0.355 1 2

CV 0 .365 70 256 B(9)

(2 1.415 ) 1.4134
2 2

1 2

QCV tan1[tan 55 cos(70 256)] 456

B(11c)

NE1 [N

2 R1

N
2

2 R2

2NR1 NRS cos ( )]

1 2 2
1

1 2

B(9) 3.8 . Forces on equi alent cutting planes (a ) Forces on conca e contact zone (CC) B(9) PCC [ d 2K cd Kca qd Kq]wCC cos
2

[1.4134 1.713 2 1.4134 1.713

2 cos(111 / 2)]

0.335

1 tan1[(1 m0)ND / NE1]

tan1[(1 0.234) 05) / 0.335] 488

B(20)

[125 0.15 1 .71 50 0.15 2 .03 .... B(9) 0.45 0.15 3 .35] 0.378 cos 70 0.289 kN The gures in bold type are the K factors interpolated from the charts given in Hettiaratchi.8 The relevant K factors for 0 and for 35 and QCC 404 are read from these charts. The interpolation calculations for 245 are set out in Table 1. The computed values are also shown in this table for comparison. It will be seen that the inter-

CV 180 1
180 488 1312

Check for boundary wedge formation on CV plane:

[sin1(sin / sin ) ] W 135 1 2 1 2 1

B(10)

135 [sin (sin 245 / sin 35) 245 35] 821

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D . R . P . H ET T I AR A T CH I ; M. M . AL A M

Table 1 Interpolation from Hettiaratchi and Reece8 for 0.7 at 40, 35 K -factor K K ca Kq

mobilised. As set out in Section 8.1 in Hettiaratchi,5 the mobilised friction angle m is estimated thus:

aCV
35 2 1312 2974

0
1.05 [1.325] 0.75 [0.722] 2.10 [2.051]

35
2.10 [2.042] 3.10 [3.104] 4.10 [4.061]

24 .5
1.05(2.1 / 1 .05) 1 .71 [1.725] 0.75(3.10 / 0.75)0.7 2 .03 [2.423] 2.1(4.1 / 2.1)0.7 3 .35 [3.357]
0.7

m tan1[(sin cos ) / (sin sin 1)]

1

B(13)

tan [(sin 35 cos 2974) / (sin 35 sin 2974 1)] 99. As m 0 , 10 for the convex zone. PW [ d 2 SK cd SKca qd SKq]wCV
2

B(21)

[125 0.115 24 50 0.115 44 ...... 0.45 0.115 47] 0.029 0.092 kN The gures in bold type are the relevant K factors obtained from the charts given in Hettiaratchi and Reece.8 These are for W (90 ) (90 35) 55 and 35. Note that an interpolation for is unnecessary as the wedge face is fully rough and we can read the relevant K factors directly off the chart. The accurate computed values are K 2392 , Kca 4431 and Kq 4593 and the values obtained off the charts agree reasonably well with these. ACV dSwCVca cosec CV AW dSwCVc (tan tan CV) 0.115 0.029 50(tan 35 tan 1312) 0.031 kN A static equilibrium analysis of the boundary wedge leads to the magnitude of PCV. This force is inclined at an angle m with the normal to CV: B(21) 0.115 0.029 3.25 cosec 1312 0.014 kN

Note: Computed values are shown in square brackets.

polation for Kca, for low values of , introduces an error. The other interpolations, however, are of acceptable accuracy. The actual interpolated value, although clearly too low, is used in the present calculations. The computed value of PCC is 0.321 kN, which is about 10% higher than the interpolated one. ACC R 2ND NWE ca cosec QCC 032 05 1.261 3.25 cosec 404 0.285 kN FH1 PCC sin( QCC ) ACC cos QCC B(14) B(19)

B(22)

0.289 sin(404 245) 10 0.285 cos 404 0.479 kN. FV 1 PCC cos ( QCC ) ACC cos CC B(15)

0.289 cos(404 245) 10 0.285 sin 404 0.062 kN. FX 1 FH1 cos CC 0.479 cos 266 0.428 kN FY1 FH1 sin CC 0.479 sin 266 0.214 kN FZ1 FV 1 0.062 kN (b ) Forces on con ex scrubbing zone (CV) The presence of the boundary wedge indicates that the friction on the equivalent plane is not fully B(18) B(17) B(16)

CV
1312 350 1662

B(23)

PCV (AW PW) cos ACV cos ] / sin( m) B(24) (0.031 0.092) cos 35 0.014 cos 1662] / sin(1662 99) 0.217 kN All the information for estimating the soil reaction components on the equivalent convex surface CV are now available and the calculations follow the identical steps used in Section 2.8(a) for the equivalent concave surface CC. Note that Eqns B(14) to B(18) are used here with the relevant specic convex zone values assigned to the generic symbols (see Table 1 in Hettiaratchi5). The numerical value of CV must be assigned a negative value as the Q plane is directed

SOIL REACTIONS ON CONCAVE AGRICULTURAL DISCS

69

outwards from the T plane whilst it was directed inwards in the concave zone. FH2 0.217 sin (1312 99) (10 0.014 cos 1312) 0.176 kN FV 2 0 .217 cos (1312 99) (10 0.014 sin 1312) 0.102 kN FX 2 0 .176 cos (256) 0.159 kN FY2 0.176 sin (256) 0.076 kN FZ2 FV 0.102 kN

(b ) Con ex zone To estimate the relevant projected area aCV of the scrubbing zone it is rst necessary to arrive at an approximate value for the angle CV made by the equivalent convex cutting blade (the CV plane) with the direction of translation. This is accomplished by solving the triangle labelled OHJ in Fig. 3 given in Hettiaratchi.5 The steps in this derivation and the numerical values given by the relevant equations are as follows: S 70 589 111
05 111 56 a 1 2

A(12)

b sin1 [(NR1 sin a) / NE1] sin1[(1.413 sin 56) / 0.335] 243 CV 90 ( a b) 90 (56 243) 601 (4)
The width wCV and the depth (which is the scrubbing depth dS of the CV plane) have been calculated in Section 2.6. The area of the CV plane (wCV dS) projected on to the YZ plane is thus aCV wCV dS cos CV 0 .029 0.115 cos 601 0 .0016 m2 (5) (c ) Specic draught The total area of the equivalent cutting surfaces, projected on to the plane normal to the direction of translation (the YZ plane), are obtained from Eqns (3) and (5) and the specic draught, which is the draught force FX distributed over this area, is given by DS Fx / (aCC aCV) 0.587 / (0.0194 0.0016) 28 kPa.

3.9. Final soil reaction components on disc The individual force components generated by the concave and convex zones are combined to give the total disc force components: FX Fx1 Fx2 0 .428 0 .159 0 .587 kN; [0.687 kN] FY Fy1 Fy2 0 .214 0 .076 0 .138 kN; [0.134 kN] FZ Fz1 Fz2 0.062 0.102 0.164 kN; [0.182 kN] The nal force components obtained from the hand calculation are shown in bold type and the corresponding values of these force components obtained from a more precise computer solution are shown within the square brackets. The discrepancies are a consequence of the large interpolation error in the value of Kca used in Section 3.8 and set out in Table 1.

4. Experimental data on vertical discs 3.10. Specic draught The areas of the concave contact zone and the convex scrubbing zone, projected on to the F plane (see Fig. 1 in Hettiaratchi5), are obtained from the geometry of the two equivalent cutting blades. (a ) Conca e zone The concave contact area aCC for estimating specic draught is the area wCC d of the CC plane projected on to the YZ plane (see Fig. 1 ). The value of wCC has been calculated in Section 3.5 so that: aCC wCC d cos 0 .378 0 .15 cos 70 0.0194 m2 (3) The published soil reactions on vertical discs9-11 obtained from a series of experiments carried out under carefully controlled conditions at the National Tillage Machinery Laboratory at Auburn, Alabama, USA, have been available for some time. This data has been of considerable value in obtaining a qualitative understanding of the inuence of disc size and shape, disc angle, depth of cut and soil type on the forces acting on vertical discs. It has not been feasible to use this data to evaluate the predictive performance of more recently developed theoretical models because of the paucity of information on the MohrCoulomb properties of the soils used in the indoor tanks. This information is available for the experiments described by Godwin et al.4 and this data,

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D . R . P . H ET T I AR A T CH I ; M. M . AL A M

together with experimental work at Newcastle, is used to assess the force prediction performance of the theoretical model discussed in this paper. In their experiments Godwin et al.4 used two spherical discs operating at two different depths. Their disc (labelled deep spherical) with a 610 mm rim diameter, a radius of curvature of 528 mm (NC 1.73) and set at a depth of 100 mm (ND 0.33) was chosen for the present analysis. This disc was set vertically ( 0) and worked a soil with 38 and c

2 FX

200

150

100

Ds 50 FY

FZ 1 0 20 40 60 80 Disc angle

102 kPa. The soil-to-metal friction angle was 22. These parameters were used in the computer model to predict the orthogonal force components FX , FY and FZ and the specic draught DS. These curves are plotted in heavy lines in Fig. 2 , where the three force components are shown in full lines and the specic draught by long broken lines. Also shown on Fig. 2 , in thin short broken lines, are the curves for FX , FY and FZ predicted by Godwin et al.4 Their actual experimental observations of these three forces components are indicated on Fig. 2 by open circle, full circle and open square symbols. The predictions made by both theoretical models show that as the disc angle is increased the draught force (FX) drops steadily until the scrubbing limit ( S 623) is reached. Beyond this limit there is a very steep rise in draught force due to the rapid development of the scrubbing forces on the convex side of the disc. The theory presented in this paper predicts that the side force (FY) peaks at around 50, somewhat ahead of the scrubbing limit and the vertical force reverses from suction ( ve FZ) to a upward lift force resisting penetration at about the scrubbing limit. This change is clearly due to the upward reaction developed on the scrubbing surface. The predictions made by Godwin et al.4 follow the general trends predicted by the present theory but the side thrust FY, in particular, is several magnitudes larger. In general, the experimental values shown in Fig. 2 lie closer to the curves predicted by Godwin et al.4 than those derived from the present analysis. The specic draught DS calculated from the present theory (see Section 3.10) is shown in Fig. 2 by the long broken lines. The values presented by Godwin et al.4 for specic draught are, by comparison, very small (about 5% of the present values) and are not shown in the diagram. Characteristically, the specic draught is not very sensitive to changes in disc angle below the scrubbing limit and falls rather slowly to a minimum near the scrubbing limit itself. It then rises very steeply as the scrubbing action is initiated and spreads over the convex side of the disc.

s= 623

Soil reaction F(kN)

Specific draught Ds (kPa)

5. Experimental data on inclined discs The results of an experimental investigation carried out by Alam12 on the performance of a 600 mm rim diameter disc having a radius of curvature of 600 mm (NC 20) operating at a xed depth of 100 mm (ND 0.33) but with changes to both disc and tilt angles are summarised in Fig. 3 . The disc was tested under carefully controlled conditions in the indoor tank in the Soil Machine Mechanics laboratory at

Fig. 2. The performance characteristics of a ertical conca e disc operating in a sandy loam soil. Thick lines indicate predicted alues using the model discussed in this paper; full lines: soil reaction components (FX , FY , FZ ) , long broken line: specific draught (DS). Thin short broken lines represent the soil reaction components predicted by Godwin et al.4 and their experimental obser ations are indicated by the symbols FX , FY and FZ. Disc: R 305 mm , S 528 mm , d 100 mm , 0 , S 62 .3 ; Soil: c 10.2 kPa , 38 , 22 , 12 .8 kN / m 3

SOIL REACTIONS ON CONCAVE AGRICULTURAL DISCS

71

FY

FZ

2
Soil reaction F(kN)

s= 641

FX

=5

s= 651

FX

=0

these forces with disc and tilt angles are predicted reasonably well. However, the predicted draught component is consistently atter than the experimental one and the side thrust and suction components are generally slightly under-predicted. The agreement is best for disc angle settings around 30. Fortuitously, this setting is close to the range of commonly encountered in disc implements in commercial production. It will also be noticed that the main consequence of changes in tilt angle is its inuence on the suction component. In the middle (and practical) range of values for the disc angle the suction force assists penetration but this feature is clearly absent in the vertical disc where an external load or weight is required for disc penetration at all settings of the disc angle .

6. Simulation
FY

6.1 . Scope of predictions

0

FZ

FX

FY

FZ 1 0 20 40 Disc angle 60 80

Fig. 3. Performance characteristics of a disc with tilt angle. Experiment , full lines: FX; FY; FZ. Predicted , short broken lines. Disc: R 325 mm , S 600 mm , d 100 mm. Soil: c 11 kPa , 32.5 , 24 .8 , 13.5 kN / m 3

Newcastle. The soil in the tank was a sandy loam with 325 and c 110 kPa. The best t curves to the draught (FX), the side thrust (FY) and the suction force (FZ) are shown in solid lines in the diagram. The broken lines represent these force components as predicted by the present theory. Once again the general trends in the variation of

s= 627

=10

The mathematical models of the interaction of a concave agricultural disc with soil presented in this series of papers2,3,5 are, at best, only a rough representation of the behaviour of real disc implements operating in the eld. The models have received only cursory validation, and that too under ideal controlled conditions. Nevertheless, the models can be used to predict in broad terms, the inuence of disc size, type, setting and furrow depth on the contact zone geometry and the forces acting on them when operating in a wide variety of soil types. This type of information can normally be obtained from expensive and time consuming experimental work and theoretically simulated performance characteristics would therefore have a useful supporting role to play. On this basis, it is proposed to present the predicted performance curves of a disc of xed size and type operating at variable disc angle settings and depth in two soil types (a sandy loam and a medium clay). To cover the soil reaction characteristics in its entirety it would be necessary to investigate the inuence of six parameters (c , , , , and d ) on four force components (Fx , Fy , Fz and DS). Clearly, an impracticably large number of performance charts are required to display all the possible variations. The simulation will therefore deal, in the rst instance, with the variation of the soil reaction on a disc working at a xed depth and subsequently the inuence of the variations in cutting depth, for a limited selection of disc attitudes, will be investigated. The particulars of the disc and the properties of the two soil types chosen for the simulation are as follows

72 Disc

D . R . P . H ET T I AR A T CH I ; M. M . AL A M

Size R 300 mm; S 600 mm; d 150 mm Attitude 0 90; 0 30 Soil Sandy Loam c 5 kPa; 35; 245; 125 kN / m3 Clay c 30 kPa; 5; 35; 125 kN / m3 The cutting depth d at which the soil surface is level with the disc centre varies from 300 mm for a vertical disc to 220 mm when the disc is set at a tilt angle of 30. The value of 150 mm chosen is thus well within this limit.
Soil reaction F(kN)

=0
2

10 20 30 1

FX 04 04 FY 30 0

6.2. Fixed depth characteristics The variation of the orthogonal force components with changes in disc and tilt angles is shown in Figs 4 and 5 . The general trends in these variations, in both soil types, are very similar. The draught component (FX) decreases as is increased and reaches a minimum value near the scrubbing limit, which is identied on each curve by the vertex of an inverted triangle. It will be seen that draught is sensitive to tilt angle, particularly in a loam soil, where there is a clear falling off in the draught force component as the disc is tilted away from the vertical. This sensitivity is most marked with the disc set at low values of the disc angle. As the disc angle approaches the scrubbing limit this advantage in lower draught is lost and in the clay soil the position actually changes around with the vertical disc having a lower draught. The variations of both the side thrust FY and the suction force FZ with the disc attitude are almost identical in both the loam and clay soils. In the loam soil the maximum value of FY, for all tilt angle settings, is attained just before the scrubbing limit is reached and in the clay soil this force peaks almost at the scrubbing limit itself. Clearly the side thrust is not very sensitive to changes in the tilt angle. In contrast the vertical force FZ is sensitive to both tilt and disc angle settings. For small tilt angles this force tends to lift the disc out of the soil (ve FZ) but reverts to a suction force as the disc is set away from the vertical, thus assisting penetration. The lift forces (opposing penetration) become quite severe as the setting moves into the scrubbing range of disc angles. It is interesting to note that in the case of a vertical disc ( 0) the curve for FZ lies entirely in the negative zone of the graph for all disc angle settings. This indicates that such discs

=0

04

30

=0

FZ 1 0 20 40 Disc angle 60 80

Fig. 4. Simulated soil reaction characteristics of a conca e disc working at a fixed depth in a loam soil. Disc: R 300 mm , S 600 mm , d 150 mm. Soil: c 5 kPa , 35 , 24.5 , 12 .5 kN / m 3. Identifies scrubbing limits whose numerical alues are: 0 , S 63 .4 ; 10 , S 61.8 ; 20 , S 58.9 ; 30 , S 54.9

will ride out of work unless an external penetrating force is provided to overcome the lift force. The characteristics of the specic draught DS shown in Fig. 6 are similar for both soil types and this parameter is relatively insensitive to changes in disc angle. A minimum value is reached at the scrubbing limit of but DS rises very steeply thereafter as the disc passes into the scrubbing mode. 6.3. Inuence of depth of cut The inuence of depth of cut on the soil reaction characteristics for a single setting of the disc angle at

SOIL REACTIONS ON CONCAVE AGRICULTURAL DISCS

73

400

=0

300 200

(a)

3 30
100

=0

2
Specific draught Ds(kPa)

FX 1
Soil reaction F(kN)

30 20

1 FY

=0

400 300 200

(b)

30

05 0
100

=0
30

=0
1
40

20

40 Disc angle

60

80

2 30 3 FZ 4 0 20 40 Disc angle 60 80

Fig. 6. Simulated specific draught characteristics of a conca e disc working at a fixed depth of 150 mm. Disc: R 300 mm , S 600 mm. (a) Loam soil: c 5 kPa , 35 , 24 .5 . (b) Clay soil: c 30 kPa , 5 , 3 .5 , 12.5 kN / m 3

Fig. 5. Simulated soil reaction characteristics of a conca e disc working at a fixed depth in a clay soil. Disc: R 300 mm , S 600 mm , d 150 mm. Soil: c 30 kPa , 5 , 3.5, 12.5 kN / m3. identifies scrubbing limits whose numerical values are: 0 , S 63.4 ; 10 , S 61.8 ; 20 , S 58.9 ; 30 , S 54.9

40 in a loam soil is shown in Fig. 7 . The disc angle chosen is well within the scrubbing limit which, for the range of (0 30) under consideration, extends from 634 to 549. The proles of the curves for the clay soil are generally similar to those of the loam soil for equivalent settings of below the scrubbing limit. The main difference lies in the magnitude of the forces, which are much higher in the clay than

those for the loam soil. The companion curves for the clay soil are not reproduced here. It will be seen from Fig. 7 that the draught component FX varies almost linearly with depth of cut d , and the rate of increase in this component with depth of cut is particularly sensitive to the tilt angle and becomes less severe as the tilt angle is increased. The side thrust is less responsive to changes in tilt angle but the vertical force alters direction very rapidly from lift to suction as the disc is tilted away from the vertical ( 0). The effect of tilt angle on specic draught DS (for xed ) exhibits an interesting trend. The specic draught DS of discs with high tilt angles is almost completely insensitive to changes in depth of cut. The gradient of the DS versus d curve reduces from a rather steep value for a vertical disc to almost nothing at 30. Extensive computations show that these trends are duplicated for other disc angle settings within the scrubbing limit.

74
4 FX 3 Soil reaction F(kN) FY FZ

D . R . P . H ET T I AR A T CH I ; M. M . AL A M

=0

=30
2

=0 =30

=30 =0

appropriate, a similar set is needed for the convex scrubbing zone. These are obtained from charts given in Hettiaratchi and Reece.8 As for (a) above the rake angles QCC and W required for this assessment are also known at this stage. Intervention for step (a) can be avoided if a standard numerical solution to Eqn (12) given by Hettiaratchi5 is incorporated into the programme. This step will then provide the necessary accurate values of within the programme itself. Alternatively, an average global value for the ratio / of about 0.35 can be used as a convenient approximation. There is no simple way of circumventing the intervention required at (b). 7. Discussion

1 40

=0
DS (kPa) 30

=30
20 15 50 100 150 200 d(mm) 250 300

Fig. 7. Simulated ariable depth characteristics of a conca e disc working a loam soil at a fixed disc angle of 40 . Disc: R 300 mm , S 600 mm. Soil: c 5 kPa , 35 , 24 .5 , 12.5 kN / m 3

6.4. De elopment of software The calculation steps used in the worked example, set out in some detail in Section 2, can be used to develop a computer programme of the model in any chosen computer language. The example is carefully structured so that the equations, which are set out in full at the head of each calculation step, can be converted into appropriate code. A programme, developed on this basis, would require operator intervention at the following two points. (a) Section 3.7. Values are required for the angle made by the quasi-symmetrical planes with the direction of translation (XY plane) for the concave zone and, where appropriate, for the convex zone. The data required for this exercise are set out in Fig. 6 in Hettiaratchi.5 The necessary interpolations have to be carried out for values of QCC and QCV, both of which are known at this stage of the computation. (b) Section 3.8. Three K factor values for K, Kca and Kq are required for the concave zone and, where

The simulations set out in Figs 4 7 provide some useful design pointers. It is clear from Fig. 6 that the specic draught DS is relatively insensitive to the disc angle and becomes somewhat sensitive to the tilt angle only when operating in a frictional soil. Referring to Figs 4 and 5 , the optimum angular alignment of a disc for reducing draught forces is to set the disc angle as close to the scrubbing limit S as possible. It can be seen that the tilt angle does not inuence the draught component very much at this setting of the disc angle. However, the tilt angle has a profound inuence on the vertical force component FZ and we can maximize the penetration forces required to keep the disc in the ground by increasing the tilt angle as much as possible. It will also be seen from Figs 4 and 5 that the side force FY peaks at the above settings for and , which were chosen to minimise draught and maximise penetration. Unavoidably, this force, which acts towards the disc concavity, has to be carried either by the disc supporting system, as in a disc plough, or by using opposite throws in the disc angle, which is an arrangement used in disc harrows. The simulation also shows that there is a considerable disadvantage in allowing the disc angle to encroach into the scrubbing range. The specic draught and the draught and suction forces increase rapidly as the disc angle is increased beyond the scrubbing limit. The only beneciary, at this setting, is the side thrust, which is partly taken up by the scrubbing zone reaction. A somewhat risky design strategy would be to encourage a little scrubbing action to stabilise the side thrust without at the same time overtly increasing the draught force too much and interfering with the penetrating force of the disc. It will be seen from Fig. 7 that, for a given disc

SOIL REACTIONS ON CONCAVE AGRICULTURAL DISCS

75

angle, draught force is particularly sensitive to furrow depth and tilt angle. In contrast both working depth and tilt angle have only a minimal effect on specic draught. This effect has been employed to develop an approximate method for predicting the draught of discs.13 The diagrams also show that draught increases with depth much more rapidly for a vertical disc than for one having a tilt angle. As discussed earlier tilt angle improves disc penetration and hence for a specied depth of cut it is advantageous to provide the disc with a tilt angle.

facility would provide a rapid route for making initial design decisions on the selection of disc parameters to carry out a particular soil cutting task.

References
1

7. Conclusions The overall performance of the theoretical model investigated in this paper shows that it can be used to provide useful quantitative estimates of the forces generated by a Mohr-Coulomb soil on concave agricultural discs set at the commonly encountered angular congurations and depth of cut. It is important to recognise that the numerical values obtained from this model are essentially order of magnitude solutions to a complex modelling problem. Practical experience leads us to accept, without difculty, the validity of modelling the soil strength properties in terms of the Mohr-Coulomb parameters. In contrast the representation of the complex curved contact surfaces between the disc and the soil by plane areas is not founded either on any theoretical grounds or on extensive practical experience. The fact that these equivalent cutting surfaces operate with appreciable skew angles has been an added complication. In spite of these difculties the model has been shown to be a useful device for investigating the way the theoretical soil reactions on a typical disc cutting tool changes both with its setting and the soil type it is working. The simulation capability provides a exible and practical approach for understanding the behaviour of such soil working elements operating under a wide range of eld conditions. It is hoped that this

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11

12

13

ODogherty M J; Godwin R J; Hann M J; Al-Ghazal A A A geometrical analysis of inclined and tilted spherical plough discs. 1996 Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 63, 205 218 Hettiaratchi D R P The soil contact zones of concave agricultural discs: Part 1, Theoretical analysis. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 1997, 67, 113 125 Hettiaratchi D R P The soil contact zones of concave agricultural discs: Part 2, Calculation procedure. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 1997, 67, 127 139 Godwin R J; Seig D A; Allott M Soil failure and force prediction for soil engaging discs. Soil Use and Management 1987, 3(3), 106 114 Hettiaratchi D R P Prediction of soil forces acting on concave agricultural discs. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 1997, 51 62 Sokolovski V V Statics of Soil Media. London: Butterworths Scientic Publications, 1960 Reece A R; Hettiaratchi D R P A slip-line method for estimating passive earth pressure. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 1989, 42, 27 41 Hettiaratchi D R P; Reece A R The calculation of passive soil resistance. Ge otechnique 1974, 24, 289 310 Gill W R; Reaves C A; Bailey A C. The effect of geometric parameters on disk forces. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Winter Meeting, Chicago 1978, Paper No. 78 1535 Reaves C A; Gill W R; Bailey A C Inuence of width and depth of cut on disk forces. Transactions of the ASAE, 1981, 572 578 Gill W R; Reaves C A; Bailey A C The inuence of harrow disk curvature on forces. Transaction of the ASCE, 1981, 579 583 Alam M M Soil reaction forces on agricultural disc implements PhD Thesis 1989, University of Newcastle upon Tyne Hettiaratchi D R P Predicting the draught requirements of concave agricultural discs. Journal of Terramechanics, 1997 (in press)