Effects of mouldboard shape and operational parameters on soil-ridger dynamics: An experimental and discrete element modelling approach

This study provides an in-depth investigation of soil-ridger interactions through both experimental analysis and discrete element method (DEM) simulations. The research examines how variations in ridger mouldboard shapes (flat, concave, and convex), operating depths (100, 140, and 180 mm), and speed...

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Main Authors: Avdhoot Walunj, Saurabh Shinde, Sachin Nalawade, Pranav Pawase, Zhiwei Zeng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-12-01
Series:Smart Agricultural Technology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772375525004812
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author Avdhoot Walunj
Saurabh Shinde
Sachin Nalawade
Pranav Pawase
Zhiwei Zeng
author_facet Avdhoot Walunj
Saurabh Shinde
Sachin Nalawade
Pranav Pawase
Zhiwei Zeng
author_sort Avdhoot Walunj
collection DOAJ
description This study provides an in-depth investigation of soil-ridger interactions through both experimental analysis and discrete element method (DEM) simulations. The research examines how variations in ridger mouldboard shapes (flat, concave, and convex), operating depths (100, 140, and 180 mm), and speeds (2, 3, and 4 km/h) affect furrow width, furrow depth, ridge height, draft force, and soil profile characteristics. Field experiments on sandy clay loam soil incorporated 27 unique treatment combinations. The DEM-based soil-ridger interaction model, developed with Hertz-Mindlin contact mechanics and bonding contacts, was validated through angle of repose test. Analysis of the data revealed that mouldboard shape has a significant effect on furrow geometry: concave mouldboard produced wider, deeper furrow, while convex mouldboard resulted in narrower, shallower furrows. Speed and depth also played influential roles, with higher speed and deeper operation resulting in wider, shallower furrows and increased draft force. Ridge and furrow profile indicated that mouldboard shape, speed, and depth collectively shaped soil topography. The average relative error between experimental and DEM data for furrow width, furrow depth, ridge height, and draft force ranged between 2.75% and 17.26%, demonstrating close agreement. This study confirms that DEM simulation is a robust and effective method for analyzing soil-ridger interactions.
format Article
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issn 2772-3755
language English
publishDate 2025-12-01
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record_format Article
series Smart Agricultural Technology
spelling doaj-art-ac0a9af90ce046b68e577471fc20b86e2025-08-20T02:47:37ZengElsevierSmart Agricultural Technology2772-37552025-12-011210125010.1016/j.atech.2025.101250Effects of mouldboard shape and operational parameters on soil-ridger dynamics: An experimental and discrete element modelling approachAvdhoot Walunj0Saurabh Shinde1Sachin Nalawade2Pranav Pawase3Zhiwei Zeng4Dr. Annasaheb Shinde College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra 413722, IndiaDr. Annasaheb Shinde College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra 413722, IndiaDr. Annasaheb Shinde College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra 413722, IndiaDr. Annasaheb Shinde College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra 413722, IndiaDepartment of Agricultural Engineering Technology, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, River Falls, WI 54022, USA; Corresponding author.This study provides an in-depth investigation of soil-ridger interactions through both experimental analysis and discrete element method (DEM) simulations. The research examines how variations in ridger mouldboard shapes (flat, concave, and convex), operating depths (100, 140, and 180 mm), and speeds (2, 3, and 4 km/h) affect furrow width, furrow depth, ridge height, draft force, and soil profile characteristics. Field experiments on sandy clay loam soil incorporated 27 unique treatment combinations. The DEM-based soil-ridger interaction model, developed with Hertz-Mindlin contact mechanics and bonding contacts, was validated through angle of repose test. Analysis of the data revealed that mouldboard shape has a significant effect on furrow geometry: concave mouldboard produced wider, deeper furrow, while convex mouldboard resulted in narrower, shallower furrows. Speed and depth also played influential roles, with higher speed and deeper operation resulting in wider, shallower furrows and increased draft force. Ridge and furrow profile indicated that mouldboard shape, speed, and depth collectively shaped soil topography. The average relative error between experimental and DEM data for furrow width, furrow depth, ridge height, and draft force ranged between 2.75% and 17.26%, demonstrating close agreement. This study confirms that DEM simulation is a robust and effective method for analyzing soil-ridger interactions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772375525004812soil-ridger interactionsFurrow profileDiscrete element methodDraft forceRidger mouldboard shape
spellingShingle Avdhoot Walunj
Saurabh Shinde
Sachin Nalawade
Pranav Pawase
Zhiwei Zeng
Effects of mouldboard shape and operational parameters on soil-ridger dynamics: An experimental and discrete element modelling approach
Smart Agricultural Technology
soil-ridger interactions
Furrow profile
Discrete element method
Draft force
Ridger mouldboard shape
title Effects of mouldboard shape and operational parameters on soil-ridger dynamics: An experimental and discrete element modelling approach
title_full Effects of mouldboard shape and operational parameters on soil-ridger dynamics: An experimental and discrete element modelling approach
title_fullStr Effects of mouldboard shape and operational parameters on soil-ridger dynamics: An experimental and discrete element modelling approach
title_full_unstemmed Effects of mouldboard shape and operational parameters on soil-ridger dynamics: An experimental and discrete element modelling approach
title_short Effects of mouldboard shape and operational parameters on soil-ridger dynamics: An experimental and discrete element modelling approach
title_sort effects of mouldboard shape and operational parameters on soil ridger dynamics an experimental and discrete element modelling approach
topic soil-ridger interactions
Furrow profile
Discrete element method
Draft force
Ridger mouldboard shape
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772375525004812
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