Discrete Element Model Building and Optimization of Tomato Stalks at Harvest

• Published in: Agriculture (Basel) 2024-04, Vol.14 (4), p.531
• Main Authors: Gao, Qimin, Cheng, Lei, Wang, Renbing, Chen, Mingjiang, Zhao, Weisong, Fu, Jingjing, Wang, Zhenwei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Discrete element method; Error analysis; International economic relations; Mechanical components; Mechanical properties; mechanical property; Mechanical tests; Model accuracy; Numerical analysis; Parameter identification; parameter optimization; Shear forces; Shear stress; Shear tests; Simulation; Simulation methods; Simulation models; Software; Stiffness; tomato stalk; Tomatoes; Vegetable industry
• ISSN: 2077-0472; 2077-0472
• DOI: 10.3390/agriculture14040531

The mechanical properties of tomato stalk, relevant to the harvesting and crushing of tomato vines, significantly impact its harvesting quality and efficiency. Establishing a simulation model, which accurately mirrors these properties, is foundational for designing related mechanical components. The discrete element method models tomato stalk harvesting and is optimized through mechanical tests and simulations. A blend of Plackett–Burman, steepest ascent, and central composite design modeling identified three contact model parameters influencing the maximum stalk shear force. The optimal values of these three parameters were a normal stiffness of 1.04 × 1010 N m−3, tangential stiffness of 7.59 × 109 N m−3, and bond radius of 1.06 mm. The relative error in the simulated versus measured shear force was