Enhancing Afforestation Practices in Hilly Terrain: A Study on Soil Disturbance by Earth Augers Based on the Discrete Element Method

Abstract

Afforestation operations in hilly regions are both arduous and unsafe. The mechanized afforestation method that takes into account soil and water conservation measures is deemed highly important. This paper examines the operational process and the auger’s mechanism of digging below the ground using the discrete element method (DEM). Using this model, soil disturbance parameters and reaction forces are satisfactorily predicted, exhibiting similar trends to experimental observations. This research also examines the influence of key parameters on soil disturbance and distribution patterns and analyzes the conditions and mechanisms of the formation of fish-scale pits to preserve soil and water. A field experiment of pit digging in woodland is carried out to test the performance of the device. The error rates for the actual and simulated values of the efficiency of conveying soil and the distance of throwing soil on plain terrain and slopes were 12.7% and 8.2%, and 8.6% and 15.7%, respectively. Overall, this research provides a theoretical basis for the innovative exploration, development, and optimized design of earth augers in hilly regions.