Justification of Dual-Level Opener Parameters in Digital Twin by the Discrete Element Method

Abstract

Introduction. The discrete element method is the most promising method for modeling soil tillage. With the use of DEM modeling it is possible to create a digital twin for technological process of interaction of tools with soil, analyze the operation of tillage and seeding machines having various design and technological parameters, and predict energy and agrotechnical indicators of еtheir work. To improve the prediction accuracy, it is necessary to compare the obtained data with the results of field experiments. Aim of the Study. The study is aimed at developing a digital twin of the tillage bin through using the discrete element method and optimizing the main design and technological parameters of the dual-level opener. Materials and Methods. To simulate the process of the soil-opener interaction, there was used the discrete element method; the advanced Hertz‒Mindlin model was used as a contact model. For DEM modeling there is created a virtual tillage bin, which is filled with spherical particles of 10 mm diameter with the specified rheological parameters of the selected contact model. The main design factors for carrying out computer experiments in order to optimize them were the opener blade rake angle α and the furrow rake angle β. The opener traction resistance R was chosen as the output optimization parameter. Results. Implementation of multifactor experiments on the digital twin of the soil bin in the Rocky DEM program allowed to optimize the design and technological parameters of the dual-level opener: bit inclination angle α = 75o, furrow former inclination angle β = 21o, vertical distance between the bit and furrow former Δa = 11‒14 mm. Discussion and Conclusion. As a result of the modeling, it was found that the opener traction resistance increases in quadratic dependence on the opener operating speed and surface energy of the contact model.