Study of soil-blade interaction based on finite element method and classical theory

In this paper a finite element investigation of the tillage of compacted soil, using the modified Drucker-Prager plasticity material model, was described. The finite element method is adequately contributing to the development of understanding the reality of cutting soil. In most earth moving machinery, the working tool is always a blade. Hence for the tillage systems, accurately predicting the forces between blade and soil is of prime importance in helping to enhance productivity. Parallel computing of the models was fulfilled in HP BL680c G5 server with LS-DYNA 971 MPP software. Three different blade shapes were analyzed by the finite element model. Results show that reverse-rotational rotary tool can work for the cutting of compacted soil. Proper structural parameters of rotary blades can reduce the power consumption. It is perfectly feasible to apply the proposed composite rotary tiller to compacted soil deep-tilling with low power motor. The simulation results were also compared with classical soil mechanics theories for blades (the McKyes approach). A good correlation was obtained between the simulation results and McKyes approach.