Calibration of discrete element parameters for simulating wheat crushing

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Engineering
• Material Science

Background:

• Understanding wheat grain mechanical properties is vital for efficient milling processes.
• Discrete element software (DES) offers a powerful tool for simulating granular material behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine optimal mechanical parameters for wheat grains using DES.
• To calibrate the Hertz-Mindlin model for accurate simulation of wheat grain interactions and compression.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Plackett-Burman, steepest ascent, and Box-Behnken experimental designs to find optimal parameters.
• Applied Hertz-Mindlin bonding contact model for virtual uniaxial compression tests.
• Incorporated calibrated parameters into the EDEM software for simulation.

Main Results:

• Identified optimal coefficients for static friction, rolling friction, and collision recovery.
• Derived regression equations for accumulation angle and critical load.
• Achieved a 1.6% relative error between simulated and observed values.

Conclusions:

• The calibrated Hertz-Mindlin model accurately predicts wheat grain mechanical properties.
• The developed method enhances the feasibility of using DES for optimizing grain processing.