Discrete element modeling and parameter calibration of vegetable plug seedling root-substrate composites

Authors

  • Bingliang Ye 1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China; 2. Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Intelligent Sensing and Robotics, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310018, China; 3. Key Laboratory of Agricultural Equipment for Hilly and Mountainous Areas in Southeastern China (Co-construction by Ministry andProvince), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou 310018, China;
  • Min Jin 1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China;
  • Xuefu Yu 4. Zhejiang Changshan Mingrui Electromechanical Co., Ltd, Quzhou 324200, China
  • Tao Tang 1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China; 2. Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Intelligent Sensing and Robotics, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310018, China; 3. Key Laboratory of Agricultural Equipment for Hilly and Mountainous Areas in Southeastern China (Co-construction by Ministry andProvince), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou 310018, China;
  • Yu Fu 1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China;
  • Gaohong Yu 1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China; 2. Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Intelligent Sensing and Robotics, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310018, China; 3. Key Laboratory of Agricultural Equipment for Hilly and Mountainous Areas in Southeastern China (Co-construction by Ministry andProvince), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou 310018, China;

Abstract

Vegetable plug seedlings form root-substrate composites characterized by granular discreteness and cohesive bonding, which makes the direct measurement of contact parameters difficult and limits accurate simulation of transplanting processes. This study calibrated the key contact parameters and developed a discrete element method (DEM) model for broccoli plug seedling root-substrate composites by integrating physical experiments with EDEM simulations. Root shear tests, substrate angle of repose, sliding friction, and direct shear tests were performed to determine intrinsic mechanical properties. Using Plackett-Burman screening, steepest ascent, and Box-Behnken designs, the optimal combination of root static friction coefficient, critical stress, and bonding radius was obtained, with a relative error of only 0.70% between simulated and measured shear forces. For the substrate, the calibrated contact parameters of substrate-substrate and substrate-steel interactions yielded relative errors of 2.46% and 2.30%, respectively, while the simulated internal friction angle differed by only 2.64% from experimental values. The final composite model, validated through compression tests, showed a yield limit error of 4.22% and closely matched the deformation behavior observed in experiments. These results demonstrate that the proposed DEM model accurately captures the coupled mechanical behavior of flexible roots and cohesive substrates, providing a reliable tool for visual force analysis during transplanting and supporting the design optimization of seedling-picking and soil-seedling interaction mechanisms.      

Keywords: vegetable plug seedling; root-substrate composites; discrete element method (DEM); contact parameter; calibration

DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20261903.10320

Citation: Ye B L, Jin M, Yu X F, Tang T, Fu Y, Yu G H. Discrete element modeling and parameter calibration of vegetable plug seedling root-substrate composites. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2026; 19(3): 61–69.

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Published

2026-07-14

How to Cite

(1)
Ye, B.; Jin, M.; Yu, X.; Tang, T.; Fu, Y.; Yu, G. Discrete Element Modeling and Parameter Calibration of Vegetable Plug Seedling Root-Substrate Composites. Int J Agric & Biol Eng 2026, 19, 61–69.

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 3 (2026): IJABE

Section

Applied Science, Engineering and Technology

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