STUDY ON STRESS AND STRAINS DISTRIBUTION IN THE FRAME OF

AGRICULTURAL CULTIVATORS USING THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

S.t. Biri1), E. Maican1), V. Vldu2), S.T.Bungescu3), N. Ungureanu1), D.I. Vldu1)
University Politehnica ofBucharest; 2)INMA Bucharest; 3)USAMVB Timioara

1)

Summary. In this paper is presented a working methodology for the analysis of stress and
strains in the frames of agricultural cultivators. The geometric model of the frame was
achieved in Catia V5 format and it was transferred to SolidWorks format, where were made
the necessary corrections to achieve static analysis by the Finite Element Method. The CAD
(geometric) model was then transferred to the Finite Element Analysis software (ANSYS)
through which was performed the resistance calculation in the linear static range. Adaptive
meshing of the CAD model was made progressively, more iterations being performed in order
to determine an optimum number of nodes and elements to be able to obtain the highest
possible accuracy of the calculations. From the analysis of the equivalent stress distribution
was able to observe the overloaded areas, which require strengthening, and the less loaded
areas in which can be made a weight reduction of the material used. Also, the model of
analysis with finite elements enables the identification of possible areas where frame
structure deforms plastically under the effect of the applied external loads.
Keywords. Agricultural cultivator, frame, tillage tool, finite element method

INTRODUCTION
Following the expansion of soil degradation processes due to conventional agriculture
and technological mistakes, over the years, the so-named conservative agricultural
technologies have been studied and implemented in practice. These technologies have
contributed substantially to the improvement of soil fertility and productivity and, thus, of
other environmental resources. The most important component of conservative technological
systems, as in the case of conventional ones, is soil tillage loosening and processing and
the introduction of seed into the soil [7]. Switching from conventional tillage systems to the
conservative ones was not easy and it has generated a lot of questions that needed relevant
answers, scientifically based, some of them being obtained through fundamental and applied
research carried out under local specific conditions. Conservative systems are based on the
less intense loosening of soil, made by different methods, without furrow return and only
while maintaining a given amount of crop residues on soil surface, for this reason being
considered as environmental protection strategies [7].
Agricultural cultivators are increasingly widespread equipment used for seedbed
preparation in order to establish crops, especially in the current conservative cultivation
technologies. Besides the fact that these equipment must achieve a soil processing with higher
qualitative and energy indexes, their weight must be as small and their reliability to be as
good as possible [7]. Currently, it is possible to shorten spectacularly the cycle of design
concept - test - production of this type of equipment by using the Finite Element Method to
analyze the distribution of stress and strains of their resistance elements (frames, tool holders,
working bodies, etc.) [1, 5].

The finite element method is based on the principle of the overall potential energy, which
states that a structure or a body is deformed or displaced in a position that minimizes the
potential energy (overall potential) [2]. The principle of the minimum potential energy has
many applications in solid bodies mechanics and in structure analysis. In these cases, the
principle of the minimum overall potential is a special case of the principle of virtual
mechanical work applied to systems being under the action of conservative forces. The
principle of the virtual mechanical work states that the virtual mechanical work of the exterior
forces is equal and opposed to the virtual mechanical work of the interior forces (normal
stress, shear stress, torsion and bending stress). It is assumed that forces and stresses remain
constant and only the variations of strains are taken into account; only the strains that satisfy
the internal compatibility of the body and the boundary conditions (resulting from the
connections to other bodies) are accepted [4].
The finite elements method was imposed by the need to solve complex problems in the
mechanics of deformable bodies. Finite elements analysis (FEM) [2, 3, 6] of structures
emerged as a necessity [1] to simplify and reduce the cost of testing in operation or under
simulated and accelerated regimes, it can approximate to within acceptable precision the
areas of maximum (critical) stress [4], the maximum tensions and even the lifetime of a
structure.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The technical equipment analysed within this paper is a prototype of Dracula type
cultivator of Maschio Gaspardo Company, which is designed for seedbed preparation in
conservative system. The equipment (Fig. 1) is semi-mounted type and operates in aggregate
with tractors of 330-550 HP [1].

a)

b)
Fig .1.Agricultural cultivator

Lateral frames (left / right) are welded structures of rectangular pipes and sheet profiles
and are provided with connecting elements with the central frame, connecting elements with
the previous modules and posterior modules, with fixation plates of the working bodies with
a prestressed spring and lugs of the hydraulic cylinders [7]. The lateral-left frame (Fig. 1.b)
is the subject of analysis in this paper, due to its importance.

The geometric model of the frame was achieved in Catia V5 format and it was transferred
to SolidWorks format, where were made the necessary corrections to achieve static analysis
by the Finite Element Method. The CAD (geometric) model was then transferred to the Finite
Element Analysis software (ANSYS) through which was performed the resistance
calculation in the linear static range (Fig. 2). Adaptive meshing of the CAD model (Fig. 3)
was made progressively, more iterations being performed in order to determine an optimum
number of nodes and elements in order to obtain the highest possible accuracy of the
calculations.

Fig. 2.Geometrical model of the frame

a)

b)
Fig. 3.Overview of the mesh used for the frame

Given that the investigated structure was modeled three-dimensional geometrical, in the
meshing process it was chosen to use a 3D finite element, of Solid type. This is a threedimensional element, of rectangular shape, with 20 nodes (on each corner and at each mid
side) with three degrees of freedom on each node: nodal translations in the directions of OX,
OY and OZ axis (Fig. 4) [2]. The element supports the theory of plasticity, hyper plasticity,

large specific displacements and strains. In Figure 4 is presented the geometrical shape of the
finite element, used in the meshing process. The rectangular shape of the finite element
represents the native shape, whereas the other shapes, found in the right side of the Figure,
represent degenerated forms, that may arise in the case of complex geometries as shapes (in
areas in which are found junction radius, thickness variations etc.). The welded frame is made
of S355OL52 steel.

Fig. 4.Geometry of the finite element [2]

The partial derivatives of the interpolation functions with respect to x, y, and z are
evaluated using chain rule as follows [2]:

(1)

( ) ( ) ( )
Applying the principle of sub-structuring, in Figure 5 are presented the forces reduced in
the coupling points of the frame with the working bodies and the bearings and its restrictions
of bearing. The effect of resulting forces at the interaction of the working bodies with the soil
is reduced in the coupling points of the working bodies with the frame by applying the
theory of forces reducing tensor in a point.

Fig. 5.Bearings and forces acting on the analysed frame

Fig. 6. Principle of force reduction in a point

According to this theory of force reducing tensor (Fig. 6), in point A (belonging to the
working body) if the resistant force F resulting from the interaction with the soil is applied,
the effect of this force on the frame, in the point of coupling O consists in a torso of reduction
of force F relative to point O, respectively [3]:
( ) = ( ,
)
(2)
respectively:

( ) {
(3)
=
RESULTS AND DISSCUSSIONS
The results of static analysis of the cultivator frame are presented in the following figures.
They consist of the distribution of equivalent stress according to the Von-Mises criterion, and
the distribution of total deformations.

Fig.7. Total deformation

Fig.8. Total deformation in horizontal view

From Figures 7 and 8 it can be seen that the greatest displacements (deformations) of the
cultivator frame are found in the farthest area from the points of coupling to the central frame.
The maximum values of total deformations are of about 1 mm. From Figures 9 and 10 it
results that the highest values of equivalent stress are of about 70 MPa, being smaller than
the value of allowable stress corresponding to the material of the frame. As it can be seen
from these figures, the greatest stresses are located in the area of the connecting points of the
analysed frame to the central frame.

Fig.9. Von Mises equivalent stress

Fig.10. Detail of stress distribution

CONCLUSIONS
From this study it also results that the finite element method can be successfully used to
perform analysis on the distribution of stresses and deformations in resistance structures
(frames) of agricultural machinery, in order to optimize their construction.
These methods allow the spectacular shortening of the time needed for the design and
manufacture of resistance structures of agricultural cultivators.
From the analysis of equivalent stress it can be observed that under the effect of the applied
external loads, the structure of the frame does not deform in the plastic domain.
The analysed frame of the cultivator is reliable in terms of mechanical strenght.
In the areas of contact between components does not occur effects of overlapping, slippage.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work was supported by UEFISCDI based on 181/2014 financing program.
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