Numerical simulations on cutting of frozen soil using HJC Model

Numerical simulation is known as an effective method for mechanical properties during frozen soil excavation.In order to reveal the development of cutting force,effective stress and cutting fragments in frozen silt during the cutting process,we introduce an explicit finite element program LS-DYNA to establish a two-dimensional numerical model of the frozen soil cut.We also use the Holmquist-Johnson-Cook(HJC)damage constitutive model for simulating the variation of soil mechanical properties according to the strong dependence between the cutting tool and frozen silt during the process with different cutting depths,angles and velocities.Meanwhile,a series of experimental results are acquired of frozen silt cutting to prove the application of the HJC model during simulation of cutting force variations.The result shows that the cutting force and fragment size are strongly influenced by cutting depths and cutting velocities increased,and the maximum effective stress at points where the tool contacts frozen soil during the cutting process.In addition,when the cutting angle is 52°,the cutting force is the smallest,and the cutting angle is optimum.Thus,the prediction of frozen soil mechanical properties on the cutting process by this model is conducive to selecting machinery equipment in the field.

Effect of the frozen layer on the stability of cut soil slopes during seasonal freezing and thawing

Research on the stability of soil slopes in seasonally frozen regions has mainly focused on slope failures during the thawing window.There are few studies on slope stability during the freezing window and its subsequent influence on slope failure in the next thawing window.In this paper,soil strength was tested during freezing and thawing to obtain temperature-dependent strength parameters for the simulation of slope stability.Then,the slope's temperature field over an entire year was accurately simulated so that characteristics of the frozen layer could be determined at any time.Based on the above results,the progressive failure modes of frozen soil slopes are discussed.The results show that:1)during the freezing window,depth of the frozen soil layer increases,as does the slope's safety factor,while a yield zone propagates towards the slope shoulder.(2)During the thawing window,the frozen soil layer shrinks in depth while the yield zone continuously expands,which decreases the safety factor.Comprehensive analysis of these results indicate that the frozen layer provides a“toe-locking effect”that increases the safety factor during the freezing window,while it also provides a“dragging effect”that propagates the yield zone towards the slope shoulder.During the thawing window,the“toe-locking effect”gradually diminishes;a continuous sliding surface is formed,which lead to a landslide.The frozen soil layer of the freezing window accelerates the slope sliding in the thawing window.

Effect of Soil Strength and Soil Physical Properties on Performance of Tillage Machines

Soil parameters have significant influence on the performance of tillage machines for various kinds of tillage operations, such as soil movement by tillage tool, soil cutting, soil turning, soil pulverization, and manure injections, etc. This paper attempts to provide a clear overview of soil physical properties and soil strength, and their effects on the performance of tillage machines. Furthermore; it includes the descriptions and characteristics of these parameters, and last developed equipment and procedure for evaluating and assessing of these parameters.

Lowland pasture in Himalayan highland: edaphic properties and species composition

This study was carried out to investigate if on-farm cut vs. grazed pastures differed in soil fertility and species density in the temperate Himalayan highlands. Soil fertility and species relative density were measured from 30 cut and 30 grazed dairy pastures. In both types of pasture, soil pH, available phosphorus(P) and exchangeable potassium(K) were negatively correlated with pasture age and slope. In cut pasture, cocksfoot(Dactylis glomerata) and pasture age were positively correlated,whereas in grazed pasture, they were negatively correlated. In grazed pasture, unsown species and pasture age were positively correlated. Soil available P was significantly greater in cut pastures whereas soil exchangeable K was significantly greater in grazed pastures. In terms of species density, cut pasture had greater densities of cocksfoot and Italian ryegrass(Lolium multiflorum), whereas grazed pasture showed greater densities of white clover, sedge and local grass. Our study suggests that, if there are no improvements in the current method of pasture management, the cut pastures in the future are likely to have a simple pasture mixture constituting only cocksfoot and white clover(Trifolium repens).Whereas in grazed pasture, the pasture mixture is likely to be comprised of white clover and unsown species such as sedge, local grass and broadleaf weeds.