Biomimetic Design And Experimental Research Of Resistance-Reducing Surfaces Of Soil-Tool Systems

Geometrical morphologies of dung beetle's cuticle surfaces were examined. The structures observed on the cuticle surface included convex domes, steps and ridges. The upper outlines of tip and middle section of a claw of yellow mouse were measured and their radii of curvature were calculated. The non-smooth structures of the dung beetle's cuticle surfaces were modeled on surface of spear-type furrow opener in forms of steel and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). A conventional surface furrow opener, the biomimetic furrow opener surfaces with steel domes, steel steps, steel cylindrical section ridges, steel tubular section ridges, UHMWPE covering sheet, UHMWPE domes, UHMWPE steps, UHMWPE cylindrical section ridges, and UHMWPE tubular section ridges were analyzed in ANSYS program. The biomimetic furrow opener surfaces with UHMWPE structures found to have lower equivalent stresses and stress distribution in direction of motion as compared to the conventional surface and the biomimetic surfaces with steel structures. Opener surface with the biomimetic UHMWPE tubular section ridges recorded the least stress distribution. Based on the upper outlines of tip and middle section of a claw of yellow mouse and cuticle surface non-smooth structures, the biomimetic covering devices and bulldozing blades were designed and analyzed in ANSYS program. It was found that covering device surfaces with UHMWPE domes and with UHMWPE steps have the lowest stresses distribution; the lowest stresses distribution was recorded by blade surface with UHMWPE covering sheet. The covering device and blade surfaces with UHMWPE structures recorded lower equivalent stresses and stresses distribution in motion direction as compared to the conventional surfaces and the surfaces with steel structures. Resistance force and power requirement for conventional surface furrow opener and the biomimetic opener surface with UHMWPE tubular section ridges were predicted in a program developed in C++ language and tested in an indoor soil bin. It was demonstrated that the furrow opener with the biomimetic surface possessed a better resistance reduction property against soil. The potential applications of biomimetic techniques developed for soil-tool systems in agricultural production in Sudan were analyzed after summarizing agricultural and mechanization status in Sudan.