Shearing characteristics of sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) stalks as a function of the rate of the applied force

Abstract

This research was carried out to determine the effect of loading rate and internode position on shearing characteristics of sugar cane stalk. The experiments were conducted at three loading rates of 5, 10, and 15 mm min -1 and at ten internode positions down from the flower. Based on the result obtained, loading rate had significant effect on the shear strength and specific shearing energy of the stalk. With increasing loading rate, the shear strength and specific shearing energy increased. Therefore, lower rates of blades are recommended for reducing energy requirement during harvesting and processing sugar cane stalks. In addition, the internode position had a significant effect on the specific shearing energy, while it did not have significant effect on the shear strength. The specific shearing energy increased towards the lower internodes. The average shear strength was obtained as 3.64 MPa varying from 3.03 to 4.43 MPa. The average specific shearing energy was calculated as 51.41 mJ mm -2 ranging from 37.42 to 64.25 mJ mm -2 . The results of this study are useful for designing and optimizing equipment associated with harvesting, threshing, and processing