determination the mechanical stress on the cutter bar of the harvesting combine by abaqus

in this paper, to simulate mechanical stress on the cutter bar of the harvesting combine during cutting of wheat stems, first, shearing strength of the stems was measured for various moisture content levels and cutting heights. after that the cutter bar of combine was simulated by abaqus with the specified conditions. the results of the simulation showed that with increase in moisture content of stem, shear stress on the blade is increased up to 18% due to the viscous damping effect of the moisture of stem. on the other hand, with increase in cutting height, shear stress on the blade is decreased up to 12% because of the accumulation of less mature fibers at the lower levels of stems.