SHEAR CHARACTERISTICS OF

NAPIER GRASS STEMS

C.-C. Lien, H.-W. Liu

ABSTRACT. This study used a single pendulum impulse-cutting device to simulate the shearing conditions of cutting
Napier grass stem in different harvest periods for a forage grass harvester. The test data and analysis results suggested
that the shear strength of Napier grass stem increased with the bevel angle and shear velocity, and the shear impulse per
unit area of Napier grass stem increased with the bevel angle, but decreased as the shear velocity increased. The impact
shearing test was carried out for Napier grass stem when the average moisture content was 82.9% and the harvest period
was 30 days. The multiple regression equation of shear strength τm(MPa), bevel angle θ (°), and shear velocity V (m/s)
was obtained as follows: τm = -2.021 + 0.042θ+ 0.631V, correlation coefficient R=0.850, standard deviation S=0.266
(MPa). The shear strength and shear impulse per unit area of Napier grass stem increased with the harvest period, and
the Napier grass stem epidermis significantly affected the process of shear failure. The cut grass stem had fractures and
uneven sections at the bevel angle of 40°.
Keywords. Bevel angle, Harvest period, Napier grass stems, Shear impulse, Shear strength, Shear velocity.

T
he Napier grass is a gramineal sychnocarpous
upright and bushy forage grass. Its shape and
growth habit are similar to sugarcane, and it can
be cut green after 8 to 10 weeks of growth. The
Napier grass is a forage crop often used by dairy farmers in
Taiwan. This forage can be directly used for preparing
silage. It is the most basic and economical feed for grazers
such as cattle, and it provides the animals with required
nutrition, including protein, energy, mineral substances,
and vitamins (Chen, 2003).
Crop stem cutting is an inevitable process in harvesting,
and it is a process that can result in mechanical failure.
Although it depends on the structure and strength of the
plant material, the epidermis is the outermost protective
tissue of stem structure. The epidermis cells of gramineal
Napier grass contain a large amount of silica, so its surface
is hard, which affects the stem cutting significantly. As the
stem is mostly fibrous matter, the length of harvest period
affects the fiber hardness and moisture content of the crop.
The fiber fracture is an important part of the shear failure
process (Persson, 1987).
Halyk and Hurlbut (1968) used a specific testing
machine to test the tensile strength and shearing strength of
alfalfa stem. The experimental results showed that the
tensile strength and shearing strength of alfalfa stem were
inversely proportional to the moisture content in alfalfa
Submitted for review in November 2013 as manuscript number BE
10497; approved for publication by the Applied Science & Engineering
Community of ASABE in October 2014.
The authors are Cheng-Chang Lien, Associate Professor, and Hong-
Wei Liu, Graduated Student, Department of Biomechatronic Engineering,
National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan. Corresponding author:
Cheng-Chang Lien, Department of Biomechatronic Engineering, National
Chiayi University, 300 University Road, Chiayi, 60004 Taiwan; phone:
+886-5-2717972;. email: lanjc@mail.ncyu.edu.tw.
stem, and proportional to the dry matter density of alfalfa
stem. Prince et al. (1969) affixed a strain gauge to forage
and dry corn stalk and alfalfa stem in order to carry out
torsion, tensile, and compression tests. They obtained the
shearing stress and elastic modulus in tension and
compression, and evaluated the effects of maturity and
moisture content of corn stalk on mechanical strength. Ige
and Finner (1975) carried out a shearing test for alfalfa
stem, and calculated the shearing energy according to the
force-displacement curve. They found that if the shearing
energy of alfalfa stem was roughly estimated on the wet
matter weight per unit, the shearing energy of alfalfa stem
increased as the moisture content decreased.
McRandal and McNulty (1980) carried out shearing
tests on forage grass stems, and, from the force-
displacement curve, obtained its mechanical properties,
which included shear strength, penetration resistance, and
shearing energy. They also used linear regression and
statistical methods to discuss the relevance of the crop
properties (maturity, solids content) and shear conditions
(bevel angle, shear velocity) of forage grass to the
abovementioned mechanical properties. Visvanathan et al.
(1996) used an impulse-cutting device to test the shearing
energy of cassava tubers, and found the optimum bevel
angle, shear velocity and the shear angle of cassava tubers.
The experimental results showed that the shearing energy
increased with the bevel angle and shear velocity.
Chattopadhyay and Pandey (1999) used a physical property
analyzer to test the shear properties of sorghum stalk. The
results showed that if the bevel angle was 30° to 70° and
the loading rate was 10 to 100 mm/min, the peak shear
strength and the specific cutting energy increased with the
bevel angle, and the peak shear strength and the specific
cutting energy decreased gradually as the loading rate
increased.

Applied Engineering in Agriculture

Vol. 31(1): 5-13 © 2015 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers ISSN 0883-8542 DOI 10.13031/aea.31.10497 5
 Ìnce et al. (2005) used a physical property analyzer to
research the shear properties of sunflower stem. The
experimental results indicated that the moisture content and
shearing stress increased exponentially, and the shearing
stress increased along the upper, middle, and lower levels
of stem. It was also found that the structural heterogeneity
of the stem resulted in a higher shearing stress and specific
shearing energy at a lower level of stem. Tavakoli et al.
(2009) studied the effect of moisture content and loading
rate on the shearing characteristics of barley straw. The
experimental results indicated that the shear strength and
shearing energy of barley straw increased with the moisture
content and loading rate.
The cutting, gripping, feeding, fine cutting, and
throwing operation in Napier grass harvesting is the process
that should be taken into account in the design of
harvesting machines. In addition, the cutting and fine
cutting operation is closely related to the shear properties of
forage grass stem. According to previous studies, this study
evaluated the shearing strength and energy of crop stem
using a texture analyzer to determine the force-
displacement curve obtained from the shearing process.
The measurement of shear velocity using a texture analyzer
in a stem shearing test may not reflect the actual shear
velocity of a forage grass harvester. The test results may be
distorted and produce errors. Therefore, this study used a
single pendulum impulse-cutting device to simulate the
shearing conditions of cutting Napier grass stem in
different harvest periods. The strength-time curve of forage
grass stem was obtained from the impact shearing test, and
the shear force and shear impulse per unit area were
calculated. The moisture content of Napier grass stem was
measured. The harvest period, bevel angle, and shear
velocity were changed. The process of shear failure was
analyzed according to the force-time diagram, and its effect
on the shear strength and shear impulse of Napier grass
stem was discussed as a reference frame for designing a
Napier grass harvester.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
In the actual forage harvesting of Napier grass, the base
stem of the plant is cut off quickly. Hence, the Napier grass
stem was used as the subject in the impact shearing test, but
the impact shearing test for Napier grass leaf was not
carried out. In the Napier grass forage harvesting, the stem
mowing and fine cutting process is closely related to the
shearing action. The factors influencing the shear properties
are the moisture content in the crop stem, the harvest
period, the stem cross-section area, the shear blade
material, the bevel angle, and the shear velocity.
THEORETICAL BASIS
Stem Shearing Mechanics
A cross-section of stem consists of four elements:
epidermis, fiber, soft cells, and cavities. The epidermis is a
collenchyma, composed of long living cells, often
containing chlorophyll. The cell wall only thickens locally,
not disturbing local elongation growth. When the organs
6 APPLIED ENGINEERING IN AGRICULTURE
form in the plant, the collenchyma is the first tissue that
provides mechanical support. The fiber has a light section
and a vascular bundle of thick-wall long cells. The soft
cells are larger cells that surround the fiber. The epidermis
and fiber are elements of material structure, providing the
stem with strength. The elasticity, strength and rigidity
inside the plant material are formed from the rheological
properties of the cell wall Mohsenin (1986).
The stem displays different tissue failure modes in the
shearing process. These failures are closely related to the
cutting blade characteristics. As the initial penetration of
the cutting blade results in local plastic deformation of
plant material, in the case of moist stem and high shear
velocity of the cutting blade, the turgor inside the stem
limits the initial compression of the plant. As the cutting
blade moves, the stem is subject to a large amount of
bucking and compression. The shape and speed of the
cutting blade that determine this compression can push
ahead completely, and enter the edge side of the blade. The
precompression results in a gradually concentrated force on
the cutting blade, and the energy of precompression can
consume 40% to 60% of the total shearing energy. When
the stem fiber is turned in front of the cutting blade, the
shear strength of the material is set up to generate the
tensile stress of the stem fiber. When the stress is large
enough to cause tension failure of the stem fiber, the load in
front of the cutting blade is further transferred to the stem
fiber and other tissues (Sitkei, 1986; Srivatava et al., 1993)
(or when the stem strength is exceeded).
Moisture Content in Napier Grass Stem
When Napier grass stem is expressed as wet basis
moisture content, the computing formula is:
Wet basis moisture content (w.b.)% =
(Ww - Wd) / Ww ×100% (1)
Shear Velocity
The impact shearing test for Napier grass stem was
carried out using a single pendulum impulse-cutting device,
as shown in figure 1. The oscillating arm and impact
hammer swing down freely to generate impact energy,
which is instantly applied to the stem by the blade of the
impact hammer. Then the cutting blade inside the impact
hammer immediately cuts off the stem. The impact hammer
with cutting blade is lifted to height h, then its energy is
released freely. Figure 1 is the schematic diagram of the
impulse-cutting device for stem. The relationship between
the lift height h of the impact hammer and the lift angle α
of the oscillating arm is expressed as follows:
h = R + Rcos(π-α)= R - Rcosα (2)
When the oscillating arm and impact hammer swing to
the lowest point freely, if the potential energy of the
oscillating arm and the impact hammer is completely
converted into kinetic energy, the blade in the impact
hammer has a shear velocity V before impulse cutting of
the forage grass stem. If the bearing has no friction effect
when the oscillating arm is swinging, and the oscillating
arm and impact hammer are free from wind resistance
 Impact hammer
Load cell

R Degree plate
Signal amplifier

Local region network

M1

m1 α
h

R Signal acquisition

Blades

Napier grass stem h’

Seater
Computer

Figure 1. Schematic of impulse-cutting device for Napier grass stem.

when swinging down, then the oscillating arm can be

regarded as a rigid motion. The weight of the oscillating gR (1 − cos α )(2 M 1 + m1 )
Vc = Rω = R 2ω 2 = (4)
arm is m1, the turning radius is R(m), and the impact 1
M 1 + m1
hammer can be regarded as a particle motion. The blade is 3
fixed to the centroid, and the total weight is M1. When the
oscillating arm is lifted to the lift angle α, then the The oscillating arm length R (0.395 m), oscillating arm
oscillating arm and impact hammer are released freely and weight m1 (1.15 kg) and impact hammer weight M1 (0.90
swing down under the gravity, to the lowest position, kg), and the given oscillating arm lift angle α are
according to the potential energy-kinetic energy substituted in equation 4 to calculate the shear velocity
conservation principle: before impulse cutting of Napier grass stem.
Gravitational potential energy of oscillating arm + Peak Shear Strength and Shear Impulse
gravitational potential energy of the impact hammer = This study used the shear strength and shear impulse of
angular kinetic energy of the oscillating arm + kinetic Napier grass stem as the evaluation indexes for Napier
energy of the impact hammer grass stem in the cutting-off process. Figure 2 shows the
The impact hammer lift height h in equation 2 is typical force-time curve in the impulse-cutting of stem. The
substituted in the above equation, expressed as equation 3. maximum shear force on the force-time curve is Fmax, and
R R  the shear strength τm is defined as:
m1 g  − cos α  + M 1 g ( R − R cos α ) =
2 2  (3) Fmax
τm = (5)
1 1 A
I 0 ω 2 + M 1V M 1 2
2 2 2
where A is the area of section of stem, A = π d (cm2), and
( )
1 4
I 0 = mR 2 kg ⋅ m 2 d = mean diameter of stem (cm). The shear impulse value I
3 is for calculating the area under the force-time curve in the
impulse cutting-off process, as shown in figure 2. The
The centroid velocity of the oscillating arm cutting impulse Im per unit area can be obtained from the
R following equation:
Vm1 = ⋅ ω and the velocity of the impact hammer VM1 =
2 1
A
R⋅ω are substituted in equation 3. Im = F ⋅ dt (6)

31(1): 5-13 7
 N
350
320
290
260
230
Shearing force ( N )
200
170
140
110
80
50
20
-10
-3
Figure 2. Typical force-time curve in impulse cutting of Napier grass stem.
TEST EQUIPMENT
The equipment and devices used for this test include the
following:
Forced Circulation Constant Temperature Oven,
Digital Vernier Caliper, and Micro Electronic Scale
The forced circulation constant temperature oven (FC-
610, ADVANTEC, Japan) has a timing function. The
maximum preset temperature can be 250°C, and the
accuracy can be 0.1°C. The oven dries the Napier grass
stem specimens completely. A digital vernier caliper (500-
196, Mitutoyo, Japan), with a measuring range of
150 mm/6 in., to 0.01 mm/0.0005 in., is used for accurately
measuring the diameter of Napier grass stem. A micro-
electronic scale (HF-6100, AND, Japan), with a maximum
measurement value of 6100 g, and an accuracy of 0.01 g, is
used for measuring the weight of specimens.
Force Measuring Device
The device consists of a force sensor, a piezoelectric
signal transmission line, a signal amplifier, a signal
acquisition unit, and a computer and Famos data analysis
software. The force sensor (208C02, PCB Piezotronics,
N.Y.) is a quartz piezoelectric converter. The signal
acquisition unit (Imc SPARTAN, IMC, Novi, Mich.) is used
for capturing the voltage of the force sensor, and the captured
data are transferred to the computer through LAN. The μ-
MUSYCS-SPARTAN V2.0 software in the computer sets
the data acquisition speed at 2000 points per second. The
captured voltage (mV) signal is amplified by the signal
amplifier (P730B, Wilcoxon Research, Germantown, Md.)
and the conversion correction factor of the force sensor
converts the voltage signal into a force (N) signal which is
displayed on the computer screen. The data are then stored.
The data analysis software (Famos, IMC, Germany) displays
the force-time curve diagram obtained from the test, records
the maximum shear force, and implements a mathematical
processing of the integral area within this force-time curve.
8 APPLIED ENGINEERING IN AGRICULTURE
The max. shear force Fmax
The shear impulse I =  F ⋅ dt
-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Time ( ms ) ms
Impact Shearing Measuring Device
The impact shearing energy measuring device is convert-
ed from an Izod impact tester, of the single pendulum type.
The top end of the oscillating arm and the degree plate have
the same axle center and swing on this axle center. The
bottom of the oscillating arm connects to the impact
hammer, and the inside of the impact hammer has a slot for
mounting the cutting blade. There are two screws under the
transit block for connecting and fastening the shear blade.
The upper end of the transit block contacts the load end of
the force sensor. The lift angle of the impact hammer can be
read on the degree plate. The seater can hold the stem
specimen on one side. During the test, the impact hammer is
lifted to the predetermined angle α, and the initial position is
fixed by the trip. The lift angle can be read from the scale on
the degree plate. When the force measuring device is
switched on and the trip is pressed down, the impact hammer
swings down freely to generate kinetic energy to impact and
cut off the stem, thus simulating the forage grass forage
harvester gripping and shearing the forage grass stem
aboveground. A part of the energy is absorbed when the stem
is cut off, and the residual energy makes the impact hammer
swing up to the opposite side. An impact contact force is
generated at the moment when the front edge of blade on the
impact hammer contacts the stem, and this instant impact
contact force acts on the force sensor through the transit
block. The force sensor sends out a micro voltage signal
according to the force, and the signal amplifier and signal
acquisition unit transmit the test data to a computer where it
is stored and recorded.
The material of the cutting-off blade inside the impact
hammer of the impact shearing measuring device is
medium steel (S55C). The heat treated hardness is 44 HRC,
and the cutting-off blade is 3 mm thick, 56 mm long, and
50 mm wide. The bevel angles in the test are 20°, 30°, and
40°, as shown in figure 3. The impact hammer lift angles α
designed in the test are 90°, 120°, and 150°.

(a) 20°
(b) 30°
(c) 40°
Figure 3. Cutting-off blades at bevel angles of 20°, 30°, and 40°.
EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
MEASUREMENT OF DENSITY AND MOISTURE CONTENT
OF NAPIER GRASS STEM
Napier grass plants of different diameters were collected
randomly from Napier grass plots at different harvest
periods. The Napier grass was cut 5-10 cm above the
ground, and each Napier grass stem was about 20 cm long,
cut into two pieces. The lower half was used for impact
shearing test, and the upper half was used for moisture
content measurement.
A digital vernier caliper was used to measure the length
(L) of stem specimens and two diameters normal to each
other. The mean diameter d was obtained and numbered.
The cross-section area of stem was calculated as a round
section. The micro electronic scale weighed the specimen
stem's weight WW, and then the stem specimen was put in
an oven at a constant temperature of 103°C for 24 h of heat
drying (ASAE Standards, 1992; Srivatava et al., 1993).
Then, the specimen was taken out and placed in a drying
dish to be cooled to the same temperature as the electronic
scale environment. The dry matter was then weighed, and
31(1): 5-13
substituted in equation 1 to calculate the wet basis moisture
content of the stem.
Impact Shearing Test
Three different harvest periods, three different bevel
angles, and three different shear velocities were selected for
the impact shearing test of Napier grass stem with a
predetermined moisture content, in order to discuss the
relationship between the three variables, the shear strength,
and the shear impulse of Napier grass stem.
A digital vernier caliper was used to measure the mean
diameter d of the specimen stem and to number it. Next, the
cross-section area A of the stem was calculated. The seater
of the impulse-cutting device clamped one end of specimen
stem and held it in an upright position. The bevel angle of
the shear blade and the impact hammer lift angle were
recorded. The signal acquisition unit was switched on and
the μ-MUSYCS-SPARTAN V2.0 software was started.
The impact oscillating arm was lifted to the preset lift angle
according to the angle indicator on the degree plate. The
oscillating arm trip was pressed down, and the forage grass
stem was impacted and cut off. The force-time curve
diagram was displayed on the screen, and the data were
recorded and stored. The data analysis software (Famos)
was started, and the computer displayed the force-time
curve diagram when the experiment file was opened. The
maximum shear force Fmax and the integral calculated
cutting impulse I were recorded. Then, the shear strength
τm and the shear impulse Im per unit area were determined.
The SAS analytical software was used to carry out a GLM
procedure for the test data, and the ANOVA between the
shear strength and the shear impulse of Napier grass stem,
under different harvest periods, bevel angles and shear
velocities, was obtained. Finally, a multiple regression
analysis was conducted to determine the relationship of
bevel angle and shear velocity to the shear strength of
Napier grass stem. The control variables in the impact
shearing test for Napier grass stem are shown in table 1.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The moisture content in Napier grass stem varies with
season, soil, and fertilization management. A higher
moisture content in a stem leads to a heavier Napier grass
plant, but the stem reaping, or fine cutting, consumes less
shearing energy (Halyk and Hurlbut, 1968; Ige and Finner,
1975). Table 2 shows the moisture content in Napier grass
stems of different harvest periods sampled in May. As
shown, the moisture content in the forage Napier grass stem
decreased slightly as the harvest period extended. When the
harvest period was 30 to 50 days, the moisture content in
the forage Napier grass stem was 80.8% to 87.0%, and the
average moisture content in all specimens was 82.9%.
The three levels of bevel angle θ designed for the test
were 20°, 30°, and 40°, and three levels of lift angle α were
90°, 120°, and 150°. The three lift angles were substituted
in equation 5 to calculate the three shear velocities, 2.89,
3.53, and 3.94 m/s before the impact shearing. The shear
strengths of Napier grass stem at different shear velocities
and bevel angles are shown in table 3. As seen, when the
9
 Table 1. Control variables in impact shearing test.
Crop Harvest Period
Conditions 30 days 40 days 50 days
Mechanical Bevel angle θ (°) 20° 30°
conditions Impact hammer lift angle α (°) 90° 120°
Table 2. Moisture content in Napier grass stems
of different harvest periods.
Harvest Period No. of Moisture Content
(no. of days) Samples (%)[a]
30 30 87.0 ±2.3
40 30 81.0 ±3.7
50 30 80.8 ±1.5
[a]
Average moisture content [(87.0+81.0+80.8)/3]% =82.9%.
harvest period was 30 days, the shear strength of Napier
grass stem increased with the shear velocity at the same
bevel angle θ. At the bevel angle of 30°, the shear strength
of Napier grass stem increased from 0.9 to 1.58 MPa as the
shear velocity increased, indicating that a higher shear
velocity leads to a larger resistance generated by instant
impact shearing of the stem, as well as to greater
corresponding shear strength. At the same shear velocity V,
the shear strength of Napier grass stem increased with the
bevel angle. At the shear velocity of 3.53 m/s, the shear
strength of Napier grass stem increased from 0.82 to
1.72 MPa as the bevel angle increased. At three different
bevel angles, the corresponding shear strengths of Napier
grass stem were significantly different from each other,
indicating that larger bevel angle results in larger resistance
to the front edge of the cutting blade cutting into the stem,
and the shear strength of the stem increases accordingly.
The shear impulse per unit area of Napier grass stem at
different shear velocities and bevel angles is shown in table 4.
When the harvest period was 30 days, and with the same bevel
angle, the shear impulse per unit area of Napier grass stem
decreased as the shear velocity increased. This is because
when the shear velocity was large, the moment was high, and
the shearing time was shortened in the stem shearing process,
so that the corresponding shear impulse was reduced. At the
same shear velocity, the shear impulse per unit area of Napier
grass stem increased with the bevel angle. When the bevel
angle was 40°and the shear velocity was 2.89 m/s, the
maximum shear impulse was 1.46 (N-s/cm2).
The shear strength and shear impulse of Napier grass
stem in different harvest periods are shown in table 5.
When the bevel angle was 30° and the shear velocity was
40°
150°
3.53 m/s, the shear strength and shear impulse per unit area
of Napier grass stem increased with the harvest period. The
shear strength increased from 1.97 to 4.56 MPa, and the
shear impulse increased from 0.26 to 0.57 N-s/cm2. The
shear strength and shear impulse per unit area of Napier
grass stem corresponding to three different harvest periods
differed significantly. This is because the maturity of
Napier grass stem increases as the harvest period extends,
and the outer layer of stem is lignified and more mature
fibers accumulate inside increasing the hardness and
toughness, so that the shear strength and shear impulse are
increased.
The shear strength τm of Napier grass stem was affected
by the moisture content in the stem, by the harvest period,
and by the bevel angle and shear velocity, as shown in
table 6. When the moisture content was 83.7% and the
harvest period was 30 days, the multiple regression
equation of shear strength τm of Napier grass stem (MPa),
bevel angle θ and shear velocity V is τm = -2.021 + 0.042 θ
+ 0.631 V, correlation coefficient R = 0.850, and the
standard deviation S = 0.266 (MPa). The regression
coefficient was significant and the residual errors were
distributed uniformly according to the verification of the t
value and the residual errors obtained from the regression
analysis.
A typical force-time curve of Napier grass stem is
shown in figure 4. The entire cutting-off process of the
stem was completed within just several ms. Point A in the
force-time curve is where the front edge of the shear blade
begins to contact the stem epidermis; the contact force is
compressive force. The stem was compressed and
deformed where the front edge of the blade contacts the
stem, and the compressive force increased sharply to the
maximum value Point B. When this compressive force
overcame the epidermis breaking force, the front edge of
the blade entered the stem, and then cut the fibers and other
tissues inside the stem. At this moment, the shear force on
the cutting blade decreased to Point C with the shearing
process. The bevel surface at the front end of the shear

Table 3. Shear strength of Napier grass stem at different shear velocities and bevel angles.[a]
Shear Strength τm (MPa)
Bevel Angle θ (°) 20° 30° 40°
Shear velocity V (m/s) 2.89 3.53 3.94 2.89 3.53 3.94 2.89 3.53 3.94
Number of samples 20 20 20
Mean value[b] 0.56a1 0.82b1 0.99c1 0.90a2 1.44b2 1.58b2 1.25a3 1.72b3 1.93b3
Standard deviation 0.10 0.18 0.26 0.26 0.37 0.27 0.19 0.24 0.35
[a]
Average moisture content in stem is 87.0% and harvest period is 30 days.
[b]
Mean ± Std with different superscripts in the same column and raw are significantly different (P≤0.05), using the Scheffe test.

Table 4. Shear impulse of Napier grass stem at different shear velocities and bevel angles.[a]
Shear Impulse Im(N-s/cm2)
Bevel angle (°) 20° 30° 40°
Shear velocity (m/s) 2.89 3.53 3.94 2.89 3.53 3.94 2.89 3.53 3.94
Number of samples 20 20 20
Mean value[b] 0.59a1 0.48a1 0.37b1 0.75a1 0.56b1 0.41b1 1.46a2 1.24a2 0.88b2
Standard deviation 0.16 0.14 0.13 0.27 0.17 0.14 0.30 0.38 0.27
[a]
Average moisture content in stem is 87.0% and harvest period is 30 days.
[b]
Mean ± Std with different superscripts in the same column and raw are significantly different (P≤0.05), using the Scheffe test.

10 APPLIED ENGINEERING IN AGRICULTURE

 Table 5. Shear strength and shear impulse of process of the stem; the forage grass stem is stressed and
Napier grass stem in different harvest periods.[a]
Shear Strength τm Shear Impulse Im
deformed in this process. Section BC is the shearing
Harvest period (MPa) (N-s/cm2) process of the stem, and Section CD is the residual
(no of days) 30 40 50 30 40 50 epidermis pulling process.
Number of samples 20 20 Figures 5(a) and (b) show the force-time curves of
Mean value[b] 1.97a 2.81b 4.67c 0.26a 0.37b 0.57c Napier grass stem at a bevel angle of 20° and with different
Standard deviation 0.55 0.84 1.31 0.06 0.08 0.19
[a]
Bevel angle is 30°, shear velocity is 3.23 m/s.
shear velocities. As seen, the corresponding maximum
[b]
Mean ± Std with different superscripts in the same column and raw are shear force increased and the corresponding shearing time
significantly different (P≤0.05), using the Scheffe test. decreased as the shear velocity increased. Figures 5(a) and
(c) show the force-time curves of Napier grass stem at a
Table 6. Regression statistics of the shear strength τm of Napier grass shear velocity of 2.89 m/s and at different bevel angles. As
stem with respect to bevel angle θ and shear velocity V.[a] seen, the corresponding maximum shear force and shearing
Variable[b] Estimate Std. Error T value P
time increased with the bevel angle. Figure 6 shows the
a0 -2.021 0.175 -11.52 <0.0001
a1 0.042 0.002 17.45 <0.0001 cut-off patterns of Napier grass stem at bevel angles of 20°
a2 0.631 0.050 12.58 <0.0001 and 40°. The shearing section and residual epidermis of cut
Degrees of freedom = 177 Standard deviation = 0.266 forage grass stem were observed, as shown in Section CD
Coefficient of multiple of the force-time curve in figure 5. The process of the
correlation R = 0.850
[a]
Average moisture content is 87.0% and harvest period is 30 days.
residual epidermis being pulled away by the cutting blade
[b]
The multi-regression equation τm = a0 + a1θ + a2 V. a0, a1, a2 regression before the finish of the shearing process can be seen. When
coefficient. the bevel angle was 20°, the stem was completely cut and
its shearing section was even, and there was only a very
blade generated a lateral thrust on the shear surface of the small piece of residual epidermis. However, when the bevel
cut stem. This lateral thrust acted on the section of stem. angle was at 40°, the cut stem was fractured and its
The stem, which was to be cut off, bent in the final shearing shearing section was uneven. There was a large piece of
process, so that the residual epidermis, which was not cut residual epidermis, indicating that the epidermis of Napier
off completely, was pulled away and torn by the cutting grass stem significantly affected the entire shear failure
blade. Then, the entire forage grass stem shearing process process.
was finished. The acting force of the shear blade decreased Based on the experimental results, this study suggested
to Point D when it left the forage grass stem. Napier grass that the cutting blade of an adjustable angle may be
stem shearing was divided into three processes according to designed in the future to suit different cutting situations and
the previous description. Section AB is the compression environments. Moreover, for impact cutting testing

N
350
AB：Compression zone of stem
320
BC：Shear zone of stem
CD：Tensile fracture zone of stem epidermis
290

260

B
Shear force (N)

230

200

170

140 C

110

80
A
50 D

20

-10
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Time (ms) ms

Figure 4. Typical force-time curve of Napier grass stem at bevel angle of 30° and shear velocity of 3.23 m/s.

31(1): 5-13 11
 N
350

320
θ1 = 20°，V1 = 2.64 m/s
290

260

230

200

170

140

110

80

50

20
Residual epidermis
-10 20° bevel angle 40° bevel angle
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

ms Figure 6. Impact cut-off patterns of Napier grass stem at 20° and 40°
N
350 bevel angles.
320
θ1 = 20°，V3 = 3.60 m/s period, and mechanical conditions (e.g., bevel angle and
290
shear velocity). According to the test results, the shear
260
strength of Napier grass stem increased with the bevel
230
angle and shear velocity, and the shear impulse per unit
200
area of Napier grass stem increased with the bevel angle,
170 but decreased as the shear velocity increased. The shear
140 strength and shear impulse per unit area of Napier grass
110 stem increased as the harvest period extended. In this study,
80 the impact shearing test was carried out on the Napier grass
50
stem when the moisture content was 82.9% and the harvest
20
period was 30 days. A multiple regression equation of shear
-10
strength τm (MPa) to the bevel angle θ and shear velocity V
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 was obtained: τm = -2.021 + 0.042θ+ 0.631 V, correlation
N
ms coefficient R = 0.850, standard deviation S = 0.266 (MPa).
350 The epidermis of the Napier grass stem significantly
320 affected the process of shear failure. At 40° bevel angle, the
θ2 = 40°，V1 = 2.64 m/s
290 cut forage grass stem had fractures and uneven sections.
260

230

200 REFERENCES
170 ASAE Standards. (1992). S358.2. Moisture measurement-forages.
140
St. Joseph, Mich.: ASAE.
Chattopadhyay, P. S., & Pandey, K. P. (1999). Mechanical
110
properties of sorghum stalk in relation to quasi-static
80 deformation. J. Agric. Eng. Res., 73(2), 199-206.
50 http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/jaer.1999.0406.
20
Chen, Y. K. (2003). Multipurpose breeding of napiergrass and
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-10
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Halyk, R. M., & Hurlbut, L. W. (1968). Tensile and shear
ms characteristics of alfalfa stems. Trans. ASAE, 11(2), 256-257.
http://dx.doi.org/10.13031/2013.39384.
Figure 5. Typical force-time curve of Napier grass stem at different
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12 APPLIED ENGINEERING IN AGRICULTURE

Mohsenin, N. N. (1986). Physical Properties of Plant and Animal
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NOMENCLATURE
Science Publ. A Area of section of grass stems
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and modulus of elasticity of selected forages. Trans. ASAE, h Distance between the impact hammer lifted to the
12(2), 426-429. http://dx.doi.org/10.13031/2013.38857. predetermined angle and the reference surface (cm)
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N.Y.: Elsevier Science Publ. I0 Moment of inertia of the oscillating arm on the
Srivatava, A. K., Goering, C. E., & Rohrbach, R. P. (1993).
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bearing turning pivot O
Mich.: ASAE. R Distance between the impact hammer center and the
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moisture content and loading rate on the shearing characteristics VM1 Linear velocity of the impact hammer centroid
of barley straw by internode position. Agric. Eng. Intl. CIGR, 11, (m/s)
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Visvanathan, R., Sreenarayanan, V. V., & Swaminathan, K. R. Ww Wet matter specimen weight (gf)
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Wd Dry matter specimen weight (gf)
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(°)
τm Shear strength of grass stems (MPa)
ω Angular velocity of the oscillating arm (rad/s)

31(1): 5-13 13