Research Progress on the Application of the Discrete Element Method in Agricultural Engineering

Abstract

Due to the highly seasonal nature of agricultural production, extensive field trials are required when conducting research and development of agricultural machinery and studying crops. Field trials are not only time-consuming and labor-intensive but also costly; however, the discrete element method (DEM) has found widespread application in agricultural production due to its time- and labor−saving advantages and superior visualization capability. The DEM is extensively used in soil tillage, crop seeding, grain harvesting, and cleaning and separation. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of research progress on discrete elements in the agricultural sector, categorizes methods for directly measuring and inversely calibrating discrete element parameters of agricultural materials, and summarizes the methods for obtaining various parameters and their applicable ranges. classifies crops into stems, leaves, fruits, and whole plants; and summarizes the development and evolution of crop and soil modeling. It comprehensively summarizes the development and significance of multiphysics coupling simulation technologies integrating the Discrete Element Method (DEM) with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Multibody Dynamics (MBD), and the Finite Element Method (FEM). Finally, this paper analyzes existing challenges and proposed solutions for applying the Discrete Element Method in the agricultural sector and outlines its future prospects. The aim is to provide guidance for the in-depth application of the Discrete Element Method in agricultural equipment research and development (R&D), thereby helping to enhance the efficiency of agricultural mechanization and sustainable food production capacity.