1,
3,
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to study some physical and mechanical properties of the two major components cotton and pigeon pie stalks.
These properties are necessary to apply normal design procedures such as pneumatic conveying, fluidization, drying, and
combustion. The results obtained from determining the mechanical properties of average tensile and compressive strength for
cotton stalks at different moisture content (9.58, 14.22 and 16.00%) was (0.34, 0.35 and 0.23MPa) and (7.24, 5.58 and 5.40
MPa) respectively. The results obtained from determining the mechanical properties of average tensile and compressive
strength for pigeon stalks (pie) at different moisture content (10.10, 15.95 and 17.24%) was (0.54, 0.69 and 0.39MPa) and (8.95,
6.61 and 4.21MPa) respectively. Other than tensile and compressive strength the various test such as shear strength, impact
test, torsion test and bending moment are performed on the cotton and pigeon stalk. The modulus of elasticity and toughness
were evaluated as a function of moisture content. As the moisture content of the stalk regions increased the modulus of
elasticity and toughness decreased indicating a reduction in the brittleness of the stalk regions. Useful conclusions may be the
analysis of the stalk phenomenon refers to the correlation of the main mechanical properties of these residues. All the tests are
performed by taking the average diameter of three portion of stalk i.e. Top, middle and bottom portion of the plant
Keywords: Wood Analysis, Cotton stalks, pigeon stalks, physical properties, Average diameter of stalk, Mechanical
characteristics and moisture content.
I. INTRODUCTION
India is the leading manufacturer of paper and having large area covered by the forest trees from which the wood is
supplied to the paper manufacturing industries. The types of wood from which paper is produce includes soft wood like
- spruce & pine, hard wood like - short fiber, grasses - several types of long grasses like bamboo, sabai grass, sarkanda
etc, the cotton and pigeon plants also used as raw material in paper manufacturing units because it gives more strength
in paper or paper board, In India there is no any concept of producing the chips from the wood before supplying to the
industry. The concept behind the study is to do the research for designing the human powered operated wood chipper
machine that can do the chips of cotton and pigeon stalk and as we know the physical and mechanical properties such
as tensile and compressive strength, shear strength, impact test, torsion test and bending moment of these stalk then it
is easier to design the various machine components based on the result obtained.
India is the agricultural based country where the production of cotton and pigeon takes places in maximum numbers.
Near about 70 % of farmers in the Maharashtra region is taking this production every year.
After extracting the cotton and red gram from the cotton and pigeon crops the farmer will store only 20% of the total
crops for food cooking purpose and leftover is count to be as waste. Leftover dry crops of cotton and pigeon are to be
produced in the form of chip by human powered wood chipper machine and can be supply to the paper manufacturing
industries.
Cutting and conditioning of cotton stalks & pigeon stalks, as only in recent years has cotton stalks, pigeon stalks
production for industrial purposes been permitted in India and some Asian countries. The crop residues stalks and
fiber have great potential for many products such as wood, paper, fuel resource, animal forage, compost and building
materials. These stalks are a tall plant and its stem has a large diameter. A stalk has high percentage of lignin and
consists of a woody core and an outer fibrous tissue. These characteristics may make cutting and conditioning cotton
and pigeon more energy intensive than any other crops.
Important mechanical properties of the agricultural material from the cutting standpoint are strength in tension, shear
and bending, density and friction. These properties are influenced by species, variety and age of the plant, moisture
content and the cellular structure. The values of these factors are the mechanical properties and observed a wide range
Page 156
of maximum shear strength for cotton stalk is from 6.24 to 24.94 MPA because of its marked dependence on moisture
content with a negative linear correlation between shear strength and moisture content. However, show little
dependence of shear strength on moisture content, based on dry matter cross-sectional area of the stem. The crosssectional area and moisture content of the crop had significant influence on cutting energy and maximum cutting force.
The shearing energy and maximum shearing force were found to be directly proportional to the cross-sectional area and
inversely proportional to the moisture content of the stalk. Maximum shear energy in direct shear tests was observed to
decrease with the rate of loading. Average maximum shear strength decreased from 24.94 to 6.24 MPA when the rate
of loading was increased from 0.9 to 3.63 KN.
Studies of cutting energy requirements have been conducted on soya bean stalks mesquita & Hanna, (1995), cotton
stalks El Hag et al., (1971), maize stalks Prasad & Gupta, (1975), and alfalfa stems Prince et al., (1969) and pyrethrum
flowers Khazaei et al., (2002). These studies showed that cutting energy is related to the stem mechanical properties
(e.g. maximum cutting force and stem shear strength), and physical properties (e.g. stem diameter, dry matter density
and moisture content). Types of cutting knife and blade edge also affect the cutting energy requirement. A serrated
blade edge gives a higher cutting force and requires more cutting energy than a smooth edge Persson, (1987), also
reviewed several studies on the cutting speed and concluded that cutting power is only slightly affected by cutting
speed, although an increase in cutting speed will often increase the power losses caused by material acceleration.
Information on plant properties and the power or energy requirement of equipment has been very valuable for selecting
design and operational parameters of the equipment Persson, (1987). Such information is needed for the design of wood
chipper machine, weeding, shredding and lawn mowing and conditioners, assuring appropriate machine functions and
an efficient use of energy. The specific objectives were to examine the physical and mechanical properties of cotton and
pigeon stalk. Considering the above points, there is a need for information on the variation in the physico-mechanical
properties of cotton and pigeon stalks to improve chopping conditions. This study was focused on determining the
shear, compression, bending test and the tensile and compressive strength of cotton and pigeon stalks according to
various stalk regions at different moisture contents.
Cotton stalks
Pigeon pie
Range
Average
Range
Average
Stem
length, cm
182 - 98
147.69
250 110
117.5
Stem
diameter,
mm
32 6
18
40 5.8
24.11
Mass of
one stalk,
(g)
200 - 35
106.72
300 58.25
179.125
Number of
branches
27 - 6
15.95
24-7
15.5
For the experimentation purpose the Sample Number, Length and diameter and average diameter of each sample was
taken by using a digital vernier caliper is given to the cotton and pigeon stalk
Page 157
1.1 Shear
The indices which determine the shearing behavior of the plant material are maximum shear strength s and specific
cutting energy ESS. The maximum shear strength is expressed by:
s = Fmax / A
Where, s are the maximum shear strength in (MPa), Fmax is the maximum shear force in (N) and A is the crosssectional area of stalk at the plane of shear in (mm2).
1.2 Compression
The indices which determine the compression behavior of plant material are the modulus of elasticity in compression
and the compressive energy. The modulus of elasticity in compression, which is given by:
c = [(Fc / A) / (L / d)]
Where, c is the modulus of elasticity in compression in (N/mm2). Fc is the compressive force in (N), L is the
transverse deformation due to compressive force in (mm), and d is the diameter of the stalk at the point of compression
in (mm).
1.3 Bending
The indices which determine the bending behavior of plant material are beam failure stress, modulus of elasticity in
bending and bending energy. The beam failure stress b in (MPa) can be expressed by the following equation:
b = My / I and M = Fb x L
Where, M is the maximum bending moment at which the stem fails in (Nmm), y is the distance of outermost fibre from
the neutral axis in (mm), I is the second moment of area of the stem cross-section in (mm4), Fb is the maximum
bending force at which the stem fails in (N), and L is the length of lever arm of the bending force in (mm).
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Page 159
Area
(mm2)
713.5827
625.1492
495.3463
182.083
114.9319
98.4704
57.25131
40.92079
36.08519
Shear
Peak load Peak
strength
(KN) load (N)
(N/mm2)
4.7
4700
29.65
4.4
4400
26.88
3.9
3900
22.71
2.3
2300
17.26
1.9
1900
16.53
1.7
1700
12.63
1.3
1300
7.87
1.1
1100
7.04
1.07
1070
6.59
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28.12
25 620.73 2.51
2510
19.23
7.61
26.87
25 566.77 2.12
2120
19.33
6.55
15.91
15.61
25 198.71 1.5
25 191.28 1.49
1500
1490
19.41
18.75
7.12
5.55
11.85
25 110.23 1.29
1290
15.65
5.41
25
25
25
750
710
620
14.78
14.52
13.88
5.23
5.31
5.27
Top 8.25
Portio 7.5
n
6.7
Positio
n of
sample
Bottom
Portion
Middle
Portion
Top
Portion
53.43 0.75
44.16 0.71
35.24 0.62
Compr
essive
strengt
h
(N/mm2
)
7.85
7.69
6.75
7.24
5.67
5.58
5.20
5.37
5.40
Page 161
After conducting the tensile test as per the procedure mention above on the cotton stalk and pigeon pie, the result
obtained as mention in table below.
Table 8. Tensile Strength of Cotton Stalk
Position Average Length Area Tensil Tensil Change Tensile
of
Diamete (mm) (mm2) e force e force in strength
sample
r of
Fc Fc (N) length (N/mm2)
sample
(KN)
of
sample
(mm)
29.56
300 685.93 2.00 2000 303.1
0.32
Bottom
28
300 615.44 2.74 2740 304.25 0.32
Portion
27.52
300 594.52 2.02 2020 306.22 0.31
15.98
300 200.46 1.2
1200 307.77 0.24
Middle
15.66
300 192.51 1.25 1250 309.20 0.24
Portion
12.75
300 127.61 0.74
740 310.84 0.23
8.12
300 51.76 0.71
710 310.89 0.22
Top
7.41
300 43.10 0.60
600 311.12 0.21
Portion
6.54
300 33.58 0.54
540 312.29 0.20
Position
of
sample
Bottom
Portion
Middle
Portion
Top
Portion
Page 162
Page 163
5. Impact Test.
The impact teat of sample is done for determining the energy required to shear the sample in transverse as well as
along the axis. The impact test can be done in two types.
i. Charpy impact test.
Sample required for Charpy impact teat is of length 55 mm and it should be placed in horizontal against the load. Load
is to be released from 1350 by using V notch for shearing as shown in the fig. 6 below.
Cotton Stalk
Average
Average
Position of
Energy in
Energy in
Diameter
Diameter of
sample
Joule
Joule
of sample
sample
25.63
673
25
656.46
Bottom
24.66
647
24.55
644.11
Portion
24.1
633
24.21
635.89
14.88
390
15.12
396.29
Middle
14.1
370
14.22
373.15
Portion
14
367
13.67
358.35
7.9
207
7.4
193.90
Top Portion
7.5
197
7.2
189.12
7.1
186
6.54
171.33
Table 13. Observations of Izod Impact test
Pigeon Pie
Cotton Stalk
Average
Average
Position of
Energy in
Energy in
Diameter
Diameter of
sample
Joule
Joule
of sample
sample
25.61
760
25.22
662.23
Bottom
24.88
737
24.12
632.83
Portion
24.56
728
24.56
645.08
Middle
14.22
441
14.11
369.82
Page 164
Top Portion
14.1
13.88
8.51
8.41
7.1
418
411
252
249
210
14.02
13.28
7.1
7
6.33
367.90
348.13
186.04
183.87
165.83
6. Torsion Test.
The torsion teat of sample is done for determining the torque required to shear the sample. Sample required for torsion
teat is of length 350 mm and it should be clamp horizontal in the jaws provided as shown below in the fig. 7 and the
test performance are tabulated below.
Pigeon Pie
Average
Average
Position of
Torque in
Torque in
Diameter
Diameter of
sample
N.m
N.m
of sample
sample
26.1
108.75
26.87
127.14
Bottom
25.1
104.5
26.11
123.52
Portion
24.58
102.4
25.12
118.86
15.2
63.3
14.1
66.72
Middle
14.23
59.29
13.1
61.98
Portion
14.1
58.75
12.16
57.54
7.98
33.25
7.54
35.67
Top Portion
7.55
31.45
7.22
34.16
7.17
29.875
7.11
33.64
7. Test for Moisture Content
Stalk samples were oven dried at 105 C for 24 h by using electrical oven as shown in the below fig 8. The samples
were weighted before and after drying and the moisture content was determined by using the following equation:
Moisture Content = (SB SA) / SB x 100
Where:
SB = Sample mass before drying
SA = Sample mass after drying
Page 165
Page 166
maximum values for cotton stalks and pigeon pie stem diameter were 32 and 40 mm respectively meanwhile the
minimum values of stem diameter were 6 and 5.8 mm for the same residues in sequence. The obtained results of
average values are tabulated in Table 15
Table 15. Average values of some physical properties of
tested farm residues
Cotton stalks
Residue Property
Pigeon pie
Ran
ge
Avera
ge
Range
Avera
ge
Stem length, cm
182 98
147.6
9
250 110
117.5
Stem diameter,
mm
32
6
18
40 5.8
24.11
200 35
106.7
2
300 58.25
179.12
5
Number of
branches
27 6
15.95
24-7
15.5
The mechanical properties of the entire plant, such as stress-strain behavior, resistance to tensile, compressive strength,
modulus of elasticity and toughness as guidelines of plant and design experts, mechanical properties of residues (cotton
stalks and pigeon pie) may be defined as those properties that determine the behavior of material under applied loads.
The entire above mention test done on both plant residue and the result obtain is mention below table 16 & 17
Table 16. Mechanical and Physical characteristic of Cotton Stalk
Com
Shear Shear
Tens
pres
Com
stren stren
ile
Tor Mo
sive
pres
gth
gth
stre
Ener que istu
stre
sion
(Dou (Singl
ngth
gy in
in
re
ngth
forc
ble)
e)
(N/
Joule
N. con
(N/
e Fc
(N/m (N/m
mm
m tent
2
mm
(N)
m2)
m2)
2)
)
108
28.52 29.77 7.54 0.32 2020 656.
.75
Bott
16.
104
om
26.18 28.11 7.61 0.32 1990 644.
00
.5
Port
%
ion
102
22.7
23.85 6.55 0.31 1940 635.
.4
63.
16.98 17.54 7.12 0.24 1140 396.
3
Mid
14.
59.
dle
16.22 16.98 5.55 0.24 1080 373.
22
29
Port
%
ion
58.
11.85 12.85 5.41 0.23 1050 358.
75
33.
8.87
9
5.23 0.22
900
193.
25
Top
31. 9.5
8.74
5.31 0.21
540
189.
Port 7.94
45
8%
ion
29.
5.59
7.77
5.27
0.2
500
171.
875
Table 17. Mechanical and Physical characteristic of Pigeon pie
Shea Shear Com Tens Com Ene
M
Torqu
r
stren pres
ile
pres rgy
ois
e in
stren
gth
sive
stre sion
in
tu
N.m
gth (Singl stre ngth forc Joul
re
Page 167
Bott
om
Port
ion
Mid
dle
Port
ion
Top
Port
ion
(Dou
ble)
(N/m
m2)
29.6
5
26.8
8
22.7
1
17.2
6
16.5
3
12.6
3
7.87
e)
(N/m
m2)
ngth
(N/
mm2
)
(N/
mm
2)
e Fc
(N)
24.94
7.85
0.35
2700
760
127.14
23.46
7.69
0.35
2600
737
123.52
19.91
6.75
0.34
2590
728
118.86
12.89
7.24
0.33
1400
441
66.72
12.22
5.67
0.33
1400
418
61.98
11.95
5.58
0.31
1200
411
57.54
6.31
5.20
0.31
810
252
35.67
7.04
6.28
5.37
0.27
770
249
34.16
6.59
6.24
5.40
0.23
720
210
33.64
co
nt
en
t
18
.2
2
%
15
.2
1
%
8.
59
%
V. CONCLUSIONS
The entire test of cotton stalk and pigeon pie is done in view of designing characteristic required for wood chipping
machine, the cotton stalk and pigeon pie are the prime production of farmers in Vidarbha region. After taking out the
production of cotton and pigeon pie these plants are to be scraped. The scraped material of all these plant residue can
be properly utilized for the paper manufacturing units in the forms of chips (small sizes) through chipper machine, but
in order to design the wood chipper for cotton stalk and pigeon pie the basic characteristic are required such as the
maximum shearing strength, maximum compressive strength, tensile strength, total energy and torque required for
shearing various diameter of cotton stalk and pigeon pie. These maximum values can gives the basic design platform
for wood chipper machine such as power required, diameter of cutter shaft, maximum rpm of cutter shaft, number of
chipping blades required etc. The design procedure of wood chipper based on all above obtained values is under process
and that can be presented later. To do the various tests and get the result as various mechanical and physical behavior
of cotton stalk and pigeon pie is itself an achievement. The result of various test at various region of stalk is mention
below in table no 18.
Observations for
Cotton stalk
Double
Shear
strength
(N/mm2)
Single
Shear
strength
(N/mm2)
Compres
sive
strength
(N/mm2)
Tensile
strength
(N/mm2)
Compres
sion
force Fc
Observations for
Pigeon pie
Botto
m
Porti
on
Mid
dle
Port
ion
Top
Porti
on
Botto
m
Porti
on
Midd
le
Porti
on
Top
Port
ion
28.52
16.9
8
8.87
29.65
17.26
7.87
29.77
17.5
4
24.94
12.89
6.31
7.54
7.12
5.23
7.85
7.24
5.20
0.32
0.24
0.22
0.35
0.33
0.31
2020
1140
900
2700
1400
810
Page 168
(N)
Energy
in Joule
Torque
in N.m
Moisture
content
656.4
6
108.7
5
16.00
%
396.
29
193.9
63.3
33.25
14.2
2%
9.58
%
760
127.1
4
18.22
%
441
66.72
15.21
%
252
35.6
7
8.59
%
From the above test result it can be concluded that the pigeon pie stalk is quite hard and tough to break and than that of
cotton stalk for same diameter. Here the shear strength required for cotton stalk for bottom portion of stalk is 28.52
N/mm2 and for pigeon pie is 29.65 N/mm2, the compressive and tensile strength for the cotton stalk at the bottom
region 7.54 N/mm2 & 0.32 N/mm2 and for pigeon pie is 7.85 N/mm2 & 0. 35 N/mm2. The energy required to shear the
cotton stalk is less than that of pigeon pie and it is in the ration of 1: 1.15. Even after the moisture content of the pigeon
pie is greater than cotton stalk.
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