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2026 Vol.8, Issue 2 Preview Page

Research Article

Development of DEM models for garlic field soil and whole garlic bulbs based on physical and contact properties
Jae-Seo Hwang1
,
Young-Woo Do1
,
Si-Eon Lee1
,
Yi-Seo Min1
,
So-Yun Gong1
,
Seon-Ju Park1
,
Gi-Deok Kim1
,
Jin-Woo Park1
,
Hyeon-Seo Yoon1
,
Wan-Soo Kim123*
1Department of Biosystems Machinery Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
2Department of Smart Bio-Industrial Mechanical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
3Upland Field Machinery Research Center, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
*Corresponding Author
30 June 2026. pp. 139-157
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Abstract

Mechanization of garlic harvesting is required to address labor shortages and rising production costs. However, the design of garlic harvesting machinery remains challenging because digging performance is governed by complex interactions among soil, garlic bulbs, and machine components. The discrete element method (DEM) can be used to analyze these interactions, but reliable simulations require calibrated material and contact parameters that can reproduce measured macroscopic responses. In this study, DEM models of soil and garlic were developed and calibrated based on measured physical and contact properties. Soils and garlic bulbs were collected from Hapcheon (southern-type) and Uiseong (northern-type), two major garlic-producing regions in Korea. Soil properties, including texture, bulk density, and shear behavior, were measured, while three-dimensional garlic bulb models were constructed using photogrammetry. The physical and contact properties of garlic were also measured. The soil DEM models were calibrated by reproducing the measured bulk density and vane shear torque, whereas the garlic DEM models were calibrated by reproducing the measured critical angle and rebound height. The two fields showed distinct differences in soil texture (silt loam and clay loam), bulk density (1,266.1 and 1,360.4 kg/m3), and mean vane shear torque (8.17 and 20.45 N·m). After calibration, the bulk density and vane shear torque errors were reduced to within 0.13% and 0.93%, respectively, while the critical angle and rebound height of garlic were reproduced with errors of less than 5%. Finally, the calibrated soil and garlic models were integrated into a DEM simulation environment. The developed models provide fundamental data and calibrated DEM inputs for future analysis of soil–garlic interactions.

Keywords
Soil
Garlic
Discrete element method
Physical properties
3D Model
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society of Precision Agriculture
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국정밀농업학회
  • Journal Title :Precision Agriculture Science and Technology
  • Journal Title(Ko) :정밀농업과학기술
  • Volume : 8
  • No :2
  • Pages :139-157
  • Received Date : 2026-06-15
  • Revised Date : 2026-06-25
  • Accepted Date : 2026-06-26
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.22765/pastj.20260012
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