Prashant Patel, M. Vaezi, R. Sebastian, Amit Kumar
{"title":"The Development of a GIS-Based Framework to Locate Biomass and Municipal Solid Waste Collection Points for an Optimal Waste Conversion Facility","authors":"Prashant Patel, M. Vaezi, R. Sebastian, Amit Kumar","doi":"10.13031/trans.14253","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.14253","url":null,"abstract":"HighlightsAn integrated GIS-based tool was developed for optimally locating bioenergy facilities.Waste and lignocellulosic biomass potential and distribution were assessed for Alberta.A case study for Alberta’s Industrial Heartland identified facility locations for two scenarios.Ten optimal locations were identified across Alberta for bioconversion of waste and biomass feeds.Abstract. Quantifying the availability of feedstock and determining an optimal location are key to ensuring the sustainability of a waste to value-added (W2VA) facility. This study aims to identify lignocellulosic biomass (agricultural and forest residues) and municipal solid waste (MSW) potential, find geographical point-source locations for the distributed biomass, and identify optimal locations for W2VA facilities across the province of Alberta, Canada, using an integrated geographic information system (GIS) based approach. MSW potential is estimated using population and average annual waste generation per capita, while agriculture and forest residue are estimated using production data and harvesting residue factor. A GIS-based framework is developed to locate biomass collection points by latitude and longitude for distributed biomass and to estimate their associated biomass potential. An integrated framework is subsequently developed to optimally locate W2VA facilities that have minimal environmental, economic, and social impacts. An array of geographical constraints is then considered in a suitability analysis and network analysis framework. An estimate of the annual availability of feedstock using the most recent data shows MSW, agricultural residue, and forest residue potentials of 4,330,000 wet megagrams (Mg), 4,060,000 dry Mg, and 2,070,000 dry Mg, respectively, in Alberta. Optimal W2VA facility locations are identified for Alberta’s Industrial Heartland (AIH) considering waste heat from the areas as an additional energy source. Ten other locations where facilities can be operated sustainably are identified across the province. This study can be used as a framework by municipalities and communities in any jurisdiction in the world to geographically locate biomass source and collection points, along with their annual capacity, and the corresponding optimal site for a W2VA facility. Keywords: Biomass, Biorefinery, GIS, suitability analysis, Integrated methodology, Municipal solid waste, Sustainability, Waste management, Waste-to-energy.","PeriodicalId":23120,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of the ASABE","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77739500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xinjie Tong, Lingying Zhao, R. Manuzon, M. Darr, R. M. Knight, Chaoyuan Wang, A. Heber, J. Ni
{"title":"Ammonia Concentrations and Emissions at Two Commercial Manure-Belt Layer Houses with Mixed Tunnel and Cross Ventilation","authors":"Xinjie Tong, Lingying Zhao, R. Manuzon, M. Darr, R. M. Knight, Chaoyuan Wang, A. Heber, J. Ni","doi":"10.13031/trans.14634","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.14634","url":null,"abstract":"HighlightsAnnual average NH3 concentrations in two retrofitted manure-belt layer houses were 4.0 ±3.3 and 5.2 ±3.0 ppmv.Seasonal and diurnal variations were observed for NH3 concentrations (higher in colder seasons and early morning).Annual average NH3 emission rates from the two layer houses were 0.081 ±0.004 and 0.099 ±0.004 g d-1 hen-1.No consistent pattern was found for either seasonal or diurnal variations in NH3 emission rates.Abstract. Ammonia emission measurements at poultry houses are necessary to assess air quality and emission factors associated with poultry operations, but no data have been reported for manure-belt layer houses retrofitted from high-rise layer houses. Two commercial retrofitted manure-belt layer houses (both 121.9 m long, 19.5 m wide, and 7.7 m high; 170,000 bird nominal capacity each) in Ohio with mixed usage of tunnel and cross ventilation systems were continuously monitored for one year. The daily averages of the exhaust NH3 concentrations varied from 0.03 to 17.7 ppmv in house 1 and 0.37 to 14.4 ppmv in house 2 with annual means (±SD) of 4.0 ±3.3 and 5.2 ±3.0 ppmv, respectively. The NH3 emission factors based on the full year of data for houses 1 and 2 were 0.081 ±0.004 and 0.099 ±0.004 g d-1 hen-1 (12.5 ±10.1 and 15.2 ±10.6 kg d-1 house-1 or 24.9 ±20.0 and 31.1 ±23.4 g d-1 AU-1), respectively. Seasonal variations were observed for NH3 concentrations, with higher concentrations in winter and lower concentrations in summer. Within a day, NH3 concentrations were highest from 4:00 to 8:00 and lowest from 16:00 to 20:00. No consistent pattern was observed for seasonal or diurnal variations of NH3 emission rates. Higher NH3 concentrations and emissions were observed at the east and west exhaust air streams of the houses compared to the north and south exhaust air streams due to the unique configuration of the ventilation systems. NH3 emission was correlated with exhaust absolute humidity, hen caloric intake, feed consumption, and protein percentage of feed. Keywords: Ammonia emission factor, Diurnal variation, High-rise, Retrofitted poultry house, Seasonal variation, Spatial variation.","PeriodicalId":23120,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of the ASABE","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81192719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Modeling Soil Forces on a Rotary Tine Tool in Artificial Soil","authors":"Safal Kshetri, B. Steward, M. Tekeste","doi":"10.13031/trans.14336","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.14336","url":null,"abstract":"HighlightsA mathematical model of soil reaction forces on a rotary tine tool was developed.Soil bin experiments using artificial soil enabled observation of soil failure due to soil-tine interaction.The model-predicted forces were similar to experimentally measured forces.Abstract. Understanding soil-tool interaction can enable better control of weeding tools to achieve higher weeding efficacy. The interaction between a vertical tine (mounted on a rotating disc) and soil was investigated using a mathematical model that estimated soil horizontal forces on the tine operating at different linear and rotational velocities. The kinematics associated with the linear and rotational velocities of the rotary tine tool were modeled, and the shearing and inertial forces were estimated. To evaluate model performance with different experimental factors, two sets of soil bin experiments were conducted using an artificial soil: with one tine to estimate model parameters and with two tines 180° apart. Experimental factors were longitudinal velocity (travel speed) at three levels (0.09, 0.29, and 0.5 m s-1) and speed ratio, i.e., the ratio of longitudinal velocity to peripheral velocity of the tines, at three levels (1, 1.5, and 2). Soil horizontal force and torque on the rotary tine tool were measured. A nonlinear least squares method was used to estimate model parameters from the experimental data, resulting in shearing force coefficients ranging from 2.9 to 37 N and inertial force coefficients ranging from 16 to 528 N s2 m-2. The variations in the shearing and inertial forces on the tine were due to differences in soil failure patterns among the treatments. The predicted longitudinal and tangential forces for two tines using the model showed trends that were similar to the forces measured in the experiment. However, the model overestimated the predicted forces because it did not account for the reduced force on a tine due to soil disturbance created by the other tine. Keywords: Soil-tine interaction, Weed control.","PeriodicalId":23120,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of the ASABE","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85644456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Zahid, Long He, D. Choi, J. Schupp, P. Heinemann
{"title":"Investigation of Branch Accessibility with a Robotic Pruner for Pruning Apple Trees","authors":"A. Zahid, Long He, D. Choi, J. Schupp, P. Heinemann","doi":"10.13031/trans.14132","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.14132","url":null,"abstract":"HighlightsA branch accessibility simulation was performed for robotic pruning of apple trees.A virtual tree environment was established using a kinematic manipulator model and an obstacle model.Rapidly-exploring random tree (RRT) was combined with smoothing and optimization for improved path planning.Effects on RRT path planning of the approach angle of the end-effector and cutter orientation at the target were studied.Abstract. Robotic pruning is a potential solution to reduce orchard labor and associated costs. Collision-free path planning of the manipulator is essential for successful robotic pruning. This simulation study investigated the collision-free branch accessibility of a six rotational (6R) degrees of freedom (DoF) robotic manipulator with a shear cutter end-effector. A virtual environment with a simplified tall spindle tree canopy was established in MATLAB. An obstacle-avoidance algorithm, rapidly-exploring random tree (RRT), was implemented for establishing collision-free paths to reach the target pruning points. In addition, path smoothing and optimization algorithms were used to reduce the path length and calculate the optimized path. Two series of simulations were conducted: (1) performance and comparison of the RRT algorithm with and without smoothing and optimization, and (2) performance of collision-free path planning considering different approach poses of the end-effector relative to the target branch. The simulations showed that the RRT algorithm successfully avoided obstacles and allowed the manipulator to reach the target point with 23 s average path finding time. The RRT path length was reduced by about 28% with smoothing and by 25% with optimization. The RRT smoothing algorithm generated the shortest path lengths but required about 1 to 3 s of additional computation time. The lowest coefficient of variation and standard deviation values were found for the optimization method, which confirmed the repeatability of the method. Considering the different end-effector approach poses, the simulations suggested that successfully finding a collision-free path was possible for branches with no existing path using the ideal (perpendicular cutter) approach pose. This study provides a foundation for future work on the development of robotic pruning systems. Keywords: Agricultural robotics, Collision-free path, Manipulator, Path planning, Robotic pruning, Virtual tree environment.","PeriodicalId":23120,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of the ASABE","volume":"22 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86337276","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Experiment and Optimization of High-Efficiency Mechanical Separation of Peanut Seedlings and Residual Film Based on Suspension Velocity","authors":"Gu Fengwei, Meng Yang, Zhichao Hu, Yanhua Zhang, Zhang Chong, Wang Shenying","doi":"10.13031/TRANS.14512","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13031/TRANS.14512","url":null,"abstract":"Highlights An efficient method for separating peanut seedlings and the residual film harvested from film-mulched peanut was proposed, and the mechanism was optimized. The relationships between the suspension velocity and moisture content of different shredded materials of peanut seedlings was studied. Four-factor and three-horizontal Box-Behnken experiments were carried out and analyzed based on Design-Expert 8.0.6 software, and the optimal parameters combination was determined. A validation test was carried out to verify the rationality and accuracy of the optimized regression model. Abstract. To address the current problems of lower residual film removal rate and higher material loss rate in the forage utilizing process of peanut seedlings wrapped in residual film, this paper studied the relationships between the suspension velocity and moisture content of different shredded materials derived from peanut seedlings, and conducted performance test and parameters optimization for the 9HRC-100 machine that utilizes peanut seedling as forage materials (hereinafter referred to as the machine). Four-factor and three-horizontal Box-Behnken experiments were designed by taking the rotational speeds of the shredding shaft, upper fans, lower fans and frequency of the vibrating sieve as test factors, taking the residual film removal rate and material loss rate as response values. The test results indicated that the suspension velocity of the shredded materials showed a quadratic relationship with moisture","PeriodicalId":23120,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of the ASABE","volume":"70 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84017555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Li Xiusong, Zhangying Ye, Guo-Qun Li, Pan Shen, Songming Zhu, Zhao Shiguang, Dezhao Liu, Zhang Jie, Shen Zhongyin, Gao Weiwei
{"title":"Effects of Intelligent Carbon Fiber Heater on Pig Behavior, Production Performance, and Energy Consumption","authors":"Li Xiusong, Zhangying Ye, Guo-Qun Li, Pan Shen, Songming Zhu, Zhao Shiguang, Dezhao Liu, Zhang Jie, Shen Zhongyin, Gao Weiwei","doi":"10.13031/TRANS.14104","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13031/TRANS.14104","url":null,"abstract":"HighlightsIntelligent carbon fiber heaters (ICFH) increased the tendency of sows to expose their udders toward the heating area.During the first week after birth, piglets with ICFH used the heating area more frequently and spent less time in the areas close to sows than piglets with incandescent heat lamps (IHL).ICFH helped to reduce the piglet crushing rate.Farrowing houses with ICFH can save 40.6% of the electricity usage compared to IHL.Abstract. Current Chinese heating systems (primarily incandescent heat lamps, IHL) for piglets are energy-consuming, fragile, and short-lived. To overcome these disadvantages, the objectives of this study were to (1) develop an intelligent carbon fiber heater (ICFH) and (2) conduct field experiments to evaluate the performance of the developed heater. The ICFH mainly consisted of an intelligent control unit, a carbon fiber tube, and a heater cover. Three treatments, i.e., ICFH, ICFH with light (ICFHL), and IHL, were respectively assigned to three farrowing pig houses. Pig behaviors, production performance, and electricity usage were recorded in two complete farrowing batches. The results showed that the sows in the ICFH and ICFHL treatments exposed their udders toward the heating area more often than their backs (p < 0.01). Piglets at 1 to 3 days of age in the ICFH and ICFHL treatments increased their time in the heating area by >4.3% (p < 0.01). The proportion of piglets within 0.08 m of the sows was highest for the IHL treatment during 1 to 3 days of age (p < 0.01) but similar among the treatments after day 3 (p = 0.45). The piglet crushing rate in the ICFH and ICFHL treatments was reduced by >2.2% (p < 0.01), while daily weight gain was not significantly different among the treatments (p = 0.16). Using ICFH and ICFHL can reduce electricity usage by 40.6%. It is concluded that the newly developed heater is beneficial for pig thermal comfort, production, and energy savings. Keywords: Automatic sensor technology, Carbon fiber heater, Piglet crushing, PLF.","PeriodicalId":23120,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of the ASABE","volume":"95 1","pages":"259-272"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80286384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mingsen Huang, Xiaohu Jiang, Long He, D. Choi, J. Pecchia, Yaoming Li
{"title":"Development of a Robotic Harvesting Mechanism for Button Mushrooms","authors":"Mingsen Huang, Xiaohu Jiang, Long He, D. Choi, J. Pecchia, Yaoming Li","doi":"10.13031/TRANS.14194","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13031/TRANS.14194","url":null,"abstract":"HighlightsA robotic mushroom picking mechanism was developed, including positioning, picking, and stipe trimming.The picking end-effector was designed based on a bending motion around the stipe-substrate joint.The overall success rate of the developed picking mechanism reached 91.4%.Acting time and air pressure for the suction cup were studied in mushroom bruise level tests.Abstract. Button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) harvesting mainly relies on costly manpower, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Robotic harvesting is an alternative method to address this challenge. In this study, a robotic mushroom picking mechanism was designed, including a picking end-effector based on a bending motion, a four degree-of-freedom (DoF) positioning end-effector for moving the picking end-effector, a mushroom stipe trimming end-effector, and an electro-pneumatic control system. A laboratory-scale prototype was fabricated to validate the performance of the mechanism. Bruise tests on the mushroom caps were also conducted to analyze the influence of air pressure and acting time of the suction cup on bruise level. The test results showed that the picking end-effector was successfully positioned to the target locations. The success rate of the picking end-effector was 90% at first pick and increased to 94.2% after second pick. The main reason for the failures was inclined growing condition of those mushrooms, resulting in difficulties in engaging the mushroom cap with the suction cup facing straight downward. The trimming end-effector achieved a success rate of 97% overall. The bruise tests indicated that the air pressure was the main factor affecting the bruise level, compared to the suction cup acting time, and an optimized suction cup may help to alleviate the bruise damage. The laboratory test results indicated that the developed picking mechanism has potential to be implemented in automatic mushroom harvesting. Keywords: Bruise test, End-effector, Mushroom, Robotic harvesting.","PeriodicalId":23120,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of the ASABE","volume":"33 1","pages":"565-575"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80900855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. M. Gunn, A. Buda, H. Gall, R. Cibin, C. Kennedy, T. Veith
{"title":"Integrating Daily CO2 Concentrations in SWAT-VSA to Examine Climate Change Impacts on Hydrology in a Karst Watershed","authors":"K. M. Gunn, A. Buda, H. Gall, R. Cibin, C. Kennedy, T. Veith","doi":"10.13031/TRANS.13711","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13031/TRANS.13711","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Highlights We used SWAT-VSA to assess the effects of climate change with rising CO2 on the water balance of a karst basin. For future climate, SWAT-VSA with rising CO2 yielded 7.1% less ET and 6.3% more runoff than standard SWAT-VSA. Rising CO2 also affected variable source areas, with greater ET declines and runoff increases in the wettest soils. Findings suggest CO2 effects on water balance should be included in future climate change studies with SWAT-VSA. Characterizing the effects of climate change on hydrology is important to watershed management. In this study, we used SWAT-VSA to examine the effects of climate change and increasing atmospheric CO2 (CO2) on the water balance of Spring Creek watershed, a mixed land-use karst basin in the Upper Chesapeake Bay watershed. First, we modified the stomatal conductance and leaf area index (LAI) routines of SWAT-VSA‘s Penman-Monteith evapotranspiration (ET) procedure and enabled the model to accept daily CO2 data. Using downscaled climate projections from nine global climate models (GCMs), we then compared water balance estimations from baseline SWAT-VSA against two modified versions of SWAT-VSA. One SWAT-VSA version integrated daily CO2 levels (SWAT-VSA_CO2), while another version added flexible stomatal conductance and LAI routines (SWAT-VSA_CO2+Plant) to the dynamic CO2 capacity. Under current climate (1985–2015), the three SWAT-VSA models produced generally similar water balance estimations, with 51% of precipitation lost to ET, and the remainder converted to runoff (10%), lateral flow (9%), and percolate (30%). For future climate (2020–2065), water balance simulations diverged between baseline SWAT-VSA and the two modified SWAT-VSA models with CO2. Notably, variable stomatal conductance and leaf area index (LAI) routines produced no detectable effects beyond that of CO2. For the 2020–2065 period, baseline SWAT-VSA projected ET increases of 0.7 mm yr-1, while SWAT-VSA models with CO2 suggested annual ET could decline by approximately -0.4 mm yr-1 over the same period. As a result, the two CO2-based SWAT-VSA models predicted streamflow increases of almost 1.6 mm yr-1 over the 2020–2065 period, which were roughly double the streamflow increases projected by baseline SWAT-VSA. In general, SWAT-VSA models with CO2 effects produced 22.4% more streamflow in 2045–2065 than the SWAT-VSA model without CO2. Results also showed that adding daily CO2 to SWAT-VSA reduced ET in wetter parts of the Spring Creek watershed, leading to greater runoff losses from variable source areas compared to baseline SWAT-VSA. Findings from the study highlight the importance of considering increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations in water balance simulations with SWAT-VSA in order to gain a fuller appreciation of the hydrologic uncertainties with climate change.","PeriodicalId":23120,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of the ASABE","volume":"42 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81062614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. Sharma, S. Irmak, M. Kukal, M. Vuran, A. Jhala, Xin Qiao
{"title":"Evaluation of Soil Moisture Sensing Technologies in Silt Loam and Loamy Sand Soils: Assessment of Performance, Temperature Sensitivity, and Site- and Sensor-Specific Calibration Functions","authors":"K. Sharma, S. Irmak, M. Kukal, M. Vuran, A. Jhala, Xin Qiao","doi":"10.13031/trans.14112","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.14112","url":null,"abstract":"Reliable soil moisture information is vital for optimal irrigation management, farm-level agronomic decisionmaking, hydrologic studies, and cropping systems modeling. A wide range of soil moisture sensing technologies is commercially available, but their performance must be evaluated for diverse conditions of use. In this research, we investigated nine soil moisture sensors based on time-domain reflectometry, capacitance, and electrical resistance principles in production field conditions with two installation orientations, i.e., vertical (V) and horizontal (H), in two soils (silt loam and loamy sand) and two growing seasons (2017 and 2018). Performance parameters deduced from the 2017 datasets revealed that sensor type and soil type significantly affected the soil moisture sensor performance under factory calibration (F.C.); however, sensor installation orientation did not. Thus, the sensors were only evaluated based on their performance in horizontal orientation in both soils. Precision and accuracy were considered targets to assist in appropriate sensor selection. To improve sensor accuracy, site-specific calibration (S.S.C.) functions were developed and validated using independent datasets from 2018. Considering mean bias error (MBE), all sensors overestimated volumetric soil water content (v) in both soils, with the exception of TEROS 21 (MPS-6) in silt loam and JD probe in loamy sand. On average, sensor performance was 67% better in loamy sand than in silt loam. Overall, the sensors showed higher precision in silt loam (R2 = 0.53 to 0.93) than in loamy sand (R2 = 0.25 to 0.82). Substantial post-S.S.C. improvement (32% to 89%) was observed in all sensors’ performance relative to F.C. in silt loam. In loamy sand, while most sensors performed reasonably well with F.C., considerable improvements (28% to 85%) were observed with S.S.C. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in sensors’ sensitivity to soil temperature (Tsoil), which ranged from 14°C to 23°C in silt loam and from 14°C to 25°C loamy sand during the experiments. The CS655, 10HS, 5TE, and TEROS 21 (MPS-6) sensors showed significant (p < 0.05) sensitivity to Tsoil fluctuations, with Tsoil explaining a maximum of 17% of the variance observed in sensor performance. No statistically significant (p > 0.05) sensitivity was detected for any of the sensors in loamy sand. TEROS 21 (MPS-6) had the highest sensitivity to Tsoil with a slope of -4.25. In contrast, while statistically significant (p < 0.05), 5TE was the least sensitive to Tsoil variability with a slope of 1.81. The information, data, and analyses presented here can be instrumental for informed sensor selection and use in decision-making in production fields with similar soil textures and soil water regimes.","PeriodicalId":23120,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of the ASABE","volume":"22 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81226173","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Maneuverability of Wheeled Poly-Articulated Agricultural Vehicles: Modeling and Field Testing","authors":"A. Yatskul, J. Lemière, F. Cointault","doi":"10.13031/TRANS.14262","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13031/TRANS.14262","url":null,"abstract":"HighlightsModeling provides the relationships between path, kinematics, geometry, and towed implements.Linear interpolation allows trajectories to be compared if data recording is random.Correction coefficients can be a solution to compensate for soil resistance.Abstract. Automatic guidance systems and autonomous vehicles require tested methods of path generation to ensure successful maneuvers (such as automatic trajectory correction and headland turn management). In this study, an evolution of Zakin’s kinematic modeling, as applied in the automobile industry, is proposed for an agricultural poly-articulated vehicle (representing a tractor or other type of towing vehicle with one or more towed implements attached with an articulated hitch). Geometry, vehicle ground speed, and angular steering velocity are considered in the generation of maneuvering paths. Based on the specifics of real field conditions (slope, plant residue, resistance due to soil compaction, etc.), the initial model was improved by introducing correction coefficients. An experimental setup is proposed using a tractor with two towed implements and a testing method involving point-to-point path comparison. The modeling method has potential for integrating more complex procedures (such as path generation, geolocation, and following) into the design of a maneuvering management system for agricultural machines, which can contribute to the efficiency of field operations. Keywords: Agricultural vehicle, Headland turn automation, Maneuverability, Modeling, Path generation, Path planning, Poly-articulated vehicle.","PeriodicalId":23120,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of the ASABE","volume":"6 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82400425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}