Effect of Moisture Content and Loading Rate on the Shearing Characteristics of Barley Straw by Internode Position

Abstract

This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of moisture content, internode position and loading rate on the shearing characteristics of barley straw in terms of shear strength and shearing energy. The characteristics were determined at three moisture levels: 10, 15 and 20 % w.b., three loading rates: 5, 10 and 15 mm/min and three internodes: first, second and third internode. The results showed that both the shear strength and shearing energy increased with an increase in moisture content and loading rate and towards the third internode position. The average shear strength was obtained as 5.08 MPa varying from 3.68 to 6.18 MPa, while the average shearing energy was calculated as 100.93 mJ ranging from 65.17 to 131.06 mJ. The shear strength of the barley straw increased from 4.09 to 5.03 MPa, 4.84 to 5.25 MPa and 5.15 to 5.94 MPa for the first, second and third internodes, respectively, as the moisture content increased. The shearing energy of the straw also varied from 70.44 to 99.82 mJ, 92.46 to 121.25 mJ and 102.33 to 122.09 mJ for the first, second and third internodes, respectively.