Author : Anis Elaoud, Sayed Chehaibi and Khaoula Abrougui

In order to improve and develop the Tunisian agriculture, the government has encouraged the introduction of modern technologies and has also promoted the adoption of innovative practices cultures. Indeed, the extensive use of mechanization increases the crop productivity but its inadequate application also has adverse effects on the soil caused by the phenomenon of compaction. Which will cause the loss of soil fertility and increased production costs. This problem increases with increase the stress on contact wheel/soil. For this reason, the objective of this study is to simulate the footprint of the soil/tire three types of tractor after their passage on a sandy loam soil type contact. The analysis using was performed Specific database (TERRANIMO). Simulation parameters are based on the choice of tractors masses respectively 6500 kg, 4400 kg and 10500 kg. The main results obtained have shown that the tractor the heavier caused constraint wheel rear/soil caused which exceeds 100 kPa. As against, the second tractor wheel rear/soil has spawned a constraint 50 kPa. Comparing the two results showed that the tractor 6500 kg achieved a serious and excessive compaction which begat a negative impact on soil quality and crop yields. Simulation parameters were based on the choice of two inflation pressures of the rear wheels (1.6 bars and 2.1 bars) and those of the front wheels (0.8 and 1.6 bar). Main results shows an increase rear tire pressure by 31 % matches to an increase in the maximum stress at 27 %, and increase front tire pressure by 100 % matches to an increase in the maximum stress at 80 %.

Keywords: Wheel traffic, Tractor, Soil compaction, Simulation

Article published in International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.5, No.1 (Feb-2015)