Experimental research on the mechanical physical parameters of bottom stalk of the Arundo donax L. in harvesting period

Obtaining parameters of mechanical physical characteristics of the Arundo donax L. stalk such as the maximum breaking stress, modulus of elasticity, etc. through the experimental study, and offering theoretical foundation and basic technical parameters for the study of cutting and cutter for the Arundo donax L., play a significant role in designing high-efficiency cutting device with low energy consumption and realizing the Arundo donax L. harvesting mechanization. Just like bamboo, timber, etc, the Arundo donax L. is anisotropic, non-homogenized, non-linear biomaterial, but no quantitative study has been reported on the mechanical physical characteristics of the Arundo donax L. stalk. Using the computer-controlled electronic universal testing machine to do stretching test, compressing test and bending test, along veins on the bottom stalk of Arundo donax L., the stress-strain curves under certain experimental conditions were acquired and analyzed. The tests show that the average maximum of pulling resistance intensity along veins is 123 MPa, the modulus of elasticity is 1260 MPa; the average maximum of stress resistance intensity along veins is 52 MPa, modulus of elasticity is 595 MPa; the average maximum of bend resistance intensity along veins is 125 MPa, and modulus of elasticity is 1715 MPa. And the results indicated that the breaking stress parameters of the Arundo donax L. is similar to the Phylbstachys pubescens, but is far greater than the breaking stress parameters of stem stalks such as the maize, wheat, etc. So the traditional cutters are unsuitable to be adopted in the mechanization harvest of the Arundo donax L..