Application of the Discrete Element Method in Agricultural Engineering: Advances and Insights

Öz

Discrete Element Methods (DEM) are a new numerical approach that can be used to model the behavior of granular media. In agriculture, DEM has been increasingly employed as a means of optimizing a variety of agricultural operations such as soil tillage, seeding, harvesting, as well as post-harvesting activities. This review article seeks to offer a thorough analysis of the use of DEM in agriculture as well as the prospects of this new approach. This article will address the basic theory of DEM, its applications in agricultural operations, as well as various difficulties that can arise as a result of the use of DEM in agricultural practices.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Simulation
• Numerical modeling
• Agricultural materials
• Mechanical behavior

Kaynakça

1. Acquah, K., & Chen, Y. (2021). Discrete element modelling of soil compaction of a press-wheel. AgriEngineering, 3(2), 278–293.
2. Ahmad, F., Khaliq, A., Qishuo, D., Chandio, F. A., Sultan, M., & Awais, M. (2023). Energy-efficient tillage system for crop production: A review. Handbook of Energy Management in Agriculture, 501–525.
3. Aikins, K. A., Ucgul, M., Barr, J. B., Awuah, E., Antille, D. L., Jensen, T. A., & Desbiolles, J. M. (2023). Review of discrete element method simulations of soil tillage and furrow opening. Agriculture, 13(3), 541.
4. Al-Hashemi, H. M. B., & Al-Amoudi, O. S. B. (2018). A review on the angle of repose of granular materials. Powder Technology, 330, 397–417.
5. Anand, A., Curtis, J. S., Wassgren, C. R., & Hancock, B. C. (2019). Predicting discharge dynamics of wet cohesive particles from a rectangular hopper using the discrete element method. Chemical Engineering Science, 195, 642–656.
6. Awuah, E., Aikins, K. A., Antille, D. L., Zhou, J., Gbenontin, B. V., Mecha, P., & Liang, Z. (2023). Discrete element method simulation and field evaluation of a vibrating root-tuber shovel in cohesive and frictional soils. Agriculture, 13(8), 1525.
7. Bali, M. K., & Singh, M. (2024). Digital twin and IoT integration for precision agriculture on AWS (Amazon Web Service). 2024 3rd International Conference on Applied Artificial Intelligence and Computing (ICAAIC), 1476–1485.
8. Barbhuiya, S., Jivkov, A., & Das, B. B. (2023). A review of multi-scale modelling of concrete deterioration: Fundamentals, techniques and perspectives. Construction and Building Materials, 406, Article 133472.

9. Chen, L., Mou, X., & Peng, Z. (2022). Application of discrete element method in agricultural engineering. Advances in Modern Agriculture, 2(2).
10. Chen, Y., Munkholm, L. J., & Nyord, T. (2013). A discrete element model for soil--sweep interaction in three different soils. Soil and Tillage Research, 126, 34–41.
11. Cleary, P. W. (2010). DEM prediction of industrial and geophysical particle flows. Particuology, 8(2), 106–118.
12. Coetzee, C. J. (2017). Calibration of the discrete element method. Powder Technology, 310, 104–142.
13. Coetzee, C. J., & Els, D. N. J. (2009). Calibration of discrete element parameters and the modelling of silo discharge and bucket filling. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 65(2), 198–212.
14. Coetzee, C. J., & Scheffler, O. C. (2022). The calibration of DEM parameters for the bulk modelling of cohesive materials. Processes, 11(1), 5.
15. Cundall, P. A., & Strack, O. D. L. (1979). A discrete numerical model for granular assemblies. Geotechnique, 29(1), 47–65.
16. Cutini, M., Bisaglia, C., Brambilla, M., Bragaglio, A., Pallottino, F., Assirelli, A., ... & Menesatti, P. (2023). A co-simulation virtual reality machinery simulator for advanced precision agriculture applications. Agriculture, 13(8), 1603.
17. Erbay, R. (2013). Ekonomik kalkınmada tarımın rolü: Türkiye üzerine bir değerlendirme. Balkan Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 2(4).
18. Ferellec, J. F., & McDowell, G. R. (2010). A method to model realistic particle shape and inertia in DEM. Granular Matter, 12(5), 459–467.
19. Fleissner, F. (2010). Parallel object oriented simulation with Lagrangian particle methods [Doktora tezi]. Institut fuer Technische und Numerische Mechanik, Universitaet Stuttgart.
20. González-Montellano, C., Ramírez, A., Gallego, E., & Ayuga, F. (2012). Validation and experimental calibration of 3D discrete element models for the simulation of the discharge flow in silos. Chemical Engineering Science, 71, 531–541.
21. Guo, Q., & Xia, H. (2023). A review of the Discrete Element Method/Modelling (DEM) in agricultural engineering. Journal of Agricultural Engineering, 54, Article 1534.
22. Guo, Y., Wassgren, C., Hancock, B., James, B., & Curtis, J. (2013). A numerical study of granular shear flows of rod-like particles using the discrete element method. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 713, 1–26.
23. Haikang, L., Xiaoyuan, Z., Zhihong, Z., & Jing, G. (2025). Research status and future trends of DEM in seed metering process of seeders. International Journal of New Developments in Engineering and Society, 9(1), 65–72.
24. Huang, J., & Keppler, I. (2023). Agricultural applications of the Discrete Element Method. Hungarian Agricultural Engineering, 42, 26–32.
25. Kabas, O., Ercan, U., & Moiceanu, G. (2024). Critical drop height prediction of loquat fruit based on some engineering properties with machine learning approach. Agronomy, 14(7).
26. Kačianauskas, R., Balevičius, R., Markauskas, D., & Maknickas, A. (2007). Discrete element method in simulation of granular materials. IUTAM Symposium on Multiscale Problems in Multibody System Contacts, 65–74.
27. Kesner, A., Chotěborský, R., Linda, M., Hromasová, M., Katinas, E., & Sutanto, H. (2021). Stress distribution on a soil tillage machine frame segment with a chisel shank simulated using discrete element and finite element methods and validate by experiment. Biosystems Engineering, 209, 125–138.
28. Khan, N., Ray, R. L., Sargani, G. R., Ihtisham, M., Khayyam, M., & Ismail, S. (2021). Current progress and future prospects of agriculture technology: Gateway to sustainable agriculture. Sustainability, 13(9), 4883.
29. Kim, S., & Heo, S. (2024). An agricultural digital twin for mandarins demonstrates the potential for individualized agriculture. Nature Communications, 15(1), Article 1561.
30. Lei, X., Hu, H., Wu, W., Liu, H., Liu, L., Yang, W., & Ren, W. (2021). Seed motion characteristics and seeding performance of a centralised seed metering system for rapeseed investigated by DEM simulation and bench testing. Biosystems Engineering, 203, 22–33.
31. Li, S., Diao, P., Li, X., Zhao, Y., & Zhao, H. (2025). Design and optimization for straw treatment device using Discrete Element Method (DEM). Agriculture, 15(2), 152.
32. Li, X., Du, Y., Mao, E., Liu, L., & Guo, D. (2023). Design and experiment of corn low damage threshing device based on DEM. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 16(3), 55–63.
33. Li, Z., Zhang, H., Huang, J., Lou, C., Chen, Y., Liu, L., & Chen, L. (2025). Design and parameter optimization of air-delivery auxiliary seed guide for pneumatic plate precision rapeseed metering device. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 230, Article 109840.
34. Lysych, M., Bukhtoyarov, L., & Druchinin, D. (2021). Design and research sowing devices for aerial sowing of forest seeds with UAVs. Inventions, 6(4), 83.
35. Markauskas, D., Kačianauskas, R., Džiugys, A., & Navakas, R. (2015). Investigation of rice grain flow by multi-sphere particle model with rolling resistance. Advanced Powder Technology, 26(3), 1005–1015.
36. Miu, P. I., & Kutzbach, H. D. (2008). Modeling and simulation of grain threshing and separation in threshing units---Part I. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 60(1), 96–104.
37. Pásthy, L., Szabó, B., & Tamás, K. (2024). Measuring and modelling of soil displacement from a horizontal penetrometer and a sweep using an IMU sensor fusion and DEM. Soil and Tillage Research, 244, Article 106207.
38. Pogulis, M., & Servin, M. (2025). Local particle refinement in terramechanical simulations. Journal of Terramechanics, 120, Article 101083.
39. Qingqiu, C., Shengwei, Z., Tao, L., Gaixia, Z., & Hongfang, Y. (2024). Discrete element modelling and mechanical properties and cutting experiments of Caragana korshinskii Kom. stems. Frontiers in Plant Science, 15, Article 1457243.
40. Shmulevich, I. (2010). State of the art modeling of soil--tillage interaction using discrete element method. Soil and Tillage Research, 111(1), 41–53.
41. Shmulevich, I., Asaf, Z., & Rubinstein, D. (2007). Interaction between soil and a wide cutting blade using the discrete element method. Soil and Tillage Research, 97(1), 37–50.
42. Thielke, L., Kemper, S., & Frerichs, L. (2015). Simulation of agricultural processes using the Discrete Element Method. Mechanization in Agriculture & Conserving of the Resources, 61(2), 10–13.
43. Tian, Y., Zeng, Z., & Xing, Y. (2024). A review of Discrete Element Method applications in soil--plant interactions: Challenges and opportunities. Agriculture, 14(9), 1486.
44. Tijskens, E., Ramon, H., & De Baerdemaeker, J. (2003). Discrete element modelling for process simulation in agriculture. Journal of Sound and Vibration, 266(3), 493–514.
45. Tsunazawa, Y., Kosaku, Y., Kamo, R., Miyazawa, R., Nishina, Y., & Tokoro, C. (2024). DEM study on investigation of wet particle conveying efficiency in an inclined belt conveyor system. Advanced Powder Technology, 35(7), Article 104555.
46. Ucgul, M., Fielke, J. M., & Saunders, C. (2014). Three-dimensional discrete element modelling of tillage: Determination of a suitable contact model and parameters for a cohesionless soil. Biosystems Engineering, 121, 105–117.
47. Walunj, A., Chen, Y., Tian, Y., & Zeng, Z. (2023). Modeling soil-plant-machine dynamics using Discrete Element Method: A review. Agronomy, 13(5), 1260.
48. Wang, Y., Wei, Z., Su, G., Zhang, X., Wang, X., Cheng, X., ... & Jin, C. (2025). Design and study of anti-blocking type potato stubble disc clamping and pulling device based on MBD-DEM coupled simulation. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 229, Article 109733.
49. Wang, Y., Xue, W., Ma, Y., Tong, J., Liu, X., & Sun, J. (2019). DEM and soil bin study on a biomimetic disc furrow opener. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 156, 209–216.
50. Wu, Z., Wang, X., Liu, D., Xie, F., Ashwehmbom, L. G., Zhang, Z., & Tang, Q. (2021). Calibration of discrete element parameters and experimental verification for modelling subsurface soils. Biosystems Engineering, 212, 215–227.
51. Xiaolong, L., Wenhao, Y., Longjun, Y., Liyang, L., Qingxi, L., & Wanjun, R. (2020). Design and experiment of seed hill-seeding centralized metering device for rapeseed. Nongye Jixie Xuebao/Transactions of the Chinese Society for Agricultural Machinery, 51(2).
52. Yan, D., Yu, J., Wang, Y., Zhou, L., Sun, K., & Tian, Y. (2022). A review of the application of discrete element method in agricultural engineering: A case study of soybean. Processes, 10(7), 1305.
53. Yang, R., Wang, P., Qing, Y., Chen, D., Chen, L., & Sun, W. (2025). Discrete element simulation optimization design and testing of low-damage flexible drum threshing elements suitable for high-quality seed harvesting. Scientific Reports, 15(1), Article 13601.
54. Zha, X., Zhang, G., Han, Y., Salem, A. E., Fu, J., & Zhou, Y. (2021). Structural optimization and performance evaluation of blocking wheel-type screw fertilizer distributor. Agriculture, 11(3), 248.
55. Zhang, B., Jia, Y., Fan, H., Guo, C., Fu, J., Li, S., & Ma, R. (2024). Soil compaction due to agricultural machinery impact: A systematic review. Land Degradation & Development, 35(10), 3256–3273.
56. Zhang, J., Qiu, J., Guo, H., Ren, S., Sun, H., Wang, G., & Gao, Z. (2014). Simulation of particle flow in a bell-less type charging system of a blast furnace using the discrete element method. Particuology, 16, 167–177.
57. Zhang, S., Huang, Y., Gao, X., Bi, Y., Dong, J., Zhao, H., & Jia, X. (2025). Evaluating the influence of straight-plain types of rotary tiller blades with various edge curves on maize residue using DEM. Biosystems Engineering, 250, 49–61.
58. Zhao, H., Huang, Y., Liu, Z., Liu, W., & Zheng, Z. (2021). Applications of discrete element method in the research of agricultural machinery: A review. Agriculture, 11(5), 425.
59. Zhiwei, Z., Xu, M., Xiulong, C., Zehua, L., & Xicheng, W. (2021). Critical review of applications of discrete element method in agricultural engineering. Nongye Jixie Xuebao/Transactions of the Chinese Society for Agricultural Machinery, 52(4).
60. Zhou, H., Chen, Y., & Sadek, M. A. (2014). Modelling of soil-seed contact using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). Biosystems Engineering, 121, 56–66.
61. Zhu, H. P., Zhou, Z. Y., Yang, R. Y., & Yu, A. B. (2008). Discrete particle simulation of particulate systems: A review of major applications and findings. Chemical Engineering Science, 63(23), 5728–5770.