Parameter calibration of corncob based on DEM

Corncob is one of the main components of corn ears. Because the mechanical properties of different parts of corncob are very different, and there is a lack of research on the simulation and calibration of corncob parameters at present, the established corn ear or corncob simulation model has low accuracy and poor reliability. In this study, the simulation tests of corncob calibration parameters are carried out based on DEM. Firstly, a modelling method of corncob is proposed to establish sample models of corncob. Then, the DEM simulation parameters that restitution coefficient, static friction coefficient, and rolling friction coefficient of “particle–particle” and “particle-geometry”, and Poisson’s ratio of particle are determined by the Plackett-Burman test and Box-Behnken test. Next, the simulated bending test of corncob is carried out using the calibrated parameters. Finally, by comparing the physical and simulated bending test results, it shows the anti-destructive forces of corncob are 204.52 N and 197.3 N, respectively, with a relative error of 3.53%. This study verifies the reliability of parameter calibration for the discrete element model of corncob and provides a new method for establishing simulation models of corn ear and other materials.